The Week In Eats

by Amy Strauss

©2006 Matthew Carden/350degrees.com

Do you find eating erotic? Nico y Katiushka, a Brooklyn-based performing art pair, certainly do. Take a peek at their "Fruit" installation, part of Abington Art Center's "Fresh Produce" exhibit. Encased in body casts, the pair swap spit to provoke discomfort. Aside from that mouthy project, you'll find artists taking socially conscious jabs at food consumption, obsession and intimacy. Amy Stevens, who's displaying prints from her "Confections" series, strives to remind onlookers that cake-making is a symbol of female empowerment. Her luscious desserts, dipped in blobs of icing, will have you screaming Martha Stewart's name in a sickeningly sweet fashion. Abington Art Center, 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, 215-887-4882.

City Tavern chef Walter Staib has achieved success through his involvement with charity functions. Now, with his heart geared toward helping Philly's Meals on Wheels, Staib will pair Rodney Strong Vineyards' best vintages with a hearty Teutonic meal of scallops, vol-au-vent (a veal-filled puff pastry), peppercorn- and herb-encrusted beef tenderloin and a hunk of classic Black Forest cake. An opening reception toast featuring Strong's Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc and Sonoma Merlot will celebrate the publication of Staib's latest cookbook, Black Forest Cuisine (Running Press). City Tavern, 138 S. Second St., 215-413-1443.

The stress of the holidays is the last thing you need to worry about right now, so make plans to escape: Next weekend, the Poconos Skytop Lounge heads up a celebration of autumn with a weekend devoted to top-notch cuisine. Renowned chefs Robert Bennett (American Harvest Baking) and Bobby Chez (Crab Cake King) will collaborate with Skytop executive chef Steve Sundberg to create expert plates for Saturday's evening gala. (Don't forget to pack something swanky.) Also scheduled: an afternoon steak and ribs barbecue, hikes with environmentalists and hands-on cooking demos. Skytop Lodge, One Skytop, Skytop, 1-800-345-7759, www.skytop.com.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society president Alan Shayne understands why scotch enthusiasts dream about sampling every option out there. "No two taste alike," he says. Shayne and company will guide enthusiasts through more than 60 single malts in one sitting. Each attendee, with SMWS snifter and tour journal in hand, can tastefully tumble through drinks, an experience that's paired with a hearty pasta, salad and roasted veggie buffet. Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St., 800-990-1991, www.smwsa.com.