Photo | Fun Dining

Recently, on Fun Dining … Adventures Beyond the Children’s Menu ten-year-old blogger Elena detailed her experience visiting Phoenixville Farmers’ Market. A foodie at heart, this impressive girl started scribing her own blog at age nine, where she confesses that she adores chatting about restaurants and foods that she experiences because it is one of her favorite things to do.

“I also want to be a writer, and my mom says that I don’t really have to wait until I grow up,” she writes.

To read about her recent experience trekking around our local outdoor market, click here. You’ll be sure to spot the lil’ food lover enjoying the specialties of  Iced by Betsy, Shellbark Hollow goat cheese and North Star Orchard.

Here’s a look at your holiday weekend (thru Thursday) at The Colonial Theatre:

Fri, Sep 3: I Am Love 7:30; House 10:00

Sat, Sep 4: Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster 12:00; Big Trouble in Little China 2:00; Audition 4:00; The Happening 7:30

Sun, Sep 5: Stray Dog 2:00; Rashomon 4:30; I Am Love 7:00

Mon, Sep 6: CLOSED

Tue, Sep 7: I Am Love 7:30

Wed, Sep 8: I Am Love 2:00, 7:30

Thu, Sep 9: I Am Love 7:30

Stay up-to-date on The Colonial’s current films and future entertainment by visiting: thecolonialtheatre.com

We think you’ll want to read all about a recent article, published on Yellow Springs Farm’s website entitled, “Artisanal Goat Cheese Tasting Notes.”  At Yellow Springs, the cheese is made in small batches by hand, without any preservatives or artificial additives.  With over 30 varieties, tips on tasting guide cheese-lovers in experiencing, “the flavors, textures and aromas” in every bite.  Get some great tips from the makers of delicious local goat cheese by clicking HERE.  Find yourself salivating?  Not to worry.  Head to Yellow Springs Farm (in nearby Chester Springs) the weekend of September 10, 11 or 12 for their Open House with Honey and Goat Cheese Tastings (taking place during their Native Plant Sale).  For details, visit Yellow Springs’ events page located HERE.

Creating a scene similar to that found on Throwdown with Bobby Flay or on Travel Channel’s Food Wars, the local top-notch chefs of both teams, Mark Vanhorn of French Quarter Bistro and Mike Tavenner of LePan Catering, went head-to-head for three rave-worthy rounds, asking the selected judges and the attending public to vote for the most appetizing option of the two.

Laura Taylor and I of Phoenixville Dish were ecstatic to participate in the competition’s judging, alongside The Mercury’s Mike Weekley who details entertainment and more on his blog Weekly with Weekley.

Beginning with the side dish round of the contest, booming with two hearty bean bowls done specifically different, yet equally as impressive. While LePan crafted a meaty concoction of baked white, Northern and kidney beans that identified with the best of comfort food, with a calm taste that continued to sing spoonful- after-spoonful, French Quarter Bistro flooded the bowl with a flavorful, slow-cooked combination of sweet and savory small Boston beans that left a memorable zing to many patrons.

Soon, following round one, we sped into enjoying the battlers options for appetizers, which faced pieces of pulled chicken plopped on a toasted crustini and a memorable drizzle of jalapeno BBQ sauce against a favored menu selection from French Quarter—a smoked duck taco piled with cilantro, cheddar, jalapenos, tomatoes dosed with a heated chipotle BBQ sauce.

And, just when we thought we died and gone to smoked meat heaven (the impressive flavor of the chicken on round two will be forever imprinted in my meat-loving brain), the staff at French Quarter places the final pulled pork course in front of our always-hungry eyes and stomachs.

Already confident that Tavenner and Vanhorn knew their way around a meat smoker, myself and the two other judges adored the gourmet pulled pork sandwiches and believed that such dishes allowed the chefs to conclude the battle with a bang. While Judge Weekley raved over the mango coleslaw that came sided with LePan’s sweet and tangy pork found cozy on a toasted bun aside smoked chipotle, what I was most obsessed with was the 2 way BBQ pork sliders prepared by French Quarter Bistro.

As a platter gorgeous with a poppy seed mini-bun piled with pork that was drizzled with an admirable white BBQ sauce and another garlicky slider with bacon, chili pepper and candied caramelized onions, I admittedly could eat those bad boys until my last dying day.

Overall, we agreed that the Phoenixville area and beyond is lucky to have both competitors’ talents and tastes within our stomping grounds. But, being a battle to crown just one barbecue champ, we combed our notes to honestly announce a winner. But, either way, we’re all certain we can’t wait until we feast on the foods of LePan Catering and French Quarter Bistro again and again.

The results

Judges vote:

Best Side Dish: French Quarter Bistro’s slow-cooked combination of sweet and savory small Boston beans

Best Appetizer: LePan Catering’s pulled chicken plopped on a toasted crustini and a memorable drizzle of jalapeno BBQ sauce

Best Pulled Pork: French Quarter Bistro’s 2 way BBQ pork sliders

Audience Vote:

Best Side Dish: French Quarter Bistro’s slow-cooked combination of sweet and savory small Boston beans

Best Appetizer: French Quarter Bistro’s smoked duck taco

Best Pulled Pork: French Quarter Bistro’s 2 way BBQ pork sliders

For more information on French Quarter Bistro, visit their official website at www.frenchquarterbistro.com. For further information on LePan Catering, visit www.lepancatering.com.

Phoenixville’s Handcrafted Cookie Company was featured in a recent article by Kestrel Growth Brands, the supplier of Handcrafted Cookie’s organic, fair trade+ vanilla.  ”Kestrel Growth Brands, Inc., is a company that finds unique ingredients that are grown by small family farmers around the world and introduces them to chefs, bakers, and home gourmets.”  The article, by By Michelle Judd from Taste As You Go delves into the faces behind the cookies, the inspiration behind the store, some great baking tips and owner Chad Williams’ pick on his favorite cookie flavor.  Check out the great article and interview by clicking HERE.

Photo | Ask Men

Beer drinkers may now rejoice!

AskMen.com recently reported that it is now a proven fact that beer (YES, beer) can provide the same health benefits as wine. As their website revealed, “No matter what type of ale you prefer, studies show that drinking beer in moderation (up to 2 drinks a day for us guys) can and will reduce your chances of strokes, as well as heart and vascular disease.”

Click here to read more about why beer is actually good for you and become educated of the health benefits of what regularly flows into your frosty pints.

Save the Date for Phoenixville Area Time Bank’s Halloween Party and Silent Auction:

“It’s About Time” Halloween Bash & Silent Auction
Saturday, October 30, 2010
7:00–11:00 PM
Franklin Commons, Phoenixville, PA

Tired of the heat and humidity? Think ahead to the cooler days of late October, when ghosts and goblins are afoot, and mark off Saturday evening, October 30 for the coolest Halloween party around!

The Phoenixville Area Time Bank (PATB), a community non-profit, is sponsoring a “Halloween Bash” – a night of music, dancing, food, drink and spooktacular fun, to be held at Franklin Commons, in Phoenixville, PA. This is the 5th annual “It’s About Time” party and fundraiser that PATB has sponsored, and the first to be held at the beautiful and spacious Franklin Commons event venue.

Come join the fun and:
• Dance to local band “National Bird”
• Eat locally grown food and homemade deserts
• Drink soft drinks, cider, beer and wine
• Enter the costume contest (costumes optional)
• Bid at the silent auction and try your luck with raffles. You may go home with great prizes donated by area businesses, attractions, artisans and craftspeople.

Tickets are $25.00 each in advance, $30 at the door. Visit the PATB website at www.pa-timebank.org for information on ticket purchases, or email timedollar@verizon.net for general information.

Purchase Tickets at www.PATB.EventBrite.com
Questions? Call 610-608-9281 or e-mail timedollar@verizon.net

About the Phoenixville Area Time Bank
The Phoenixville Area Time Bank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose members build community by exchanging services on an equal basis. A portion of the profits from this event will be used to support our ‘2010 Project’ which includes outreach to the most vulnerable members of our community – those with disabilities, the elderly, unemployed and convalescents.