The Week In Eats

by Amy Strauss

Attention epicurious palates—consider Ansill's five-course carte du jour for a festive evening out. Chef Kibett Mengech's petite plates are superb for sharing. Experimentation is key, as Ansill's known for infusing nontraditional foodstuffs with adventurous flavors. The menu includes Island Creek oysters, cured salmon roe, scrambled duck eggs, grilled mahi mahi, braised rabbit leg, saffron cheesecake and more. Ansill, 627 S. Third St., 215-627-2485.

"Mom," proprietor of Tattooed Mom and Sugar Mom's, wants to rendezvous with you—at the Four Seasons, The Bellevue, Continental, Cuba Libre and Panorama. And that's just to get the party started. For 10 bucks, boozers can enter to win an evening with the Mom to beat all moms. (Don't sweat the day job, kids—the tab's on her.) Purchase tickets at either Mom's location. Proceeds benefit the Bethesda Project. Tattooed Mom, 530 South St., 215-238-9880, www.myspace.com/tattooed_mom.

Dave Magrogan, founder of Kildare's and Doc Magrogan's, whisks together this eve's fishiest shindig in his 1920s-style West Chester oyster house. His four-course spread includes oysters and clams on the half shell, creamy Maryland crab and oyster stew, wild salmon in puff pastry, crab cakes paired with oyster stuffing and succulent stuffed lobster with roasted potatoes. Doc Magrogan's, 117 E. Gay St., West Chester, 610-429-4046, www.docmagrogans.com

Although her pasta career began by accident, chef Roberta Adamo's inimitable handiwork developed while training under such chefs as Catelli's Louis Imbesi and Brasserie Perrier's Francesco Martorella. Her food philosophy: A dish should not sing any one note louder than another. Her innovative stuffed pastas are the result of skillful dough-making, which she'll demonstrate at this class. Savory raviolis include mushroom, roasted chicken, creamed spinach, Parmesan, and potato Brie varieties; for something different, learn how to whip up raviolis stuffed with apples, celery root, clams, scallops, fennel and oranges. Penne Restaurant and Wine Bar, 3611 Walnut St., 215-823-6222.

Bondisms go into full effect at this 007-themed soiree with a dress code that's "licensed to kill" (read: semiformal, sexy and luminous). Mimicking Casino Royale, Haru's sleek floors will be home to blackjack hubs, roulette wheels and Texas Hold 'Em tables; and when the ball drops, stogies will be passed out. Not partial to James' vodka consumption? Servings of many other first-rate liquors will be available at the open bar, matched with an assortment of tuna, salmon and vegetarian sushi. Haru, 241 Chestnut St., 267-303-3460.