Recently, my editor invited me to dinner at Alison at Blue Bell. I love Alison’s, but I might have turned down dinner with the boss, if it weren’t for the evening’s special guest: local cookbook author Andrew Schloss.

Alison’s crew prepared a four-course meal of recipes from Schloss’s latest book, Mastering the Grill: The Owner’s Manual for Outdoor Cooking while Schloss gave us hints and stories about each dish we dived into. Things I learned: Coconut milk makes a great marinade (we tried it in a mixed-meat kebob of pork, swordfish and beef); carrots tossed in BBQ sauce and finished on the grill are a super-tasty side; and grilled gingerbread is, well, simply delish.

Local sommelier Brian Freedman was on hand to pair everything with summery beverages, including beers from local breweries like Victory. But what I found most impressive was Schloss’s book: there more than 300 other great recipes and each recipe has cooking instructions for both gas and charcoal grills.

Last Saturday, I headed over to Penn’s Landing for the annual India Festival. This year’s theme was, inexplicably, “A Tryst With Destiny,” and there was all sorts of dancing, tabla playing, and Hindu pamphlet soliciting, but I went for one thing, and one thing only, the food.

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This pot holds the makings of bhel puri, a chaat, or savory snack, typically sold at street carts, containing puffed rice, mint, potatoes, spices and chutney.

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I missed my chance to drop the White Dog Café’s Judy Wicks into a dunk tank at yesterday’s kick-off event, but there’s still plenty to celebrate during Buy Fresh Buy Local week: farm tours, cookbook signings and happy hours (complete with local beers), plus an Iron Chef-style face-off between Philly chefs. (Find all the details here.) The festivities are designed, of course, to convince diners of the importance of eating local. It’s an increasingly political issue — find mayoral shoe-in Michael Nutter at next Sunday’s Headhouse Farmer’s Market — but its hardly a debate this time of year when Pennsylvania and Jersey produce are at their peak. Don’t limit your indulgence to the next few days. All summer long I’ll be reveling in the fruits and veggies at Reading Terminal Market’s Fair Food Farm Stand. This week: ahh, those yellow peaches, red raspberries and, new to me, small, round, heirloom lemon cucumbers.

On the Fourth of July, many would-be restaurant diners were disappointed to find their favorite spots closed. Not so on the 13th and 14th. The city’s French spots embrace Bastille Day. We’ll be celebrating with steak frites, the cancan and re-enactments of the storming of the Bastille. (In Fairmount, Eastern State Penitentiary stands in as the prison; in West Philly, poodles play the role of the prisoners. Really.)

White Dog Café: At this University City spot, an alfresco French buffet fuels a rendition of “La Marseilles,” a rambunctious cancan and the freeing of French poodles.

London Grill: Owner Terry McNally plays the role of Marie Antoinette, crying “Let Them Eat Tastykakes!” from the tower of Fairmount’s Eastern State Penitentiary. At nearby London Grill, it’s let them eat coq au vin.

Brasserie Perrier: Escargot, frisee salad and bouillabaisse are on the menu at this Walnut Street brasserie’s Saturday and Sunday Bastille Day menu — plus discounts on the bar’s signature cocktails.

Patou and Bistro St. Tropez: Chef-owner Patrice Rames serves up a three-course $35 prix fixe menu at his Center City bistro — think steak frites and tarte tartin — and an even more affordable $25 three-course prix fixe — vichyssoise, pan-seared skate — at his Old City spot, Patou.

Spring Mill Café: Michèle Haines’s 28-year-old Coshohocken BYOB celebrates Bastille Day — and a newly renovated kitchen with two days — Saturday and Sunday dinner, and Sunday brunch — of French specialties.