Silk City reopens

Silk City, 435 Spring Garden St., reopened last week after a long-anticipated renovation by new owner Mark Bee of North 3rd Restaurant fame in Northern Liberties.

The good news is that executive chef Peter Dunmire is heading up the kitchens in both restaurants at the moment, delivering the gourmet comfort food that has garnered him much critical acclaim.

Bee commissioned artist Scott Johnston to create paintings, floor and wall mosaics and other design elements for rooms now bathed in a red glow.

Bee himself added his own interior design elements, like the retro Sputnik multi-colored light fixtures, and he encouraged (indeed, egged on) Johnston to paint images, some even in Day-Glow colors, on black velvet. (Look for the Elvis Presley portrait over the main entrance, also a one-of-a-kind by Johnston.)

The resourceful, artistic design team of Bee and Johnston literally seems to have thought of everything, as they’ve incorporated bright, cheery, mosaic tiling with shards of mirror on the floors, steps and the bathroom walls.

The red glow, red tabletops and red bar backdrops are dramatically contrasted with the metal and chrome accents, making the ambiance cool, sleek and retro at the same time. The back rooms, bathed in red, are comfortably warm and inviting for diners.

Master of creative gourmet comfort food Dunmire has developed a tempting menu at the new Silk City.

Highlights include roasted rosemary chicken, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, barbecued pork empanadas, Thai chile-glazed ribs, crispy Atlantic salmon and fried panko-crusted shrimp.

The restaurant will be open every day from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Bee plans to be have more extended hours, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at Silk City, in about another month.

For information, call (215) 592-8838 or visit www.silkcityphilly.com.

Iron Hill marks 10 years

Happy Anniversary! Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant is continuing to mark its 10th year of business, recently unveiling Fe10, a Belgian-style ale for its brewery line of Iron Hill Reserve bottled beers.

Operations director Mark Edelson explained Fe10 is a Belgian-style strong dark ale, similar to a Belgian Quadrupel, and has an alcohol content of 10 percent.

Iron Hill’s founders, Kevin Finn and Kevin Davies, working alongside Edelson, joined together to brew Fe10 — their first collaborative beer.

The Wilmington-based award-winning brewery features Fe10 in a bottle designed by acclaimed artist Jeff Schaller; the cork-finished, 750 ml bottle costs $21.50.

Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurants are located in Newark, Wilmington, Media, West Chester, North Wales and Phoenixville. A Lancaster location is opening in September.

For more information, visit www.ironhillbrewery.com.

Pre-theater menu at Prime Rib

If you can dine early on a weeknight, 4:30-6 p.m., then the “Pre-Theatre Menu” at the city’s number-one steakhouse (rated by Zagat Survey), the Prime Rib, 1701 Locust St., is the ideal opportunity to enjoy a fine dining experience.

Restaurateur Garth Weldon has created a menu of three courses for $30 per person — a great way to dine before attending shows at the nearby theaters and concert halls along the city’s Avenue of the Arts, from the Prince Music Theater to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

The menu includes entrée choices of a 16-ounce roast prime rib, a 12-ounce flat-iron steak, grilled Atlantic salmon or oven-roasted chicken, all served with string beans, mashed potatoes, salad and dessert (try the housemade Key Lime pie, one of the best in the city).

For more information, call (215) 772-1701 or visit www.theprimerib.com.

Garces teaches tapas

Tapas much? Chef/owner Jose Garces, of Amada, 217-219 Chestnut St., (and Tinto Wine Bar), will reveal some of his highly prized secrets in a series of cooking classes held the second Monday of each month.

The celebrated master of tapas and Spanish cuisine will share instruction honors with chef de cuisine Chad Williams at the classes, which include wine tasting and recipes.

The 12-person classes are from 6-8 p.m. and cost $65 per person.

Home chefs will begin mastering the art of Spanish cooking and food, taking a class with one of the nation’s undisputed rising-star chefs.

Topics will include the Art of Paella and the Making of Seasonal Sangrias (July 9); the Ultimate Roasted Suckling Pig and Fabulous Accompanying Side Dishes (Aug. 13); and an In-Depth Look at Spanish Charcuterie and Artisanal Cheeses (Sept. 10).

For more information, call (215) 625-2450 or visit www.amadarestaurant.com.

Winery features ‘Summer Nights’

Chaddsford Winery, Route 1 in Chadds Ford, heralds the return of its popular Summer Nights Under The Stars, a series of outdoor concerts, every Friday and an occasional Saturday from July 6-Sept. 7. Organized and hosted by husband-and-wife co-owners Eric and Lee Miller, this year’s musical acts range from jazz, blues, big band, pop and opera. Winery guests may bring their own picnic or choose from the selection of cheeses, crackers, sausages and snacks in the gift shop.

Chaddsford Winery’s award-winning wines are available by the bottle or by the glass to enjoy while lazing under the stars in the charmingly pastoral Brandywine Valley.

This summer’s lineup of entertainment includes Big Package, July 6; Been There Done That, July 7; Warren Oree and The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, July 13; The Rivers, July 20; City Rhythm Orchestra, July 27; Winston Ferguson and Point Blank, Aug. 3; Been There Done That, Aug. 10; Denise King and the Budesa Brothers, Aug. 17; Big Package, Aug. 24; Paul Adkins Opera Night at the Winery, Aug. 31; and Alligator Zydeco, Sept. 7.

Tickets are $20 per person, which includes wine tastings and the concert.

For information, call (610) 388-6221 or visit www.chaddsford.com.