What's Cooking

Get Out!

by Lauren Fleming

[ the week in eats ]

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Headhouse Farmers Market Opening

Philly's farmers markets are finally coming out of hibernation. The Headhouse Farmers Market, in particular, will reopen this Sunday, hosting new vendors, live music and cookbook signings with authors Aliza Green and Tara Mataraza Desmond. Of course, all the best local produce, meats, poultry and artisanal cheeses will be available for purchase during the opening. This year also marks a first in the market's three-year run: They will now expand the Saturday Headhouse Market to a 10-vendor lineup beginning May 9. Headhouse Shambles, Second and Lombard streets, thefoodtrust.org.

Twelve eateries in the Fishtown, Kensington and Port Richmond neighborhoods will offer prix-fixe menus as part of the river wards' first-ever Restaurant Week. Participants like Bistro Juliana and Hinge Café will serve $30 three-course dinners, while more casual eateries like Sketch and Green Rock Tavern will offer burger specials. Don't forget that shad is a Fishtown specialty (remember Shad Fest?), because Johnny Brenda's will offer a shad-centered lineup. Check out riverwardrestaurants.wordpress.com for a full list of restaurants.

The Urban Nutrition Initiative, an ongoing effort to expand kids' culinary horizons, is holding a four-course dinner to raise money for its summer outreach program, which gets city youth involved with community farm stands, healthy cooking workshops and more. Diners will enjoy a meal of local and seasonal foods with vegan options provided by UNI interns and local restaurants/purveyors, including Ray's Seitan, Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative, Honey's Sit 'n Eat and Rx. The teens will cook up a Moroccan-inspired menu featuring braised lamb, braised seitan and carrot and citrus mélange. Live music from Gina Ferrera, a raffle and silent auction and a student-run farmstand selling handmade cutting boards and fresh produce are also planned. Donations for the dinner are on a sliding scale of $15 to $50 — remember that all proceeds benefit UNI. Calvary Center, 4740 Baltimore Ave., eatsandbeats09.chipin.com.

Green Village Philadelphia, an org dedicated to restoring and sustaining local neighborhood development, is teaming up with Philadelphia Brewing Co. to help raise money to develop an "eco-village" — a sustainable neighborhood that puts community and environmental stewardship first — here in Philly. One dollar from all sales of PBC's Fleur de Lehigh brew during the next few weeks will go toward the effort; participating bars include Devil's Den, South Philly Tap Room, Johnny Brenda's and Standard Tap. Various locations, greenvillagephiladelphia.org/node/10.

Xochitl's celebrating the anniversary of victory in the Battle of Puebla with a special Cinco de Mayo menu featuring street food from that Mexican state. The menu will include sopa poblana, a corn and poblano pepper chowder served with zucchini flowers; fried corn tortillas filled with duck carnitas; and flan de rompope, a Mexican egg nog flan served with fresh berries. Priced at $35 for four courses, diners should have plenty of dough left over for half-off margaritas at the bar. Xochitl, 408 S. Second St., 215-238-7280, xochitlphilly.com.