Small Bites

Little Vittles

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Published: Sep 12, 2007

All's fair in love and Mendoza. At least when it comes to the pairing of the South American wines and tasty morsels at the Argentina Masters of Food & Wine USA Tour in the Park Hyatt's towering XIX dining room. But it's not a heated competition that'll bring chefs from the Hyatt's South American sister properties to Philly at the invitation of XIX chef Marc Plessis. Call it a cold war — or a cool one. Juliana López May, chef/owner of Buenos Aires' Taller de Cocina; Fernando Trocca, chef/owner of Buenos Aires' Sucre and El Diamante; Juan Manuel Guizzo of Bistro M at Park Hyatt Mendoza; and Màximo López May of Restaurant Goia at Park Hyatt Buenos Aires will collaborate to create match-ups that convey Argentinian traditions. No catfight? Dag. So what distinguishes "The Vines of Mendoza," the 4 p.m. wine-tasting event that kicks off the evening? The red varietals — specifically malbecs, from grapes imported from France over a century ago. The tasting's followed by a cocktail reception featuring Patagonian lamb paired with Familia Zuccardi Zeta Malbec/Tempranillo 2003 and pan-seared sea scallops with chorizo, toasted arborio and aged manchego matched with Salentein Pinot Noir 2003. Then, there's the main dinner, featuring grilled grass-fed veal loin and black sausage and pine-kernel pesto. All tasty stuff. But a fight would've been fun. —A.D. Amorosi

Mon., Sept. 17, 4 p.m. tasting, 6 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. dinner, $95-$175, XIX, Park Hyatt at The Bellevue, 200 S. Broad St., 19th floor, 215-790-1919, www.nineteenrestaurant.com.

If pesky global warming extends into next winter, let this water ice from Philly Flavors (2004 Fairmount Ave., 215-232-7748) wash your sweat-stained misery away in an avalanche of strawberry snow. It's the creamiest out there, exploding with fresh-puréed strawberries and a blend of natural ingredients — owner Damon Andreacchio's secret recipe. The aftertaste isn't overwhelming, and you won't believe it's dairy-free. Just $1.70 will get you a "small," which is a giant cup overflowing with frozen goodness; the larger sizes are even more generous. Better yet, Andreacchio's opening a new location at 13th and Pine within the next week, so look out for his grand opening — with free water ice, of course. —James Saul

I have never felt sorrier for pieces of cookware than I do for the personified "eggcessories" from the Joie de Vivre product line. The bewildered expressions of Yolky, Whiskie, Boiley, Mashy and Wedgey (pictured) say it all: These eggs were looking to make a little money, they compromised their morals, and before they knew it, their mouths were full of their friends. I like to imagine the creative minds at Joie de Vivre as French Martha Stewart types who've taken the cutesy urge to put faces on egg slicers, mashers, boilers and separators too far — and not a murderous syndicate that endorses cannibalism. But with names that sound like characters from Graham Greene's Brighton Rock, it's hard not to imagine the latter. Available at Bed, Bath & Beyond or at www.cayneshousewares.com. —Eileen Talone

Though Labor Day has come and gone and summer is regrettably winding down, the finest Pennsylvania produce has just arrived. Heirloom tomatoes, endless zucchini and doughnut peaches are on offer in the Amish section of the Reading Terminal Market, and no one puts the Lancaster bounty to better use than the Dutch Eating Place (Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St., 215-922-0425). Before 10:30 a.m., you can do no wrong with blueberry pancakes or apple French toast specials. After that, however, the thing to get on the menu is the summer salad special. You pick chicken or tuna cupped in a farm-ripe tomato, surrounded by the rest of the garden. This late-summer treat is that rare combination of healthy, satisfying and cheap. If you go on Saturday morning, bring something to read — the line is long, but most definitely worth the wait. Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. —Felicia D'Ambrosio

 

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