offthemenu

by Juliet Fletcher

Food and wine pairings have never lost their appeal for foodies (as evidenced by this year's The Book and the Cook, where menus were teeming with 'em). But there are signs that the standard format is in for a challenge: Two city food outposts have decided this week to match the culinary arts with those of the stage and, umm, the jeweler.

First up, Center City Opera Theater offers the chance to sip along to the tapping of your feet this week: They host "Wine and Opera" at the Kimmel Center's Cadence restaurant. Marnie Old, local wine buff, will present an extensive wine tasting, while the opera company's young singers serenade the crowd with a "brindisi" of arias. Reservations are highly recommended — the reception will help fund the company's production of La Traviata, slated for June at the Kimmel. Extra-generous donors will receive a copy of Valentino Monticello's book, Opera & Wine. (Thu., April 7, 8:30 p.m., $100, Cadence Restaurant at the Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-968-2492. Reservation deadline is April 4.)

But if you're not in the mood for singing, how about … blinging? Yes, indeed, Tiffany & Co. jewelers joins with Le Castagne this Saturday to pull off a fancy dinner and jewelry exhibit. While executive chef Brian Wilson provides a five-course dinner, models will circulate to show off the jewelry designs of Elsa Peretti, including such food-inspired objects as silver doughnut bangles and 18-karat earrings shaped like beans. Still, I'd love to know who paired the amuse bouches with a sterling-silver mesh bib. (Dinner by Design, Sat., April 2, 7 p.m., $125, Le Castagne, 1920 Chestnut St., 215-751-9913.)

In Short: Today is the last day of voting in Maxim magazine's poll for "Best Neighborhood Bar in Philly," and it looks like it's causing a minor stir among the nominees. The five in the running — NoLib's N. Third, South Street's North Bar, South Philly's Chickie's & Pete's and Manayunk's Bourbon Blue and Grape Street Pub — have been involved in some "heated discussion" about what counts as a neighborhood bar. Rachel Furman (former CP marketing whiz, now freelance PR) sent a nudge-nudge e-mail to Philly peeps on Tuesday, giving props to North — her client — and N. Third, over "chain franchise" Chickie & Pete's, "Clear Channel powerhouse" Grape Street and "big-budget restaurant" Bourbon Blue. Feel like supporting your fave local bar/powerhouse? Log on to www.maximmagazine.com.