Eat Beat

FOOD

By Kirsten Henri

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Sep. 5, 2007

Eat It and Isolate Yourself!
If you're reading this, it means my computer hasn't melted from a toxic level of exposure to severe garlic breath. Four hours ago I dug into a tub of Bobbi's Garlic Hummus and, despite a thorough tooth brushing and a vigorous antiseptic gargle, my mouth is still polluted with the sweet stink of clove. I'm a little late jumping on this bandwagon, but this locally made hummus is insanely delicious. Though it lacks tahini, it more than makes up for it in aromatic glory, and a fluffy texture just shy of fresh whipped cream. I have a sneaking suspicion there's more garlic than chickpea in Bobbi's recipe, but the only proof is my breath and the wide berth I'm given by passers-by. >> Every Sun., 10am-2pm. $5.99. The Shambles, Second and Lombard sts.

Learn It While Consuming It!
At the risk of declaring my career path obsolete, I think reading about drinking is much less rewarding than actually doing it (most beverage writing is a bore). An exception: The Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer With Real Food by Garrett Oliver, brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery. It's a lively cross between a history book and an encyclopedia (really), except it's all about craft beer. Plus, Oliver has such a wonderful way of describing the flavors of suds, he might lead you to pour your wine collection down the toilet. He's in town next week hosting a beer and cheese tasting upstairs at Di Bruno Bros., pairing six Brooklyn beers with different cheeses. If you're a beer freak and you've never heard Oliver wax eloquent on the beauty of craft beer, you should attend. >> Thurs., Sept. 13, 6-8pm. $45. Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St. 215.665.9220. www.dibruno.com

Preview It!
They're not serving any food yet, but Knock, a new swanky bar/lounge/restaurant in the Gayborhood, is definitely serving drinks. It opened in a highly jinxed location on the corner of 12th and Locust, which was most recently Lula. This might ordinarily make us doubt its ability to survive, but Knock's owners are brothers Steve and Bill Wood, progenitors of the longstanding G-hood hotspot Woody's (although they no longer own it), and have thus proven they know their way around a bar. A quick peek into Knock revealed lots of dark handsome wood, necktied bartenders and a subdued crowd, but a crowd nonetheless. This is clearly a spot for grownups, despite the presence of a caffeinated cocktail on the Knock menu. Hopefully it'll be a spot that lasts. >> Knock, 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166. www.knockphilly.com