Top Chef took last week off for an oddly scheduled All-Star Special, but was back last night with Nigella Lawson calling the chefs for breakfast in bed. More after the jump.

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London Grill added a list of beer cocktails last month and suddenly beer cocktails seem to getting positive press from the most unlikely of sources. The Beer Lass, yes the BEER Lass enjoys the Curious Georgia, a $3 Happy Hour cocktail at Smokin Betty’s. It’s Allagash White, peach schnapps, garnished with a peach that’s been soaking in ginger infused simple syrup!

Noted beer scribe Lew Bryson admits he’s sold out to beer cocktails and says “they don’t taste bad, either.”

And just when you’re thinking what’s going on here you find out it goes much deeper. Self-proclaimed “beer purist” and Brooklyn Brewery brewer Garrett Oliver says some of them “are really delicious.”

Well it’s not like we didn’t see this coming. Xochitl’s michelada has been delicious since day one, the Sidecar’s beer mimosa goes down oh so well at Sunday brunch. So it’s time to embrace the beer cocktail. Full speed ahead!

Smokin Betty’s: Of beer AND beer cocktails [Beer Lass]
Beer Becomes a Cocktail [ Fine Cooking via Seen Through a Glass]
Q & A: Garrett Oliver [Delights & Prejudices]

Our Sporting Dynasty

It’s a Three-peat for Citizens Bank Park. For the third year in a row the ballpark has been named Most Vegetarian-Friendly by PETA. [PETA]

 Philly is in the Details

the June issue of Details names Xochitl’s torta one of the best five in the nation and crowns APO Bar and Lounge’s Fish House Punch is among the five best punches in the nation. [Details]

Swine flu and drug wars have you wary of heading south of the border? Then take up The Bite on its suggestion, a Mexican staycation.

No need to travel for a Mexican fix [Metro Philadelphia]

Someone once told us that an actor’s headshot should look like that actor, not like someone else, but it should look like that actor on his best day ever.

That same holds true for a first date. You’ll want to present yourself as you on your best day ever. That brings us to our first type of first date, the false pretenses kind where you don’t have much money, but you want to impress like you do.

Foobooz would never advise lying to a loved one (or even a not-yet-loved one); that’s just not the way to begin a beautiful friendship… but…. you wouldn’t go on a date without putting on some lipstick or those jeans that make your butt look particularly hot? So why wouldn’t you put some thought into how hot the restaurant you’re going to might make you look?

If you don’t have a lot of money, you’ll have to be creative. Which means: a great restaurant on an off night, a bar with a subtle and sophisticated happy hour special and a BYOB situation with a possible trip to New Jersey for supplies. Here are two suggestions for the False Pretenses: I Don’t Have Much Money, But I Want to Impress Date…

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Volume 2 of Xochitl’s Tequila Tasting Series is set for August 14th. Executive Chef Dionicio Jimenez will be preparing a 5-course menu to go with 3 styles of El Mayor Tequila.

The dinner begins at 7pm and costs $75 per person.

Menu after the jump.

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Phoodie’s Collin Flatt makes like Three Sheets’ Zane Lamprey and tries out viper rum in Belize. You can’t find that around here although you can find Michelada at Xochitl. [Phoodie.info]

Matt O’Hara enjoys the 4th of July at Cantina Los Caballitos where he orders ribs, eggs benedict with chorizo drizzled with chipotle hollandaise and has some drinks too. [Finding Philly]

The Brew Lounge wants to ride their bicycle and has a whole bike and beer themed post complete with rides and where to watch the Tour de France. [The Brew Lounge]

Thursday, June 26th Xochitl will prepare a four course menu with three varieties of Don Julio’s tequila.

The dinner begins at 7pm and is followed by a cocktail reception. The cost is $75 per person.

Menu after the jump.

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A Foobooz spy reports that Luke Wilson, who is in town filming Tenure was spotted dining at the bar at Xochitl last night.

UPDATE: Dan Gross has him at Amada. Eeek!

Xochitl [Official Site]

If you missed The Bite in today’s Metro it’s only because it moved from the pink Entertainment pages to the Going Out section where it shares the spotlight with Bar Belle. Take a gander to find out just how big a deal the new room at Johnny Brenda’s is and celebrate Mexico’s favorite uni-browed artist with food.

The Bite: Airier, hairier and what to do this weekend [Metro Philadelphia]