MORE:\u00a0Community printmaking shop is raising money for larger space in West Philly<\/a><\/p>\n \n\u201cMy hope when bringing folks together is to create deeper, more authentic conversation,\u201d said Cook, who owns\u00a0Harriett\u2019s Bookshop in Fishtown. \u201cI’m always asking, \u2018How can we further understand one another and ourselves? How can we use these interactions to become better attuned at listening?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n When Wilder opened four years ago,\u00a0co-owner Nicole Barrick knew\u00a0there was an opportunity to transform it into a welcoming creative space. As a visual artist, musician and avid reader, she saw the 24-seat dining room on its third floor as the perfect place to bring people together who share those passions.<\/p>\n \n\u201cSupporting the arts is something that we always want to do and think is important, so we were always brainstorming creative ways we could do that,\u201d Barrick said. \u201cOver time, we formulated this idea that really works well in the space.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nPrevious local authors honored at the events have included\u00a0Jo Piazza<\/a>, Liz Moore<\/a> and Emma Copley Eisenberg<\/a>, who have taken their seats at the head of the table to lead discussions about their work and creative processes with attendees. Writers have often come equipped with a discussion starter or moderator, but Barrick said that conversations at the table tend to take on a life of their own.\n<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of times people who come there also write, so we\u2019ll talk about processes and people ask a lot of questions,\u201d Barrick said.\u00a0“It\u2019s really like a back and forth.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Wilder General Manager Liz Kleppinger described the weeks and months leading up to the book dinners as an all-hands-on-deck effort, where management and kitchen staff come together to plan a menu that abides by the themes, characters and plot points in the books.\n<\/p>\n \nWhile reading \u201cIt\u2019s Me They Follow,\u201d Kleppinger noticed it often alluded to sweetness, honey and fragrant aromas, which she and executive chef Ryan LaFrance used to plan a truffled mac and cheese for its second course and a caramelized honey pie for dessert. A character in the book, after being called to embark on a spiritual journey to become a monk, is offered an apple during one scene, which LaFrance used as inspiration for the meal\u2019s third course: fried monkfish with apple chutney. The restaurant’s beverage manager, Tom Brander, also crafts specialty cocktails based on the book that are available a la carte.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cThis book has so much food and herbs and music, and I can\u2019t wait to see how that translates,\u201d Cook said.\n<\/p>\n Guests at Rittenhouse’s Wilder discussed Emma Copley Eisenberg’s ‘Housemates’ during a book dinner on July 8, 2025.<\/p>\n \nTicket prices are usually around $125 and include a copy of the book, a five-course meal and tax and gratuity for the staff. Additional proceeds are donated to a local charity of the author’s choosing \u2014 which have included the William Way LGBT Community Center, Savage Sisters Recovery and Mighty Writers.\n<\/p>\n \nFor the first time, February\u2019s book dinner will be broadcasted by WURD Radio\u2019s Sara Lomax-Reese, who will be moderating the event. Cook hopes this will give more people the opportunity to be a part of the discussion.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing [the discussion] move beyond the four walls and further into the community,\u201d Cook said. \u201c[Reese] is a profound Philly icon and such a powerful human to be in conversation with, especially during this season.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nProceeds will go toward Cook’s nonprofit organization, Harriet\u2019s BookClub, which funds programs that send local students on educational field trips to Paris.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cWith Jeannine, we\u2019re really excited that she\u2019s not only an author but also owns a bookstore in Philly,\u201d Kleppinger said. \u201cWith Wilder being an independent restaurant itself, Jeannine was a great collaborator for us and aligned with the values that we also have as a business.\u201d\n<\/p>\n![\"Wilder](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot_2026-01-26_at_2.21.59PM.width-704.png\")
Provided Image\/Wilder<\/p>\n