Today, XIX is hosting a whiskey dinner featuring premium whiskeys paired with five-courses of XIX’s fare.

Expect pairings like 10-year old Talisker with oysters and Bulleit Bourbon with apricot beignets. The dinner is just $50 per person and only a few seats remain.

XIX [Official Site]

It is post-Labor Day and that means brunch has returned to Meme. The $35 prix fixe menu is sticking around too giving you one more Restaurant Week alternative.

Yes, the commenters who figured Shola Olunloyo is aiming to open his StudioKitchen in NoLibs down the street from Kong were right. He’s aiming for a November opening. [Grub Street]

XIX named by MSN as a top 10 Penthouse Restaurant in the United States. [MSN]

Monk’s Cafe’s back bar is open again. [Liquid Diet]

ROOT liqueur gets a shout-out in October’s Vanity Fair. It’s the skewing young one with Jackie O on the cover.

City inspections are the only thing left for the second location of Flying Monkey before it is ready to open at 1112 Locust Street. [Restaurant Club]

Elevation Burger, the environmentally friendly burger chain that has opened locally in Wynnewood is planning  on opening on Walnut Street near Rittenhouse Square in 6 to 8 months. [Blogalicious]

Brick House Tavern + Tap has opened in Willow Grove. Self-described as a Man Cave the beer selection isn’t too shabby and includes Victory Hop Wallop on cask.

Recess Lounge did not open Saturday as the vague “plumbing issues” reared its ugly head. [Grub Street]

Rick’s Steaks is aiming for a June 9th soft opening in the Bellevue, the Whiz has already arrived.

In other Bellevue news, Dave Schultz and Bob Wilkie host a live Internet hockey radio show from the XIX bar at 1pm on every Tuesday.

Demetris is a handsome Mediterranean spot at 45th and Chestnut that is open for breakfast daily. [The Insider]

The permanent Stephen Starr burger stand is aiming to open on July 4th inside Franklin Square. There’s still no name. [Philly Chit Chat]

Stephen Starr’s and investor Allan Domb were spotted on a train to Washington. Could a Parc DC be far behind? [Philly Gossip]

Iron Hill Maple Shade is still on track for a July opening. If all goes well brewing could start around June 12th. [The Brew Lounge]

943 is an Italian-Argentine BYO in the Italian Market that’s several weeks out. [The Insider]

Merl’s which was had a nice review in City Paper back in April has closed. [Kitchenplay]

The Center City District recently released their State of Center City 2009 report where they counted 215 outdoor cafes. As the outdoor cafe has become ubiquitous we’ve started hearing a new question, where can I eat outside away from the sidewalk. Today’s edition of The Bite highlights a handful of restaurants where the atmosphere is never broken by the blaring of, “welcome to route….”

Outdoor seating without the cars [Metro Philadelphia]

Do you fancy yourself a “Top Chef”? Here’s your chance to find out if you have what it takes. The producers are hosting open auditions in Philly as they conduct their search for contestants for the show. The details:

When: Wednesday March 4th from 10AM-2PM
Where: XIX (Nineteen) at the Bellevue
More Info: www.bravotv.com/casting

Here’s a list of other cities that also have open calls: San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

C’mon, Philly chefs, pack your knives and go to the audition!

Does anyone have any suggestions of local chefs you’d like to see compete? We’ve been tossing some names around in the hallowed halls of Foobooz World HQ, but we want to hear what you think.

Uncle Jimmy checks out Bistrot La Minette with lowered expectations but comes away pleased with the ambiance, food and service. [Uncle Jimmy Eats Philadelphia]

Phoodie.info escapes XIX at $41 per person. Well played. [Phoodie.info]

Foodzings enjoys a “great bucket of pho” at Pho Hoa. [Foodzings]

Over the weekend we were wondering aloud, just who goes to Pico De Gallo. Today we find out that Food Coma is a fan. [Food Coma]

David McDuff connects with some Philly attitude before escaping to Paris at Parc. [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

Foodaphilia gives the first negative review we’ve heard of Northern Liberties’ Cafe Estelle. [Foodaphilia]

XIX will bring its bar and join Bliss, The Palm and JL Sullivan’s Speakeasy in grilling their best for a hot summer night. It’s a pay-as-you-go event in a space transformed with umbrella-topped tables, candlelight and a DJ.

The Bellevue: Events [Official Site]

The weather’s calling for high winds and cooler temperatures tonight, but that’s no reason to stop drinking. Two new cocktails at XIX offer some seasonal snap.

The Almond Pekoe (Orange Pekoe Tea, Amaretto, Cointreau, Peach Bitters, served in a snifter garnished with a candied wheel of candied clementine) and the Campfire Classic (Hot Chocolate, Kaluha, served in a snifter with a freshly baked S’more). XIX Bar also offers a daily Happy Hour, 5pm-7pm, featuring half-off all XIX Signature Cocktails…

XIX at the Bellevue [Official Site]

Craig LaBan points us to a lunch deal at XIX. Just $19 gets you a lunch worth bragging about.

There’s a splendid buffet of charcuterie, salads, and cheeses to start, an entree of the day, and a lavish spread of cookie desserts to finish. My fish of the day, a crisply seared wild striped bass over white beans in a curried seafood froth, was in itself worth the price of admission.

The $19 three-course lunch is available daily at XIX Nineteen, Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, Broad and Walnut, 215-790-1919.

Good Taste [Philadelphia Inquirer]
XIX Nineteen [Official Site]

Our first reaction to seeing that XIX was serving Nutcracker Tea was yeeeowww! But after regaining our composure we recognized they were referring to holiday tea from 2 to 5 PM daily. The $38 high tea ($19 for children) consists of modern twists on tea sandwiches like curried chicken salad with dried currants and walnuts on a mini baguette; egg salad with parsley and nutmeg on brioche; Scottish smoked salmon with dill cream cheese and watercress on pumpernickel; strawberry jam and cream cheese on country white; and honey ham and cheddar on toasted brioche. A three-tiered tray, dubbed “Land of the Sweets,” features Nutcracker-themed treats like Sugarplum Fairy Pudding and Marzipan Financier.

Looking for something a bit heartier but just as blue-blooded then take note that the Prime Rib is open for lunch for the two weeks preceding Christmas (December 11-14 and 17-21). The menu will include Prime Rib classics such as lobster bisque, jumbo shrimp cocktail, roast prime rib, chopped sirloin steak and fresh Norwegian salmon. In addition, there will be salads and sandwiches like the Prime Rib sandwich, crab cake sandwich, classic burger, poached salmon salad, Yellowfin tuna salad and warm steak salad.

XIX [Official Site]
Prime Rib [Official Site]