Eats Beat: Holiday specials

* For the 12 nights leading up to Christmas Eve, Square 1682 (121 S. 17th St., 215-563-5008, square1682.com) is offering 12 special cocktails. $1 from every one sold goes to nonprofit Fresh Artists to help underfunded arts programs in the city. Mixologist Chauncey Scates has come up with some great holiday beverages, including Crumpet The Elf Nog, with Tennessee whiskey, butterscotch liqueur, cream, egg and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Ghost of Christmas Grog mixes spiced rum, house-made spiced syrup, lime and hot water.

* Serious holiday shopping requires serious fuel. Prime Rib (1701 Locust St., 215-772-1701, theprimerib.com) is doing its annual special lunch menu from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, then Monday through Dec. 21. The menu has sandwiches, soups and salads, plus a $26 prime rib platter.

* It's no Stanley Cup, but Montreal-born chef Marco DeCotiis has added Canadian comfort food to his menu at Noir (1909 E. Passyunk Ave., 267-319-1678, noirphiladelphia.com), with the thought that those jonesing for the end of the NHL lockout (it's Day 89) could find solace in food from the country where ice hockey is king. Like we said, it's no Stanley Cup, but a little Quebec Toutier potpie and a black-cherry-infused vodka cocktail might ease the pain.

* Treat yourself during the holiday week between Christmas and New Year's with the Chefs' Dine-Arounds in Cape May, N.J. Starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 26 or 27, participate in a movable feast, with wine pairings, at five Cape eateries. A trolley ferries diners around. $126 per person (includes gratuity); limited to 34 people each night. 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278.

* Slow Food Seminars will hold a "Coffee and After Dinner Spirits/Digestives" discussion and tasting featuring Philly Fair Trade Roasters' Joe Cesa from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, 4100 Walnut St. (entrance on 41st Street, parking at 4207 Walnut) $25 at the door.