Table Talk: November 5–11

Hungry Hunnis

If you and your boo bond best over a great bite—honestly, who doesn’t—this issue’s Great Dates cover story is right up your alley. (If you’re unattached, part of a platonic group of buds or going through an “it’s complicated, but we’re kind of involved?” situation, I can assure you that the food still tastes good, no matter your romantic involvement.) Check out the cooking classes, multi-course dinners, picnic ideas, neighborhood dates and more in the feature. 

What’s Brewing

We don’t have to tell you that there are plenty of places for great local craft beers in Springfield, and one more is joining the ranks. Prehistoric Brewing Company has been in the works for a few years, but it’s getting closer to arriving. Construction is underway at the brewery, which is in the Plaza Shopping Center at Sunshine Street and Glenstone Avenue. 

While you wait for Prehistoric’s grand opening, snag a ticket to the Harvest Beer Festival on November 22. It’s put on by the Springfield Craft Beer Collective, which includes nine local craft breweries. The festival includes beer samples and snacks, and all proceeds benefit Ozarks Food Harvest. 

Stay Classy

Life is all about learning, and luckily local eateries give us plenty of opportunities to sharpen our skills. The Workshop at Finley Farms has several workshops slated for the upcoming weeks, including what to grow this winter with Melissa Millsap and creating handmade squash ravioli with Katie Baker of The Gracious Plate. (The Prairie Pie class has already sold out, so you’re on your own this Thanksgiving.) If you’re not really one for structure, The Workshop also has an open craft night each Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m. Bring your own projects and work in the space while sipping on equally crafty cocktails.  

Coming Soon

Michael Felts' Taco Habitat and Bourbon & Beale have been in the works for some time, but we're getting closer to our coveted tacos. The team has broken ground on the Springfield location of Taco Habitat, which is in the same lot as Lucky's Market, and the shipping pod containers that house the Branson and Springfield restaurants have arrived. Meanwhile, Felts is also planning a Branson expansion of Springfield restaurant Hot Cluckers.

In additional construction news, local pizza joint The Big Slice is opening its second location at 4126 S. Kansas Expressway. Remodeling is underway as they search for a contractor. 

Pie in the Sky

So, you missed out on the Prairie Pie pie-making workshop, but you’re not totally out of luck. Obviously you can order pies (mini and full) from the website, but now you can also nab a slice at Farmers Gastropub. The eatery announced its partnership last week and plans to serve Mile High Chocolate Mousse Cake, sweet potato apple crumble and chocolate pecan pies. 

You can also get your hands on Prairie Pie at City Butcher, where starting this week you can make your entire meal a pie. The barbecue joint is selling take-home pot pies filled with either smoked turkey or beef brisket. 

Food-Focused Fortnight 

Mark your calendars because the next two weeks are filled with events for foodies, at-home cooks and, well, anyone who’s hungry for lunch. 

• This week, Craft Sushi turns 1, and instead of receiving presents, it’s giving them out. One hundred percent of profits from next week’s sales benefit Lost & Found Grief Center, Ozarks Food Harvest, Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, Rescue One and Isabel’s House. 

• With Thanksgiving coming up, many of us are hitting the kitchen to sharpen our stovetop skills, and Springfield Community Garden is here with a workshop to show you how to reduce food waste at home. Its free Zero Waste Cooking! event is next Saturday and shows you how to create broth with veggie scraps, make bread with broth, create pesto with carrot and beet tops and more—plus a quick composting how-to. 

• While you’re thinking about food waste, Springfield Environmental Services is back with its Enviro Flick screening event showing Just Eat It for free at the Moxie on November 14. The film is focused on examining and reducing food waste. 

• Although it’s not necessarily an event, it is a calendar-worthy announcement. Lucky Tiger Sandwich Co. is now open on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.