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Taste of the Nation Philadelphia
Taste of the Nation- Philadelphia
Sometimes a moment is so special you wish you could just grab onto it and put it away for later. Last night was one of those times (as was this night).
Share our Strength’s Taste of the Nation is an event held in 40 different cities every year, with local chefs and mixologists donating their time and energy to the evening. Philadelphia’s Taste of the Nation event was held at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia last night with some of Philadelphia’s greatest chefs. 100% of ticket sales support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger, including Philadelphia’s own Philabundance, The Food Trust, The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, and The Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center.
The evening featured dozens of delicious samples of dishes from Philadelphia restaurants, including Sole Food, Bindi, Trio, Cochon, Fork, 10 Arts by Eric Ripert, and more. And I can’t forget about the drinks! Mixologists were lined up along the back wall creating interesting and different concoctions- PB’s favorite included gin, rhubarb, ginger, and a few other ingredients. Strange, yet amazingly delicious!
I attended on behalf of uwishunu, but I really wanted to bring PB, my father in law, and his girlfriend. So I purchased tickets for the group and told them to meet me at the Loews at 6. I kept it a surprise, and it was a great one! At least I think so…. as I had such a nice time! Leslie joined us too!
Here are a few (ok a LOT) of highlights:
10 Arts Bistro & Lounge by Eric Ripert
I really enjoyed these dishes, but I have to say their dessert was even more incredible. It was a panna cotta unlike any panna cotta I have ever had.
Fish:
The presentation was just lovely, and PB said this was his favorite item of the night.
Do you remember when I wrote a little love about San Pellegrino’s Aranciata? Well, the event had an unlimited supply! Still as delicious as I remember it.
Lacroix
This was a foie gras stuffed cherry with smoked balsamic and a pine nut crunch. I did not try it, but both my father in law and PB enjoyed it.
Mixologists hard at work:
I have recently developed a love for Hoegaarden. It is light and refreshing, and not sweet at all. I love it.
Sole Food:
This was my favorite item of the evening. It was a stuffed squash blossom with ricotta, sweet corn, and anchovy. It was unique and tasty, and I may or may not have gone back for a second sample.
Mugshots Coffee House & Cafe
Mugshots is within walking distance of where I live, so I had to try a few tastes of their cupcakes. The red velvet was my favorite!
Mad Batter Bakery
They not only had these delicious bites of cake, but they also had an amazing Liberty Bell cake!
Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes
You can never go wrong with cheesecake.
Capogiro
You may be sick of hearing about my love for Capogiro by now, but after finally meeting the owner my love is only stronger! This is the most authentic tasting artisan gelato I have ever tasted, and the flavors are always unique and interesting. I loved meeting owner Stephanie Reitano, as her passion for her company was clear from the first introduction. The strawberry was especially delicious last night.
The people!
My husband and his dad. Happy Father’s Day FIL!
PB, me, my FIL and his girlfriend, Cece:
Spotted! Emily and her friend (Emily is 2nd from left), me, PB, and Leslie:
Leslie, Bill Henley of the 10! show, and I:
It was a wonderful evening for a great cause. If you couldn’t make it this time, be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s event, which will be held on June 20, 2011.
Taste of the Nation elsewhere:
Washington DC
Orlando, Katy’s Point of View
Orlando, Lucas’ Point of View
San Francisco
Other fun foodie events:
Citymeals-On-Wheels Silver Spoons
Kelly’s Cake Off For A Cause
Foodbuzz Presents Outstanding in the Field
The Tasting Pavilion Experience
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
14 Responses to “Taste of the Nation Philadelphia”
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Taste of the Nation is SUCH a cool event! The Philadelphia version looks very classy!! I want one of those little cheesecakes. Yum! The one down here was much more Southern Country
. What a great treat for your guests too!
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yummmmmmmmmm! what a nice treat! glad you enjoyed! great photos, btw
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oh my word, what a wonderful array of food! the squash blossom sounds over-the-top great and i would probably have eaten half a thing of cheesecake
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You met Bill Henley!! I watch the news every morning at the gym and love him.
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The little vanilla cakes with the SOS logo featured under “Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes” were actually made by “Mad Batter Bakery”. Mad Batter Bakery also made the awesome liberty bell cake. checkout this website for photos. http://www.facebook.com/TasteoftheNationPhiladelphia#!/photo.php?pid=5674140&id=323157753572
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RhodeyGirlTests Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 11:54 am
@Johanna Gonzalez, Sorry about that- I actually knew that but accidentally put in the wrong photo! Will fix it asap!!!! Thank you for letting me know!
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Gorgeous recap…you and your photos are stunning!
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What a great spread! Thanks for sharing your great experience, and how generous of you to include your family in your outing! I’m sure they loved it!!
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Hi and thanks! I remember you, too – I think we were both taking shots from opposite directions and sort of bumped hips on the way through.
Your pictures are fantastic. I was looking through thinking “I took that! And that one!” And “Oh, that dish was good. That was yummy…” Great minds think alike? It was a fabulous event. You looked stunning. It’s nice to mingle with the beautiful people and be able to sample such exquisite food (all for a great cause), isn’t it? Thanks for the comment, fellow foodie! 
I’ll be following your blog from now on.
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RhodeyGirlTests Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 3:29 pm
@Tasha, I will be following yours too- by the way I found your blog by searching for blogs that wrote about Taste of the Nation Philadelphia!!!
My fav was the sole food dish. Yours?
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Tough one. I loved the scallop ceviche from South Philadelphia Tap Room. Or the foie gras stuffed cherries? Yummo. Or the roll from Union Trust Steakhouse…oh, and there was this cauliflower foam-soup (dang, I can’t remember who made it) but it was like a little gulp of pure heaven.
It was all good. I can’t choose just one.
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o.m.g. this post made me want to go out immediately… these things don’t happen where i live!!!! tears.
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The cauliflower foam soup was from Marigold Kitchen! I had 2 of them – it was surprising and so good…
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It was wonderful meeting you at the event, and I’m thrilled you loved the panna cotta
Great recap!
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