Center City Philadelphia

City Food Tours is sponsoring a 3-hour food excursion inspired by Bella Italia, the 2009 Philadelphia Flower Show. From Monday, March 2 through Saturday, March 7 you can join the walking tour, sampling foods brilliantly fused with floral components.

Excursionists will sample such avant garde delicacies as lavender-dusted goat cheese, orange blossom and rose-filled chocolates and exotic jasmine, violet and chrysanthemum teas. Quality blended Italian coffee will also be offered. Complete the tour with a delightful participatory planting demonstration, where you will learn how to plant and care for your own low-maintenance and edible Italian garden.

The tour departs daily from DiBruno Bros on 1730 Chestnut Street at 10am. Tickets are $39 per adult and $35 for seniors. Please make your reservations in advance.

To book your tickets or obtain more information on City Food Tours, visit www.cityfoodtours.com or call 1 (800) 979-3370.

On Monday, March 9 at 5:30pm, Moore College of Art & Design will host a free lecture, Visionary Voices: Conversations on Art & Culture.

Help Moore welcome The Philadelphia Inquirer’s architecture critic, Inga Saffron, and Philadelphia’s Director of Commerce and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Andrew Altman, as they discuss how urban planning is impacting our community and what it means for The Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Following the discussion will be a reception.

Moore College of Art & Design: Stewart Auditorium, 20th Street and The Parkway, Philadelphia. (215) 965-4000. http://www.moore.edu/

Photo by M. Hampton for GPTMC

McGillin’s Olde Ale House will begin counting down to St. Patrick’s Day! Join them as they host a number of events, scheduled from February 27 to March 17.

• February 27 & 28: St. Patrick’s Daze – Live Irish music by Bostonians Pasty & John; $2 cover.
• Sunday, March 15: During St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Warm up by the fire, and if you’re in the mood to pub crawl, pop into McGillin’s.
• Tuesday, March 17: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! – Spend your St. Patrick’s Day with McGillin’s. Doors open at 10am; $2 cover

Throughout March, McGillins will be serving authentic Irish dishes and drinks. In the mood for Beamish Irish Stout or Seamus Irish Red Ale? How about Chocolate Leprechauns or hearty dishes like Bangers & Mashed, Irish Lamb Stew or Shepherd’s Pie? If so, head over to McGillin’s. McGillin’s, 1310 Drury Street, between Chestnut & Sansom Streets; 13th & Juniper, in Midtown Village. (215) 735-5562. www.mcgillins.com