Also this issue: Prime Time Kansas City Prime may have undergone renovations, but the food stays true to its tasty roots. -Maxine Keyser

May 23-29, 2002

underthetable

underthetable

by Marc Kravitz

N. 3rd (801 N. Third St.), the neighborhood-y Northern Liberties restaubar noted for dishing out affordable comfort food and pouring quality beers, has nearly completed its expansion. Proprietor Mark Bee, a plumber by trade, is putting finishing touches on a sound system and on a second tap system. The 50-seat lounge -- doubling the restaurant’s seating capacity -- will host live entertainment from local singer-songwriter-type bands. … Thomas Combescot-Lepere of Savona Restaurant was the winner of the recent mid-Atlantic “Best Young Sommelier” competition, hosted by the Chaine des Rotisseurs. Four local wine experts put their knowledge to the test and endured a three-part examination. Combescot-Lepere received an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas, where he will compete for the gold medal during the national Chaine conference. … On Thu., June 6, from 6-9 p.m., at the Marketplace Design Center (2400 Market St.), Bistro St. Tropez and LeBus join forces with Chaddsford Winery for Reds, Whites and Blues, a fundraiser benefiting the American Red Cross. Tickets are $35, sold only at the door. … Buca di Beppo, the kitschy Southern Italian chain, has officially opened in Center City at 258 S. 15th St. (City Councilman Darrell L. Clarke was scheduled to participate yesterday in the grand opening ceremony, declaring it Buca di Beppo Day in Philadelphia.) If Maggiano’s Little Italy can achieve wild success just a hop, skip and a jump from South Philly, why not Buca di Beppo, with over 80 locations (including Jenkintown and Norristown) in 25 states? The family-style restaurant serves dinner seven days a week, and opens at noon on Saturday and Sunday. A menu staple is their version of spaghetti and meatballs -- two-and-a-half pounds of pasta served with three baseball-sized meatballs.

Those of us born and bred in Philly are fully aware how special -- and unique -- Reading Terminal Market is to our culinary-rich history and culture. The sentiment has been validated nationally by non-profit agency Project for Public Spaces, who placed the 110-year-old indoor food market in the category of "Great Public Space." ... Among the most irresistible of snack nibbles are chocolate truffles, petit fours and Munchkins -- as in Dunkin' Donuts' Munchkins. While chefs create truffles and other epicurean desserts as easy as everyday folk tie their shoelaces, how many have made their own version of the bite-sized doughnut? In honor of the Munchkin's 30th anniversary, Dunkin' Donuts is inviting the culinarily creative to participate in the Munchkin Madness Recipe Contest. Three grand prizes include a trip for four to the Bahamas. For contest details, call 877-933-8656. Entries must be received by June 3.

Marc Kravitz is the author of the $18 and UNDER dining guide, available at area bookstores.