Are you tired of the same old bars filled with the same people day in and day out? It’s time to just say no to American bars and experience Aperitivos at Restaurant Alba in Malvern.

In Italy, an aperitivo is a pre-dinner cocktail that is meant to stimulate the palate before dinner. At Restaurant Alba it’s an Italian Happy Hour. Served with small appetizers, aperitivos are the perfect way to unwind after a long day at the office. The Apertivo experience will be celebrated every Wednesday night at Restaurant Alba, from 5 to 7 p.m., offering guests a unique opportunity to socialize, relax and nibble as dinner approaches.

Chef Sean Weinberg will prepare complimentary food that will include a variety of Italian tapas. Menu items will vary, but guests can expect to sample grilled flatbreads, or bowls of roasted almonds, salami, cheese, roasted peppers, and much more. Order a bitter, a glass sparkling wine or gin. Meet old friends and discover new ones.

Restaurant Alba’s contemporary, rustic menu features Northern Italian dishes created from the freshest, local seasonal ingredients. Call ahead to reserve a table for dinner. The restaurant is located right next to the Malvern train station at 7 West King Street in Malvern, PA. For reservations, call 610-644-4009.

Then you should absolutely head to Phillips Seafood Harborplace Restaurant and help celebrate their 30th Anniversary in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor! Events kick off at noon on Friday, July 2nd in the Harborplace Ampitheater with a Crab Cake Eating Contest (if you’d like to enter this ravishing rivalry tell us why you’d make a great competitor on Phillps Seafood Facebook page) and continue through the weekend. Saturday, July 3 listen to Phillips’ Crabologist, Donald Manning, as he teaches Crabology 101 and cooks up a few crabby recipes to sample to the crowd. YUM.

Berry good pickin’

The Linvilla Orchards Strawberry Festival is scheduled Saturday and Sunday. Pickers can take a hayride to a field and fill a flat with berries. The event will feature slices of shortcake and other baked goods. Pony rides, contests, and a performance by Officer Offbeat, the unicycle-riding, stilt-walking clown, are planned for children. Events are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The picking season continues through September at the orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media. Information: 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com.

Where will you be stopping during Philly Beer Week? Click here for all the information you need.

Anchor Events

June 4 – Opening Tap

June 5 – Philadelphia Global Beer Expo

June 5 – Internationl Great Beer Expo

June 5: German Bierfest

June 6 – Smoke ‘Em if You’s Got ‘Em

June 10 – FORUM OF THE GODS

June 12- 20th Annual Jackson Tutored Tastings

June 13 – Zythos America

The Art of Cooking with Seafood A Series of Cooking Classes with Chef Paul Drew of Atlantic City’s Phillips Seafood Restaurant.

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 seasonal seafood cooking classes designed to help you learn the tricks of his trade. Sign up for one or all three. 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:

The Freshest Catch, Saturday, June 5, 2010. Salmon. Barramundi. Flounder. Mahi-mahi. It’s all so good. But how do you select it, clean it, grill it, or stuff it with crab? Learn all of this and more from one of America’s most proficient seafood experts. Enjoy lunch, wine, and discuss all the intricacies of a great meal with the chef. This is no fish tale!

Cook, Crack & Eat presents a great opportunity to meet and learn from one of Atlantic City’s top toques. Chef Drew is a British import that landed in America in the 1980s. And ever since he has been cooking his way through some of the area’s top hotel restaurants. 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 for one class is $65 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.

Phillips Seafood Restaurants is among the largest-grossing family restaurant groups in the country.  Its sister company Phillips Foods is the number one producer of crab meat in the world; it sold 11 million pounds in 2006.

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.

Experience the art of French bistro cooking with It Only Takes a Minette, a series of four participatory cooking classes taught by Chef Peter Woolsey, of Bistrot La Minette. Monthly classes will be held at the restaurant on Saturdays June 19, July 17, August 14 and September 11. They begin at 10:30 a.m. sharp, cost $40 per person, and are limited to 10 people. Call 215.925.8000 for reservations. Bistrot La Minette is located at 623 S. 6^th Street, Philadelphia. www.bistrotlaminette.com.

Shop With The Chef. Saturday, June 19. Meet at the restaurant and then join the chef for a stroll to the Farmers Market where you’ll hand pick the freshest seasonal ingredients. Then you’ll return to the restaurant and join in the preparation of a savory lunch, sure to please your senses.

The Art of Charcuterie. Saturday, July 17. Chef Woolsey will guide you through the art of charcuterie, perfect for entertaining at home. You’ll sample pâtés with foie gras and blood sausage. Learn how to prepare country terrines with fresh duck and veal. And then, the chef will show you the secrets of a professional presentation, complete with condiments and garnishes that will harmonize your plate. This class is perfect for anyone who likes to entertain.

Viva La Pasta. Saturday, August 14. Tortellini. Ravioli. Fettuccini. The French have great applications for our favorite noodles. You’ll learn how to make mouth-watering, hand-crafted pasta at home, and how to dress it with the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Chocolate Indulgence. Saturday, September 11. If you believe in death by chocolate, this class is for you. Following in the footsteps of François Payard and Robert Bennett, Chef Peter Woolsey has mastered the art of chocolate making. And now he’s prepared to share that art with you. He’ll show you how to select the finest chocolate, shape the chocolates into bite size pieces, store them and serve them. Join us for one very sweet class.

Call 215.925.8000 for reservations. Bistrot La Minette is located at 623 S. 6^th Street, Philadelphia. www.bistrotlaminette.com.

2010 James Beard Award Winning Chef Jeff Michaud of Osteria Restaurant will be doing a cooking demonstration during the Strawberry Festival at Linvilla Orchards on Saturday, June 5th at noon.

The event is FREE and open to the public.  Linvilla Orchards is located at 137 West Knowlton Road, Media PA 19063: 610.876.7116 or www.Linvilla.com.

From Chevy Impalas and Ford Models Ts to Stanley Steamers and Hot Rods, Linvilla’s covered many acres with pristine automobiles that are guaranteed to make your heart race.

Get there early to peruse the flea market filled with a variety of hubcaps, wheel covers, carburetors, crafts, and jewelry, then refuel at the Farm Market or Linvilla Grill.

Housing a classic in your own garage?  Be sure to sign up to be part of the exhibition; your restored beauty could bring home a prize.  Kids can get in on the act too; NASCAR bound babes will love the miniature remote controlled cars, while more laid back types may want to hop on a hayride.

Stop by Linvilla’s character car wash while you are there, anytime from 10 am to 2 pm, all proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Chester-Wallingford Chapter. Whatever you choose to do, everyone’s bound to find something that’s just their speed. This day is sure to be fun for the whole family.

At Linvilla Orchards Plant and Flower Festival

Saturday, May 1 (9 am-6 pm.) Rain date’s on Sunday, in case of pesky showers.

Come Spring, you’re as busy as a bee preparing your garden. But you’ll be happy to take some time to smell the roses at Linvilla Orchards Plant and Flower Festival.  From planting soil to annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, there’s everything you need create your own personal Eden.

Don’t leave your little sprouts behind; pony rides, face painting and fun and games with Makin’ Music will keep them occupied. Even better?  Display specialists and Linvilla’s expert staff are on hand to give tips on planning your plot. Which is guaranteed to create quite a buzz.