Courtesy of Everest Café & Bar

Everest Café & Bar specializes in South Asian food and features exceptional service and an $8.95 lunch buffet.

The Loop, the Landing, the Central West End: been there, done it all. If you’re ready for a new place to go out, head to Tower Grove. The Grove, for those not already in the know, is an older part of St. Louis that’s building itself back up with trendy restaurants and popping nightlife. The neighborhood stretches around Tower Grove Park for blocks in every direction, but it is mostly centered in the area between Kingshighway and Manchester and Vandeventer avenues. Whether you’re looking for great food, a place to relax, or somewhere to party, the Grove has a place for you. Below are some of places that are definitely worth checking out.

Everest Café & Bar
4145 Manchester Ave.

This small family-owned restaurant is a haven for anyone who loves South Asian food. Specializing in Nepalese, Korean and Indian foods, Everest is home to the best lunch deal in St. Louis: $8.95 for its lunch buffet, which includes amazing sweet potato chapchae. The owners will welcome you to Everest like you’re family. They openly care for every one of their guests, which is apparent not only in their attitudes, but also in the restaurant’s mission to serve heart-healthy and vegetarian food options.

Sanctuaria
4198 Manchester Ave.

I’m not going to lie: I was originally attracted to this place because it looked like a vampire bar straight out of “True Blood.” But once I got inside (and surprise, surprise, discovered it was actually a tapas bar), I was hooked. The atmosphere is neo-gothic, which is to say there’s low lighting from iron chandeliers and candles, but also splashes of color in the décor and art displays. The tapas are good, and the service is amazingly fast. Tons of kudos go to the chef for the Chihuahua and guava empanadas; the crusts on these babies are cooked impeccably, exactly as pastries should be prepared. They also have an exciting drink menu, which experiments with things like hibiscus syrups. The bartenders are very proud of their Sazerac, an old-time cocktail that’s making a comeback now that absinthe is once again available in bars.

Atomic Cowboy
4140 Manchester Ave.

Atomic Cowboy is the type of place you can go out to without spending hours deciding what to wear. No matter how you dress or how you look, you will have a great time there partying with your friends. There are nightly drink specials, as well as a full menu if you get hungry while dancing. Music is provided every night by DJs and by what Atomic Cowboy calls “danceable bands.” Another great plus: It’s open until 3 a.m. nightly.

The events will be held at venues all over the city, and a full list of events is available at http://www.stlbeerweek.com/events. There are tastings, classes on food pairings and even a few info sessions on the history of brewing in St. Louis. It’s a great way to celebrate St. Louis’ brewing heritage—and get a little buzzed. I’d recommend checking out some of the following events, which are being held closer to campus.

IPA Night: The Good Pie offers a rotating tap of local craft beers. Currently, they are serving some of the best and hoppiest beers in town. Pair any of those with one of their Neapolitan-style pizzas, and you have a meal that can’t be beat. The Good Pie is near Saint Louis University at 3137 Olive St., and the event is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 26. The event is free, but food and drinks are not.

Beer and cheese tasting: While wine and cheese is the more traditional pairing, we’re way too young for that—which is why a beer-and-cheese tasting is deliciously perfect. For $15 your taste buds can explore all the wonders of mixing beer and cheese. Tickets are available beforehand online. The event is 7 p.m.–9 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, at the Schlafly Tap Room, which is at 2100 Locust St.

Beer bingo: Located at the Newstead Tower Public House, which is at 4353 Manchester Ave., this event is a little farther away, but come on, it’s beer bingo. It’s free to play, and there are great prizes, but table space is limited so get there early for a seat. The games start at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 28.

$2 Pitcher Night at Morgan Street: Enough said.

Boulevard beer tasting: A representative of Boulevard will be at the Wine and Cheese Place, which is at 7435 Forsyth Blvd., right down the street from the Forsyth Metro stop, offering free tastings of Boulevard’s beers. Tasting is 4 p.m.–6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 30.

St. Louis Microfest: From April 30 to May 2, St. Louisans will be celebrating beer by the Muny. Although tickets for this event run from $27 in advance to $35 at the door, there are some awesome demonstrations, booths and beers to be seen at Microfest. Plus a portion of the ticket sales go to Lift for Life, a local gym that teaches children about health, nutrition and exercise. This event will also have food and music. Check out http://stlmicrofest.com/index.php for more details.

other happenings:

cocktail hour
April 20, 7 p.m. at Sanctuaria, 4198 Manchester Rd.

Learn about the history of cocktails and enjoy drinks from a professional mixologist as he makes drinks from the 1800s through today for you to sample. $25 a person.

a year in forest park in one evening
April 20, 7 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum, at Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park

After pledging to take a different picture of a different part of Forest Park every day for a year, Alex Paradowski has collected some great shots of St. Louis’ iconic park. Paradowski will be discussing his experiences and the book he created with his photos at the museum.

spring artwalk
April 23-25, Main Street in St. Charles

Art from local artists will be displayed in the streets of historic downtown St. Charles. Many restaurants will have live music and specials all weekend long.

The Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City, Kan., is the first of its kind in the country—a casino where the slot machines and table games are all owned by the state. (Scott Canont | Kansas City Star | MCT)

The first time I gambled, my eyes anxiously followed the slot machine’s spinning cherries. It was stressful and exciting­­­. But it was also illegal: I was about 8 at the time. I was promptly escorted from the small casino and returned to my parents.

Since then, I’ve continued to respect the glamour, exhilaration and fickleness of Lady Luck only from afar. That is, until I made a trip to Lumière Place Casino, where I once again experienced gambling firsthand.

First of all, the place is massive. There are rows and rows of different types of machines and card-game tables that I’ve never heard of. Honestly, the casino can be a little intimidating unless you’re prepared for it. But there are simple steps you can follow to have a good time without losing the shirt off your back.

First, leave any money you don’t want to lose at home. You can always tempt your willpower, but honestly, it’s safer to bring only what you can afford. Second, beware of the reasonably priced drinks being sold by pretty ladies in short skirts. Sure, a few drinks are fine, but remember: cheap drinks lead to more drinks, which leads to less rational gambling. Third, know that despite the apparent variety of the slot machines ringing through out the casino, they are all essentially the same. But thanks to evolving technology, they no longer have levers and they print out paper vouchers instead of spewing out coins—in my opinion, a downgrade.

Fourth—and this is the big one—know when to walk away. There’s always a brief “Oh my God, oh my God” moment of pulsing adrenaline when you realize you have won. And it’s freaking awesome. But you have to quit while you’re ahead.

“It’s so intense,” said senior Colin Stomberski, after part of him told him to keep playing, and another part told him to walk away.

If you don’t really feel like gambling, there are other forms of entertainment at the casino as well. There are shows almost every night, and they range from Elvis impersonators to big-name bands. There are also several sleek bars with modern decors that are great for relaxing. You can also partake in my favorite casino pastime: people watching. You’d be surprised by the things superstitious people do or the things losers say.

The bright lights and promise of winnings at Lumière attract people like moths. If you’re over 21, check it out. It can give you a hell of an adrenaline rush. The 10 dollars I left with were the easiest I’ve ever made, but they were also the most nerve-wracking.

Other happenings:

Repeal of Prohibition Beer Festival: April 17

Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave., noon – 5 p.m. A beer festival with music and food. $30 at the door.

Cardinals’ Season Opener: April 12

Busch Stadium. Even if you don’t have tickets to the game, there will be events happening at bars and restaurants around the stadium.

Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival: April 16-17

UMSL, 8 p.m. See big names in jazz perform. Tickets $20-$35.

The Jive & Wail is open Thursday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. There’s a cover Fridays and Saturdays and later in the night on Thursdays. And, while it’s not your typical club experience, it’s definitely worth the five bucks. The bar is sparsely decorated with a dimly lit, basement pub feel, but there’s an energy from the performers that pulses into all of its dark corners. Although their voices are less than perfect, their playing is fun and boisterous, like a good belly laugh.

Unlike at The Big Bang, the party at The Jive & Wail starts earlier: Even at 8 p.m., it has a crowd of decent size. And, if you’re looking for a laid-back evening that gets you out of the house but won’t leave you hungover in the morning, The Jive & Wail is the perfect place to go.

“It’d be a great place for a girls’ night out,” senior Veronica Harwin said.

Well, lucky for us gals, ladies’ night is every Thursday, with half-price martinis all night. They also have food available until 10 p.m. on Thursdays and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, plus a limited menu until close. And if nothing on the menu tempts your taste buds, there’s a White Castle within stumbling distance.

As far as the type of the music goes, it varies depending on the night’s performers. But, in general, the songs are all recognizable and toe-tapping good.

So if you’re looking for a new and relaxed place to hang out, check out The Jive & Wail Dueling Pianos. It’s a great place to go with your friends to soak up some tunes.

Other Happenings:

Super-8 Movie Madness
Tuesday, April 6, Way Out Club, 2525 S. Jefferson Ave., 8 p.m.
The best disaster films cut down to their best 15 minutes.
Admission: $3.

Kirkwood Farmers’ Market
Monday through Saturday, 150 E. Argonne Drive. opens at 9 a.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. on Saturdays.
With such nice weather comes the farmers’ market. Produce, meat and cheese are all available.

Duffy’s Trivia Night
Wednesdays at Mike Duffy’s, 6662 Clayton Rd.
Great drinks and hard trivia. Not for the weak of heart.

Are you sick of going out and hearing the same four Lady Gaga songs over and over again? Then go to the Gramophone on April 3, where Glory Daze and London Calling, along with several other DJs, will be spinning great dance songs all night. London Calling, a group of well-known St. Louis DJs, is famous for playing British and other international dance hits. They favor songs and artists that are big in Europe and just beginning to make a splash in the U.S. They also do remixes of old favorites you never thought you could dance to. In short, if you want to move to some new grooves, these guys are the ones to listen to.

The Gramophone is located at 4243 Manchester Ave. in the Grove, a part of St. Louis not often visited by Washington University students. The area, however, is quickly becoming known for its nightlife; checking out a show at the Gramophone promises to be a fun night that is full of new faces. You won’t need to worry about grinding up on somebody only to realize too late that the person is “that kid from bio class.”

The show is 21 and over (sorry freshmen) and costs $6 with an RVSP or $8 at the door. You can RVSP ahead of time at thegramophonelive.com/rsvp/. Since Pabst Blue Ribbon sponsors the event, the first 100 people who come with an RSVP by 10 p.m. get a free PBR beer. The Gramophone also offers a decent drink list with an extensive beer list and a string of specialty cocktails, including things like a Chewbacca, a Ginger SNAP! and a Moscow Mule.

And the great thing about this sure-to-be-epic night is that you can repeat it over and over again. London Calling is already scheduled to play at the Gramophone two more times this month, on April 10 and April 24. If you can’t make it this Saturday, you can always catch them the next time they perform.

So if you’re tired of the usual bump-and-grind and you’re ready for some new tunes to dance your heart out to, check out Glory Daze and London Calling at the Gramophone this Saturday. It will be so awesome that you won’t be able to keep your feet still if you try.

Other happenings

Have a ball with Linus
April 2 at the Coronado Ballroom, 9 p.m.
A cocktail ball thrown by the Linus Foundation to benefit the     charity Our Little Haven.
Cocktail attire and an open bar. Tickets cost $50.

City Museum flashlight night
April 2-3 at City Museum, 701 N. 15th St., 10 p.m.
Every Friday and Saturday night, explore City Museum by flashlight.
BYOF (bring your own flashlight).

Beer pong at Syberg’s
March 31 at Syberg’s, 2430 Old Dorsett Rd., 8 p.m.
Beer pong tournaments every Wednesday.

Ron T. Ennis | Fort Worth Star-Telegram | MCT

A footed bowl is always a stunning, yet functional, piece of art to display in any home. This bowl was made by husband-and-wife team Matthew P. LaBarbera and Teresa Lynn Ueltschey, founders of Austin’s Fire Island Hot Glass Studio, once the oldest glassblowing studio in Texas (it closed last February). The handcrafted glass piece is an elegant example of contemporary design. $299, Artful Hand, Fort Worth, www.artful-hand.com.

The idea of glassblowing blows my mind. When I look at an intricate glass vase with swirls of colors and perfect curves, I can’t even begin to imagine how it came from a molten glob of material at the end of what’s essentially a straw. But apparently that’s how it’s done. If you don’t believe me, check out one of Third Degree Glass Factory’s Third Fridays.

On the third Friday of every month, Third Degree Glass Factory, a remodeled brick warehouse at 5200 Delmar Blvd., opens its doors for a free night of glassblowing demonstrations. The event runs from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. and offers attendees the chance to look at and purchase unique glass creations. You can even have a hand in working with the glass. If you pay a fee, you can get the help of an artist to make things like a paperweight, beads or glass tiles. The cost of these items varies, running from about $10 to $30. Live music starts at 8 p.m., and there is a cash bar with drinks running from $3 for beer to $7 for higher-end liquors. You can also eat dinner at the event, but that requires an online reservation beforehand.

The event also affords you the opportunity to just sit back, watch and enjoy glassblowing. The overall atmosphere of the hip, reclaimed warehouse is laid-back in a new-wave Bohemian way. The building is entirely open, allowing you to see the artists and talk to them as they work. There are various ways for you to watch the glassblowing. In the main room, demonstrations are done for the crowd over a loudspeaker. Most of the space in the up-close viewing room is taken up by excited children, but don’t worry, demonstrations are also projected onto a screen, which can be seen from all over the factory. There are also artists working on smaller pieces in quieter rooms of Third Degree, allowing for a closer look at how they work.

For those who are more interested in the final products, there is also a wide array of work available to buy. Some of the work is as simple as a beer bottle converted to a drinking glass, while other pieces are large platters with intricate designs. Third Degree also has a gallery that displays more-artsy forms of glasswork. Currently there is an interesting display of mixed media art that uses glass and forms of yarn and string in ways I never would have considered.

So if you’re interested in seeing the sweat and fire that goes into glassblowing, check out Third Degree Glass Factory’s Third Friday. It’s a short drive from campus, and there’s parking available at the factory and the funeral home next door. The next event will be April 16, so mark your calendars. It may surprise you with something you’ve never seen before.

The Great Cobblestone Challenge
Thursdays on the Landing. Complete a challenge at six of the Landing’s bars for free drinks. You must eat six Buffy Wings at Show-Me’s, eat five sliders at Sundecker’s, drink a microbrew at Morgan Street, drink an injector shot at Big Daddy’s, have a “Red Guy” at The Big Bang and try any shot No. 1-124 at Joey B’s. If you complete the challenge, you get a free drink from each establishment.

‘Modern Time’
March 23 at the Tivoli, 6350 Delmar Blvd., at 7 p.m. The Tivoli is having a free showing of Charlie Chaplin’s classic movie “Modern Times.”

Trivia Titans @ J. Buck’s—March 2 and every Tuesday, at J. Buck’s in Clayton, 101 S. Hanley Rd., 7 p.m.: Free Trivia on Tuesdays with great prizes for the top teams and the best happy hour prices in Clayton on food and drinks.

Downtown Iditarod—March 6, downtown St. Louis, from the Old Post Office to Lumière Place, 11 a.m.: A weird twist on the Classic Iditarod, where teams of five act as the huskies and pull a shopping cart through the streets of St. Louis. $50 registration fee per five-person team.

You might ask what makes the movie so good…I mean bad. First, there’s the title. There really isn’t a room, at least not one that is central to the story. This brings us to the second shortcoming: The movie has no story. Characters come in and out of scenes with no real explanation of who they are or why they’re there. The film has more plot holes than hairs on the film’s director’s/writer’s/producer’s/star’s head. And trust me, that man has an impressive amount of hair.

There also seems to be zero production value in the movie. For instance, the same lame sex scene is used twice. In fact, during the filming of “The Room,” one of the main actors decided to quit. Instead of hiring a replacement or reworking the script to adjust for his departure, the producers make his character disappear without an explanation, and his lines are given to another character.

To give you a better idea of how wonderfully horrible this movie is, let me describe a scene. Tommy Wiseau’s character, Johnny, goes onto the rooftop of his apartment, dispassionately proclaiming that he never hit his girlfriend, Lisa. (How he finds out that Lisa has secretly started this rumor we never find out.) Suddenly Johnny realizes his best friend Mark is on the roof, and he instantly forgets he’s upset. The two then have a badly dubbed conversation with stiff, awkward dialogue as they sit in front of a fake backdrop of the skyline of San Francisco. The word “yeah” is used eight times in one minute, and they toss around a football for no reason whatsoever.

So why would anyone want to see this movie? It’s not about wanting; it’s about needing to see this movie. If you don’t believe a turd of a movie can be a wonderful experience, check out “The Room” for yourself. Like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” audience members are encouraged to dress up like characters in the movie. If you’re unfamiliar with the characters, just wear anything that’s from the early ’90s; although the movie was filmed in 2003, its clothing is straight out of the original “90210.”

Every aspect of this movie is so wrong it’s hilarious. And while Wiseau now claims that he intended for his “dark comedy” to be atrocious, you can’t help but wonder if he’s really capable of that type of evil genius. “The Room” taps into that little dark part of all of us that loves to watch others fail miserably—the same part that loves to watch painful accidents on “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” It’s an experience that can’t be missed.

First, there’s ice skating in Forest Park at the Steinberg Rink. Located at the back of Forest Park toward the School of Medicine, the rink offers a city park skating experience that rivals ice skating in Central Park. The snow-covered landscape and the Central West End buildings that peek over the trees create a gorgeous view as you swirl around the rink. During the winter, the rink is open seven days a week: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m.-midnight on Friday and Saturday. It costs $6.50 to skate and $3 to rent skates. To get to the rink, take MetroLink to the Central West End, and cross back over Kingshighway to the park. The café at Steinberg offers food and hot chocolate to warm you up. If you get a group of friends together to go skating, I guarantee it’ll be a good time, despite the 8-year-olds who will do triple salchows while you’re falling on your butt.

Aside from ice skating, there’s also the long-held tradition of sledding on Art Hill. The aptly named Art Hill is the big slope in front of the art museum in Forest Park. Whenever there are a few good inches of powder, the hill is perfect for sledding. For decades, people of all ages have ditched class and work to head to the hill, so I recommend getting there fairly early in the day so you’re not left with an icy, muddy sledding experience. The bonus to this activity is that it’s absolutely free. And if you don’t have a legitimate sled handy, you have an opportunity to be innovative. Pointers Pizza boxes are always a good option, but they’re normally only good for a few runs. I’ve also heard food trays or large garbage can lids work well, especially when the underside is spread with Pam or some other cooking spray.

So, can snow suck? Yes. But now you’ll be prepared with something to do the next time you just can’t stand staying inside anymore trying to wait it out.