The Week In Eats

Get Out!

by Alexandra Harcharek

[ the week in eats ]

Our favorite psychedelic taco truck is celebrating its first birthday this week. Track down Tom's mobile eatery Tuesday to Saturday for some scrumptious fish tacos, then check out a casual celebration at Blockley Pourhouse on Saturday night, where they'll have drink specials and a few live bands. Tom McCusker's truck hops around throughout the week, so follow twitter.com/honesttoms to stay in the know. The Blockley Pourhouse, 3801 Chestnut St., 215-222-1234, theblockley.com.

the local mag devoted to sustainable living, is also celebrating a birthday this week — they've been pumping out issues for a whole year now. They'll host a fête at Yards' tasting room, with a few local businesses providing free munchies, including Mugshots Coffeehouse, Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op and Birchrun Hills Farm, plus, of course, brews from Yards. Yards Brewing Co., 901 N. Delaware Ave., 215-386-9850, ext. 100, gridphilly.com.

Treat your taste buds to all things rye at The Institute, from beers and liquors to good ol' pastrami on you-know-what. The bartenders will serve a half-dozen rye brews all day, including a firkin tapping of Rye IPA from Dock Street. Also worth noting: Local spirits like Penn 1681 Rye Vodka from Philadelphia Distilling will be pouring, too. Flights are available so you can sample the whole list. The Institute Bar, 549 N. 12th St., 267-318-7772, institutebar.com.

In her food memoir Cherries in Winter, blogger Suzan Colón chronicles her journey through economic hardship and finding comfort in her grandmother's recipe box. You can discover your own connections between food and family during a "family dinner" hosted by First Person Arts at Bridget Foy's. The menu includes dishes based on Colón family recipes, including split pea soup with frizzled leeks and "Cadillac Meatloaf." After a reading from the book, guests are encouraged to share their own stories around the dinner table. Tickets must be bought in advance online. Bridget Foy's, 200 South St., 267-402-2055, firstpersonarts.org.

While we certainly aren't lacking in wine and beer tastings, you don't hear about sake parties very often. Japanese rice wine gets the star treatment during Wednesday's sixth annual installment of Sake Fest, where you'll learn about the taste, history and brewing techniques of dozens of Japanese and American varieties. Test them out with a variety of appetizers, cheeses, chocolates and Japanese foods, including eats from Morimoto and Maru Global Takoyaki. Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St., 610-649-6330, sakefest.com.