Along with elegant dishes from the menus of renowned restaurants like Jean-Georges and Daniel in New York, Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia, and Chef Allen's in North Miami, there are specialties as varied as potato tacos with avocado salsa from Norman's in Coral Gables, Fla.; smoked salmon cheesecake from Roaring Fork in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Vietnamese "shaking beef" (bo luc lac) from the Slanted Door in San Francisco.

The holiday dinner-party menu and recipes that follow came together easily from some of the popular Philadelphia restaurants featured:

Spice-Rubbed Crostini with Warm Boursin Mousse (Dilworthtown Inn)

Crab Seviche (Alma de Cuba)

Wilted Tuscan Salad (Vetri)

Roasted Orange Chicken Breast with Wild Rice Pancakes (Fountain Restaurant, the Four Seasons Hotel)

Book Signing

Hope Fox will be signing her cookbook and talking with fans this week at these area stores:

Today

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beethoven Wraps

126 Lancaster Ave., Wayne

610-995-9550

Tomorrow

Noon to 5 p.m.

Barnes & Noble

200 W. Route 70, Marlton

856-596-7058

Saturday and Sunday