Eats beat

* When you're good at something - really good - why fight it? Rob Wasserman's Rouge on Rittenhouse Square serves a lot of great food, but its burger has achieved cultlike foodie status. So Wasserman's decided to play that strength in a new venue, 500º (1504 Sansom St., 215-568-5000). On the menu? Hamburgers featuring that proprietary meat blend; fries in several flavors; shakes and sodas - and that's it. Opening day is 11 a.m. Tuesday, and the first 100 diners get a free burger. Until 3 p.m., buy one burger and a second diner eats for free. Other specials continue throughout the day.

* Restaurateur Owen Kamihira's Northern Liberties tapas spot Bar Ferdinand (1030 N. 3rd St., 215-923-1313), has Thursday Night Tastings, a revolving, 13-plate feast for $35 a person. Locally sourced ingredients are emphasized. Add $25 to get four wine pairings with each of the four multi-plate courses. Menu items from recent Thursday Tastings have included Sea Urchin Flan baked in an eggshell cup and House-Smoked Trout Sliders with horseradish crème fraîche. Reservations encouraged but not required.

* A sure sign of spring is when brightly colored marshmallow PEEPS fly back onto grocery-store shelves. This year, they're also flocking to Rita's Italian Ice stands, which hold their 18th Annual First Day of Spring Giveaway from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Through April 4, Rita's will have a PEEPS Italian Ice flavor, plus variations on that theme: PEEPS Chocolate Covered Gelati, PEEPS Pie Blendini and PEEPS Chocolate Covered Misto.

* Erin O'Shea, "pit mistress" and executive chef at Percy Street Barbecue (900 South St., 215-625-8510), has introduced the Lockhart, a dinner option for a minimum of four people that gives you a taste of the entire menu for $24 per person. Sample all the meats and sides, plus a choice from the dessert menu.

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ConradL@ phillynews.com.