Also this issue: Tropico: Paradise Exquisite tacos and fried ice cream to die for in Old City. -Juliet Fletcher

January 16-22, 2003

food

offthemenu

by Frank Lewis

Get your game face on: BiG TEA PARTY (www.bigteaparty.com) host and "anarchist home economics" maven Elizabeth Fiend presents her take on successful Super Bowl party hosting at Strawbridge's, Eighth and Market, on Friday, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

The western front: Chef-owner Fatou N'Diaye has reopened her West African restaurant Fatou & Fama -- formerly of 61st and Lansdowne -- at 4002 Chestnut St. Pod (3636 Sansom St.) is offering Kaiseki Express Lunches -- miso soup, Japanese house salad, entree and white rice -- weekdays, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. See White Dog Café's website (www.whitedogcafe.com) for details on the restaurant's involvement in the anti-war movement. Drexel University and Culinary Arts program director Chef Francis McFadden plan to recreate the interior of Le Bec-Fin in Academic Bistro, a student-run restaurant (sixth floor, Academic Building, 33rd and Arch). Last year, Le Bec-Fin chef/owner and Drexel professor Georges Perrier donated a crystal chandelier and lots of other goodies no longer needed when the restaurant was renovated. Drexel hopes to complete the project -- estimated to cost $75,000 -- in the fall.

Ethnic flair: Daniele Thomas Easton, Philadelphia's Consul of France, will host meetings of the French Breakfast Club starting next month at Chez Colette in the Sofitel Philadelphia, 17th and Sansom. For reservations, contact Mrs. Easton at deaston@reedsmith.com or 215-851-1474. French language skills are required. Melange Café of Cherry Hill is planning meals and cooking classes on African cooking for February, which is Black History Month. See www.melangecafe.com for details. "Just think if your grandmother and Liberace decorated your house." That's what a press release announcing renovations to Buca di Beppo in Exton, Pa., is promising. The public can get a glimpse on Feb. 19.

Public service: Chef Philippe Reininger and The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, will host a dinner and auction to benefit the venerable James Beard Foundation (www.jamesbeard.org) on Feb. 9. Tickets for the event, featuring a six-course dinner, are $200. For reservations, call 215-731-2000. Kitchenware retailer and culinary instruction provider Sur La Table celebrates the opening of its Marlton, N.J., site with a benefit for culinary festival The Book and The Cook (March 14-21, www.thebookandthecook.com) on Jan. 23. For more information call 215-545-4543, or visit www.surlatable.com and follow the Culinary Programs link to the store locator. Maggiano's Little Italy (1201 Filbert St.) is inviting firehouse chefs from around the city to compete in its "Great Balls of Fire" contest. The winning recipe will be served at Maggiano's Center City and King of Prussia locations in March, with proceeds benefitting the entrant's fire station. Recipes should be sent to Profile Public Relations, 301 S. 19th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, or mail@profilepr.com, by Jan. 31.