Sake Fest Returns for Fourth Year

These days sake has become part of the whole global dining experience.  So it shouldn't be a surprise that the fourth Sake Fest will return to the city, bigger and better than ever with a larger turnout than last year.

Held in conjunction with the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia, the event will benefit the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, on April 9, 6:30-8 p. m., at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street., Philadelphia.

Sake, a popular drink founded more than 5,000 years ago in China, then refined in the 3rd century A. D. by the Japanese, has become in the 20th century more of the spirits and food landscape worldwide, becoming as versatile as any wine vintage that can be paired perfectly with cheese, chocolate, caviar and all types of ethnic cuisines.

"Participants attending the Sake Festival will experience dozens of sake varieties and learn how to pair it with any type of food." says Marnie Old, spokesperson for the Sake Fest and one of the country's leading wine educators and sommeliers, "Samples of Japanese and American brands and premium and several rare sakes will be available, as will regionally micro brewed 'jizake.' "

Tickets for the Sake Fest are $55 per person in advance and $65 at the door. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend.

For more information, visit www.sakefest.com

Castle of Dracula Arrives in Philadelphia

Castle of Dracula Marsecco, a sparkling wine, has recently arrived in Philadelphia from KleeNagel Ltd., a Pennsylvania importer of fine wines located in Reading.

Already successfully debuted in other Pennsylvania cities such as Harrisburg, Lancaster and Reading, the subtly sparkling, rich red wine (best served chilled or over ice) has been premiering this month in locations around the city from the Union League to the G Lounge.

With its companion product, a sparkling white Prosecco, the Marsecco is bottled by Ottomar Rudolphe Vlad Dracula Prinz Kretzulesco, a modern prince and the last descendant of the infamous Romanian ruler Vlad Tzepes - on whom Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula, is based.

Both these elegant Italian wines have already captured the imagination of the world of fashion and music among celebrities such as Justin Timberlake and designer Trace Ayala in European cities like Hamburg, Germany where The Dracula Club Lounge, inspired by these wines, was opened at the Hyatt Hotel in 2007.

For more information, call 888.666.DRAC or visit www.marsecco.net

Marigold Kitchen Has Gone Southern

Marigold Kitchen, 501 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, a popular culinary BYOB destination in University City, has gone Southern with the arrival of Executive Chef Erin O'Shea this January.

"This site has served as a restaurant since 1934, when it was called the Marigold Tea Room, and Chef O'Shea's homespun fare is a perfect fit for this historic neighborhood gathering place," said owner Steven Cook.

Inspired by Southern ingredients and traditions, O'Shea's cuisine will be modern with subtle French influences, featuring satisfying and homey yet refined and elegant dishes.  Menu highlights include Turnip Soup with Virginia ham biscuits; Seared Cornbread with creamy collards and Virginia Wigwam ham, topped with a sunny side up egg; Pork Tenderloin with creamed collards and house-pickled peaches; Virginia Stone-Ground Grits with Shrimp; Chicken Liver Toast with house-pickled celery and fig jam; Scallops with tapioca pearls, mussels, and sweet potatoes; and Chicken with House Made Cornbread, pear stuffing, braised cipollini onions and mustard greens.

The 36-year-old O'Shea previously served as the restaurant's sous chef since 2006 working under executive chef Michael Solomonov. Prior to her arrival in Philadelphia, she worked in Richmond, VA, training with legendary Southern chef and restaurateur Jimmy Sneed at The Frog & the Redneck, named one of the country's best restaurants by Esquire magazine. Mentoring as she did for three years under Snead instilled in O'Shea in her genuine appreciation and love of Southern cuisine.

Cook said that dinner for two will cost about $60 without spirits or wine.

For more information, call 215.222.3699 or visit www.marigoldkitchenbyob.com

Weekends at Tango in Bryn Mawr

Weekends at Tango, 39 Morris Avenue., Bryn Mawr, just got more festive as the suburban restaurant continues to feature their popular "Winter Wine Special" on Sundays and Mondays to run at least until the end of March.

Recommending selected several wines from their regular choices, diners may purchase them for just $30, saving from $12 to $20, to pair with the chef's dinner menu selections.

Though the featured wine list will change on a weekly basis, samples of those previously featured have included such white wines as Sauvignon Blanc/Semmilon, Ferngrove, Southeastern Australia; Chardonnay, Talus Collection, Lodi, California; Torrentes, Bodega Norton, Mendoza, Argentina; Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Cellars, Napa Valley, California; and such red wines as Rhone Style Blend, Fess Parker, Frontier Red "Lot 71", California; Old Vines Zinfandel, Jewel Collection Wines Lodi, California; Cabernet Sauvignon, Redwood Creek, Califonria; and Syrah, Montevina Terra d'Oro, Amador County, California' and such rose wines as Gamay Rose, Sauvignon,
Loire Valley, France.

For more information, call 610.526.9500 or www.tastetango.com