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Jersey, Tomatoes
An Italian restaurateur's success in Voorhees leads to a new venture in Philly.
-Maxine Keyser

June 13-19, 2002

underthetable

by Marc Kravitz

The Palm is importing Kevin Franklin from the company’s Boston location to take over the vacant general manager post in Center City. Franklin, due to arrive in two weeks, has been with Palm for about seven years. Although the restaurant has seen a few of its national competitors enter this market over the past two years -- Smith & Wollensky, Shula’s and The Capital Grille -- sales at the Philly facility remain high among Palm restaurants. Palm Management Corp. is in negotiations with the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City. If the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed, The Palm will be a part of the casino’s new expansion project, scheduled for completion by spring 2004.… The Restaurant School will hold a fundraiser July 11 for the American Culinary Federation’s Northeast Region culinary team champions. Proceeds from the evening ($75 per person) will benefit the school’s culinary teams. The event is a warm-up for the upcoming national competition in Las Vegas.… Café Casta Divva (227 S. 20th St.) is under construction. It will take the place of recently departed Sante Fe Burrito Co.… The first shipment of Chignik red sockeye salmon is expected to arrive at McCormick & Schmick’s tomorrow. Chignik is a tiny town 400 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The bright-red fish has less fatty tissue than other salmon.… Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant rings in summer’s official start with a party, June 20, beginning at 6 p.m. (The restaurant boasts having the largest grouping of outdoor dining spaces in town.) Festivities will include drink specials and live music from a Jimmy Buffett cover band.… On Wed., June 19, Brasserie Perrier executive chef Chris Scarduzio and Sal Auriemma of Claudio’s will team up to create a four-course olive oil dinner in Brasserie’s private banquet room. The unique dinner offers guests ($80 per person) the opportunity to sample a diverse assortment of oils from regions throughout Europe.

Restaurateur Neil Stein and Phillies legend Garry Maddox will host their second annual Barbecue Challenge, Sat., June 15, at Veterans Stadium. The contest, open to professionals and amateurs alike, is slated to begin at 3 p.m., prior to the 7 p.m. Phillies game against Baltimore. Chefs from area restaurants and backyards will grill off for bragging rights to the best ribs, chicken and brisket. Division winners will be announced on the field prior to the game. Food prepared by participating restaurants will be available for sale to the public at the event. All proceeds will benefit Youth Golf & Academics Program, a Camden-based risk-prevention program serving inner-city children on both sides of the Delaware.

Marc Kravitz is the author of the $18 and UNDER dining guide, available at all area bookstores.

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