Here's a sign that winter is fast approaching: Sea Salt Eatery (4801 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., www.seasalteatery.wordpress.com), the first-rate cafe located in Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, is winding down its 2011 season. Sunday is the last day to enjoy moderately priced dishes along the lines of red beans and rice with andouille sausage, corn-crab chowder and catfish with pecan sauce and turnip greens, not to mention a crisp hard apple cider.
Top Chef U
This sounds like fun: Ten Minnesota chefs will compete for a top prize of $1,000 for the best recipe using Lake Superior-caught lake herring, in an event sponsored by Sea Grant Minnesota, a University of Minnesota-sponsored program that enhances the environment and economies along the lake and the state's inland waters. The event, which will feature chefs Paul Lynch of FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, Jake Uttich of the Oceanaire Seafood Room and Chad Rasmussen of Stella's Fish Cafe, among others, takes place at the McNamara Alumni Center (200 SE. Oak St., Mpls.) from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 1. Tickets $10; 612-625-6000.
Reservations for Día de los Muertos
Get in some Day of the Dead dining at Chino Latino (2916 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., www.chinolatino.com) with a multi-course meal -- including a poblano chile stuffed with smoked chicken, slow-roasted beef shank with guacamole and bread pudding with caramel sauce, along with cocktail pairings for each course -- on Nov. 2. Reservations $75 per person, 612-824-7878.
Upcoming wine dinners
Explore French wines with food pairings from chef Mark Crane at Colette Bar & Bistro (5601 W. 78th St., Bloomington, www.sofitelmplsdining.com). Tonight's five-course dinner focuses on the Bordeaux region and is $65 per person. On Nov. 17, the subject turns to Beaujolais Nouveau, with a three-course, $48 dinner. Reservations required; 952-656-5913.
Nov. 10 is the night when Jack's (818 W. 46th St., Mpls., www.jacksmpls.com) is rolling out its fall menu with a three-course, $48 dinner. Reservations required; 612-825-2183.
