The Week in Eats

Get Out!

by Alexandra Harcharek

[ this week in eats ]

Nimble-fingered shell poppers can show off their stuff during Oyster House's first-ever shucking contest. Professional and amateur competitors will face off for a chance to win $200 cash or a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant, respectively. Hungry onlookers will earn the true prize, though, as the final products will be passed through the crowd after each matchup. A firkin of Dock Street's West of Center Pale Ale will also be poured on a pay-as-you-go basis. Oyster House, 1516 Sansom St., 215-567-7683, oysterhousephilly.com.

For those with celiac disease — an intolerance to gluten in food — dining out can be a harrowing and complicated ordeal. At Sauté's Celiac Awareness dinner, though, you can be sure that everything served will be both safe to eat and delish. Chef Nicholas Cassidy plans on serving a three-course meal featuring dishes like country-fried chicken, wild striped bass, wild boar shank and tempura tofu. There will be a full gluten-free kid's menu available, too. A portion of sales will benefit the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. Sauté, 775 S. Front St., 215-271-9300, sauteonline.com.

Chef Michael Solomonov will celebrate Passover this week with traditional Jewish dishes, along with a few of his own interpretations. Check out the roasted matzoh balls with black garlic broth, leek fritters with charoset and coffee-braised brisket. For dessert, buttery matzoh Brie with red wine ice cream. Zahav, 237 St. James Place, 215-625-8800, zahavrestaurant.com.

Do as the Romans do during this five-course wine dinner. Before you eat, get an exclusive tour of the "Ancient Rome & America" exhibit, on at the National Constitution Center from now till August 1. An Italian menu will include dishes like risotto with porcini and Parmigiano Reggiano and braised osso bucco short ribs, paired with Roman-style wines from Mastroberardino winery. National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., 215-409-6600, constitutioncenter.org.

Supper chef/owner Mitch Prensky plans on putting out a multi-course Passover menu with a family-friendly vibe. The card includes old favorites like chicken matzo ball soup and crisp potato latkes, plus a roasted 40-clove garlic chicken and beef brisket prepared using Prensky's mother's recipe. Your meal includes dishes for the table, hors d'oeuvres, and three courses, including dessert. Kids under 12 are welcome, too, for half-price. Supper, 926 South St., 215-592-8180, supperphilly.com.