As the great fall migration marches ever nearer, it's a good time to enjoy that sweet spot for dining out in South Florida. The temperature is comfortable enough at night that it's not criminally insane to take your meal outside on a patio or to spend the late afternoon sharing dim sum at a bumping food-truck rally. Meanwhile, snowbird season has yet to come upon us, so there's still hope of grabbing a table at your favorite local haunt, possibly even snagging some "shoulder season" deals while you're at it. With things gearing up, you'll find a decent assortment of food-and-drink-related events happening about Broward and Palm Beach counties. Here's a look at a few of your culinary options this week:
Tonight:
Food Truck Invasion in Hollywood -- This Young Circle food rally seems to be growing in strength, adding more and more trucks to its weekly army of hunger squelchers. On deck tonight are nearly two dozen vehicles, among them popular faces like Dim Ssäm á GoGo, Latin Burger and Taco, Miso Hungry, Ms. Cheezious, and Slow Food Truck. The rally is 5:30 to 10 every Monday night at Arts Park in Young Circle in downtown Hollywood. Bring cash.
Tuesday:
Rogue Tap Takeover at World of Beer -- Rogue will take the helm at 7 p.m. at World of Beer in West Palm Beach with eight special brews on tap just for the occasion, served with a menu of barbecue classics like wings and beer brats. If you can't make it that night, the Rogue crew will represent on tap at WOB in Coconut Creek on Wednesday.
Wednesday:
Gourmet Truck Expo at Intracoastal Mall -- The fact that this food-truck rally is technically outside of the designated BC/PBC zone is beside the point when you factor in that more than two dozen food trucks are slated to appear, including Kona Ice, Mr. Good Stuff, and Nacho Bizness. The rally is from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Intracoastal Mall in North Miami Beach.
Cypress Creek Food Truck Roundup -- This week's Miami Food Truck roundup in Cypress Creek will feature a handful of mobile food outfits like B.C. Tacos, Latin House Grill, and Miso Hungry. The action goes down from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the corner of Cypress Creek and Powerline in Fort Lauderdale.
Thursday:
Couples Cooking Class -- "One Night in Bangkok" sounds like the next ill-advised entry in the Nicolas Cage oeuvre but is actually a couples cooking class offered at the Boca Raton Publix Apron's Cooking School. For $80 per couple, you'll learn how to make Thai dishes like beef curry and coconut and lemongrass ice cream with fried bananas. The class is at 6 p.m., and online registration is highly recommended.
Cantina Laredo Tequila Dinner -- If your appreciation for tequila extends beyond the once-a-year shooters -- and morning-after regrets -- courtesy of the local Cinco de Mayo fiesta, the Cantina Laredo Tequila Dinner may be for you. The four-course meal will be accented by tastings of three top-shelf tequilas: 1800 Silver, Gran Centenario Roseangel, and Maestro Dobel Diamond. The dinner is 7 p.m. at Cantina Laredo in Palm Beach Gardens. Register online to secure your spot.
Friday:
Delray Beach Bus Loop -- The party bus made so popular in Fort Lauderdale will debut this weekend in Palm Beach County giving bar hoppers in Delray Beach a safe and sober option to make the rounds about town. Buy a ticket -- $20 to $25, depending on when you purchase -- and get a free drink (tips are highly encouraged) at participating venues and transportation throughout the evening. Get the lowdown on the Delray Beach Bus Loop and know that you've got a solid option for responsible mischief this weekend.
New Times Link Up at Downtowner Saloon -- Want to meet some of the other South Florida denizens who patrol these pages? The New Times Link Up from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Downtowner Saloon and Maxwell Room in Fort Lauderdale gives you a chance to connect with other loyal readers over free appetizers and drinks. Sign up for the free event online or at the New Times table.
American Lung Association Cocktail Party -- Start the weekend with cocktails to benefit a good cause at this gathering at Caliente Kitchen in Delray Beach. Entry is $10 in advance or $15 at the door (cash only) with proceeds going to the American Lung Association. Admission will get you access to drink and app specials. Since the party runs 7 to 9 p.m., you'll still have a few minutes to get over to the Delray Beach Public Library, should you decide you want your evening to continue by way of the Delray Beach Bus Loop (see above).
Down the Line:
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