The Port Richmond Business Alliance’s signature event, A Taste of Port Richmond, returns for third consecutive year.
By Melissa Komar
Falling victim to the mid-week slump and the thought of cooking have you overwhelmed? Looking to enjoy a night out on the town, feasting on high quality cuisine without the high price tag?
Put on your party dress and head to the third annual Taste of Port Richmond.
Presented by the Port Richmond Business Alliance, the event features samples from some of the neighborhood’s well-known and emerging eateries and will surely be the talk of the town until it rolls around again next year.
As if all-you-can-eat samples for $30 isn’t enough incentive to hop in line at Port Richmond Hall tonight, we’ve got a sneak preview of what some of Port Richmond’s restaurants will be serving up!
If you’ve ever gone to Czerw’s near Easter, don’t expect to get any kielbasa without waiting in line for more than an hour. The establishment has been operating since 1938 and is the Polish delicacy capital of Port Richmond and, arguably, the city. So, here’s your opportunity to skip the line — we can’t guarantee their table won’t be crowded — and grab some of the city-renown smoked kielbasa and sauerkraut.
Czerw’s isn’t the only establishment representing Port Richmond’s Polish population. Since 1998, New Wave Cafe has been a meeting point amongst Polish people and will honor the culture with a traditional dish: pickle soup and a delicious meat cake platter.
And, what kind of neighborhood party would it be without pierogies? Donna’s Bar served stuffed cabbage last year, but the people spoke and, Donna listened. This year, she’s bringing back her potato and cheese pierogies.
Keeping a meat-free diet? Bait and Switch, which took over the former 3 Fish Pub at Belgrade and Somerset in 2016, will offer mac and cheese with a twist. The catch? You guessed it: seafood.
Need something in between? Catering by Mario’s (the in-house food extraordinaire at Richmond Hall) will have a pasta station that’s sure to satisfy even the most particular palates.
Don’t forget to top it all off with a nightcap (sans alcohol). Port Richmond’s signature coffee shop will be serving the cup of Joe that started it all almost three years ago: the ReAnimator Coffee Roasters’ Keystone Blend.
Other participating establishments include Stock’s Bakery, Dinner House, Gaul & Co. Malt House and Hinge Cafe (you’ll have to come and find out what surprises are in store, although, we can almost 100 percent guarantee pound cake will be involved).
And, if you’re worried about shedding some of the pounds of all those samples, put on those dancing shoes and enjoy the Polish American String Band, DJ Patty Pat and 2Late4Breakfast.
Taste of Port Richmond will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Richmond Hall, Indiana Avenue and Thompson Street. Tickets are $30 and are available in advance at River Wards Cafe, 3118 Richmond St.; Donna’s Bar, 2732 E. Allegheny Ave.; Czerw’s Kielbasa, 3370 Tilton St.; Hinge Cafe, 2652 E. Somerset St.; shop.jptees.com/collections/frontpage/products/taste-of-port-richmond-ticket; or by calling 215–779–8781.
