October has arrived in all its lederhosen-wearing, beer-stein-raising, pumpkin everything glory. While most of the heavy activity is reserved for the weekend, there are a few weeknight diversions to tear you away from your fortress of solitude. Without further ado, here are a few of the drink and food events happening this week in Broward and Palm Beach counties:
Tonight:
Food trucks in downtown Hollywood -- Mondays are crappy enough without having to drag yourself into the kitchen and pretend that you have the energy or desire to make anything more labor-intensive and creative than a freezer-burned Hot Pocket. If you can't bear the thought of throwing in the towel and firing up the microwave so early in the week, the food-truck rally in Arts Park at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood offers a fairly wide variety of cuisine. More than 20 trucks are on hand, and this week include entries like Dog Eat Dog Food Truck, Latin Burger and Taco, Mr. Good Stuff, Slow Food Truck, and Sugar Yummy Mama. The Miami Food Truck event is 5:30 to 10 p.m., and there is no cost to attend, though you're gonna have to bring cash if you want to eat.
World Habitat Day -- Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County will host a local celebration in recognition of the United Nations' World Habitat Day, which falls on the first Monday of every October. The gathering is 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Sundy House in Delray Beach. If you haven't yet purchased a ticket, the cost is $30, and your entry fee will cover two drinks, appetizers, and live music as well as other fundraising activities. Benefits go to Habitat for Humanity.
Wednesday:
ARToberfest -- You aren't likely to find über-busty dirndl girls slinging steins of Bavarian suds at this artsy take on Octoberfest, but entry to the Boca Raton Museum of Art's October event will give you a chance to enjoy drinks and snacks in the museum's sculpture garden, as well as a look at the fall exhibitions, including the wonderfully immersive "World According to Federico Uribe." Admission is $10 to $20, depending on whether you are a museum member and when you purchase your ticket. The entry fee entitles you to two beverages and snacks, with a cash bar available as well. Get tickets at bocamuseum.org.
Ravenswood Wine Dinner -- If you don't mind indulging a bit for your midweek dinner, you can reserve a seat at the Ravenswood wine pairing event at Ironwood Grille in the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. The dinner is from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and the cost is $65, plus tax and tip. For that price, you'll get a meaty four-course dinner with each dish paired with a complementing wine.
Thursday:
A cooking class for meat lovers -- Now that the days are getting shorter and cooler -- well, somewhere in the country this is happening -- it's time to rotate your recipes and start hunkering down with heartier meals. Or maybe you just really, really like red meat. Either way, the Beef Class at the Chef Jean-Pierre Cooking School in Fort Lauderdale will teach you how to make three beefy recipes; stronganoff (just in time for Octoberfest!), the "perfect" oven-roasted steak, and roasted filet mignon. The cost for the class is $65, and it's recommended that you register online ASAP if you want to secure a spot.
Friday:
Fundraising food truck event -- A troupe of 15 Miami food trucks are scheduled to appear at West Broward High School from 4 to 9 p.m. as part of a fundraising effort for the West Broward PTSA Scholarship Fund. There is no admission charge, but you'll need to bring cash if you want to try any of the munchies from participants like Slow Food Truck and Nacho Bizness. Donations to the cause are also appreciated.
Down the Line:
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