MarketBasket: Savory straw polls

Cast your victual votes before the April 22 Pennsylvania

primary in some tasty food

polls around town.

And expect more to come

as McCain food faves - grilled ribs, pepperoni pizza - and more local creations join the culinary fray for November.

Sandwich surrogates

DiBruno Bros. offers sandwiches that reflect the two Democratic senators and the state each serves: for Hillary Clinton, pastrami and Swiss spiced with olive tapenade, pickled tomatoes, and hot mustard on pumpernickel; for Barack Obama, bratwurst topped with Kobe beef chili and Crowley cheddar on a brioche bun.

Hillary and Barack sandwiches, $8.99 each. At DiBruno Bros. market, 1730 Chestnut St. (215-665-9200).
- Marilynn Marter

Campaign cookies

Amy Beth Edelman at the Night Kitchen Bakery has crafted Clinton and Obama campaign cookies so supporters can eat their way to Election Day. The red, white and blue butter cookies went on sale March 27, and the winner will be announced April 21 - the day before the Pennsylvania primary.

No McCain cookie? There's no contest on that side. And Edelman wasn't sure they'd sell in her neighborhood.

Campaign Cookies, Clinton Red or Obama Blue, $4 per quarter-pound (about $2 each). The Night Kitchen Bakery, 7725 Germantown Ave. (215-248-9235) or 45 East State St., Doylestown (215-348-9775). - Dianna Marder

Candidates' cocktails

Dante & Luigi's co-owner Connie LaRussa created libations representing the two candidates campaigning in Pennsylvania.

For Obama, she pours a "classic drink with a smooth twist," the "Obama New Fashion" - muddled cherries and orange, with cognac, a dash each of dry vermouth and bitters, and a splash of club soda. For Clinton, "very straightforward and strong, yet classy, and a New Yorker," she mixed a special Manhattan - "Hillary's Champagne Manhattan" - Champagne, a dash of dry vermouth and splash of Chambord, topped with strawberries.

Candidates' cocktails, $12 each. At Dante & Luigi's, 762 S. 10th St.

- M.M.