Philadelphia Dining Deals and Events, July 9-15

Mondays you can bring your own wine to pair with Sylva Senat's food at Tashan

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

Monday
Hail the end of the heatwave (for now, anyway) with dinner outside at South Broad’s Tashan, where summer Monday evenings are BYO with no corkage fee. The savings you enjoy from toting your own booze means more opportunity to enjoy chef Sylva Senat’s creative Euro-Indian cuisine. What wine goes best with wild venison soolay or tandoori jumbo shrimp? Best to bring a couple choices and figure it out as you go (267-687-2170).

Tuesday
If you took our advice and have been following the #hopchef hashtag for the Ommegang Brewery culinary competition at World Cafe Live, your appetites are likely whetted, and your cheeks are probably burning. The six up-and-coming chefs who will pit their food and beer pairing skills in a bid to be named “Philadelphia Hop Chef” are seriously creative cooks, and also seriously harsh when teasing each other. It all comes to a head during dinner, where you can join judges Jennifer Carroll (Top Chef), Art Etchells (Foobooz), Emilio Mignucci (DiBruno Bros.) and Mat Falco (Philly Beer Scene) in tasting all 12 entries (7 PM; $55, July 10; 215-222-1400).

Wednesday
These days it’s cool to be a geek - any kind will do, but beer geeks are our favorite. Gather with fellow fans of the science of malt, hops and barley at Nerdnite, a monthly happening at Stephen Starr’s Frankford Hall. Holding forth in the Fishtown beer garden will be Suzy Woods (aka Beer Lass) and Mark Weinman of Great Lakes Brewing Co. Common beer myths will be debunked, and the pair will lead guests through a tutored tasting of Wright Brothers Pils and the Dortmunder at a pay-as-you-go event (7:30 PM; 215-634-3338).

Thursday
For a relaxing summery afternoon, head to Rittenhouse to the flowering garden patio behind the Philadelphia Art Alliance, where Rittenhouse Tavern is hosting first of two Hendricks Gin happy hours. Several cocktails with the appropriately floral spirit will be on special for $5 each, including thirst quencher the Wetherill Cup (Hendricks, St. Germain, chartreuse and fresh cucumber). Select bar bites from chef Nicholas Elmi will round out the evening of sips and conversation with Hendricks ambassadors (4-6 PM; 215-732-2412).

Friday
It’s a Top Chef reunion of sorts as NYC’s Angelo Sosa takes over the kitchen of Sbraga for a one-night-only prix fixe meal. The Top Chef: All Stars contestant will prepare four courses from his just-released cookbook, Flavor Exposed: 100 Global Recipes from Sweet to Salty, Earthy to Spicy (more on that at the end of the week), including something described as “scallop banana tartar with jalepeño vinaigrette.” If you’re as curious as we are, make your reservation from 5-10 PM for $100 per person, or add $35 for a beverage pairing (215-735-1913).

Saturday
For 18 years, Fairmount’s London Grill has been hosting a Bastille Day extravaganza and block party, and with the launch of adjacent Paris Wine Bar, this year’s bash is set to be bigger than ever. A special franco-inspired menu from chef Michael McNalley will be served all day long and will include baked escargot, roasted duck and cheese and charcuterie plates. At 4:30 PM, co-owner Terry Berch McNally becomes Marie Antoinette as she and professional theater company The Bearded Ladies re-enact the storming of the Bastille at nearby Eastern State Penitentiary, complete with the crowning cry, “Let them eat Tastykake!” Live music and dancing in the street will continue throughout the evening (215-978-4545).

Sunday
The Bastille Day celebration continues at Bistrot La Minette in Queen Village, where chef Peter Woolsey is offering a $40 four-course menu that includes a buffet of a dozen Gallic specialties as the second course. Several cocktails that pay homage to the French Republic will also be available, appropriately named Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité and so on. Spaces sell out quickly, so reservations are strongly encouraged (215-925-8000).