Save the date(s) The popular farm-dinner season is rapidly approaching. Outstanding in the Field is returning to Minnesota on July 31 at Scott and Deborah Pikovsky's Star Thrower Farm in Glencoe, Minn. Chefs Scott Pampuch of Corner Table and Mike Phillips of Craftsman are cooking. Cost is $180 per person; reservations at www.outstanding inthefield.com.
Tour de Farm, Pampuch's Minnesota-grown version of Outstanding in the Field, is kicking off its second season on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Corner Table (4253 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., www.cornertablerestaurant.com) with a free meet-and-greet that promises food, beverages, farmers and ticket sales.
This year's schedule includes four farm dinners: June 27 (pairing Tangletown Gardens Farm in Plato, Minn., with Pampuch and Michelle Gayer of the Salty Tart), July 18 (Cedar Summit Farm in New Prague, Minn., with Jon Radle of Grand Cafe), Oct. 10 (a Lake Superior theme, with Scott Graden of New Scenic Cafe in Duluth) and Dec. 31 (Star Thrower Farm, with Pampuch).
New this year are two family friendly picnics: Aug. 22 (Riverbend Farm in Delano, with Phillips, Jim Grell of the Modern Cafe and Tracy Singleton and Marshall Paulsen of the Birchwood Cafe) and Sept. 19 (Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, with Phillips). Dinners $150 per person. Picnics $45 for adults, $15 for ages 6 to 12 and free for children age 5 and under; reservations at www.tourdefarmmn.com.
On May 16, uncork the forager within, and head to the Ralph Lentz Farm near Lake City, Minn., search for mushrooms and greens and then enjoy a dinner (including beef from the farm, prepared by Pampuch) sponsored by Slow Food Minnesota. Cost is $45 ($35 for members and free for children ages 12 and under); go to www.slowfoodmn.org for reservations.
Bullfrog Fish Farm near Downsville, Wis., is inviting guests to spend a Sunday afternoon fishing (poles, nets and bait provided) and eating (grilled trout, bread, appetizers and s'mores at the fire pit) on June 20 (Father's Day). Cost is $45 for adults, $10 for ages 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and under; reservations via e-mail at dinner onthefarm@gmail.com.
Each month, Red Stag Supperclub (509 1st Av. NE., Mpls., www.redstagsupperclub.com) chef Brian Hauke invites a local farmer to the restaurant, then prepares a four-course meal using ingredients raised on that particular farm. On Monday at 7 p.m. it's all about rabbit, raised by Mary Jane and Bob Singerhouse near Menomonie, Wis. Cost is $38; call 612-767-7766 for reservations.
Closings The Original SoupMan, the soup-sandwich franchise in the Capella Tower in downtown Minneapolis, has left town. Bibo Restaurant & Wine Bar in Eagan, Thistles in Robbinsdale and Zake in downtown Minneapolis have also called it quits.
