Author Erin Byers Murray is coming to town, and you’ll have two chances to catch her. Skip your Bachelor watching on Monday, March 11th and head to Hotel Commonwealth (home of The Hawthorne, Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar) to join Murray, chef Jeremy Sewall and crew for a celebration of Murray’s new book Grits; A Cultural and Culinary Journey Through the South. You may remember her previous tome, Shucked, which documented her 18 month journey with the Island Creek Oyster team learning the ins and outs of aquaculture. The Nashville-based food writer became fast friends with Sewall and even co-authored his first cookbook. The reading and cooking demo begins at 6:00pm, and your $65 ticket gets you a signed copy of Grits plus plenty of oysters, beer & wine and a tasting menu as well (see below) — snag your spot here.

Can’t make it on Monday? Murray will be making the rounds, and you can find her at Row 34 on Tuesday, March 12th, also beginning at 6:00pm. Grab your tickets for $30, which includes a signed book along with book-inspired bites (details underneath). A cash bar will be available, too.

Monday, March 11th Menu at Hotel Commonwealth:

Roasted sunchoke soup, smoked scallops, blue grit crackers

Creamy white grits, grilled shrimp, bacon, sherry vinegar

Braised short rib, polenta cake, roasted mushrooms, fried egg

Tuesday, March 12th Menu at Row 34:

Blue Grits Cake with quail egg, pickled shallots

Creamy White Grits and Shrimp

Salt Cod and Corn Beignets

Polenta Fries with tarragon aïoli