Monday Night, Italian Style: Wine Dinner at Il Pittore, BBQ at Le Virtù

Enjoy decadent pasta by Chris Painter at Monday's wine dinner

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

This coming Monday, October 29, two Italian dinners are taking place at opposite ends of town. At Il Pittore in Rittenhouse, chef Chris Painter is hosting winemaker Georgio Rivetti of Italian winery La Spinetta for a five-course wine dinner. Only 50 seats are available for the special prix fixe, which runs $250 per person but features plenty of luxurious ingredients to back up the price tag. Look for lobster crudo with caviar; beef cheeks with foie gras; and fresh white truffles from Alba throughout the meal, including shaved tableside atop a duck ragu. Call 215-391-4900 for reservations.

Only slightly more casual is a collaboration BBQ taking place in the “Il Campo” covered courtyard at East Passryunk’s Le Virtù. Chef Joe Cicala will share cooking duties with Scott Schroeder (South Philadelphia Tap Room, American Sardine Bar), George Sabatino (Stateside) and his pastry chef Angela Ranalli for a family style extravaganza. Dishes on the menu include butternut squash risotto, steamed shellfish, bone marrow sausage (!)\, whole grilled bronzino and grilled olive oil cake, among other goodies. Tickets to the “Autunno alle Brace” are $90 and are available by calling 215-271-5626.