Take a hayride to the Witches house at Linvilla Orchards

Gather the family for a non-spooky jaunt through the woods at Linvilla Orchards throughout October. You’re invited to capture a little bit of magic and enjoy a Hayride to the Witches House on October 1-3, 8-10 and 15-30.  Hayrides run continuously throughout the night on Sundays through Thursdays 5:30 to 8 and on Fridays and Saturdays 5:30 to 8:30.

Forget scary witches, this one is all about fun. She’ll give everyone and treat and even tell jokes and a few stories. Then roast marshmallows and sip Linvilla’s apple cider.

This hayride is great for kids 11 and under.  And don’t forget to drop by Pumpkinland to pick up festive decorations like haybales, cornstalks, and pumpkins for carving. Make your final stop at the Farm Market, for fresh baked pies and other seasonal goodies.

Linvilla Orchards is located at 137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA. Call 610-876-7116 or visit www.Linvilla.com for details.

Small plates for a small price at Nectar

Bigger doesn’t always mean better.  And sometimes, when you’re dining out, you just want little bits of everything.

Chef Patrick Feury gets it. So he’s cooking up small plates at Nectar in Berwyn on Philadelphia’s Main Line.  These perfectly sized dishes will not only satisfy your appetite, but your budget as well.

Small plates are $10 or less and are available all day alongside Chef Feury’s Asian-inspired lunch and dinner menus.

For reservations and more information call 610-725-9000 or visit online at www.tastenectar.com.

Phillips Seafood Atlantic City: Cook. Crack. Eat.

Ever wonder how to create the most incredible seafood dishes at home in your own kitchen? Well, wonder no more. Chef Paul Drew, of Atlantic City’s Phillips Seafood Restaurant, is offering Cook, Crack & Eat, a series of holiday seafood cooking classes designed to help you learn the tricks of his trade. You will be guaranteed an afternoon of learning, laughing and lingering over a demonstration, some wine and a great meal with the chef.

Here’s the schedule:

Holiday Hors d’oeuvres. Saturday, October 2, 2010
Thinking about throwing a holiday bash? Want some ideas on what to serve? Join Chef Paul Drew and he’ll teach you everything from the classics like shrimp cocktail and clams casino to newer fair such as white bean and smoked bacon dip with rosemary scented toasted pita.  In addition to the demo, you will enjoy wine pairings and a tasty lunch.

Get Stuffed at Phillips Seafood. Saturday, October 23, 2010
Turkey is not the only dish to stuff on Thanksgiving. Chef Drew will demonstrate how to stuff everything from fish to beef.  Learn how to make salmon stuffed with shrimp and crab imperial; flank steak stuffed with broccoli rabe and provolone; and bass stuffed with fresh herbs and bacon.

Christmas Phillips Style. Saturday, November 13, 2010
Italians celebrate the Christmas holiday by serving a feast created from seven different fishes. Each one represents a particular story. Chef Paul Drew will adopt that practice and demonstrate how to make lobster bisque, stuffed calamari, seared scallops with a brandy cream sauce, poached lobster over fettuccini, monkfish and clam chowder, roasted cod, and pan seared trout.  Enjoy lunch and a bit of the holiday spirit as you watch this demonstration of a true holiday feast.

Interested?

Call the restaurant to register at 609.348.2273. Phillips Seafood is located in The Pier Shops at Caesars, One Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.

Beaucoup de Booze at Bistrot La Minette

Chef Peter Woolsey of Bistrot La Minette will prepare a menu of authentic French cuisine for his collaboration with the Philadelphia Distilling Company and their expertly crafted drinks on Wednesday, October 20th.

These mixed drinks and fine French food will surely set the stage for a night of indulgence. It will be 5 courses for $65, beverage pairings included. Beaucoup de Booze will take place at Bistrot La Minette, located at 623 South 6th Street in Philadelphia. Reservations can be made at 215.925.8000.

Philadelphia Distilling Company is part of a small but growing movement of craft distilleries ready to take on the competition of the huge liquor companies. The firm produces three products, Bluecoat Dry Gin, Penn 1681 Vodka, and Vieux Carré Absinthe, and each is distributed worldwide. To achieve their original flavor, Philadelphia Distilling Co. uses hand-hammered copper stills custom-made in Scotland.

Here’s the menu:
Huîtres à la Crème Fumé (Oysters on the half shell, smoked whipped cream, lumpfish caviar)

Noix St Jacques Flambé à l’Absinthe (Vieux Carre flambéed scallops, Pearl onions, endive, shaved fennel, vinaigrette)

Poulet au Sauce Genévrier (Seared chicken breast, juniper berry sauce, duck fat confit potatoes, thyme and honey roasted carrots)

Steak au Beurre Maître d’Hôtel de l’Absinthe (New York strip, absinthe hotel butter, Gratin Dauphinois, tarragon sautéed mushrooms)

Tarte aux Pommes (Apple tart, pear sorbet, caramel sauce, crème anglais)

Tonight: Turbot at Blackfish

Tonight at Blackfish, it’s turbot for Tuesday’s tasting menu. Chef Chip Roman is using flat fish as the star of this evening’s dinner.

Here’s what you’ll have:
First: ceviche, tomatillo, hearts of palm
Second: terrine veronique, grapes, brown butter vinaigrette
Third: grana padano crusted turbot, cockles, tomato fondue
Fourth: lemon curd, manjari

Make sure to reserve your table by calling 610-397-0888 or going online. Don’t forget to byob.

Blackfish is located at 119 Fayette St., Conshohocken, PA   19428.

Crabology at Phillips Seafood Restaurant Harborplace

What’s the difference between crab claw meat that sells for $13 a lb. and jumbo lump that sells for $33 a lb.? Which grade works best in what dishes? If you love crab and want to learn more about how to buy it and serve it, Crabology is your chance to learn.

Chef Arturo Paz of Phillips Seafood Restaurant Harborplace in Baltimore, MD will take you through a crab tasting and demonstrate how to make a variety of hors d’oeuvres on Saturday, September 25.

You’ll drink a little wine, enjoy some food, and learn a lot about your favorite crustacean. This class will surely crack you up!

This is a great opportunity to learn from one of Baltimore’s top toques. Chef Paz has presided over kitchens from New York to Los Angeles, and even his own restaurant in Puerto Rico. His crowd-pleasing style is sure to entertain. And you can be sure each class will be fun as well as educational. Interested? The cost is $50 and includes the chef demo, wine, lunch, and a swag bag to go. Classes begin at 11:30, and space is limited, so register early.

Call the restaurant to register at 410.685.6600 or visit www.phillipsseafood.com. Phillips Seafood is located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, 301 Light Street, Baltimore MD 21202.

Restaurant Alba gives you more of what you want…CHEESE!

The first ever Artisan Cheese Dinner will be held at Restaurant Alba in Malvern on Sunday, October 17.

If you’re like us, you prefer an assortment of cheese for dessert over something sweet. Sound about right? Then this event is for you. Chef Sean Weinberg is collaborating with Chester County artisan cheese makers to create a one-of-a-kind meal.  Guests will enjoy six-courses that showcase a variety of small-batch cheeses made from all types of milk by hand on Chester County farms.

Farmers from Birchrun Hills, Amazing Acres Goat Dairy and Highland Farms will be on-hand to discuss their hand crafted process and the cheeses available for tasting. Seating is limited so make your reservations soon!

Restaurant Alba is located at 7 West King Street in Malvern, PA. For more details or to make reservations call 610-644-4009.

Arts and Music at Linvilla Orchards

Come to Linvilla Orchards this Saturday, September 18 and Sunday September 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a day filled with toe tapping tunes and crafts galore during Linvilla’s Arts and Music Festival (rain date September 25 and 26).

Potters, woodworkers and other artisans will be displaying their handiwork so make sure to pick up something for yourself. Choose from a variety of beautifully crafted items, such as jewelry, housewares and other unique items.

If you’re a music lover head to the stage to hear six lively bands perform and put on a show that is fun for everyone!

Pumpkinland is open, too, and there are thousands of pumpkins to choose from.  Don’t miss the towering scarecrow or the Jack-O-Lantern exhibit. Hitch a hayride, fill up some crates with apples, treat the kids to a pony ride or meander through the cornfield maze.

Afterwards, stop at the Grill or fill up on irresistible baked goods at the Farm Market.

Linvilla Orchards is located at 137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA. Call 610-876-7116 for more information.

Fall Events at Lotus Farm to Table

Since opening last December, Lotus Farm to Table has become a popular dining destination in Media, PA. You could say it’s beginning to blossom with lots of events going on…

You’ll have three chances to try the Chef’s Tasting Menu. It is available on Friday, September 17; Friday, October 15; and Friday, November 19. The menu features three courses for $45. Just make a reservation for either 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. Limited seating is available. And don’t forget to BYOB.

Every Wednesday in October and November join us for A Harvest Celebration. Fall is a great time to be living in Pennsylvania. Chef David Berg will create a three course menu ($45) from the bountiful daily harvest of local farmers. Lotus Farm to Table will be serving the specialties of the season whether it’s squash, heirloom tomatoes or apples.  Now that’s fresh!

It’s a fiesta every Thursday night at Lotus Farm to Table. We are hosting Mexican Night when Chef David Berg creates a menu of authentic Mexican dishes designed from the freshest, seasonal ingredients.  On the menu you might find Veracruz fish tacos and chicken with poblanos. Make sure to BYOTequila to mix with the restaurant’s freshly squeezed juices for margaritas.

Lotus Farm to Table is located at 112 West State Street in Media, PA 19061. The restaurant is open Tuesdays through Saturdays. Lunch is served 11 am to 3 pm.; dinner from 5 pm to 9 pm. Lotus is also available for private parties on Sundays. For reservations, call 610.565.5554.