Food Events @ Penn

Greek Independence Day at Opa
What: The Greek “4th of July” for Greeks around the world marks their liberation from Ottoman Empire in 1821. Help celebrate! On March 18 at 1 pm, check out the Greek Independence Day Parade on the Ben Franklin Parkway, then keep the party going at Opa with great drink specials and their delicious traditional Greek menu. They’ll be playing Greek music and proudly waving Greek flags. Then on March 25 starting at 5 pm, celebrate the official Greek Independence Day with a DJ and live entertainment. Throwing of napkins is encouraged. Opa will feature a special menu including mezedes (small plates) and traditional fare like Bakalao. Learn more here.
Where: Opa, 1311 Sansom Street
When: Sunday, March 18, 4-10 pm; March 25, 5-11 pm
Cost: Pay as you go

Baklava Making Class
What: Sicily has long been renowned for the quality and diversity of its cakes, pastries, and confections. A result of the early Saracen domination of the island and their introduction of refined sugar, Sicily was one of the first places in Europe to develop the art of confectionery. Many of these sweets still survive in the form of cannoli, candied fruits and even vegetables, and sweets based on almonds and pistachios (another Arab introduction). Where Saracen pastry cooks left off, monastic bakeries quickly followed; each had a sweet specialty. During the nineteenth century, Swiss confectioners arrived in Sicily, bringing with them new techniques and chocolate. The pastry shops of contemporary Sicily embrace remnants of all these traditions and still produce an astounding array of sweets unequaled elsewhere. RSVPs (email rbml@pobox.upenn.edu) are appreciated, but not required.
Where: Class of 55 Conference Room, 2nd floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, University of Pennsylvania
When: Tuesday, March 20, 5:30 pm
Cost: Free and open to public!

Square Peg Soft Opening
What: Wednesday, March 21 at 4:30 pm is the projected start of a two-week "preview" for dinner, when a limited amount of reservations will be taken. Executive Chef Matt Levin (ex-Lacroix, Adsum), who started cooking in his new kitchen over the weekend in the space, will offer diner-inspired food along with drinks (domestic micro-distilled spirits, craft beers, cocktails, spiked milkshakes).Sample dinner menu ($5 for sides up to $24 for mains): fish & chips with green curry and malted mayonnaise; cheesesteak pot pie; and meat loaf with "smashed" potatoes, braised cipollini onions and bacon-Heinz 57 marmalade. Sides: collard greens with ham hock and hot sauce; and grilled corn-off-the-cob with lobster butter. Each day will have a signature dinner plate, such as pierogies with fried onions, thyme, bacon and buttermilk; Korean fried chicken with gojujang chili sauce and seasonal pickles; and a meatball sandwich with Italian goat cheese served on onion-parmesan rolls. Sample lunch items ($5 for starters to $17 for mains): Mac & cheese “grilled cheese” with drunken tomato soup; General Tso chicken cobb salad with bacon, eggs, greens, cucumber, tomato and honey black sesame dressing; and "late-night" turkey sliders with candied yams, cranberry relish and sage stuffing on a sweet roll. Call (215) 413-3600 to make reservations. Website can be seen here.
Where: Square Peg, 10th and Walnut
When: March 21-31, dinner service
Cost: Pay as you go

Pig Out
What: For one night only, guests can reserve a seat in Amada’s gorgeous rustic-chic dining room and enjoy a special menu including all-you-can-eat Cochinillo Asado (hand-carved suckling pig). A signature dish since the restaurant opened in late 2005, the cochinillo asado has never been available to groups smaller than four guests, and requires a 72-hour advance order... until now. Reservations are required: please call (215) 625-2450 or visit Amada's website.
Where: Amada (217-219 Chestnut Street)
When: Sunday, March 25 at 4-5:30 pm and 7-8:30 pm (two seatings)
Cost: $55 per person, plus tax and 20% gratuity for food only or $75 per person, plus tax and 20% gratuity for food and bottomless red and white sangria

Chestnut Hill Restaurant Month
What: Restaurants along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill will be offering lunch and dinner specials as part of “Eat Up The Avenue,” Chestnut Hill’s annual Restaurant Month. With 23 restaurants participating, the highest in three years, deals range from a $9.95 lunch deal at Night Kitchen Bakery to a three-course dinner at Mica (of GQ fame) for $29.95. Participating restaurants can be found here.
Where: Restaurants along Germantown Avenue
When: March 1-31, Sunday through Thursday
Cost:$9.95-$29.95