Fall in Philly isn’t just about crisp air and changing leaves—it’s also about bringing in some serious flavor. Restaurants are welcoming the season with fun dinner parties, and all you have to do is make a reservation.
Cadence Collab Dinner at Emmett
Cadence is returning to Philadelphia this fall with a two-night collaboration dinner with Emmett (taking place at the latter’s locale). During its run in Philadelphia, Cadence amassed accolades both locally and nationally. The BYOB was named ‘Food & Wine’s’ #1 “Best New Restaurant” in 2019 and one of ‘Bon Appétit’s’ Top 50 Best New Restaurants the year prior. The restaurant closed its doors in 2021 as husband/wife team and chef/owners Jon Nodler and Samantha Kincaid returned to Wisconsin, where they met.
On Sept. 6 and 7, the New American concept will partner up with Emmett and put together a menu that blends Midwestern roots with Levantine and Mediterranean influences. Early dishes span a sunchoke cannoli with smoked trout and horseradish crème fraiche; a rye tartlet with wagyu, smoked mustard, and dill aioli; lamb kubbeh with sumac labneh and pickled pear; and a kohlrabi spring roll with marinated seafood, fresh herbs, and puffed wild rice.
The second course includes picks like black bass with shrimp mousse, harissa-braised peppers, and saffron; and sujuk manti with Jimmy Nardello jam and muhammara. The main course, on the other hand, will feature dry-aged duck with sweet corn, smoked scallop, chanterelles and stone fruit; and smoked steelhead trout with amba and peach fattoush.
And to finish everything off on a sweet note, dessert also includes a silan chocolate mousse with roasted sweet corn whipped cream, fall raspberries, and polenta cake; plus a cauliflower mille-feuille with sweet potato custard, fig ice cream, and toasted benne seed. Reservations cost $150 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and can be booked through OpenTable. Seatings begin at 5 p.m. on both nights and will be staggered throughout the evenings.
161 W Girard Ave., emmettphilly.com
Kampar at Jet Wine Bar
On Sunday, Sept. 7 (4 to 9 p.m.), Kampar will be taking over Jet Wine Bar for an evening featuring their Malaysian fare. Chef Ange Branca and the Kampar team will be offering two different experiences: Chili Crabs in the Garden and Shot in the Shell in the Bar.
The latter on the other hand is essentially an interactive oyster and cocktail pairing. According to a release, guests will walk through a reimagined oyster stall to try flights of six local oysters dressed in three Malaysian preparations. Each oyster is paired with a curated shot, served directly in the shell.
Pre-orders are highly encouraged for both events and can be reserved online at sate-kampar.square.site.
Townsend Southwest French Wine Pairing
This is an option for foodies and vino lovers alike. On Sept. 4 (6 p.m.), Chef Townsend Wentz’s locale will host a one-night-only pairing dinner with Lionel Osmin & Cie, a French winery celebrated for “reinventing the French Southwest.” While there, winemaker Clément Gaspard will guide guests through each pour.
Food-wise, the menu will be crafted by Chef Alex Nissley with options including steelhead trout crudo with Green Meadows peaches and Lionel Osmin rosé espuma; jumbo lump crab tortellini with basque peppers and basil pistou; a duet of beef with bone marrow oxtail, chanterelles en cocotte and Castelvetrano olive focaccia; a Hudson Valley duck breast with crispy potato pavé and sauce au poivré; and a plate with tomme de chèvre, chocolate truffle and Croquants de Cordes for dessert.
The full expertly-guided wine pairing experience runs for $55, alongside the $75 per person dinner (+ tax and gratuity). Reservations are available via Resy.
1623 E Passyunk Ave.,townsendepx.com
Chef Dinner Series at Rex at the Royal
Oxtail Exchange’s Chef Chaz Brown is headed to the Southern-styled locale to collaborate with Rex’s Chef Angie Brown for one night only. On Sept. 15 (6p.m.), guests can sit and enjoy a menu featuring Trinidadian and Coastal Southern-inspired dishes. Tickets are $125 for the five-course meal, with the option to add a drink pairing. Reservations are available via Resy.
Little Walter’s Blind Tasting Dinner at The Bakery
East Kensington’s contemporary Polish restaurant is taking its fare to South Philly for a pop-up dinner at The Bakery. The BYOB encouraged event is meant to be an immersive, cohesive six-course blind tasting experience blending Italian American staples with traditional Polish fare. It’s available for 20 guests with one seating at 6:30 p.m. sharp on Sept. 10.
As the release notes, the partnership is an addition to The Bakery’s freshly minted “After Hours By Rocco,” a series of monthly blind tasting dinners curated, prepared, and presented by owner Rocco Weiss and his team. Tickets are $125 per person. Reservations are required and can be placed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, when the ticket link is published via The Bakery’s Instagram bio (@thebakery.phl).
2300 S. 3rd St., littlewaltersphilly.com
