Summer’s most beloved fruit is getting the fine dining treatment once again. South Philadelphia restaurant River Twice is bringing back its annual Tomato Hullabaloo on Thursday, August 27. Guests are invited to celebrate peak tomato season with a one-night-only seven-course tasting experience dedicated to entirely to tomatoes.
Hosted by owner Amanda Rucker and Chef Randy Rucker, the husband-and-wife team behind the acclaimed East Passyunk restaurant, the fourth annual event begins at 5 p.m. and highlights tomatoes sourced from several local farms alongside a variety of heirloom tomatoes. Throughout the evening, diners will experience the fruit in fresh, preserved, and fermented preparations that showcase just how versatile tomatoes can be.
What’s on the Tomato Hullabaloo menu?
The seven-course menu explores tomatoes in creative ways from start to finish. Guests can expect dishes including:
- š Chilled dashi with tomato and sugar kelp
- š¦Ŗ Razor clams with chewy tomatoes, green coriander, and pico de gallo water
- š Bluefin tuna with gazpacho
- š Tomato bao with sweet and sour eggplant and char siu
- š„Ŗ The Tomato Sandwich featuring heirloom tomato, smoked mayo, gamtea, and golden Ossetra caviar
- š Tortellini “en brodo” with goat’s milk ricotta and tomato ‘nduja
- š Stuffed squid cooked over charcoal with tomato rice and sauce AmĆ©ricaine
- š„« Frozen green tomato with tomato caramel and husk cherries for dessert
“Long live the tomato!”, exclaimed the Ruckers.
How to reserve your seat
Seatings will staggered between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., with reservations priced at $125 per person (available on Resy). Guests can choose between the dining room or chef’s counter, and an optional beverage pairing will also be available.
River Twice cannot accommodate dietary restrictions for this specially curated dinner.
About River Twice
Since opening in October 2019, River Twice has become one of Philadelphia’s most celebrated restaurants, earning accolades from Philadelphia Magazine, recognition from The New York Times’ list of the city’s best restaurants, and multiple James Beard Award semifinalist honors for Chef Randy Rucker.
Known for its constantly evolving, produce-driven menus, the restaurants continues to spotlight the best seasonal ingredients from the region—and this year’s Tomato Hullabaloo promises to be one of the its most anticipated summer dining events.
š 1601 E. Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia
