What's Cooking

Get Out!

by Lauren Fleming

[ the week in eats ]

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With ROOT, Art in the Age has concocted in a modern take on a long-forgotten colonial specialty, and they're challenging Philadelphia's best bartenders to create alcoholic creations using the boutique liquor. Philadelphia magazine's Victor Fiorillo, sommelier Marnie Old, Southwark's George Costa and foobooz.com editor Arthur Etchells will judge the work of local barkeeps (think Lauren Phillips of Alfa, Doug Fitz of Snackbar, Preston Eckman of APO and others) and score their drinks based on taste, presentation and originality. Guests are invited to munch on complimentary hors d'oeuvres, sip on $5 ROOT cocktails and watch the battle unfold. Silk City, 435 Spring Garden St., 215-922-2600, artintheage.com.

Chick's Café is welcoming its new head bartender, Phoebe Esmon, and her arsenal of avant-garde alcoholic concoctions with a four-course dinner highlighting the mixologist's latest and greatest inventions. Esmon will pair chef Jim Piano's Mediterranean-inspired menu, including dishes like Italian crudo and a Spanish barbecue plate, with cocktails like chamomile- and cherry blossom-infused vodka with Prosecco and a rye whiskey muddled-mint cooler with orange pekoe tea. Local comedian John Conor will dish out jokes while you nosh. Reservations are required to get in on this debutante's ball. Chick's Café, 614 S. Seventh St., 215-625-3700, chickscafe.com.

Slow Food Philly is hosting a trip to Greece — for your taste buds, that is. Konstantinos Pitsillides, chef and owner of Kanella Restaurant, is preparing a special Cypriot menu designed to immerse diners in the flavors of the region. The spread will include appetizers, entrées and desserts, ranging from grilled lamb tongue with pickled fennel salad to braised meat with homemade pappardelle pasta and Kefalotyri cheese. Reservations are strongly suggested for this BYO feast. Kanella, 1001 Spruce St., 215-922-1773, kanellarestaurant.com.

Lions and tigers and beer? Oh, yes. A partnered effort between the Philadelphia Zoo and Rolling Barrel Events, the Summer Ale Festival is an opportunity for beer connoisseurs to chat with reps from breweries like River Horse, Weyerbacher, Roy Pitz and others and sample their wares. You'll also be able to dine on sustainable food from sources like Bar Ferdinand, London Grill and Whisk & Spoon. Tickets range from $20 for designated drivers to $75 for beer VIPs, who'll have the opportunity to engage in a private seminar and walk away with a souvenir tasting glass. The Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., 215-243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org.

University City is always a nice spot, but there are seven days during the summer when it's the place for great dining deals, too. Throughout the week, restaurants like Rx, Pod, Marathon Grill, Vietnam Café and 17 others will offer prix-fixe three-course dinners for $15, $25 and $30. The price of the menu varies from restaurant to restaurant and is meant to ensure that diners can enjoy the full range of dining options University City has to offer. Make your reservations directly with the restaurant to reap the full benefits of the deal. For more info, call 215-243-0555 or visit ucityphila.org/diningdays.