River Twice
DAY 2: 6-Course Modern American Dinner Series
Where does the name of this new East Passyunk eatery come from? Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” Executive Chef/Owner Randy Rucker believes that menus—and chefs—should be constantly evolving. He has cooked in California, then Houston, then his hometown of Tomball, Texas, where he opened Bootsie’s and was nominated for two James Beard awards, then the East Coast, and finally Philadelphia, hometown of his wife Amanda, with whom he opened the rustic-chic River Twice this past October. Here, you will find creative, locally sourced, seasonal fare, with dishes like smoked duck, tartare of venison, and sea scallops with kabocha-brown butter puree and nasturtium salsa verde. No wonder Eater has named River Twice to its list of “The Hottest New Restaurants in Philly, January 2020.” We will be taking over River Twice for this event, and Chef Rucker will be on hand to answer your questions and discuss the joys and the challenges of opening a restaurant of one’s own.
About the Host:
Randy Rucker
Executive Chef & Owner
Raised in Tomball, Texas, Chef Rucker launched his restaurant empire with Houston's celebrated laidback manor, following it up by Bootsie's, a tribute to his mother for which he was named a rising star from Starchefs.com & nominated for two James Beard awards, and Restaurant Bramble. He has also served as Executive Chef of The Rainbow Lodge in Houston. In 2019, he relocated to Philadelphia to open River Twice.
The Lineup
All savory courses will be served family-style. Dessert will be portioned individually. No substitutions or modifications to the menu will be available.
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Caesar-Like Salad
with gem lettuce, cashew furikake, aged sheep’s milk pecorino, and bottarga
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Roasted Beets
with pistachio tapenade, sorrel, buttermilk, and smoked trout roe
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Lightly Torched Tuna
with coffee shoyu, fermented cucumber, frilly mustard, and crab tomalley mayonnaise
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Carolina Gold Rice
with point judith squid and hakurei turnips
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Whole Roasted Poussin
with brassicas hearts glazed in shio koji butter
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Crémeux of Chocolate and Peanut Miso
with milk jam and smoked cashews
River Twice
1601 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Event FAQs
- Do I have to bring printed tickets to the event?
- No tickets are needed.
- What must I bring to the event?
- Please make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID.
- Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
- Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Restaurants purchase the food for our events 14 days before the event date, at which point we are on the hook for the cost of your ticket. As such, we are not able to offer refunds (or credits towards future events) for any cancellation requests submitted within 14 days of the event date. We will, however, issue full refunds for all cancellation requests submitted at least 14 days before the event date. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to support@tastingcollective.com.
- What does the ticket price cover?
- The ticket price covers the full cost of the meal.
- Can I bring guests/non-members to this event?
- Yep! For this event, guest tickets are $75 + tax & tip, and you can bring up to 3 guests. Please note, guests are not allowed to attend unaccompanied by a member.
- Does this restaurant serve alcoholic beverages?
- This restaurant is a BYO establishment, so please feel free to bring your own alcoholic beverages.
- Which dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- The chef will be unable to accommodate attendees with dietary restrictions at this event. No substitutions or modifications to the menu will be available.
