Your Chowder hounds have sniffed down the best culinary events in town. Check back every Friday for your weekly prix-fixe of foodie festivals, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.

Oct. 31, 5-10 p.m.
Halloween Prix Fixe Menu
Om
The posh Harvard Square eatery offers a $50 prix fixe menu tonight in celebration of the bewitching hour. Indulge in festive concoctions like Nightmare Salad, Mummy Monkfish, and a tasty dessert that’ll satisfy your Halloween sweet tooth.

Every Monday through Friday, 5-7 p.m.
Economic Relief Program
Townsend’s
The Irish restaurant, recently reviewed by our food critic, Corby Kummer, created a package deal for diners that includes a bottle of the “Wine selection of the week,” and one appetizer, and one entrée—all for $15 per person (yes, $15, we double-checked). Apps include mussels with Smithwick’s Ale or fall greens with red beets, and entrees include Irish-style Bolognese, beer battered fish & chips, or a Wagyu beef burger with aged cheddar. (more…)

At Chowder, our eating schedules leave us little time for serendipity. With events and openings every week, there’s not much opportunity to stumble into the city’s lesser-known gems.

Last week, though, I headed over to Brookline’s much-anticipated Roadhouse BBQ for an early look; it was supposed to be open by Wednesday. Greeted by a closed door (and a cheery sign saying they’d be open on Monday), I had to come up with Plan B.

So, I wandered into Zocalo Cocina Mexicana on Commonwealth Ave., a smallish Mexican joint with a great pedigree. (Like Zocalo in Arlington, it’s run by Ricardo Ramos, who also co-owns Ole Mexican Grill in Cambridge.) And with that move, I came one step closer to finding my holy grail: Tasty, affordable Mexican food in a slightly dressed-up but still neighborhood-y setting. (more…)

Most eateries are hosting Restaurant Week until August 22, so you know where to go for eats. But if it’s cocktails you’re lushing lusting for, then you can count on us to refill your calendar.

Sundays, 3-10 p.m.
Sangria Summer Sundays
Zócalo Cocina Mexicana, Brighton
Sangria is like your blood, the supply should be constantly flowing. To the rescue with a steady stream is Zócalo’s summer sangria flight, three glasses of the fruit-addled wine libation for $12. The August selection: blood orange, pomegranate, and mango.

Aug. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Riesling Night
Boston Wine School
We love a sweet riesling, except when we like a dry one. Join Boston Wine School as they showcase the entire spectrum of this chameleon grape with refreshing wines from vineyards in Germany, California, Washington, Australia, and New Zealand.

Mojito Mondays
RumBa, InterContinental Hotel, 6-7 p.m.
They’ll teach you how to make the drink, but don’t expect a pass behind the bar. Every Monday evening, RumBa, the InterContinental’s rum and champagne bar, hosts mojito making classes sponsored by Bacardi.

Every day through September
Sushi and Sake Flight Special
Fugakyu
Looks like someone wants to make sure you’re eating while you’re drinking. For the months of August and September, the Coolidge Corner Japanese restaurant offers a flight special which pairs three sakes with five pieces of nigiri (that’s the one with the rice) sushi.

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Whenever my carless friends and I rent a Zipcar, we always seem to find ourselves at a chain restaurant. Something about being behind the wheel brings us back to our suburban roots, and we want to pull into a parking lot and wait at the bar with one of those coasters that vibrates when our table is ready.

I’ve recently been on a run of chain Mexican joints and after a day of outlet shopping on Saturday, we decided to hit Margarita’s in Waltham. While we sat at the bar, we had a conversation about which is better: Margarita’s or Border Cafe?

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