We love this time of year: the leaves are spectacularly psychedelic, apple cider is at the markets, and traditional ethnic food is being celebrated at various spots around town.

Zion Lutheran Church (400 E. Lexington St., [410] 727-3939) hosts its annual German sour beef dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 28 (dinner 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the dining hall; beer hall 4:30-9:30 p.m.) and Thursday, Oct. 29, (lunch 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; beer hall 4:30-9:30 p.m.). FYI, beer is served only in the beer hall, since the dining room is technically in the church.

For the past several years, Café Azafran's (3700 San Martin Drive, [410] 338-4757) Irena Stein has hosted a Day of the Dead dinner, complete with traditional altar and mariachi music. This year, the café will serve traditional Mexican food at breakfast and lunch all week. Dishes include huevos rancheros with tortillas, rice, and beans, tacos al pastor, and chicken tamales. Café Azafran is located in John Hopkins University's Space Telescope building and open to the public.