Oyster Madness, East Village Eats, and More

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are five choice dining events going on around the city:

1) Oysterfest at Back Forty
When: Today, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Back Forty (East Village)
What: Back Forty is bringing back its monthly oyster eating extravaganzas for the 2012 season, and the mollusk madness kicks off this afternoon at the restaurant's East Village location. Expect things like Bloody Mary oyster shooters, an assortment of five different oyster tastings, and some savory snacks like braised chicken croquettes with beer mustard and sugared almonds. There will be discounted drinks available as well. Tickets are $25 (plus tax and tip), with additional oyster tastings available at $2 a piece.

2) FABnyc's East Village Eats
When: Today, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Various East Village Eateries
What: FABnyc is hosting the third annual East Village Eats, a self-guided tasting tour of twelve of the East Village's hottest restaurants. Participating restaurants include L'Apicio, Hecho en Dumbo, Luke's Lobster, Oaxaca Taqueria, and Spot Dessert Bar. Stick around after the tour for a happy hour (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) full of drink specials at the Idle Hands Bar, Aroma Kitchen and Winebar, and Jimmy's No. 43. Tickets are $35 and include a taste at each stop along the tour. All proceeds benefit FABnyc's year-round programs for New York's artists.

3) GastroBall Costume Party
When: Sunday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Brewery
What: The Brooklyn Kitchen is celebrating Halloween with a food-based costume contest/party at the Brooklyn Brewery. Show up before 8 p.m. dressed as something food-related (think zombie spatula, slutty burger, or vampire chef) to enter the contest for a chance to win prizes from the likes of Mile End Deli, Momofuku Milk Bar, and Ruth Bourdain. Tickets are $10, which include a beer token and a bag full of Brooklyn-made goodies with treats provided by Ovenly, Liddabit Sweets, Enid's, and a few others. Additonal beer tokens will be available at the bar.

4) HCC State Fair
When: Today, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Hill Country Chicken
What: This afternoon, Hill Country Chicken is hosting a kitschy State Fair-inspired Spectacular. There will be family-friendly activities like ring tosses and photo opps, as well as State Fair food staples like candy apples, cotton candy, and sour cream coffee cakes. The event is free, and Hill Country Chicken's signature crispy fried chicken, sweet pies, and hearty sides will be available for purchase.

5) Julia Child at 100
When: Sunday, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Buttenwieser Hall at 92Y
What: This one is for the Julia Child fans. Tomorrow evening, the 92nd Street Y is hosting a panel discussion celebrating the life of the late, great Julia Child. Child's great-nephew and My Life in France co-writer Alex Prud'homme will be participating in the event, as well as her editor Judith Jones. Tickets are $15 for anyone under 35, and $29 for anyone 36 and older.

Also of Note: The New Amsterdam Market and both locations of Smorgasburg are on for this weekend. The Hester Street Fair is open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., however, this will be their final appearance before closing up shop for the season. Looking to try a new restaurant this weekend? Try John McDonald's new Mexican restaurant El Toro Blanco, the massive high-flying Gaonnuri, or the Maccioni family's ritzy new Italian spot Sirio. If it's a drink and small snack you're after, try the new bar at the Pod 39 Hotel from the unstoppable Friedman/Bloomfield duo. Or, if you're craving some good Mexican food, consult Eater's guide to New York's Best Mexican Food, as determined by Eater readers.

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