Where to Celebrate the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics 

Feature photo: Townsend’s Roasted Duck Breast, by Gab Bonghi 

As the Paris Summer Olympics approach, it’s time to celebrate with a lineup of Olympic-themed specials. To honor the games, starting July 26, here are some Philadelphia-area restaurants with specials inspired by both the United States and France.

Panorama, Philadelphia’s premier wine bar in the Penn’s View Hotel boasting a Guinness World Record custom-built wine keeper offering over 120 wines on tap, is presenting two Olympic-themed wine flights for the ’24 games in Paris, including:
HOST NATION: OLYMPIC FLIGHT TO FRANCE ($38), a tribute to the host nation with a tour of French Sommelier Faves from both classic and intriguing origins and styles:

• Brut “Methode Traditionnelle” Famille Heraud Champerriere Blanc, nv (France)
• Riesling Blend “Cuvée Saison~Biodynamic~Alsace” Robert Olivier ’22 (France) 
• Sauvignon Blanc “Bordeaux” Château Reuilles ’22 (France)
• Tannat/Cab Franc “Irouléguy~Pays Basque” Domaine Brana Ohitza ’20 (France)  
• Merlot “Pomerol” Château Toulifaut ’19 (France) 

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: OLYMPIC MEDAL HOPEFUL ORIGINS ($36), a tribute to the many and varied participating athletes’ nations with a sampling of potentially overlooked Sommelier Faves from origins around the globe:

• Riesling “Kabinett~Mosel” Nik Weis ’22 (Germany)
• Encruzada/Malvasia Fina “Dao~Pica Pica Branco” Quinta de Lemos ’21 (Portugal) 
• Sangiovese/ “Hercules~Stellenbosch” Stellekaya ’21 (S. Africa )
• Cab Sauvignon/Malbec “Amauta/Cafayete” El Porvenir ’21 (Argentina)
• Tempranillo “Rioja Reserva” Izarbe ’14 (Spain)  

Additionally, the acclaimed wine bar is adding two special French Sparkling Wines to its extensive wine list for the entirety of the games so guests can raise a glass to the competitors- Brut Champagne “Grand Cru~Oger~Blanc de Blanc” Klepka Sausse 2012 ($45) and Brut “Methode Traditionnelle” Famille Heraud Champerriere Blanc, NV  ($19).

Patchwork, a lively restaurant and bar focused on New American cuisine nestled on the second floor of the Hyatt Centric, is bringing the American spirit during this year’s Summer Olympics. Available during the games, guests can indulge in a frozen Firecracker Cocktail ($16) composed of vodka, Meyer Lemon, Cherry and Curaçao — paying homage to the nostalgic Firecracker ice pops. Guests also have the option to pair their cocktail with either a Burger or a Philly Roast Pork for $29. 

Townsend, with exceptional and refined French cuisine and cocktails under its belt, Chef Townsend Wentz’s French restaurant and bar on East Passyunk Avenue, is prepped and ready to celebrate the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in proper fashion. From Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 11, Executive Chef Alex Nissley will present a hyper-seasonal and innovative Chef’s Tasting Menu ($95/person) showcasing the epitome of French gastronomy with highlights such as Confit Rabbit Tortellini with sauce lapin, maitake mushrooms, and spinach, Roasted Duck Breast with potato pavé, summer vegetables, and sauce au poivre, and Valrhone Chocolate Soufflé with amaretto crème anglaise. 

In addition to the new multi-course dinner, imbibers looking for a celebratory sipper to toast to the Olympics can enjoy When in Martinique, a rum-based semi-tropical cocktail crafted with Martinique Rhum Agricole, velvet falernum, pear, lemon, and house-made coconut cream.