We know the feeling; the temps dip below 70 for the first time, and you rush to light your apple cider-scented candles. You put that pot of chili on the stove even though the leaves are still green, and you get an extra skip in your step when seeing the bin of 99 cent pumpkins at the grocery store. Lucky for you, fall in St. Louis is now in full swing, and we’ve built the ultimate pumpkin-scented guide to help you live your best life this season. Sweet treats and festive October brews? George Mahe’s fall dish recommendations? Local events so scary they’ll have you shaking in your knee-high boots? Check, check, and check.
Editor’s note: Before digging in deep, readers are advised to mercilessly suck down a baked maple pumpkin latte, tighten that oversized plaid scarf, and throw some damn leaves in the air.
Local Treats and Sips
The Old Fashioned Fall Latte from Rise Coffee House. A sip of this dreamy latte will warm you right up since it’s made with orange zest, cinnamon, anise, and brown sugar.
Pumpkin Caramel Pecan Gooey Butter Cake by Park Avenue Coffee — need we say more? A twist on the classic, this piece of GBC is everything we love about fall wrapped up one slice. Or three slices. We won’t judge.
Pretty much anything from our friends at Pint Size Bakery. Pictured above are the Molasses RumChata and Chocolate Salted Caramel Sammies, the Eckert’s Apple Brown Shuga Crumb Cake, and the Drunken Pumpkin Cupcakes. Believe it or not, this is just a small selection of all the fall treats Pint Size has in their bakery right now.
The Oktoberfest Lager from Civil Life Brewing Company. It remains their fastest selling beer, and is brewed in strict accordance with the Reinheitsgebot with authentically German barley malt, hops, and yeast. Civil Life recommends pairing it with one of their pretzels and brown ale mustard, because how can life get any better?
George Mahe’s Fall Dish Recommendations
Looking to book your next dinner out? George Mahe from St. Louis Magazine shared a few of his fall menu recommendations with us, and we’re already busy making reservations. Here are his cool weather picks:
The Capesante at Il Palato — “Executive Chef Jordan Knight’s new fall menu is full of crowd pleasers, chief among them the pan-seared capesante (“scallop” in Italian), served with butternut squash risotto and a spiced almond and apple salad you’ll want to serve your family at holiday gatherings.”
Crab Cakes at The Last Hotel — “Before the weather turns, should you need an excuse to visit St. Louis’ newest hotel rooftop bar in town, let it be chef Evy Swoboda’s Southern take on the crabcake: two jumbo lump specimens sitting atop spicy, pickled, fried green tomatoes and comeback sauce (the cleverly-named riff on remoulade). A seasonal vegetable coleslaw mitigates any residual heat.”
Lobster Tail at Bar Les Freres — “There are foods you just crave, no matter the weather or season. That’s why we keep returning to Zoe Robinson’s romantic Clayton bistro for the $16 lobster appetizer: half a steamed and split tail served with lemon butter and parsley. Pair it with a side of scalloped potatoes (another crave item) and a glass of bubbles for the perfect early — or late-night repast.”
Local Fall Events
Arguably, the best thing about autumn in the 314 are the many festive events that happen around town. We’ve narrowed down a list of our favorites that will definitely have you feeling all the fall feels.
Best of Missouri Market Happening THIS WEEKEND (October 4-6)
$16 for adults (ages 13 and up), $5 for children (ages 3-12), $8 for Garden members, free for members’ children
From their website: Over 120 regional food producers and crafters offer fresh produce, baked goods, fresh and dried flowers, herbs, handcrafted items, baskets, wooden toys, custom jewelry and more. Enjoy live music and a Kids Corner with cow milking, pumpkin decorating and barnyard animals.
Brew in the Lou (October 12, 1-5pm)
Wristbands are $40 through October 10 and increase to $50 after
From their website: Entertainment line-up includes the Lutheran South High School Jazz Band followed by the Steve Ewing Band! Wristbands include live entertainment, unlimited tastings of St. Louis’ best beer, wine, spirits, coffee, BBQ, and desserts. More than 100 vendors including breweries, restaurants and food and craft artisans line the banks of The Lily Pond, including nearly 45 local and regional craft breweries. Tasters can vote for their favorite brats, home brew and chili recipes.
Terror at Tower Grove Park (October 18, 4:30-9:30pm)
Free event, but donations to the park are welcome and appreciated
From their website: This family-friendly festival is open to the public and features live music by Retro Boogie, food trucks, candy, arts and crafts, games, and a movie. Community partners include Vetta Sports, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and Artscope. Food includes Locoz Tacos, Farm Truk, Ray Ray’s Kettle Corn (and funnel cakes!), Schlafly, and Beer Outside.
An Evening in the Cemetery (October 18-19, 6:30-9pm)
$5 per person, children under 4 free
From their website: Join Gov. Frederick Bates and his wife Nancy at their family cemetery behind the Thornhill home in Faust Park, where the governor has been resting for 193 years. He may be joined by a few resident ghosts and period dressed docents inside the house. The governor is dying to meet you!
Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival (October 26-27, 10am-5pm)
Free event
From their website: The Kimmswick Historical Society will again be making and selling their famous Apple Butter at the Apple Butter Pavilion on Market Street. 100’s of vendor booths will fill the city park and line the streets of Kimmswick selling a variety of crafts and food items. Live entertainment will also be provided by the city of Kimmswick and the Kimmswick Merchants.
Lastly, if you’re still looking to get even more fresh air this month, consider walking the sweet pups over at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, who would love to feel that cool autumn air just as much as you.
Can’t get enough of the fall feelings or flavors? Head on over to Yelp and search for all of the pumpkin your heart can handle. Happy fall, St. Louis!
