The hot-climate cuisines of Thailand and Vietnam rely on kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, ginger, and sweat-inducing chili paste to chase torpor from the table. The adorable Vientiane Café. a 25-seat BYOB with jadeite-green walls and homey cabbage-rose tablecloths, does it well, and inexpensively: at dinner, entrée specials like spicy duck with pungent Thai basil are a mere $13.95
The Philadelphia Wine Festival is back for its 9th year! This premier tasting event boasts nearly 200 fine wineries from around the world. May 8. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.