Hello, and happy Memorial Day weekend!

This is the moment that feels like summer in Vermont actually starts…and once it does, the calendar has a way of filling up very quickly. There's a lot in this issue to keep you busy in the coming weeks, but before you dive in…we want to make sure we're on YOUR calendar.

Don’t wait…get this on your calendar now before some children’s birthday party pops up on that date. Then you can confidently say that you’re booked.

A heartfelt thank you to Waterworks, Onion City Chicken & Oyster, Donwoori, May Day and Gold for hosting our dinner guests, and to Four Quarters Brewing for accommodating the entire group for an after party.

Here's a quick look at how the evening went.

The reviews from people attending have been so gratifying, with most indicating that they will “10 out of 10” attend again. Here’s our favorite review so far from this week:

"This was hands-down, the best experience I’ve had all year! The excitement of not knowing where you’re going or who you’re meeting and the connections that we were able to make at our table were absolutely incredible! I walked away with a belly full of amazing food, several new friends, some business connections, and I am so ready to come back for another dinner! "

The next dinner is Wednesday, June 24…helping us kick off BWF festival week. If you've been meaning to join us, here’s how to sign up. We’d love to have you!

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Well, I’m feeling a little egg on my face over this one. Last week, we mentioned that a New England bagel chain, PopUp Bagels, would be opening in downtown Burlington. Meanwhile, a new bagel shop — Huddy's, a well-known local establishment in Milton — opened a second location right in my backyard in Colchester last week, in the former location of Big Apple Deli. I learned about its opening right after the newsletter published, and I stopped in and had a delicious bagel sandwich a day or two later. It’s the same story as the Milton original…New York-style bagels, handcrafted sandwiches, locally roasted coffee. Apologies to Huddy's and anyone who could've been eating a bagel in Malletts Bay this week…

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If Barolo is on your radar — and after you read Mike's piece on the wines of Piedmont later in this issue, it will be — here's your chance to see what all the fuss is about. Amy Ezrin of The Piedmont Guy, one of the country's most respected importers of small-production Italian wines, is making two back-to-back stops in Vermont next week, and both are worth special attention.

On Thursday, May 28, Hen of the Wood Burlington is hosting a five-course Barolo pairing dinner in the Butcher Room, working through the region with wines from Oddero, Roccheviberti, and Giacomo Fenocchio…three producers whose family histories in Piedmont go back generations. The following night, May 29, Gallus in Waterbury brings Amy in for an evening of Italian wines paired with a tasting menu by Chef Antonio Rentas in their historic grist mill space. Gallus is running the evening with regular reservation times, but for the tasting menu only (their regular menu won't be available)… which tells you this is something special.

Some of you may remember Amy from our Tastemakers interview with her a few months back…not only is she a wealth of fascinating info, she’s a super fun human, ant this is your chance to meet her in person. Two nights, one importer, the wines of one of Italy's greatest regions. Pick one or do both.

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Sad news for taco lovers: El Cortijo Taqueria will close at 189 Bank Street in a few weeks after 15 years. The post says it all: "A blissful 15 year run full of margaritas, tacos, and memories." Its owners, The Farmhouse Group, will open something new at the address in June. Go say goodbye while you still can.

One Mexican door closes and another opens. El Gato Cantina has a new location in Cambridge on Route108…a more casual setup than the Essex original, with a streamlined menu of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, rice bowls, and taco salads, plus a full bar and outdoor seating. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 3 to 8 p.m.

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From Mexico to Italy…the passeggiata is back! It’s Burlington's Italian-inspired evening stroll, promoted by the Vermont Italian Cultural Association, taking place on Church Street any time between 5 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. Wander downtown, shop, sip, catch up with people. There’s no official start time, or agenda. The season opener features live music from Vecchio Stile, a Vermont ensemble playing traditional Italian music, starting at 6 p.m. outside Homeport. Local businesses are staying open late with specials along the route.

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Looking for something just slightly more active? Among their other events, Switchback Brewing is launching a cornhole league at the beer garden this summer. It’s happening every Wednesday and is run through GameOnVT. Sign up in advance.

Memorial Day weekend kicks things off, and the calendar doesn't slow down from here. Here’s what’s ahead in the coming days and weeks…

Tomorrow, May 22, gives you two good reasons not to cook. At Shelburne Vineyard, it’s a night of “Bluegrass & BBQ”…Hard Scrabble playing live, Southern Smoke on site, vineyard wine and local beer at the bar, and $5 cover with gates at 5 and music at 6.

Or keep heading down Route 7 to the Old Lantern Barn in Charlotte, where Farmers & Foragers is opening their summer with dinner and a show: James Beard finalist Avery Buck cooks his first official night in the F&F kitchen, with the Seth Yacovone Band following at 7.

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Saturday, May 23, has a lot to offer. Good Measure Brewing is throwing RiserFest in Northfield…their annual celebration of the flagship cream ale, Riser, with special releases and the full brewpub running.

That same evening, at The Barn at Boyden Farm in Cambridge, Golden Hour Social Club is throwing a barn dance for the over 30 crowd, with 90s and 00s music from 6 to 10…and there's a free singles mixer beforehand from 5 to 6 if you want a warm-up option. Tickets are $20 for the dance, or $45 with two drink tickets.

For the road-trippers: Vermont Distillers is running an 80s throwback party up on Hogback Mountain in Marlboro, complete with craft cocktails, a costume contest, and views that extend in every direction.

And if you’d rather stay closer to home and bring home something to make you happy, Leo & Co has a plant sale running both Saturday and Sunday.

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Getting into next week, on Monday, May 25, Specs in Winooski is hosting a "What is Vermouth?" workshop at 5:15 p.m….try six samples of different vermouths, a couple of half cocktails, and light bar snacks. It’s a good antidote to the habit of buying a bottle and forgetting about it. Don’t forget, their events tend to sell out quickly.

Shelburne Farms opens up the pastures for a guided walk on Wednesday the 27th…a chance to see the working farm in full spring stride before the summer crowds arrive. If you haven't walked the property in a while, this is a good excuse to do so.

And August First is hosting a Community Night on Friday, May 29…they’ll have hot dogs and tacos at the South Champlain location. A short menu, an easy evening, and exactly the kind of thing August First does well when they're not busy being one of the best bakeries around.

Also on Friday the 29th, the Humane Society of Chittenden County's 4th annual Best Friends Benefit rolls out the red carpet at The Farmhouse at the Essex Resort on Friday May 29 — cocktails, a silent auction, and live music from the Grippo Funk Band, all in support of HSCC's 125th anniversary year. They've set a goal of raising $125,000 for the occasion. A great excuse to dress up and do something good.

It’s not your typical bar outing…but Juniper at Hotel Vermont will host a Silent Book Club on Sunday May 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. on their terrace. Bring your own book…there’s no discussion required, just reading and enjoying whatever you're drinking. A nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon if you don’t feel like talking to anyone.

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Looking ahead to early June…Adventure Dinner is doing a five-course cheese dinner with Blue Ledge Farm at their Colchester clubhouse on Saturday, June 6. The menu is built entirely around Blue Ledge's goat and cow milk lineup, the farmers will be there, and there's a pop-up farmstand. Tickets are $75.

Also on June 6…there’s a Hike & Beer Crawl starting at Red Rocks Park at 11 a.m. and moving through four Burlington breweries (Switchback, Burlington Beer Co., Queen City Brewery and Zero Gravity) by afternoon. It’s a laid-back approach…join for just the hike, just the brewery portion, or both. Simply plan to pay your own way at each stop.

On Sunday June 7, Shelburne Museum hosts “Brick House & Bubbly”…one of the rare chances to get inside the former home of founder Electra Havemeyer Webb for a guided tour. It will be followed by champagne and bites in the garden. $40 for members, $50 for everyone else.

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One to act on now: the Stella 14k Boneyard Bash trail race in Jeffersonville on June 14 had fewer than 30 spots left at last check. The race benefits NOFA Vermont's Farm Share Program, and the post-race party includes smoked pork tacos, Stella 14 wine, and live music from Rusty Bucket. Registration closes June 12, with no race-day sign-up.

Lastly…on June 5, Cold Hollow Cider Mill is giving away free cider donuts. No other context needed.

Before we go…

This week in food news: America seems to have officially doubled down on pickles.