What's Cooking

Get Out!

by Erin Mae Szrankowski

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

[ the week in eats ]

Hanukkah is fast approaching, meaning it's almost time for the Gershman Y to throw its seventh annual Latkepalooza. Participating in this giant potato pancake of a party are Philly restaurants Marigold Kitchen, Snackbar, Zahav, Estia, Jones, Max and David's, Penne, Sabrina's Café, Singapore Chinese Kitchen, Whole Foods and others. Each restaurant will be whipping up latke renditions out the wazoo to celebrate the season. And if you eat too much fried potato and need a quick break from the kids, there'll be activities aplenty for the little ones, like arts and crafts and a clown. Visit the Gershman Y online for tix. Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., 215-545-4400, gershmany.org.

For the brown booze lover in all of us, terra chef Eric Paraskevas (see David Snyder's review) is putting together a four-course meal (plus amuse bouche) paired with various bourbons and bourbon cocktails. He's actually incorporating the stuff into his cooking, too — look out for Knob Creek foam accompanying smoked pork belly, Booker's-infused grits alongside pan-seared lamb chops and more. Terra, 243 S. Camac St. (lower level), 215-545-1102, terrapa.com.

The ladies of In the Pursuit of Ale (IPA) Beer Club are hosting the second annual chili cook-off at the Pub on Passyunk East (P.O.P.E.). For $5, attendees get to sample a big lineup of chilis, from meaty varieties to vegan renditions. Many of the contestants are IPA members or P.O.P.E. customers, but everyone is welcome to participate, both amateurs and pros. The winner (determined by a TBA roster of "chili experts") will receive a prize package provided by the bar. To wash down the spicy stuff, look no further than the P.O.P.E's legit beer selection. Pub on Passyunk East, 1501 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-755-5125, pubonpassyunkeast.com.

Benevolent brolly sharers Dutch Umbrella want to make sure no one ever gets caught in the rain unarmed — that's why you can borrow their 'ellas from multiple locations in Fairmount if you're stuck in a storm. To promote the brand, DU's hosting a series of dinners at McCormick & Schmick's. Tonight's three-courser consists of a seafood corn chowder, Caesar salad or garden salad to start; for the main course, choose among a seafood steamer, Atlantic salmon or a 9-ounce top sirloin, with dessert to complete the meal. Also included in the ticket price is a $20 gift card to M&S, a $20 2010 Dutch Umbrella Ambassador Club membership and a holiday gift bag. McCormick & Schmick's, 1 S. Broad St., 215-232-3558, dutchumbrella.com.

Baked goods are great as gifts, but not everyone’s able to eat run-of-the-mill cakes or doughnuts. That’s why Jenkintown’s Whole Foods is hosting a class focused on from-scratch holiday recipes that accommodate vegans and/or people who are allergic to wheat, gluten and nuts, among other dietary restrictions. Attendees to the free class will take home the recipes. Don’t forget about the raffle, which features the goods used during the baking process. Whole Foods Market, 1575 The Fairway, Jenkintown, 215-481-0800, wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/jenkintown.