What's Cooking

The Week in Eats

by Drew Lazor

linvilla.com

Linvilla Orchards Pumpkinland Launch
Sept. 11-Nov. 7, free admission

Media's Linvilla Orchards officially kicks off carving season this Saturday with the launch of Pumpkinland, a world of autumnal wonder that plays host to an array of live music and entertainment, plus kids' activities (hayrides, cornfield mazes, face-painting, etc.), from now through October. More than 100 tons of gourd-related stuff will be on display; don't miss your chance to pick your own pumpkins and apples. Pumpkinland will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m; visit Linvilla's website for full event details. Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, 510-876-7116, linvilla.com/events/pumpkinland.php.

You wanna rumble with the bee? Let the Philly Honey Fest throw a hex on you and your whole family this weekend. Numerous events will pay tribute to Lorenzo L. Langstroth, the Philly-born apiarist who is considered the father of American beekeeping. Beginning with a historical marker placement ceremony honoring Langstroth on Friday, the Honey Fest will provide plenty of opportunities to indulge in the sweet nectar of the moment, including a cooking-with-honey workshop and a mead tasting class at the Unitarian Society of Germantown (6511 Lincoln Drive) and a free honey-based beer tasting at Brewers Outlet (7501 Germantown Ave.). Some events require RSVP. Visit phillyhoneyfest.com for full event details.

It's baaaaaack. From Sunday to Thursday two weeks in a row, take advantage of $20 prix-fixe lunches and $35 three-course dinners offered by a quasi-intimidating variety of local bars and restaurants. All the most popular spots have signed on again (think Amada, Fork and Zahav), but 2010 Restaurant Week also has a dandy group of newcomers, including R2L, Miga, M Restaurant, Pub & Kitchen and the still-got-that-new-restaurant-smell Barbuzzo. Be sure to fill out the entry form given to you at the end of your meal — you'll be entered to win a package of 52 $50 gift certificates from select Philly restaurants. Visit centercityphila.org for a full list of Restaurant Week participants.

Art in the Age's new gingernsnap-inspired liquor, SNAP, is being introduced into the local market in a big way with this competition, pitting Philly's top cocktail mixers against each other in a battle for boutique booze supremacy. Bartenders from Adsum, Oyster House, Tweed, Valanni, Village Whiskey, Union Trust, Zavino and many other spots will try their hands at making tasty SNAP-based drinks. Judging: William Grant & Sons' ambassador/mixologist Charlotte Voisey; master sommelier Melissa Monosoff of Savona; and yours truly. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and $5 signature drinks for the crowd. Admission is free, but space is limited so an RSVP is required; email stephanie@artintheage.com to reserve a spot. Liberties Walk (between El Camino Real and Bar Ferdinand), 1040 N. Second St., artintheage.com.

The Food Trust's latest Local Bites & Brews happy hour will be held in South Philly, the neighborhood where the organization has launched three new farmers markets this year. Drop by South Philly Tap Room from 6 to 8 to take advantage of food and drink specials; proceeds will benefit The Food Trust's efforts. Best part of this: SPTR's regular happy hour runs from 4 to 6, meaning you can drink on the cheap for four full hours if you time it right. South Philly Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin St., 215-271-7787, thefoodtrust.org.