LOCAL BITES

Artsy Eats
Food meets art at “Bon Appetit: A Visual Treat,” the Concord Art Association’s new show featuring food-related art. The exhibit runs till November 28th, but the opening reception is TONIGHT from 6-8pm.

Bat’s Blood Soup, Anyone?
That’s just one of the tasty (?) treats chef Rachel Klein of Aura will be serving up at her monthly Fine Dining Family Style, which has a spooky twist October 29th. Pint-size diners get to start Halloween early with games, movies, and trick-or-treating around the hotel. Adults pay $30 for more appetizing meals like grilled pork tenderloin or roast chicken, while kids pick $3 apiece edibles. Call (617) 385-4300 for reservations. Costumes encouraged.

Tight Community
Shubie’s Market Place in Marblehead is “Bringing the Community Together” at their Annual Food and Wine Fest October 30th from noon-4pm. There will be over fifty wine samples and a fondue tasting table, along with houseware demonstrations and discounts.

Serious Sustainability
If you’re seriously dedicated to sustainable living, head out to Pete and Jen’s Backyard Birds October 30th with The Urban Homesteaders’ League (UHL) for a chicken slaughter. Yep, you heard right. It’s a chance to see firsthand where your meal comes from and how it got to your table. Get the details here.

Double Whammy
Gargoyles hits you with two events on Halloween: first up, a pre-trick-or-treating celebration for the kiddies from 2-4pm with cookie decorating and a costume contest. For the more mature, enjoy a three-course menu with beer pairings from Harpoon Brewery for $45 or $35 for “friends of Harpoon.” But aren’t we all?

Nightmare on Elm Street
Or rather, Beacon. The Fireplace hosts it’s eighth annual “Nightmare on Beacon Street” on the big day from 8pm until the witching hour. Show off your most creative costume and makeup in the night’s contest, or sit on the sidelines with visiting palm readers, tarot card readers, and psychics. Chef/owner Jim Solomon will be coming up with inspired eats and cocktails. No need to book ahead of time or worry about a cover charge ’cause there ain’t one.

Break Bread at BHCC
The Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery will be sitting down with Lynne Christy Anderson to discuss her book, Breaking Bread: Recipes and Stories from Immigrant Kitchens, on November 4th at 1pm. Anderson shares her experiences in immigrant kitchens and explores the relationship between food and culture. Call (617) 228-2093 for more information.

Squeeze in an Addition to Your Holiday Menu
The Culinary Guild of New England celebrates the release of Joanne Chang’s cookbook, Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston’s Flour Bakery and Cafe, November 8th from 7-9pm at the BCAE. (Read PRK’s Q&A with Joanne and/or listen to her on Radio Boston!) Chang will be there to sign your copy, as well as share tips and give a demonstration of her signature recipes.  Tickets are $75 for non-members and $65 for members (price includes Chang’s book, complimentary wine and appetizers).

Practice Makes Perfect
Play host and guest at the BCAE’s newest culinary class, “Be Our Guest.” Instructor Dustin Rennells will wine and dine you through a three-hour dinner, breaking down the elements of a good party, from invitations to menu options. Tickets and details for the swanky lesson, here.

NATIONAL TREATS

Candy Advocate
Samira Kawash, part doctor, part candy blogger/researcher chats with the NY Times about her exploration into the history of candy and why it is sugary treats have such a bad rap. Kawash points out that there are many highly-processed foods in the supermarket consumed on a regular basis that don’t come under nearly as much scrutiny. Kawash adds, “At least candy is honest about what it is.” Spoken like a true candy lover.