By Bill Gelman
Queen Village may be a very long plane ride from France, but chef/owner Peter Woolsey and executive chef Kenneth Bush enjoy bringing the culinary traditions of France to Bistrot La Minette, 626 S. Sixth St. The acclaimed wine region of Bourgogne is in the spotlight this week.
“My in-laws reside in Auxonne, just south of Dijon, so the culinary traditions of this region are especially near and dear to me thanks to our annual visits there,” Woolsey said. “Chef Kenneth and I can’t wait to bring the rustic fare and extraordinary wines of this beautiful place to the table at Bistrot La Minette.”
This special four-course prix fixe menu is $40 per person (with an optional wine pairing for $25). Escargots à la Bourguignonne (Burgundy snails with garlic-herb butter and croutons) and Lapin en Meurette (red wine-braised rabbit leg with pearl onions, button mushrooms and bacon lardons) are a couple of the featured dishes. This special menu is available tonight and tomorrow (Oct. 18 and 19). Call 215–925–8000 or visit bistrotlaminette.com. …
Updating last week’s story on Barcelona Wine Bar (“The avenue’s new temptation”), executive chef Paras Shah will be moving on later this month to pursue other ventures. He helped open the bar/restaurant over the summer after previously being part of the kitchen team at the New Haven, Connecticut, location. No word on whom his replacement will be. …
With the Philadelphia Eagles off until Monday night’s game against the Washington Redskins, a group of former and current Philly pro athletes is coming together for a good cause — The Barkann Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Event, which will raise funds for families impacted by the recent devastation in Florida, Houston and Puerto Rico. The event is taking place at Play 2 Chickie’s and Pete’s, 1526 Packer Ave., from 12:30–2:30 p.m. Sunday, and will include the world famous crabfries with cheese, boneless wings with dipping sauces, mini Philly cheesesteaks, beer, wine and more. Jordan Hicks, Ike Reese, Barrett Brooks, Ricky Bottalico and Joe Watson are a handful of the celebrity guests scheduled to attend. Tickets are $50. Visit upcomingevents.com. …
Looking ahead to November, the team at Hawthornes Beer Cafe will be closing down 11th Street, between Fitzwater and Catharine streets, once again for the Nov. 4 Great Harvest Cider and Beer Festival taking place from noon to 8 p.m. It will feature more than 75 hard ciders, toasty lagers, pumpkin ales and more paired with fall, hearty comfort food favorites and seasonal street food. There will also be a family fun zone and live entertainment. Cash only, pay as you go. Visit facebook.com/pg/hawthornes.beercafe/events.
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