2 unique Philly ways to savor the flavor of Halloween

Some of the best parts of spooky season are the flavors that come along with the Halloween holiday—and there are 2 very unique Philly ways to indulge this year. 

From a gourmet dinner set around the Seven Deadly Sins at an East Passyunk favorite, to a fun way to pair beer and candy at a well-known local brewery, there’s plenty of options to tickle your sweet and savory fancy. 

Sinfully delicious

First up, River Twice will be bringing back its popular Seven Deadly Sins-themed dinners, with seatings available from Oct. 29 to 30. Hosted again by Chef/Owner Randy Rucker and Owner/Operator Amanda Rucker, this fan-favorite activation will take diners on a culinary journey through seven courses. 

Themed dishes span “Greed” aka bluefin tuna with matsutake and golden Ossetra caviar; “Envy”, a raw Cheesesteak by Chef Alexandra Holt of Roxanne; “Sloth”, Long Island snails cooked slowly in molasses with upstate abundance potato, fermented green garlic, toasted buckwheat, and benne miso butter; “Wrath”, Nashville-style fried oysters on toasted brioche with smoked buttermilk and honey; “Pride”, smoked duck and andouille gumbo with brioche dumplings; “Gluttony”, fillin’ station-style boudin with foie gras and sawmill gravy; and last but not least, “Lust”, aka figs with white chocolate, smoked vanilla, and white truffle. 

Costumes are encouraged for the occasion, because additionally, there will be a costume contest held during the two-night dinner series, with the winner of the best costume receiving a rare Mother Rucker Burger punch card which guarantees the winner a burger on reserve for up to five visits (a $115 value), a release states.

Philadelphians can find more information and seating availability online for River Twice (1601 E Passyunk Ave.) at rivertwicerestaurant.com

Cheers to beers… and candy

Switching gears to a less sinful approach to Halloween (well, depending on how you look at it), Iron Hill Brewery is once again offering their Boo-Ze & Candy activation in 2023. Beginning Oct. 27 and running through Oct. 29, all Iron Hill locations will be showcasing a beer and candy flight (titled the Witches Brew) for $10.50, which features four Iron Hill beers paired with iconic Halloween candy. Kiddos will love the activation as well, as the Brewery will also be offering a milk and candy pairing for $3.

“Beer and candy pairings are the ultimate way to showcase how Iron Hill beer truly complements any type of food, including chocolate, peanut butter, and sweet or tart candy flavors,” said Mark Edelson, VP of Beer at Iron Hill Brewery in a statement. “The event was so popular last year we knew we had to bring it back.”

The flight will feature a Pig Iron Porter paired with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and as the release states, the full malt flavors of chocolate, toffee, and light hints of almond in this English-style Porter meld well with the rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter inside a Reese’s Cup. There’s also a pumpkin ale from Iron Hill paired with a Kit Kat. The ale features fall flavors like caramel, toast, and vanilla, while the cinnamon “acts as a flavor hook, complementing the crispy cookie snap.” 

The final two pairings on the flight include the Philly Phavorite IPA paired with Starburst, which blends sweet citrus and pineapple aromatics and flavors, and the Brambleberry Farmhouse Ale paired with Swedish Fish. With the latter, Philadelphians are advised to pop a Swedish Fish in your mouth after a sip of Brambleberry and let the tart citrus fruit and juicy raspberries be elevated by the sugary, berry sweetness.

Additionally, King of the Hill members, Iron Hill’s popular loyalty program, receive a complimentary fifth pairing featuring Little Red Wagon, a strawberry rhubarb kettle sour, paired with Twizzlers. Plus, on Halloween, King of the Hill members receive a special treat with double points on all food orders, the release finishes. 

To find out more information, visit ironhillbrewery.com