Eats beat

* Rum Bar (2005 Walnut St., 215-751-0404) has big plans for Fat Tuesday next week, with live music from steel drummer Kristin Paradis. For every Cruzan Rum specialty drink served, the restaurant will donate $1 to the St. Bernard Project, which is helping to rebuilt New Orleans' hurricane-damaged 9th Ward.

* Economic stimuli abound at the seven Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurants, which have a new menu. Five times a week, one table will get a "bailout" - their meals will be free. This month and next, there's a two-course salad and steak dinner for $17.95.

* Speaking of steak, Philly's bursting with steakhouses these days, and one of them, Barclay Prime, has been singled out by Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine as one of the 16 best in the country. Topping the list was Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa, Fla.

* The Crown Plaza Main Line on City Avenue has refurbished its restaurant as Avenue Grill, serving breakfast through dinner, along with free Wi-Fi and parking designed to lure the business crowd. Bread and bakery items are from Le Bus.

* Spend a weekend, or at least a morning, in the tropics via Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar Philadelphia (10 S. 2nd St., 215-627-0666) and its Tropical Brunch for $14.95 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Soup, entree and side dish are included. Try the Waffle de Chocolat topped with sun-dried cherries and bananas or a three-egg omelet with crabmeat, shallots, asparagus and manchego cheese.

* Have an urge to splurge? Chef Jose Garces' Tinto (114 S. 20th St., 215-665-9150) will pair wines of Spain's famous Rioja region with authentic Basque tapas - a four-course banquet, including dessert and wine pairings, for $130 a person starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday.