The Week In Eats

Just Desserts, World Tapas Tour, Argentina Wine, Flavored Vodka, Living Foods Diet

by Amy Strauss

Indulge in an evening of sweet treats to benefit the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights. Try a handmade truffle from Amada, bite into a Viennese pastry courtesy of the Art Institute, or sample other decadent desserts from Pink Rose Pastry Shop, Bump, The Palm Restaurant, Night Kitchen Bakery, Rouge and others. CLGCR executive director Stacey Sobel organized the fiesta to make the center more accessible to allies. "It's a lower-dollar event to help benefit our center's direct legal services, [which] provides for operations, support, education and policy work," says Sobel. National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St., 215-731-1447, ext. 13.

It's a tapas lover's dream: Williams-Sonoma resident chef Denine Gorniak offers an international tour of tiny plates. The food journey blends both traditional and contemporary dishes from Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Up for eats: baba ganoush with pita chips; chorizo, manchego and almond canapes; black-eyed pea fritters; and lemongrass chicken in lettuce cups. Williams-Sonoma at the Bellevue, 200 S. Broad St., 215-545-7392.

Chestnut Hill's Melting Pot will dip into Argentina with this tasting of top native wines, including varietals from Santa Julia and Zuccardi. A four-course meal accompanies the vintages, with entrees of filet mignon and citrus-marinated pork tenderloin served alongside spinach and gorgonzola ravioli. There's also a course featuring shrimp, scallops and fresh salmon, and an appetizer of cheddar cheese fondue. Top it off with bananas Foster chocolate fondue, and this meal just might make you cry for, well, you know. The Melting Pot, 8229 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill, 215-242-3003.

Forget Bourbon -- Vodka's the leading lady at Davio's Italian Steakhouse's hip Thursday night happy hour. Watch out for Van Gogh's espresso vodka and Stoli's blueberry vodka (the world's first), two innovative flavors sure to upset your favorite martini recipe. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will accompany the tasting. Davio's, 111 S. 17th St., 215-563-4810.

Eric Rothwarf, better known as "that fat kid" throughout his childhood, has wrestled with obesity his entire life. "I was always in pain," says Rothwarf, who at age 40 and a weight of 215 pounds began experiencing health problems that led to a deep depression. Having heard about the raw food diet, Rothwarf jumped at the opportunity to try something different. Now, eight years later, he weighs 160 pounds. "I lost weight, yeah, but every other health problem disappeared, too," he says. By eating only "living" foods (uncooked, unheated, unprocessed and organic), Rothwarf has enhanced his nutrition, and his life. Worried your diet is hurting your physique, and other things? Rothwarf may have the solution. Unitarian Society, 6511 Lincoln Dr., Germantown, 215-843-6333.