Three Tidbits: Full Moon Fest at Schlafly, St. Louis VegFest at Forest Park, a plea for realistic times at happy hour

St. Louis Magazine dining editor George Mahe discusses topical dining subjects.

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HOTSPOT

Full Moon Fever

One of Schlafly’s most popular celebrations of the year, Full Moon Festival, will take place at Schlafly Bottleworks on November 6 from 4–10 p.m. Usher in the Hunter’s Full Moon with seasonal Schlafly beers, roasted pig from local ranchers, bonfires, live bands, and local chefs facing off in the annual Chili Cook-Off. The featured chefs include Kris Smith and Victoria Palan of Pastaria Deli & Wine, Tai Davis from Hungry Planet, Andrew Simon from Edera Italian Eatery, Elliott Brown from Taste, and Christian Ethridge from Taco Circus. (Guests can purchase a ticket to receive samples of all five chili recipes.) Bottleworks’ full menu will also be available for purchase inside the brewpub. For complete details, click here. 7260 Southwest, 314-241-2337.

INSIDER TIP

St. Louis VegFest Returns

Next Sunday, October 24, St. Louis VegFest returns to Forest Park’s World’s Fair Pavilion for the third time. The goal of the 100 percent vegan festival is to educate attendees about animal exploitation and the benefits of adopting a vegan lifestyle. More than 50 vendors will participate, and there will be yoga instruction, lectures, a kids’ corner, live music, and  "Culinary Medicine"—a cooking demo/presentation from Caryn Dugan (a.k.a. STLVegGirl) and Dr. Jim Loomis. Food/beverage vendors include CC’s Vegan Spot SoulVeganlicious, The Happy Bakery, Pizza Head, Prioritized Pastries, Rootbound, Terror Tacos, and more. Festival hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

MICRORANT

Unrealistic Happy Hour Times

We love restaurant happy hours as much as the next person, but we also love our jobs, which is why happy hours from noon–5 p.m. can be precarious for those working daytime hours. Granted, the discounted-food-and-drink construct was created to drive additional sales during nonpeak hours, but how about extending the hour until 6:30 or 7 p.m... in at least a part of the bar or restaurant? That way, the restaurant can still spur additional (and still profitable) sales, while thirsty minions like us can remain blissfully employed. 

Follow George on Twitter and Instagram, or email him at gmahe@stlmag.com. For more from St. Louis Magazine, subscribe or follow us on Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram.

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