There are tons of events this weekend to get you into the holiday spirit. You can brave the cold (perhaps with a little holiday, um, spirits to keep you warm?) or stay inside next to a cozy fire. Because it's also the season of giving, there are multiple events benefiting many local charities and nonprofits. Continue on for our food-related recommendations.
See also: 5 Local Gifts for the St. Louis Foodie
Friday (Dec. 5):
Brew for the Band @ Market Pub House
Market Pub House is teaming with the Angel Band Project for an evening benefiting the organization's music-therapy programs. The all-inclusive ticket includes the restaurant's 30 draft beers, four tap wines, well cocktails, a buffet and live music from Bryan & Elliot Ranney, Letter to Memphis and the Occasionals. A VIP ticket gets you a beer flight featuring Perennial Barrel Aged Abraxas, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, and Abita Baltic Porter aged in Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon barrels, plus a special pairing menu prepared by chef Quentin Curry. From 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. This event is 21 and up only. General admission tickets are $40 in advance and $50 the day of; VIP tickets are $75, and all are available here.
Bells and Bowls @ St. Louis Artists' Guild
The fundraiser for the St. Louis Artists' Guild features soups and bread from St. Louis restaurants paired with live art from guild members, a silent auction and music. Soups include mushroom soup from Avenue Restaurant, chicken and white bean chili from the Boathouse Restaurant, shrimp and lobster bisque from the DeMun Oyster Bar, cauliflower bisque with roasted garlic from Home Wine Kitchen, tortilla soup from Milagro Modern Mexican and tomato basil soup with saffron couscous from Remy's Kitchen and Wine Bar; all of the soups will be paired with bread from Companion Bakery. Whisk and Clayton's Bakery and Deli are also providing sweets. There will be an open bar with beer, wine and soft drinks. From 6 to 9 p.m. General admission tickets are $30 and VIP tickets are $50, which gets you reserved seating, parking and $10 to spend at the silent auction. You can purchase tickets here.
Saturday (Dec. 6):
Cookie Decorating Class and Lunch @ Crêpes, Etc.
Learn to create delicious holiday cookies at guided cookie stations at Crêpes. There will also be a light lunch buffet, pastries, a hot-chocolate bar and handmade card stations. Bring a toy to go to for the Saint Louis University Toy Drive and get a Crêpes, Etc. mug and candies. From 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 per child. RSVP here.
Holiday Hop and Shop @ Mad Art Gallery
ALIVE magazine is hosting an evening of local handmade and ethically imported goods from more than 30 vendors, plus live entertainment and food and drinks. Cocktails will feature SkinnyGirl, Pinnacle vodka and 2 Gingers Irish whiskey. If you RSVP on Facebook, you'll be entered to win a $10 shop voucher. From 7:30 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and are available here.
Winemaker's Dinner @ Chaumette Winery
Owner Hank Johnson and chef Adam Lambay host this annual event with Chaumette winemaker Mark Baehmann. It features six courses paired with Chaumette's new wine releases. The menu starts with Ladd farm chicken breast, dressed-up deviled Flieg Farm egg, winter greens and chicken cracklins paired with the 2013 rosé. The second course is butter-poached walleye in a light chowder broth with winter squash paired with the 2013 Chardonel Reserve. The third course is a wild mushroom nage, beef short ribs and garlic biscuit crumble paired with the 2013 Chambourcin Reserve. The fourth course is pork and cranberry curry paired with the Mosaic, N.V. The fifth course is cocoa-dusted Hinkebein elk with a mélange of beans and lentils paired with the 2013 Norton Reserve pre-release. For dessert, it's pumpkin cheesecake with ginger-snap crust and cinnamon whipped cream paired with the Bouvet Blanc, N.V. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $70 for wine club members and $80 for non-members; call 573-747-1000.
MOFU Tofu Ramen Pop-up with Sump Coffee and Ices Plain & Fancy @ Sump Coffee
MOFU's latest popup features winter-ready ramen and a mini menu of other treats. Offerings include danji, takoyaki, boudin and more. There will also be beer from Perennial Artisan Ales, coffee from Sump and ice cream from Ices Plain & Fancy. From 4 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Wintermarkt @ Greg Freeman Park
"The citizens of the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood get their Christmas on German style with Wintermarkt, an annual outdoor festival and crafts show. Holiday shoppers can browse for gifts among the treasures created by local artists and vendors while warming their holiday spirits at the beer and wine station. For the famished there will be barbecue, roasted chestnuts, pretzels and soup. This Yuletide tradition also features a bake sale featuring tasty confections and desserts made by residents with proceeds benefiting the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council." From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Grinchmas @ MoKaBe's Coffeehouse
MoKaBe's is raising money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children -- but not with Santa. Instead, the coffeehouse has enlisted the Grinch to spread holiday cheer. The green scrooge himself will be on hand for photos for a $7 donation at MoKaBe's and the Tower Grove Creamery. If you bring a toy, you can get a photo for $5. There will also be Shriners clowns there for face painting and balloon animals. A children's menu will be available at MoKaBe's, plus the full menu for adults. Tower Grove Creamery will be offering $1 ice cream for kids. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free.
Sunday (Dec. 7):
Central West End Holiday Bazaar @ Maryland Plaza
Peruse more than twenty local vendors to the tunes of the William Lenihan Jazz Trio. There will be complimentary coffee, holiday cider specials and tastings, a hot-chocolate bar, gluehwein (mulled wine), a Spirits of St. Louis tasting, a bloody-mary bar and more. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
