Meet the author

For local fans of the Duluth Grill (118 S. 27th Av. W., Duluth, www.duluthgrill.com) who can't make the drive north anytime soon, how about a crack at the next best thing?

That's a chance to meet Robert Lillegard, author of "The Duluth Grill Cookbook," who will be signing copies of the book — its 110 recipes include make-at-home versions of the restaurant's popular pasties and wild rice patties — at a series of signings: Oct. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Barnes & Noble (2100 N. Snelling Av., Roseville) and Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Barnes & Noble (3001 N. White Bear Av., Maplewood) and 2 to 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble (14880 Florence Trail, Apple Valley). A further incentive: free samples of banana cream pie, from the cookbook, naturally.

Party like its 1989

Trotter's Cafe (232 N. Cleveland Av., St. Paul, www.trotters cafe.com) is marking a major milestone — its 25th anniversary — with a weeklong series of events.

The celebration will include a pizza night with half-price bottles of wine on Oct. 13, half-price lunch on "Regulars Day" on Oct. 16, free birthday cake — the kitchen's signature "Chocolate Chaos" cake, a chocolate Bundt cake with a cream-cheese filling — on Oct. 17, and 1989 coffee prices Oct. 13-18.

Pat and Dick Trotter started out running a whole-grain bakery with three tables; today, the 65-seat cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and continues to embrace the farm-to-table commitment the couple implemented from the get-go in 1989.

Party, part 2

On Oct. 5, Butcher & the Boar (1121 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., www.butcherandthe boar.com) is putting on its block party shoes with its fourth-annual BoarFest.

From noon to 10 p.m., the focus will be on beer, bourbon and bands (with no admission fee), including Communist Daughter, Curtiss A and 3 Dillmans.

And food. Chef Peter Botcher is promising pork rib-tips in a rum-chile glaze, wood-grilled oysters, a sausage-clam chowder and house-made brats, smoked cheddarwurst and smoked hot links. Dessert? Caramel apples.

Gone, too soon

Sorry to report that the promising Glen Lake Cafe in Minnetonka, from 318 Cafe (318 Water St., Excelsior, www.three-eighteen.com) owner Tom Peterson, has closed after an 11-month run.

RICK NELSON

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