You’ve got lots of choices for what to do over Halloween weekend from bangin’ bar pop-ups to haunted houses. But, if you’re looking for pre-party dinner plans or just a slightly more food-centric way to celebrate, here are a few ideas.

OCT. 29

Halloween Dinner at Lazy Susan

2378 S. Howell Ave., (414) 988-7086
When: Oct. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $150 per person (includes five courses plus pairings)
Reservations required; call to reserve
[More Information]
Lazy Susan will be conjuring up a magical evening filled with five courses of delicious fare, cocktails using spirits from woman-owned Koval distillery, plus table to table magic and tarot readings from Connie's Kickn' Tarot. Even better, $50 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Bay View Community Center to assist with their much needed building remodel.  Note: The menu is naturally gluten free. Non-alcoholic pairings are available upon request.

On the menu:

• Eastern Europe: Mici (Romanian garlic sausages); pickled vegetables; draniki (Belarus style potato pancakes)
• Haiti: Poul Nan Sos: Haitian stewed chicken with tomato and bell peppers; fried plantains; pork griot with pikliz (our orange marinated pork shoulder with cabbage relish)
• Mexico: Pozole: with lamb and hominy; duck mole tamale; smoked corn ribs
• New Orleans: Boudin balls; pickled butternut squash salad; shrimp and pumpkin etouffee’
• Desserts: Caramel apple cheesecake; pan de los muertos; chocolate beet cake

OCT. 30

Gato/Nero Dinner at Voyager

422 E. Lincoln Ave., (414) 239-8254
When: Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $200 per person (eight courses plus pairings)
Purchase tickets online
[More information]
Tap into the creativity of Justin Burich of Voyager, Katie Gabert and Samantha Sandrin of Strega and Chef Alex Burgos as they present eight delicious courses (and beverage pairings) which showcase the intersection of ingredients and flavor profiles in both Northern Italian and Argentine cuisines. 

The atmosphere will conjure a bit of pre-Hallow's Eve darkness and the menu will showcase the best of Strega's experimental side, along with flavors conjured from Borgas' childhood in Buenos Aires.

Guests can expect fare that embraces autumnal flavors (and spooky season vibes) with courses that incorporate seasonal truffles, black pasta and expertly prepared beef with an Argentine flare. There will also be some "tricky treats" like savory cheesecake and liquid desserts.

Courses will be accompanied by thoughtfully eccentric beverage pairings curated by Burich, including top tier wine selections with unique flavor profiles from both South America and Italy.

VIP Halloween Dinner at Shanghai

Shanghai Speakeasy, Black Cat Alley
When: Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $175 per person (six courses, plus cocktail pairings)
Purchase tickets online

Surely there's no place more appropriate for a Halloween dinner than Shanghai, the dark, secret speakeasy located off Black Cat Alley. And a lucky – but limited – number of guests will be able to partake in this very special experience.

This intimate dinner, limited to 16 guests, will incude a special six-course menu from Chef Ramses Alvarez of Dia Bom along with cocktail pairings from Shanghai’s Kat Doughty.

Inspired by seasonal ingredients as well as all things dark and spooky, the menu will feature bold, creative dishes that play with perception, take diners slightly outside their comfort zone, and delight the palette. And no, we're not revealing any of the delicious surprises. But you can count on a remarkable slate of mysteriously tasty dishes and imaginative cocktails to match.

Beginning at 5 p.m. (prior to the dinner), guests are also invited to enjoy a cocktail hour at The Pharmacy Bar (located inside Crossroads Collective) with complimentary cava.

Important note: Tickets are extremely limited and are available for purchase through the Crossroads Collective online ordering platform (As a formality, you'll be asked to choose pick-up or delivery; but your purchase will entitle you to the in-person dinner).

Shanghai is the East Side’s “secret” speakeasy, located in Black Cat Alley, behind the Oriental Theatre. To access, enter the alley from Ivanhoe, walk past the colorful murals and ring the buzzer near the gate on the West side of the alley.

OCT. 31

Boo-Yah! Halloween Family Meal at Eldr+Rime

2300 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, (414) 867-9200
When: Oct. 31, pick-up between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Cost: $70 (feeds two); $140 (feeds four)
[Place your order]
Eldr+Rime wants to take the horror out of preparing dinner on Halloween night, so they’ve conjured up a carry-out heat-and-eat dinner package that feeds the entire family.

Their spooky dinner package takes inspiration from booyah, the popular fall stew which is cooked outdoors over a fire and served in Green Bay and other parts of Northern Wisconsin.

Eldr+Rime’s Booyah Meal is rich, hearty, warm and guaranteed to keep the bad spirits away. It features chicken boo-yah, smoked trout deviled eggs, crazy brussels sprouts and gooey butter cake for dessert. Additional potions (beverages) for both adults and kids are also available for purchase

Booyah packages are heat-and-eat and designed to feed groups of two or four (multiple packages can be purchased for larger groups). Guests can pick up their packages on Monday, Oct. 31 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.