The Best Philly Food Events Happening in July
This month we're pairing tea with Dreamworld cakes at Bloomsday, celebrating Christmas in July at River Twice, and getting a taste of Baby's Kusina at Ember & Ash.
A preview of dishes from Baby’s Kusina. / Photograph by Mike Prince
Last weekend, I nearly melted, which must mean it’s full-on summer. In Philadelphia, full-on summer means the restaurants that are opening this fall are taking advantage of the slow pace as they get everything together, while more established spots are doing exciting things to bring in those of us who are still in town. Check out our Shore guide if you’re heading out of town, but read on to see how best to fill your days that are spent in the city.
Poi Dog Huli Sauce pulled pork at Fette Sau, all month long
Hawaiian sauce company Poi Dog is partnering with Fishtown barbecue spot Fette Sau to offer Hawaiian pulled pork on the dinner menu for the month of July. The dish will feature pork marinated in savory, pineapple-y Huli sauce, smoked in banana leaves, and finished with tangy, spicy Chili Peppah Water. Consider this your trip to Hawaii without the flight.
Sweet Amalia Oysters at Bok Bar, July 1st
According to Bok Bar and Sweet Amalia oysters, it’s never too late to celebrate Pride, and we agree. On Monday, July 1st, Sweet Amalia is taking over the kitchen at Bok Bar for a night of raw and grilled oysters, clam chowder fries, zucchini sandwiches, cheeseburgers and peach creme brûlée. Tickets are $15 and do not include food or drink, but do include a donation to the Attic Youth Center.
Zero-proof cocktail party at Wilder, July 1st
Not every party has to involve alcohol, especially in the summer when we’re all dehydrated to begin with. Wilder is partnering with Pathfinder, a non-alcoholic spirit company, to stir up a couple of booze-free drinks, which they’ll pair with pizzas and ricotta toast. If you’re trying to find more N/A options, this would be a good place to start.
Scampi pop-up at the Lucky Well Incubator, July 2nd
Liz Grothe’s popular Couch Cafe pop-up will begin its journey to a grown-up restaurant later this summer, but for a first glimpse of what Scampi might look like, check out her pop-up at the Lucky Well, where she’ll cook alongside chef Chad Rosenthal in his live-fire kitchen. The menu is TBD, but we’re guessing there will be shrimp. Tickets are $100 and include bottomless wine.
Bastia pop-up at Fiore Fine Foods, July 11th
In preparation for opening Bastia, his coastal Mediterranean restaurant inside the forthcoming Anna & Bel boutique hotel in Fishtown, Tyler Akin (formerly of Res Ipsa and Stock, currently of Le Cavalier) is popping up at Fiore Fine Foods up in Kensington. The menu looks seafood-y and refreshing and features tons of summer produce like peaches, tomatoes and basil. It’s $85 per person, plus tax and tip.
Dreamworld Bakes High Tea at Bloomsday Cafe, July 13th
Ashley Huston’s Dreamworld Bakes is the source of many of my favorite recent baked goods, and you can find her treats on the menu at Bloomsday Cafe high tea on July 13th. This is a really delightful way to spend an afternoon out of the heat, sipping tea and eating snacks. It would also be a great birthday celebration for your friend’s summer birthday.
Christmas in July at River Twice, July 15th to 19th
Every year in July, River Twice chef-owner Randy Rucker invites chef friends to do a series of collab dinners that he calls Christmas in July. This year’s lineup includes Zachary Engel of Galit in Chicago, Justine MacNeil and Ed Crochet of Philadelphia’s own Fiore Fine Foods, Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit in Washington, D.C., Ian Grace of Philly’s Pietramala, and Shola Olunloyo of Philadelphia’s StudioKitchen. Reservations are available through River Twice’s Resy page.
Lita pop-up at The Pump House, July 18th
James Beard Award nominee and Top Chef competitor David Viana from Lita, a modern Iberian restaurant that Esquire named as one of their best new restaurants in 2023, is doing a collaboration dinner with Nick Elmi at The Pump House. The Pump House is Elmi’s new event space, but this is a good way to see it and eat Elmi’s food without booking your entire wedding there. The six-course menu is a marriage of Elmi’s Italian-leaning, modern dishes, and Viana’s interest in Portuguese ingredients. Tickets are $125 per person, with an optional $65 wine pairing.
Baby’s Kusina + Market pop-up at Ember & Ash, July 23rd
We’re extremely excited for Baby’s, a Filipino coffee shop, restaurant and market that is getting ready to open in Brewerytown. While they wait for final city approval, they’re doing events around town, including this one at East Passyunk’s Ember & Ash. Expect street food-style bites, small plates, entrees and desserts all served family-style for $75 per person (solo diners are welcome and can eat a la carte at the bar).
Kiddo at Lundale Farm, July 30th
Chef Wyatt Piazza of Kiddo is bringing his seasonal cooking to the source for this dinner at Lundale Farm. Expect long tables of family-style, seasonal vegetables grown on the farm. (Corn, tomatoes, zucchini, oh my!) The event is BYOB, and in my experience, these kinds of dinners often end with guests making friends and sharing bottles. This is your opportunity to pretend you’re in the middle of an editorial photo shoot in the middle of a beautiful working farm. Tickets are $200 per person.
