Some Like It Wet: A St Louis Weekend

The truth is: while you are out enjoying yourselves this weekend, I will be at home wrapped in layers of sweaters, sitting in my kitchen, writing a business report. Don't feel too badly, weekends are still a bit of a novelty for me after years of working through them. But there's something about a rainy weekend that is like license to curl up by the fire and read, or to bake bread (which I did last weekend), or to sit around with friends and drink beer all afternoon on a grey day. Even though they are predicting snow flurries, I'm not buying it. So, if I wasn't tied to a keyboard this weekend, here's what I'd be doing. And I think it's pretty much the perfect rainy, grey weekend plan.

Saturday Morning: Bundle up and hit Soulard Market. Whenever it is rainy or it turns cold, there are nowhere near as many people there. You can buy a bunch of great produce and spend the weekend making soup or baking veggie lasagna. And, even though it's all In-Bev now, there's always been something about AB in the rain-- that huddling of brick buildings and the red Budwesier sign rising from the fog and clouds. And, they sell Gus' pretzels at the market. Hot damn! (And if for some reason they don't anymore, just drag yourself the few blocks south to Pestalozzi and go get one.)

Lunch: When finished at the market, hop on over to Benton Park and hit Blues City Deli. I am a huge fan of the Benton Park Po'Boy. The owner is awesome and always in his pork pie hat. On Saturday afternoons, they have music from 1-3pm, and even though the space is small, it's totally worth being a little cramped. Plus, people are always cool and shove over to share their tables. If it's not completely crappy outside, it's a pretty walk around the neighborhood, especially down to Senate.

If you're feeling slightly more radical (it is November after all), there's a protest against California's Prop 8, which banned gay marriage (nothing like giving folks a right and then taking it away...). Protest is down at the Old Courthouse downtown, around 1000 people expected, and starts at 11am last I heard. If you missed Barack when he was at the Arch, this might redeem you.

Saturday Night: For some reason, I've been thinking a lot about the Newstead Tower Public House down on Manchester in the Grove. (And for the record, I hate calling it the Grove, but a lot of people don't know where I am talking about if I say Forest Park Southeast.) Anyway, on a cold autumn night, the Newstead has some tasty drinks and pretty great food. I am a big fan of the fish and chips, even though it's slightly deconstructed from the usual version. Last time I was there, I had a craft beer, a salad, and fish and chips and think I paid a little over $20 with a big tip. So go, you'll like it.

Sunday: I love, love, love starting my Sundays with a walk in the park-- which for me means Tower Grove. While heading through the park, ferry your little self on up to the Royale (S. Kingshighway at Arsenal if you don't know). They have a killer brunch, get a Bloody Mary and read the NY Times. I am a huge fan of the Royale on Sundays because it feeds my stomach and my periodical fetish without me having to do too much work. They even have board games.

Sunday afternoon: Rumor has it (and I have this on good authority) that Mangia is starting to show European art house films in their basement bar on Sundays. 1pm I think. I don't know what they're showing, but I think Carson Minnow might have something to do with the whole shebang, so I am guessing it should be pretty good. And pretty chill. It's what you want to do anyway, curl up in a dark room and have art wash over you (or entertain, whatev). And drink a beer while it happens. I'm a huge fan of the Red Seal at Mangia-- like Sierra Nevada but with a red seal on the label.

Go forth and have the fun. especially since I can't.