You must dine at Almonds. I prefer going there for dinner, the ambiance is better. I make a point to go every time I am in Saint Louis, it is just that good. Almonds is tucked away in Clayton, a precious little area (with great shopping, btw). They have a great menu and while the wine list is limited everything is very fairly priced.

Next on the list (and right down the street) is Companion. This is a local bakery/lunch place. They have three locations, my fav. is the one in Central West End. It is perfect for breakfast or a coffee date. It is the kind of place you can just linger in. My favorite thing on the menu: the Chuck’s #39, it is a curry chicken salad sandwich, to die for.

So, while we are talking about Central West End… it is probably my favorite place in all of St. Louis. It is just fabulous, the food, the shopping, the houses, all of it. When the weather is nice it is the perfect place to just walk around, go in shops, eat some yummy crepes, and sip on a warm beverage.

Lastly, if you get the chance you should go to a concert at the Pageant. It is on/in the Loop, a funky little area, home to the famous Blueberry Hill. I saw Ryan Adams there a couple years ago and the experience pretty much changed my life. I have seen a few other concerts there and my one recommendation is if you have a general admission ticket get there early and get a seat, the whole get there late and miss the opening act who might suck thing doesn’t really work at the Pageant unfortunately.

Sidenote: Lili’s has a wonderful wine selection, and it is well priced. And with that being said, prepare yourself for a personal anecdote… I once had an Italian bottle of wine there that literally changed my life and so naturally the next day I went out to try and find it for myself. Since it was $45 at Lili’s I assumed it would be like $15ish online or at a store. Well, I happened upon the bottle at Central Market and it was $30! So getting a bottle at Lili’s half price really is a steal… my recommendation is the Lange Twins Midnight Reserve.

We happened upon their performance on the 18th while driving down 5th ave. and were immediately intrigued. I strongly suggest adding this to your weekend sched. It is stuff like this that makes me love Fort Worth, quirky little performances put on by local talent, it doesn’t get much better than that!

Another perk: free admission and it is outdoors (in the parking lot) which should be nice, maybe a little chilly… we will be there with thermoses full of hot chocolate.

1. Nonna Tata- we really only go here on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (and only on Thursday if we can get there early) because I hate to wait and hate the feeling of having to rush through a meal because there is someone waiting for your table.

2. Piola- Sit outside… get there for happy hour if you can

3. Lili’s Bistro- They take reservations and have call ahead,

4. Piranha Killer Sushi- great on Wednesday and Sunday nights, it isn’t full of wanna be hipsters with gelled hair and the service is usually better than on busier nights.

5. Winslow’s- Again, like Piola, sit outside if you can, wonderful ambiance! And get the Anglim Winery Syrah (from Paso Robles ) … you can thank me later.

My Favorite dish at Nonna Tata, the pasta a la Zucca… YUM. (photo courtesy of eatthisfortworth.com)

So for those of you who do not regularly participate in First Fridays, it is the second to last one of the year and it is held at Magnolia Green Park, look here for details.

Then, if you haven’t had enough of the Magnolia scene yet, there is the Arts Goggle on Saturday from 3 pm to 10 pm. There will be art (obvi.), live music, food, and hipsters galore. See all the details here.

A remarkable number of businesses open up there doors and make this event possible, so get out there, take advantage, and support Fort Worth South Inc.!

Florence. London. And Fort Worth.

The Torment of Saint Anthony was painting in 1487-88 when Michelangelo was 12-13 and an apprentice to Domenico Ghirlandaio. The work in not original but rather Michelangelo’s rendition of an engraving by Schongauer.

The painting’s attribution has been the subject of ferocious debate among scholars for four and a half centuries. While experts, citing historical records, agreed that Michelangelo had made a painting of the saint, the question was, Is it this work? - The New York Times

Saturday is also a Day in The District - the one day of the year when all museums fling open their doors and don’t charge an admission. There will also be a plethora of free performances - check out the schedule here.

Monthly film series featuring some of the best films from the 2008 Lone Star International Film Festival as well as other highlights from the international film festival circuit.

Tonight’s feature is Visual Acoustics, a documentary that “celebrates the life and career of Julius Schulman, the greatest architectural photographer, whose images brought modern architecture to the American mainstream.”   The doc is also narrated by Dustin Hoffman.  Show starts at 7pm and the admission is $8

But if one art film isn’t enough for you, Fort Worth offers three more special screenings the weekend.

Magnolia at the Modern - This weekend’s screening is Herb and Dorothy.  The film is about a postal clerk and a librarian who built one of the most important contemporary art collections in history in their modestly sized New York apartment.  Watch the trailer; it’s funny to see stacks of painting under their bed.

Friday 6 & 8 pm, Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 2 & 4 pm

Art21 Season Five - Art in the Twenty-First Century - This is a fantastic PBS series that takes a unique look at art being made today.

“This series provides an important glimpse into the minds and workspaces of artists who, regardless of their nationality or background, have the power to challenge the way we view the world,” said Susan Sollins, Executive Producer of Art:21.

The series kickoffs this Saturday at the Modern with screenings at noon and 3pm.  The first episode is entitled compassion and features the art of William Kentridge, Carrie Mae Weems, Doris Salcedo.

RETRO CINEMA - If all the films above sound too stodgy or hipsterish, the Hulen Movie Tavern is continuing their Retro Cinema series with the Breakfast Club. 

Showings: tonight at 9pm and Friday/Saturday at midnight.

So, all that to say, I recently discovered that Lola’s has karaoke every Wednesday night, starting at 9pm and there is no cover… that sounds like a pretty awesome Wednesday night to me. So, pencil that into your plans for this evening and we will see you there.

This Thursday, if you aren’t headed to Dallas to see the semi-secret Polyphinic Spree show, you should head back to Lola’s (two nights in a row-that is so hardcore, totally working your way up to being a regular) to see this quirky little band, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Now, I know their name makes them sound like they are a couple of skinny jean wearing teenagers with faux-hawks, but trust me, they are great. They are kind of like if the Cure and My Bloody Valentine had a love child…

So, if you like Keyboard Cat or Kittens or anything that pairs comedic quirkiness with the species known as Felis catus, then you need to go to The Hair Ball at Shampoo Salon this Saturday.   There they will be hosting the book release party for Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs.

The Kitty Wig craze—sprung from the feverish imagination of Julie Jackson and her purring partner in crime—has swept the globe. Glamourpuss presents 60 stylish portraits showcasing furry models in the most fetching custom-made cat wigs ever created.

Kitty Wigs are a big thing on the internet and there’s a reason why: They’re freaking hilarious.  So be proud that this worldwide obsession is a “Fort Worth thing.”

Here’s all the info for the party

Saturday, Sept 26th at 7pm

Shampoo Salon on 5316 Birchman, Fort Worth, TX

CHECK OUT KITTYWIGS.COM to get your very own for your feline.