As the restaurant world reels from the imminent closing of legendary Philly restaurant Le Bec-Fin, its star chef is planning a pit stop near Delaware.
On Friday, October 1, Georges Perrier will team with March of Dimes Delaware for Georges Perrier’s Chef’s Table, a special, once-in-a-lifetime private dining event.
With tickets going for $1,000 a pop, and attendance capped tightly at 100, invites to the exclusive event (some of which were hand-delivered) are like the Golden Tickets of Willy Wonka fame. Only this time, lucky attendees will indulge in a five-course meal prepared by Perrier and his chefs, with help from a few locals like chef Robert Lhulier, a recent hire of the University and Whist Club.
It all goes down at Big Bend, the historic Chadds Ford residence of George Alexis “Frolic” Weymouth, a man who truly knows how to throw a good party.
But the big draw is Perrier, who announced in July the spring 2011 closing of Le Bec-Fin, his world-renowned French restaurant of 40 years.
“We have a volunteer who has worked with Perrier for years,” explains Aleks Casper, state director for March of Dimes. “We had this idea, we were able to approach him, and he said yes.”
A menu is written, Casper says, but planners are keeping it close to the vest until the night of the dinner. One thing they can mention is that every course will include fresh, local Delaware products. One hundred percent of proceeds from the evening will go to March of Dimes.
Tickets are extremely limited, so hurry and call the March of Dimes at 225-1020 for information on attending. 
Saturday, September 11: The temperatures are a bit cooler and the Rt. 1 traffic is a little clearer, but there’s still some partying left to be done at the beach. This weekend, celebrate along with a Delaware icon as Dominick Pulieri and Grotto Pizza ring in its 50th Anniversary with a bash at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand.
Expect family activities, a car giveaway courtesy of Winner Ford, and a live performance by the Glass Onion Band. And pizza? Yeah, there will probably be some of that stuff, too.
Call 227-3567 for more info.
Sunday, September 12 to Sunday, September 19: For one week, just call it the Purple Room. The Hotel du Pont’s venerable Green Room is helping kick off the DuPont Theatre’s season opener “The Color Purple,” with a week of Purple Delight Afternoon Tea.
What makes this purple so delightful? How about violet egg salad sandwiches, raspberry lavender bombs and grape scones from the esteemed Lobby Lounge? This afternoon tea special is only around for one week, so call 594-3154 to reserve a spot. Afternoon tea takes place every day at 3 p.m.
The play, which is in the midst of a national tour, runs at the DuPont Theatre from Tuesday, September 14 through Saturday, September 19. Click here to find out more about the show.
Restaurant Riff: Stanley’s Tavern
We sat there, four of us, in a red-cushioned booth at Stanley’s Tavern in North Wilmington. Giddy, dazed and delirious, we probably looked as if we’d just received Novocain shots. It was January, 2005, and the Philadelphia Eagles had just knocked off the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship, 27-10, to advance to the Super Bowl. Mexican fondue, frosty beers and pulled pork “Pig” sandwiches were promptly ordered.
“The Pig,” much like the Iggles, is sacred at Stanley’s Tavern.
To me, Stanley’s and the Eagles will be forever linked because so many formative sports memories took place there. And I imagine a lot more people have Stanley’s on the brain this week, as the Birds and their fans brace for another hotly anticipated season. The Foulk Road tavern is the unofficial official hangout of Philly sports fans in the area, and more than 300 pack the floor weekly on game days. If you’re aiming for a seat at the front bar or the back saloon, get there early. Like, brunch early. But there are enough TVs jammed into the place, you’re bound to get a shot of the game.
The Tavern Burger gets topped with tendrils of crispy fried onions. A cold draft beer should be your constant companion.
Stanley’s has had 75 years to build its reputation, but it’s not just tradition and memorabilia that earns the tavern its clout. It’s the impressive inner circle of athletes, former athletes, sports commentators and professionals who lend their names and expertise to the Stanley’s cause. Former Eagle Bill Bergey appears regularly for promotions, games, and Monday night football talk, as does Kevin Reilly. Former Birds coach Dick Vermeil is a friend of the restaurant, as is Arnold Palmer and Joe Flacco.
Stanley’s food, while certainly not fine dining, is the perfect companion for a football-filled fall Sunday. Ribs, wings, burgers, nachos–all Stanley’s hallmarks–are the way to go during a game.
Burgers and ribs are unbeatable at Stanley’s, but the menu has expanded over the years to include fried portobello mushrooms and shrimp lazio pasta.
Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers kicks off at 4:15 p.m. If you care to watch and cringe along with the rest of the phanatics at Stanley’s (2038 Foulk Road, Wilmington, 475-1887), get there early.
Go Birds.
