Le Virtu Hosts Winter Festival to Benefit Project H.O.M.E.

Philadelphia offers more than its fair share of Italian restaurants that run the gamut from cliché to half decent to lauded and authentic. Le Virtu has praised as the latter and boasts being one of only a handful of Italian restaurants in the country dedicated to the region of Italy known as Abruzzi. The area, about three hours east of Rome, is rich in history, food, tradition and for my family in particular, home.


The thing about Abruzzi is that while the land is rich, those who work it generally aren't. Luckily the Abruzzese (people of Abruzzi) know how to make the most of what's afforded. In the dead of winter, hearty soups, meats and breads can make every meal a feast.


At Le Virtu this Thursday, January 19, from 5pm - 8pm, owners Francis Cratil-Cretarola, Catherine Lee and Chef Joe Cicala will host La Cottora, a traditional Abruzzese winter festival.

The menu includes Sagne e Fasciul’, the Chef's variation of Abruzzi's pasta fagiole served with panini made with porchetta. There will be house-made hot mulled wine, apple cider with spiced rum and warm Abruzzese punch. There will also be biscotti, pizzelle cookies and roasted chestnuts.  

The entire event will be held in La Virtu's outdoor space around several wood burning fires. And the best part? No, not the mulled wine. All the proceeds go to Project H.O.M.E., a non-profit aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness in Philadelphia.

Tickets are $30 per person and are available online.

Le Virtu 1927 E. Passyunnk Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19148

Restaurant Line-up for Tonight's Taste of the Nation

Every year, the city’s restaurant industry comes together for one cause or another, helping charitable organizations through donations of time, effort and of course food. One of the most notable events of the season is just a week away when Philly’s top restaurants will participate in Taste of the Nation tonight, Monday, June 20, at the Loews Hotel.

This year, the line up of popular Philadelphia restaurants will be complimented by a new mixology program developed by Phoebe Emson. Here's the full list of partricipating restaurants, each bringing a taste of what it does best.

10 Arts Bistro & Lounge by Eric Ripert, A Cupcake Wonderland, ABCD - The Espresso Authority, Bar Ferdinand, Blackfish, Capogiro, City Tavern, Cochon, Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse, DiBruno Brothers, Fish, Fond, Funky Lil Kitchen, Han Dynasty, Khyber Pass Pub, Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, LoveBar Chocolate, Mad Batter Bakery, Marigold Kitchen, Max Brenner, McCrossen's Tavern, Meme, Modo Mio, Mugshots, Oyster House, Ristorante Panorama, River & Glen, Sole Food Restaurant, South Philadelphia Tap Room, Square 1682, Tashan, The Capital Grille, The Penn Jersey Metro Chefs Association Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, Trio Restaurant, V's Cupcakery, Valanni, Verdad Restaurant & Tequila Bar.

During the spring and summer months, Taste of the Nation will hold over 40 events in the United States and Canada, raising awareness and funds to end childhood hunger through a national initiative to end childhood hunger entirely by 2015.

Tickets to Taste of the Nation are still available for advance purchase.

General Admission: 6:30 – 9:30pm $85 in advance / $95 at the door.
VIP Admission: 5:30 – 9:30pm $135 in advance / $145 at the door.

100% of the ticket sales will go to benefit organizations working towards the cause, locally including Philabundance, The Food Trust, The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and The Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center.

For more information, visit the Taste of the Nation website.

Tickets Available for Next Monday's Taste of the Nation

Every year, the city’s restaurant industry comes together for one cause or another, helping charitable organizations through donations of time, effort and of course food. One of the most notable events of the season is just a week away when Philly’s top restaurants will participate in Taste of the Nation on Monday, June 20, at the Loews Hotel.

This year, the line up of popular Philadelphia restaurants will be complimented by a new mixology program developed by Phoebe Emson. A full list of participating restaurants is below.

During the spring and summer months, Taste of the Nation will hold over 40 events in the United States and Canada, raising awareness and funds to end childhood hunger through a national initiative to end childhood hunger entirely by 2015.

Tickets to Taste of the Nation are still available for advance purchase.

General Admission: 6:30 – 9:30pm $85 in advance / $95 at the door.
VIP Admission: 5:30 – 9:30pm $135 in advance / $145 at the door.

100% of the ticket sales will go to benefit organizations working towards the cause, locally including Philabundance, The Food Trust, The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and The Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center.

For more information, visit the Taste of the Nation website.

Participating Restaurants: 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge by Eric Ripert, A Cupcake Wonderland, ABCD - The Espresso Authority, Bar Ferdinand, Blackfish, Capogiro, City Tavern, Cochon, Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse, DiBruno Brothers, Fish, Fond, Funky Lil Kitchen, Han Dynasty, Khyber Pass Pub, Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, LoveBar Chocolate, Mad Batter Bakery, Marigold Kitchen, Max Brenner, McCrossen's Tavern, Meme, Modo Mio, Mugshots, Oyster House, Ristorante Panorama, River & Glen, Sole Food Restaurant, South Philadelphia Tap Room, Square 1682, Tashan, The Capital Grille, The Penn Jersey Metro Chefs Association Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, Trio Restaurant, V's Cupcakery, Valanni, Verdad Restaurant & Tequila Bar.