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Historic downtown Cape Girardeau is known to be a diverse and thriving community full of restaurants, murals, and unique shops. At its center lies the fine dining destination of 36 Restaurant & Bar. Owned and operated for the past nine years by Vanessa and John Eric Klein, it has become a favorite in the city, with its majestic view of the mighty Mississippi River from the second story dining room. 

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Hosted by the iconic Independence soda company Polly’s Pop, PopFest is a celebration of all things pop: soda pop, popcorn, pop music, pop quizzes … you get the idea. Come for the sweet treats, stay for the surprises that are sure to pop up.

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They’re noisy. They’re everywhere. They’re … surprisingly delicious? For entomologists at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, this spring’s cicada emergence is the perfect opportunity to try out some new recipes. Cicada scampi, anyone?

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Those who just can’t get enough chips and dip won’t want to miss the 417 Salsa Fest in Springfield. A celebration of all things salsa, the event features a salsa taste-off, a hot-pepper-eating contest, live music, Latin dancing, and more.

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A night filled with wonder and merriment! Grab your favorite flannels, your fuzzy slippers and your friends and head to City Museum to help make circus dreams come true at the Juggling Ball! Enjoy an evening of dining, dancing, and dreaming plus live performances from our flying children and the premiere of a brand-new song …

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Wurstmeister Mike Sloan, who owns Hermann Wurst Haus and Fulton Wurst Haus, just won a slew of awards for his artisanal, hand-crafted meats. Want to see for yourself how the sausage gets made? Sloan shares his secrets in a series of classes.

Andrew Ridley Mushrooms

There are thousands of mushrooms waiting to be found in Missouri.

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Growing grapes is farming. Subject to all the same issues when dealing with Mother Nature. Columnist Doug Frost takes you on a journey where nature is in control and winemakers are right in the thick of things.

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The Barred Owl Butcher and Table takes the nose-to-tail philosophy to the next level. The items on the menu are influenced by Italian and Spanish traditions and are as beautiful as they are tasty and locally sourced.

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Sweet Tooth Alert: This festival in a charming, historic river town will treat you to 20 vendors sharing chocolates. Free give-aways, prize drawings, and music round out this paradise for chocolate lovers. Get your passport to chocoholic bliss.

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Raise a glass and toast this Ozark town that is hosting a Brew Fest as a fundraiser to support the arts. Expect half-a-dozen independent breweries and a couple of big distributors representing another dozen breweries, both classics to trendy.

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Wine and Master Sommelier, Doug Frost, ponders what makes wine natural. Or is wine in itself natural? The term “natural” is more of a marketing concept than a truth in the wine making process. Doug sorts through the misinformation for us.

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The Farmers’ Table Wine Trail pairs local female farmers with six Hermann wineries, and that’s just the start. Plan your calendar around all the Hermann Wine Trail events. This year’s tantalizing themes are sure to make your mouth water.

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The historic Vandivort Hotel in Springfield is home to The Order which features locally sourced American cuisine. Chef Calvin Davis, a 2019 James Beard award nominee, and his staff create exquisite and delicious dishes. All you foodies out there, make the trip to The Order. You will be glad you did.

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First an old farmhouse was converted into a gift shop in 2003, then Sybill’s Saint James was built on the property in 2006. The fine-dining restaurant and accompanying gift shop are owned by Tom and Janet Scheffer and their daughter Sybill Scheffer.

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Missouri Life columnist, Doug Frost knows something about adding a sparkling Missouri wine to your holiday table. Read how “sparklers” came to be and why Missouri has some really good sparkling wine for you to serve at your next celebration.

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Exchanging holiday treats is a time-honored tradition and what is better than a batch of fresh-baked goodies from a friend or family member. Missouri Life reached out and got cookies, their stories, and recipes from all across the state. Try one of these recipes for your own cookie exchange.

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As in ugly Christmas sweaters! Imagine a bunch at brunch in totally tacky and wacky Christmas sweaters. Snarky snowmen, ridiculous reindeer, sappy Santas and more. If this sounds like your cup of tea (or other brunch bevvy), check this out!

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Black walnuts are common in Missouri and have many, many uses. From savory to sweet, these nuts are delicious and nutritious. Seared pork chops, tangy apples, and a hint of brown sugar makes this dish one for the holiday table.

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Making tartlets for the holidays could become your newest tradition. The pecans in the crust in this recipe make for a nice crunch and a perfect balance for the tart cranberries and the tangy apples. Top them with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Eggs Benedict are a brunch favorite. This recipe changes the traditional dish by adding smoked salmon. Perfect for a holiday brunch or your next lazy Sunday morning breakfast. And to top things off it is also a feast for the eyes.

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For many, eating what you hunt for has a lot of value. But if you do not want to hunt for your turkey, this recipe works perfectly for a purchased bird. The brandy soaked grapes add a tart and sweet undertone. Try this recipe!

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Clafouti is a baked dessert traditionally made with layers of fruit. This take on clafouti is made with butternut squash and hazelnuts with a rich egg and vanilla batter. Treat your family and friends to a rich take on a traditional dessert.

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These cookies have ground coffee and coffee liqueur to give them the perfect robust flavor. Walnuts add a nutty crunch and the white chocolate adds sweetness. Try these with a cold glass of milk or a fresh-brewed cup of coffee.

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Make a batch of these moist, spiced pumpkin muffins for  Halloween or for a lovely brunch. Crunchy pecans, raisins, and warm spices make them delightful. Packed full of pumpkin, each muffin is a tasty treat. And you can freeze some for later.

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Gooey butter cake is the representative dessert of St. Louis and has thus become the representative dessert of the Show-Me State. Adding pumpkin elevates this ooey gooey dessert to a whole new level. Perfect for Halloween or anytime of the year.

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Persimmons can tell if the winter is going to be harsh or mild. They also are great to eat in pies or sweet breads. This pie is made with persimmon puree which can be purchased at specialty stores or online. Give it a try!

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Is “Top Chef” at the top of your viewing list? Then you’ll want a ticket to be an audience member when Missouri cooks vie for a shot at a spot in a  worldwide cooking competition—with you taste testing their dishes in different categories!

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The KC Strip steak is a favorful and tender cut of beef. Dressing it up with fingerling potatoes, bacon lardon, cipollini onions, and wild mushrooms really makes this a center stage dish. Great for special occasions. Your family and friends will be wowed.