My zombie contingency plan for Philadelphia has me rallying my fellow food lovers and holing up in the city’s most irresistible restaurant, Zahav. Perched on the grounds of St. James Place, overlooking Philadelphia’s Society Hill ‘hood, living out my last leg of my twenty-something life tucked away in this contempo Israeli restaurant would be purely transporting. Of course, I’d hope James Beard award-winning chef Michael Solomonov would be nestled in his celebrated open kitchen, serving up his final, lusty feast.

But honestly, who needs an apocalypse to seek refuge in the home of the city’s most unusual, yet forever-memorable meal? Hell, I don’t — and that’s why I joined more than 100 guests on the eve of the Fourth of July for Chef Michael’s third annual “Down the Shore” themed bash.

Naturally, since we’re in an age studded with end-of-days parables, the acclaimed chef knows best, theming this year’s booze and food-infused soiree as an undead  luau. On this particular July 3rd, where else would you spy a room packed with costumed foodies drenched in copious amounts of blood, guts and grass skirts — all itching to try the next best bites.

Continue reading HERE, on Open Table.