LOCAL TREATS:

Smokin’ Out

Think smoked ribs are the only way to go?  If so, make sure you’re at the East Cambridge Association’s Smoke This Rib Fest 2011 this Sunday, Oct. 9, 12-4pm on Cambridge Street between Fulkerson and Fifth.  For the day, the roads will be transformed into a haven of all-thing-ribs from a variety of Boston-based restaurants.  Make sure to get your tickets to this unique festival before Oct. 7 here.

Farmer for a Day

Step into the world of an actual farmer for a day with Appleton Farms’ Farmstead and Old House Tour, this Sunday, Oct. 9, 3-5pm.  Take a leisurely stroll through the grounds while hearing exciting Appleton family tales before visiting the dairy during milking time – an event not ordinarily open to the public.  Trustees of Reservations has everything you need to know for this day of family fun.

Playing Chicken

Spend your Sunday evenings with a plate of comfort food at Chef Todd Winer’s weekly Sunday Chicken Dinners, starting this Sunday, Oct. 9 at The Metropolitan Club.  Feast on a hearty meal of salad, followed by your choice of chicken, (fried, barbequed, or roasted) and a delicious side dish.  Call 617-731-0600 to reserve your spot.

Top Dish

Enjoy an exciting evening with Exhale Magazine, TV Diner’s Billy Costa and Jenny Johnson, and Boston’s top food editors and supporters to celebrate local chefs and producers at Top Dish on Friday, Oct. 15 at the Epi Center.  The night will be filled with celebrity chef demonstrations, samplings of incredible food, and chance to vote for your favorite recipes, chefs and restaurants.  Read all about it and get your tickets here.

A Movable Meal

Ever feel restless during a long meal?  If so, you may want to check out a Moving Meal next Sunday, Oct. 16, 6pm, at both Ashmont Grill and Tavolo Ristorante.  Watch as these two eateries join forces for a full four-course meal.  Diners will begin the evening with first two courses provided by one restaurant, before trekking across the Dot Ave. to restaurant No.2 for the final two courses.  These unique evening is definitely something you don’t want to miss.  For more info and to reserve your spot, call Tara from Ashmont Grill at 617-825-4300.

There’s No Place Like Home

Come out and support a great cause while enjoying a night of delicious desserts at the fourth annual Home Sweet Home dessert tasting and competition on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Cambridge Hyatt Regency Hotel’s Presidential Ballroom.  This spectacular night will include a dessert competition, dinner, wine, and dancing while working to eliminate homeless.  Tickets to this event go fast, so be sure to get yours soon!

NATIONAL BITES:

A Slice of the Future

What’s really so bad about the pizza of the present?  This week, Grub Street presents the brainchild of several New York-based entrepreneurs who have created an auto-pizzeria, a machine that can put together a variety of fresh pies in under four minutes.  While undoubtedly efficient, if these are in fact the pizzas of the future, we’re not sure if we’re excited about progressing…

Frugal vs. Cheap

Guilty of having champagne taste on a beer budget?  Don’t worry!  This new article from HuffPost Food provides a list of suggestions for keeping a hefty wallet while avoiding appearing cheap.

GLOBAL TASTINGS:

The Formula of Farfalle

Pasta is one of the world’s most popular and versatile foods.  London-based architect George L. Legendre has now provided a new way to look at this traditional food.  In his new book, Pasta By Design, he illustrates and describes the shape of a series of noodles is in elaborate mathematical formulas.  The Wall Street Journal gives a small excerpt from this creative book.  Who knew such a basic food could be so complicated?