Food is a tempting draw. On Thursday, January 17th, food will attract masses to the Phoenixville Foundry for the 11th Annual Taste of Phoenixville. However, guests in attendance from 6 to 10 p.m. will find there is far more than a delightful roller coaster of flavors in store.
For starters, this annual event is held to benefit the Good Samaritan Shelter, a Christian ministry that provides transitional housing and supportive services to homeless men, women and women with children. Along with fundraising activities, such as the well-stocked silent auction and a 50/50 raffle, nearly 400 guests will also enjoy three liquor and wine bars, craft beer from Sly Fox, two entire floors of food, live music from The HythaFam Band and a friendly “Top Taste” competition.
Just like your favorite culinary television show, the “Top Taste” activity is a way for attendees’ voices to be heard. Be it a warm and hearty bowl of pasta or a sweet and decadent dessert bite, the choice is all yours. Of the many vendors hoping to score a spot on the people’s choice list – some even repeat “contestants” – there’s a good chunk representing Phoenixville’s lively Bridge Street, a stretch of town that has carefully evolved into one renowned dining row. Take a peek at the notable spots and their dishes below and get ready for some serious judging on Thursday.
The Top Ten Tastes award is not unfamiliar to this Bridge Street spot that wowed guests during last year’s voting process. The cozy BYO found at the corner of Starr and Bridge plans to return to Taste of Phoenixville 2013 with the same powerhouse plate of their famous grits. It’s bacon manchego cheese combined with a tazo ham cream sauce that really takes this dish to the next level and will certainly have the attention of attendees as they nosh their way through the food-filled fundraiser.
“Executive Chef Mark Ryan loves getting guests involved in the food he makes,” shared Alyson Lurie, Marketing Director at RRC&D. “If there’s any way he can make a dish interactive, he’ll do it! At the upcoming Taste of Phoenixville, Chef Mark will be debuting his Build-Your-Own Stir-fry Station. Guests can select their veggies and protein, watch them cooked up with noodles, and walk away with their tableside-made stir-fry!”
The most authentic Italian eatery on Bridge Street has been participating in the Good Samaritan fundraiser ever since they joined the Phoenixville dining scene. Last year they tantalized taste buds with their scrumptious homemade meatballs and in 2013 they plan to do so again, this time with Gnocchi alla Sophia Loren which is their most popular dish for all the right reasons. After snagging a taste of the homemade potato gnocchi with General Manager, Rose-Ann Viggiano, we can’t wait to taste the gorgonzola port wine cream sauce, baby spinach and pine nuts all over again.
Focusing on the sweeter side of things for Taste of Phoenixville will be Bridge Street Chocolate’s Gail Warner. A master of tempting treats, the candy genius will be featuring Sea Salt Drops for all to enjoy. The round chocolate discs are packed with the perfect amount of sweetness, which balances delightfully with the red Hawaiian sea salt sprinkled on top. They also happen to be vegan! Don’t miss nabbing this tasteful bite, post entree offerings, of course.
While Foresta’s contributed a whole roasted pig in past years, they’re trying something different for 2013 and guests will not be disappointed by the switch-up. “This year we will be serving a Chicken Cutlet Sandwich with Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone on a Corropolese Focaccia Roll,” explained Chris Foresta. “For a side item, we will be offering a Lemon Honey Bowtie Pasta Salad. As for why people will love it? Our homemade Cutlet is one of the best selling items in the deli. Throw on some Broccoli Rabe made from my Grandfather’s recipe and you have one tasty Italian sandwich!”
New to Phoenixville’s dining scene in 2012, Sips Bistro and Bar was very eager to participate in this year’s Taste of Phoenixville and introduce themselves to locals who may not have had a chance to try out their fantastic cuisine with a French flare. Owner Fabien Chaigneau plans to impress the guests with his offering of duck confit and mushroom duxelle vol-au-vent. “The reason we selected that dish is because it’s a winter dish with mushroom and duck, served warm, which will remind you of your childhood. It might be a new dish with the puff pastry and mushroom duxelle but the flavors are comfort food. Put it together and it’s absolutely amazing!”
It’s almost impossible to talk Phoenixville’s dining scene without mention of Bistro On Bridge’s Risotto Balls appetizer. The mix of cheesy comfort food with a crispy, fried exterior served alongside their house made pesto aioli is enough to make any food lover weak in the knees. Although it’s their first time hopping on board the Taste of Phoenixville fundraiser train, they are going forward full speed and looking to impress guests with, not just risotto balls, but other delicious favorites as well. You’ll have to attend to sample their full line-up. Don’t forget to throw them a vote when your knees buckle from deliciousness.
Bridge Street is a diversified food row for sure, boasting cuisine from all corners of the world. When it comes to authentic thai, there is one BYO gem blowing the rest out of the water. It certainly has something to do with Nui Kullanna’s sweet personality and her friendly crew but the food is top notch as well. “We’ll be serving pineapple fried rice with chicken.” The succulent dish is packed with stir fried jasmine rice, onions, vegetables, fresh pineapple chunks and eggs. “It’s easy, simple and healthy – my personal favorite dish. My boyfriend and I make it all the time!”
Molly Maguire’s, Artisan’s Cafe, and Majolica round out the Bridge Street spots who are hoping to make the “Top Ten Tastes” list for 2013. While Majolica earned recognition from voters at last year’s event, there are some heavy hitters overall, not just from Phoenixville’s bustling food row, that are going to put up a delicious fight. In the end, it’ll be up to the Taste of Phoenixville “professional” samplers, but every vote counts so we hope you plan to attend and support your favorites with a vote.
Scope out the full list of vendors and snag your tickets HERE.
Robert Ryan Catering photograph credited to Dlutz Photography, Inc.; Bistro on Bridge photograph credited to Nina Lea Photography.
