Jose Garces has shown up in this blog twenty times in the past year and a half. He's been nominated for James Beard Foundation Awawrds and been feted by, among others, the New York Times and Food & Wine. In other words, he's one third of the Philly celebrity chef trinity alongside fellow partners in crime Marc Vetri and Michael Solomonov.

Garces new restaurant, Distrito, is opening on Monday in University City. The Clog has plenty of details for all you hungry folks, as does Phoodie. Here's The Clog:

"The staircase to the second floor is where designer Jun Aizaki (Amada, Tinto, Alma de Cuba, Pod) really starts killing it. On the left as you ascend — a wall featuring hundreds of insanely detailed Mexican luchador wrestling masks. On the right — lit-up effervescent movie posters. The pink square surrounded by lights? That's going to house a gigantic screen that'll play loops of luchador wrestling clips."

So in other words, you got Garces riffing on Mexican food accompanied by plenty of campy Mexican pro-wrestling stuff. Yeah, we're good on this.

Inside Distrito [The Clog/CityPaper]
Jose Garces Reveals Details for West Philly's Distrito [Phoodie.info]

MenuPages just got its hand on the list of Starbucks locations to be closed in July. The 50 restaurants listed are the first of 600 branches that will shut down.

Here in the Delaware Valley, the Cherry Hill Mall Starbucks kiosk is getting the axe. However, most of the locations Starbucks shut down this month are in the Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Birmingham metro areas.

We're spared the axe for one more month... except for, y'know, Cherry Hill. Sorry about that.

July 2008 US Store Closure List [Starbucks]

Alright, people. We've got lots of details on the upcoming Pub & Kitchen, located at 20th & Lombard in the former Chaucer's Tabard Inn space, courtesy of The Clog.

Jonathan McDonald, formerly of Snackbar, will be at the helm and food will be available from 4pm until 1pm nightly. From the Clog:

Some sneak peeks:

Oysters on the half shell from both coasts, which will change daily
Fish and chips, featuring beer-battered hake with housemade fries and lemon aioli
Roasted striped bass with apple potato cakes and cider broth
Bangers and mash with mustard green beans
Lobster BLT
A domestic cheese plate with accompaniments like Guinness caramel

P&K's wine list will feature bottles under $50 and glasses under $10. They'll also be mixing traditional cocktails using house-infused liquors — think vanilla bourbon and blueberry vodka. Twelve beers on tap — crafties like Breckenridge and Sly Fox will be among the opening choices — all for $3-$5.

Expect a September debut.

Pub & Kitchen coming to 20th & Lombard [The Clog]

Back in March of this year, we noted that NoLibs Indian Tiffin Store was looking for a location in Northwest Philly.

Now it's official. The Clog reports that a new Tiffin Store will open in the old Hamlet Bistro space in Mount Airy:

Munish Narula, founder of Girard Avenue's Tiffin/Tiffin Store, announced plans for his second location in a July 6 e-mail blast. The new branch of the infinitely popular Indian takeout/delivery/sitdown will be 7105 Emlen St. in Mt. Airy, a space that housed Hamlet Bistro until this past April. Lunch/dinner delivery and online ordering options will open up to the Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill neighborhoods; there will also be a 28-seat dining room.

Here comes Tiffin 2 [The Clog]

Celeb restaurateur around town Jose Garces is opening a gourmet Peruvian restaurant in the old 707 space. Over at The Clog, A.D. Amorosi reports:

It's gonna feature a ceviche bar with displays. "I plan to spend a good amount of time at the ceviche bar, creating unusual and fresh combinations with ingredients from China and South America," says the chef/restaurateur. The spot will open in 2009.

As for the name, chifas are what Peru's Chinese restaurants are called. They're the places that offer lomo saltado, arroz chaufa and all those good dishes.

Jose Garces to open Chifa at 707 Chestnut [The Clog]

Something old, something new: Recently closed NoLibs resto Azure will be reopening as a brand-spankin'new Mexican restaurant called Cantina Dos Segundos in July. The team behind the restaurant, Dave Frank and Stephen Simons, are also the owners of the Royal Tavern and Cantina Los Caballitos in South Philly. Sweet!

Frank and Simons are promising that they will offer Philadelphia's largest selection of premium and super-premium tequilas. But what about the food, you may ask? Mark McKinney (formerly of Pasion) is serving as chef:

"Cantina Dos Segundos' opening menu includes Robalo a la Plancha - grilled bass fillet with Seville orange juice-serrano chile salsa, amaranth grains salad, and wild Mexican greens (quelite, huauzontle, amaranth) and Mole Amarillo con Pavo y Verduras - Oaxacan yellow mole with Eberly organic free range turkey, green beans, chayote, green and yellow squash, white rice and grilled jalapenos."

In other words, this stuff is genius.

Cantina Dos Segundos [Official Site]

Here's something of interest from the Atlantic City files. Capitalizing on AC's newfound penchant for all things Asian, a new "Modern Japanese pub" just opened over at the Borgata.

Called Izakaya, the resto has hired exec chef Michael Schulson (of Pantry Raid on the Style Network) for their start. From the press release:

"With a menu that will highlight Japan’s rich culinary heritage but also integrate more modern elements of that culture’s pub cuisine, Izakaya will offer a voluminous selection of hot and cold appetizers, a la carte grilled meats and fishes, a sushi bar, tempura selections and heartier entrees. Signature dishes will include: Octopus Salad with jalapeno, cilantro, olives and tomatoes; Red Miso Glazed Eggplant with crispy tofu and Thai basil; Kinki Chicken Wings with pickled cucumbers, chili and ginger; and Shiso Lamb Loin with braised daikon and soy-sake reduction.

There will also be assorted tempuras of everything from maitake mushrooms to soft shell crab to buffalo mozzarella; a traditional Japanese Robatiyaki grill with more than a dozen fresh options; and a sushi menu, including signature rolls such as Baked Rock Shrimp with spicy aioli and soy bean paper alongside more traditional sushi and sashimi choices."

And since it's Friday, here's a freebie: Schulson's recipe for tuna tartare.

Izakaya [Official Site]

It's official. Continuing our summer of restaurant closings (Azure/Sansom Street Oyster House/etc.), grand dame 215 icon Striped Bass is closing its doors this fall.

The 14-year-old restaurant, which survived Neil Stein's downfall and became Stephen Starr's anchor resto in the pre-Buddakan days, will be retooled into a 1940s supper club-styled steakhouse called "Butcher & Singer Steak & Seafood."

Once opened, it will join Barclay Prime as Starr's second Philadelphia steakhouse.

According to Michael Klein over at Food & Drinq, staffers will be shifted over to other Starr restaurants.

Barclay Prime [MenuPages]
Barclay Prime [Official Site]

Big news about a certain Center City institution. The Sansom Street Oyster House has closed. Michael Klein has the scoop:

Sansom Street Oyster House is closed, and owner Cary Neff is not talking about it. He filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 last month, and the next move will belong to David Mink, who still owns the building at 1516 Sansom St. Mink is expected to reopen SSOH soon, with his son in charge.

Sansom Street Oyster House [MenuPages]

The Locust Street branch of West Philly coffee shop mini-chain Green Line Cafe has moved a block west to 4426 Locust Street. Says the City Paper:

The new space is twice as big (plenty of sidewalk seating, too) and will soon serve as the primary performance venue for the West Philly baby chain, taking over for the original Green Line location at 43rd and Baltimore. When musicians aren’t gigging, Witmer says GLoL’s carpeted "stage" will double as a kids’ play area. Other big developments are in the works, as well: All three Green Line cafes will soon roll out a fresh-made salad and sandwich menu.

The Other Green Line [MenuPages]
The Other Green Line [Official Site]

Over at Food & Drinq, Michael Klein just let us know that longstanding Northern Liberties restaurant Azure closed on Monday night. Here's what the good man had to say:

"Talk on the street is that owner Bob Bitros has retired and will lease out the room to a royally well-known pub team. I'm also hearing whispers of a Mexican theme, which should be interesting given Owen Kamihira's plan to revive Deuce up the street as a Tex-Mex called El Camino Real."

And by "royally," did he mean these guys? Could well be.

Azure [MenuPages]
Azure [Official Site]

Opening day for Eric Ripert's new 10 Arts is tomorrow morning.

Because we love you, here's the press release:

10 Arts, the new Eric Ripert restaurant (helmed by a lady chef!) in the Ritz-Carlton is opening tomorrow (Tuesday 5/20). Prepare yourself with the full press release madness after the jump…

This spring, Michelin-rated chef Eric Ripert makes his Philadelphia debut with the opening of 10 Arts by Eric Ripert in the city’s historic Ritz-Carlton hotel. 10 Arts brings a casual menu by acclaimed three-star Michelin rated Chef Eric Ripert to a city which boasts its share of great dining establishments.

The project entailed a multi-million dollar renovation of the hotel’s majestic, historic Rotunda and the adjoining Pantheon area, which was kept under wraps until the project’s completion, and includes a new bar, lounge and restaurant.

10 Arts’ concept will be American cuisine with an emphasis on the organic and products p from the vast array of local farmers. The restaurant will have a sophisticated yet casual ambiance and an approachable price point. Chef Ripert selected Jennifer Carroll, a native of Northeast Philadelphia, as his chef de cuisine for 10 Arts. Chef Carroll’s most recent position was as sous chef at Ripert’s prestigious Le Bernardin in New York City.

10 Arts’ menu pays homage to the area’s indigenous products, simply prepared so that the natural flavors shine through. In the lounge, a variety of light items and snacks including warm homemade pretzels with creamy cheese sauce and Dijon mustard, mini fish burgers with saffron aioli, prosciutto with grilled sourdough and truffled popcorn. Prices range from $7 to $18. A signature list of Perfect 10 cocktails, each paying tribute to an artist with Philadelphia roots, will also be available along with a vast number of specially selected red and white wines and classic libations.

For dinner, selections include the best of earth and sea from the light bite to the full feast. Appetizers include Wellfleet clams and a variety of oysters, locally made wild boar prosciutto and ‘pork and beans’ –braised pork belly, wax beans, broad beans and haricot vert. Soups and salads feature everything from a seasonal market salad to heirloom corn chowder. Entrees highlights are brook trout with baby bok choy and Hazelnut brown butter sauce, roasted chicken for two with country cornbread stuffing and natural jus and pan seared filet mignon with green peppercorn sauce. A variety of side dishes are available to complement any dish. Breakfast and Lunch service will begin June 9th with a midday menu that features several entrees including Tagliatelle with tomato, basil and meat sauce and roasted chicken Cobb salad with avocado, bacon, egg and chick peas as well as sandwiches such as a fish burger with fennel, oven roasted tomato and saffron aioli, classic sirloin burger with all the trimmings, 10 Arts BLT made with crisp and braised pork belly, lettuce, tomato and spicy mustard and a grilled vegetable panini with fresh mozzarella. Lunch and dinner prices range from $18-$34.

Designed by the acclaimed design firm EDG of San Rafael, California, 10 Arts showcases Chef Eric Ripert’s artistry while creating a lively social space. 10 Arts’ spectacular rotunda is infused with energy and vitality. Intensely colored, contemporary features, set against the backdrop of white-marble architecture, highlight a sense of celebration while sculptural, freestanding design elements render the grand space intimate.

A major wine display stands at the center of the 140-foot, domed rotunda. Tall ebony cases linked with cascading crystal screens house the restaurant’s extensive wine collection while anchoring the soaring room. Contemporary lounge furnishings are set within the field of a dazzling, jewel-toned wool rug, highlighting a varied social space at the center of the lobby. In the dining area, tall windows are treated with magenta film to create a subtle beacon in the busy, urban neighborhood. Within the restaurant these prominent windows are accented with rich, mink-like draperies and contemporary glass bead chandeliers. Freestanding settees combine with warm-toned upholstered chairs and ebony tables.

The private dining room is a cornerstone of the restaurant, entered through magenta-tinted, modern glass doors. Delicate, hand-blown chandeliers and glass-beaded wall coverings are set against the historic white woodwork and period fireplace to create a sensational venue for private parties and events.

“10 Arts will be sexy, modern, sophisticated and casually elegant - keeping the grandeur of the dome but at the same time creating an intimate space,” Chef Ripert says. “We are pleased and excited to be Chef Ripert’s ‘home’ in Philadelphia,” Elizabeth Mullins says. We look forward to continuing to offer our guests a wonderful place to dine, meet and to enjoy a taste of the city’s grand architecture and history. The combination of Chef Eric Ripert’s 10 Arts and The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia ushers in a new and unique venue in the city’s restaurant repertoire.”

10 Arts is located at Ten Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia. Beginning May 20, the restaurant will be open for dinner Sun –Thurs. 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-11 p.m. Beginning June 9th, the restaurant will also be open for breakfast daily from 6:30 -11 a.m. with brunch on Saturday and Sunday; and lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lounge hours are Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations and further information, call 215-523-8273.

10 Arts [MenuPages]
10 Arts [Official Site]

Barely a week ago, we ran a post that alluded to the curse of 1420 Locust Street. The space formerly held barbecue restaurant The Smoked Joint and Toni's Bistro... and was well-known for restaurants opening and closing within a year.

Well, the newest restaurant that opened in the space — Kaizan — just announced that they will be closing indefinitely. They were open for less than a year.

And so it goes...

Kaizan [MenuPages]
Kaizan [Official Site]

New Center City gourmet market/takeaway jawn Union Cafe & Market is officially open — and we'll have the menu soon. The picture above was snapped by the good folks at the City Paper this past March; since then, work was completed on the space — which will also include a sitdown brunch on weekends. Obviously, the store is fully stocked with food now.

Menu highlights include a smoked salmon pizza, a steak and blue cheese salad, a crab/artichoke eggs benedict and french toast with lingonberry jam.

Union Gourmet Market & Cafe [Official Site]

Good news for Northeast Philadelphia fans of Shank and Evelyn's sausage and chicken-and-broccoli rabe sandwiches: A branch of the restaurant is opening inside Cappy's — a popular neighborhood bar over in Tacony.

Michael Klein broke the news at Food & Drinq:

"Jerry Volpe, who's a partner, says he'll do the same sandwich menu: cheesesteaks, roast beef, roast pork, sausage and peppers, hoagies, fried eggplant and chicken cutlet , plus sides. None of the breakfast items, because he'll serve from noon to 10 p.m. daily."

Cappy's is located at 6901 Frankford Ave. (Longshore Avenue).

Shank's in the Northeast [Food & Drinq]
Shank and Evelyn's [MenuPages]

[Image via Holly Eats]

Sad news to report about a three-year-old Northwest Philly standby. Mount Airy's Hamlet Bistro is closing on April 23. According to owners Janis Weiner and Jonathan Schmalzbach:

"Hamlet Bistro will be serving its last meal in Mt. Airy on April 23. It has been an honor to be a part of Hamlet and to watch our extraordinary chefs, Raul and Jennifer, create this intimate world of food and warmth. Now they are embarking on a new life in another state, so please come and wish them well on their impending nuptials, uncork a final bottle of wine with one of your favorite meals, and say farewell to Celeste and Lynn, outstanding servers and orchestrators. Our warm thanks to this great community that embraced us and made this last three years so memorable."

Back in 2007, we wrote about Schmalzbach's side job as a crossword puzzle writer for the New York Times. We'll miss 'em.

Hamlet Bistro [MenuPages]
Hamlet Bistro [Official Site]

We're going to commit a heresy here, but Philadelphia is every bit as much a hamburger town as New York. We'd rank the hamburger at the Standard Tap against the legendary Corner Bistro burger any day. Hell, the burger at Good Dog (stuffed with roquefort and topped with onions) even tops the BLT Burger.

But, as we mentioned previously, NYC chain Goodburger is opening in Philly, courtesy of a partnership between Goodburger and Pete Pashalis (Pietro's Pizza). Here's the word straight from founder Nick Tsoulos:

“With goodburger’s success in New York, we felt sure that it was a concept whose time had come,” he says. “Because of my work with Pietro’s, I’m familiar with the Philadelphia market, and I know that people here are ready and waiting for a truly great burger.”

The “not so” secret to goodburger’s success lies in the hands of their well-trained “burger chefs,” who cut, grind and form each goodburger by hand in their own facility, maintaining total control and quality of each and every burger. Everything at goodburger is cooked to order, and unlike many fast-food concepts, goodburger uses only china plates and silverware for in-house dining and environmentally-friendly biodegradable packaging for take-out. Also working to set them apart from the crowd is their list of wine and beer, served on-site.

In addition to single and double goodburgers, the menu offers a selection of other sandwiches, including house-made, all-natural turkey burgers and chicken sandwiches featuring Bell and Evans chicken, veggie burgers, French fries served plain or with their signature cheddar cheese blend, Texas steak chili and milkshakes made from Ben & Jerry’s premium ice cream.

“We think of the goodburger as a fresher, more flavorful burger than any other one out there,” says Tsoulos. “We’re proud and excited to bring our burgers to a great food town like Philadelphia.”

Opening day at 1725 Chestnut Street is April 26 May 3. We'll have the menu up the minute they open.

goodburger [MenuPages]
goodburger [Official Site]

[Image via Gothamist]

More info on the soon to open Memphis Taproom.

Our man Joe Sixpack stopped by Memphis the other day and got a sneak peak at the menu:

"Chef Jesse Kimball (right), formerly of Matyson and Lacroix, gave me a peek at the planned menu - it’s much more extensive than you’d expect from a neighborhood tavern. Look for artichokes marinated in IPA, tempura butternut squash, leek fondue, a ploughman’s lunch and lots of vegan dishes. And, in a nod to the neighborhood’s ethnic roots, the Port Richmond Platter features pierogies, potato pancakes and kielbasa from Czerw’s."

Opening day is skedded for late April. We'll have the official menu the day they open — and we can't wait. Weird almost-in-Kensington location aside, this place looks amazing.

Memphis Taproom [Official Site]
Memphis On Tap [Joe Sixpack]

Back on Monday, we reported that Deuce was closing. On extremely short notice, no less.

Now, the mighty Michael Klein reports that there is hope for (the Rachael Ray-featured) Deuce:

"Indications are strong that Deuce, the Northern Liberties pub that closed Sunday, will reopen in mere weeks. This would cheer up Rachael Ray's producers, who were all over the joint 48 hours before, shooting the Food Network show Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels. Supervising producer Wade Sheeler yesterday said he was "shocked" at hearing of the shutdown. Former owner Laura Vernola said she knew of the closing, but had been confident that the restaurant would reopen under new management before the show's scheduled premiere in early summer."

We'll keep you posted of the reopening as it happens.

Inqlings: A Ray of hope for Deuce? [Inky]
Deuce [MenuPages]
Deuce [Official Site]

1. Northern Liberties' Deuce, the first opening in Bart Blatstein's Liberties Walk, is closing tonight. CityPaper has some more info and, according to owner Laura Vernola, "it just didn't work out."

2. Gourmet hot dog/comfort food spot 707 will be shutting their doors on April 30, with the owner alluding to Food & Drinq about "concept debacles."

Deuce's Last Night is Tonight [Deuce/CityPaper]
707 to Close [Food & Drinq/Inquirer]

Word on the street is that a new branch of burger chain Five Guys will be opening in King of Prussia within the next 120 days. We've written about the glories of Five Guys before and, well, KoP shoppers are damn lucky for this.

Currently, the chain's nearest outlet is located in Springfield. There is a Center City location as well.

Five Guys [MenuPages]
Five Guys [Official Site]

[Image via Serious Eats]

We just got the beer list for newly opened South Philly restaurant Devil's Den courtesy of newspaper columnist Joe Sixpack. Although the restaurant name might be all-American, the 16 draft beers are heavily Teutonic. Here's the debut list:

Dogfish Head Red & White
Schneider Aventinus
Spaten Lager
Ommegang Rare Vos
Founders Devil Dancer
Lucifer
Ayinger Celebrator
Blanche de Bruxelles
Yards Philly Pale Ale
Philly Rowhouse Red
Victory HopDevil
St. Druon French Abbey
Gaffel Kolsch
Franziskaner Hefeweisse

New taps [Joe Sixpack]

We recently heard about new NoLibs BYOB Swallow. We're going to add their menu shortly, but in the meantime we just needed to add this sneak peak from Foodaphilia, who took some amazing pictures of the cheese plate, flank steak, quiche, tuna, apricot tart and profiteroles. Needless to say, this stuff is sheer brilliance:

It wasn't hard to figure out what Liz was going to order, she loves flank steak and since it was accompanied by rice, I knew right away she was going to love it. We agreed that the marinade was very delicious, slightly sweet and salty, likely from the additions of sugar and soy, the steak was tender and cooked well. It was served with sticky rice and seasoned swiss chard.

And thus, the Northern Liberties restaurant renaissance continued step-by-step.

Swallow [Foodaphilia]

Foobooz has plenty of info on the much-awaited reopening of Minar Palace. Check it out.

Minar Palace Mini Update [Foobooz]

NoLibs Indian restaurant and delivery service Tiffin Store is embarking on some massive expansion plans if Food & Drinq are to be believed:

Owner Munish Narula confirms that he's looking in earnest for a spot in Mount Airy to satisfy the Northwesterners.

More immediately, though, Narula also says he and his partners are close to signing two deals, about a block apart, in Center City. One would focus on South Indian and Indochinese cuisine and would be reasonably priced, as is Tiffin. The second Center City restaurant would be an upscale lounge with East Asian cuisine.

Tiffin on the rise [Food & Drinq]
Tiffin Store [MenuPages]
Tiffin Store [Official Site]

It's official: Old City's Mad River is opening a spin-off restaurant on Sansom Street — not too far away from Roy's and Nodding Head. The to-be-named restaurant will occupy the old firehouse on Sansom, with more than 5,000 feet of space.

Now here's what we didn't know: Mad River is a chain. The bar also has locations in New York, Albany, Baltimore and Charleston, SC.

Press release after the jump, courtesy of the Michael Salove Company.

Mad River [MenuPages]
Mad River [Official Site]

Continue reading "Mad River = Mad For Rittenhouse Square" »

The last time we wrote about Union Cafe & Market, it was freezing outside. Now the weather is as warm as Philadelphia gets during March. Funny how that works, eh? Now, we woke up to find that new pictures of the aspiring DiBruno Brothers'/Grocery competitor & gourmet foods mecca have been posted to the City Paper's Clog blog. Needless to say, the place looks awesome. This picture depicts the upcoming prepared foods case and antipasti bar.

Inside Union Gourmet Market & Cafe [The Clog]

[Image via Drew Lazor/City Paper]

(Click to play)

Fans of the Rittenhouse Square Wawa held a midnight vigil to mourn the loss of their favorite lemonade iced tea source on Thursday night... and, of course, the Philadelphia Weekly was there with a video camera.

Wawa Vigil [PW]

We just added a number of new menus to MenuPages Philadelphia. Highlights:

• The newly resurrected Astral Plane Millenium

• Northeast Philly's nuevo Thai BYOB Kao Tip

• The PETA-friendly lunch truck cuisine of Viva Las Vegans

• Philadelphia's first Uzbek-Russian restaurant, Stolovaya

The venerable Wawa at South 20th & Locust Street is closing on Friday. Blog The Illadelph photographed the note on the door at Wawa (above). There's a lot of rumors going around regarding the closing, which we won't get into... Suffice to say — they're gone for good.

But all is not lost. For quick Rittenhouse Square-area breakfasts, we've learned from Food & Drinq that Snackbar is entering the fray. The high-falutin' restaurant is going to start selling coffee, doughnuts, bagels, fruit, juices and newspapers to-go starting on Friday.

Rittenhouse Wawa Effs Loyal Customers [The Illadelph]
Snackbar Adds Mornings [Food & Drinq]

More good news from the soon-to-open Memphis Taproom — aka the coolest restaurant we've heard of in a while.

They've hired a new chef, Jesse Kimball, formerly of Lacroix:

Prior to LaCroix, Jesse spent two years mastering New American cuisine at Matyson, the popular 19th Street BYOB. Jesse got his Philadelphia start as an apprentice to Food and Wine’s Best New Chef 2004, Dominic Filoni at Bianca, in Bryn Mawr. He received a culinary degree and the Best Young Culinary award from the Art Institute in Philadelphia.

Memphis Taproom [Official Site]
Memphis Taproom Hires Chef, Acquires Full Time Spanky [Foobooz]

Blogalicious has some info on the new restaurant at the Borgata, which is aiming for a second quarter opening.

Here's the deal:

It's named Izakaya. In Japanese, "izakaya" means "pub." More specifically, it's a compound word made out of "i" (to remain) and "sakaya" (sake shop). You know, a sake shop you can drink in.

Obviously, Izakaya is going to take inspiration from them. Chef Michael Schulson, who cooked at Pod before moving on to the Style Network, will be running the kitchen.

But unlike those Japanese pubs, Izakaya is going to be a bit more swanky. The combination restaurant/club will feature a sushi bar, a yakitori bar and is hiring (natch) a sake sommellier. Izakaya is going to replace the old Suilan restaurant.

And the Name of Borgata's New Restaurant Is... [Blogalicious]

Upscale sushi is coming to South Philadelphia. Taste Daily is reporting that Paradiso owner Lynn Rinaldi is opening a BYOB Japanese at Passyunk and Tasker.

The menu will lean towards sushi and tempura. Executive chef Corey Baver (also of Paradiso) is also going to have complimentary beer at the BYOB courtesy of brother Scott Baver - brew master for Reading's Legacy Brew Master. All patrons will be treated to a free glass of Baver's ginger-laced beer.

Sushi heads South [Taste Daily]

Now that Pearl is in soft open mode in the old Little Pete's at Chestnut and 19th, all the Philly foodies are happy. The food's pan-Asian, per 2008's obligatory hipness factor and chef Ari Weiswasser is an alum of the Striped Bass. But the menu... What about it? Oh yeah, Food & Drinq is offering a sneak preview — we'll have the official menu shortly.

Highlights include pho-braised short ribs ($26), a raw bar, braised king shrimp with bouillabaisse ($28) and cashew wok chicken ($18).

Sneak peak at Pearl [Food & Drinq]

[Image via Food & Drinq]

It's Friday, the weather sucks and it's time for restaurant voyeurism. Over at Blogalicious, they've got some sneak peek pictures of the much-awaited Union Cafe & Market.

But, yeah. It's snowing out and we're going to go back to staring out the window and dreaming of french onion soup.

Delayed Restaurant Paparazzi [Blogalicious]

The Lone Star Steakhouse chain is in a bit of trouble. Lone Star, which has Philly-area locations in King of Prussia and Langhorne, announced today that they are closing 27 restaurants and laying off 1500 employees.

The Langhorne branch, we hear, is among the casualties.

Your pink slip is showing [The Scoop]

Is it true that a beer garden is opening in Philadelphia? Over at The Illadelph, they're reporting that investors are considering opening a beer garden. There's speculation over at Foobooz and Food & Drinq too.

Could an actual beer garden be coming to Philadelphia?? [The Illadelph]

A former exec chef at Morimoto has opened a new restaurant in Media, Azie.

The resto's owned by Win and Sutida Somboonsong, who also own Teikoku, Mikado, Thai Pepper and Flavor By Thai Pepper. Here's the good word:

“My vision for Azie is to create the future of Japanese cuisine. I want to show people it’s so much more than sushi, sashimi and tempura,” says Chef Iinuma, whose rigorous French culinary training mingles with his Japanese heritage to create a unique culinary experience for guests. One of his trademark dishes is his Black Angus Rib Eye, which is grilled in a classic American style and served with honey-butter sauced sweet potato fries, a favorite snack from Chef Iinuma’s childhood in Japan.

Other menu highlights include Salmon and Yellow Tail Ceviche with hot yellow pepper and fresh orange; Kobe Beef Carpaccio with garlic and mitsuba; Avocado Sashimi with giner and sesame; Honey Mustard Miso Black Cod with exotic mushrooms; White Marble Pork Chop with chunky mozzarella and tomato and mashed potatoes; and Tempura Fondue. Chef Iinuma has even created a whimsical tribute to the region with his New Philly Sushi Roll, a Kobe-draped shrimp tempura roll severed with a French-style cheese sauce.

Any lingering fears you might have about South Philadelphia's inevitable gentrification can be put aside for the moment. Over at the Daily News, Dan Gross brings us word that Northeast Philly's most politically incorrect restaurant, Chink's Steaks, is expanding to South Philly:

Chink's Steaks (6030 Torresdale) is taking over Tugboat Annie's (901 S. Columbus) and opening a smaller take-out-only Chink's Steaks there in late March, says Chink's owner Joseph Groh. He takes over the property March 1 and says he will be up and running by the beginning of Phillies season. He may put in some outside tables. Groh says he's not too worried about any backlash about the shop's name, which had drawn ire from Asian-Americans several years back.

Chink's was the childhood nickname given to the restaurant's late former owner Samuel Sherman.

Score another one for Philly race relations.

Restaurant report [Dan Gross/DN]

[Image via HollyEats]

We've found out more about the successor restaurant to Ludwig's Garten. Jason Evenchik, owner of nearby Vintage, is turning the space into a new bar/restaurant (emphasis on the "bar" part) called Time. 20 beers will be on tap and the behind-the-bar bottle offerings will include an extensive selection of single malts, ryes, whiskeys and bourbons — something Philly kind of sort of lacks. We're stoked actually... Philadelphia needs a place whose artisan whiskey/bourbon collection can match a bar like Brooklyn's Fette Sau or Manhattan's DBA. More info is available over at Foobooz and The Clog.

Ludwig's Garten to become Time [The Clog]
Time To Say Ta To Ludwig's [Foobooz]

Continue reading "Meet Ludwig's Successor" »

South Philly topless bar Crazy Horse Too (pictured) has just been sold to New York "upscale gentmen's club" chain Rick's Cabaret, who plan to turn it into a combination steakhouse/upscale strip club. The New York Post's Page Six reports that owner Vince Piazza (father of baseball player Mike Piazza) is selling Crazy Horse to Rick's for $7.9 million. That's a lot of money, kids.

Topless Riches [NY Post]

We just found out about a great Russian restaurant in far Northeastern Philly. Stolovaya, located on Bustleton Avenue near the Bucks County border, is a low-key cafe serving homey Russian dishes. There aren't any crazy dinner shows with Broadway dancers and frozen bottles of vodka here... Rather, regular, Brighton-Beach style Russian and Caucasian dishes win the day. Pierogies? Manti (lamb dumplings)? Meat-stuffed crepes? Borscht? Georgian-style roast pork? Hells yes. Recommended.

Stolovaya [Philadining]

[Image via Philadining]

It's time for a return to the Neil Stein-returning-to-the-restaurant-biz story we first covered back in November.

For our friends who moved to Philadelphia after 2003 or so, Neil Stein is a legendary Philadelphia restaurateur (Striped Bass, Avenue B, Rogue) whose empire went down in flames amidst some particularly sordid circumstances. After serving his jail time and some subsequent toying with the idea of opening a boutique hotel, Stein has decided to reenter the restaurant biz. Here's the info, courtesy of the Daily News's Dan Gross:

Cabaret is the name of the restaurant that Neil Stein and partners are hoping to bring to the Morris House Hotel (225 S. 8th). Stein is partnered up with Lindsay Ratkovich, a real-estate developer and daughter of Los Angeles real-estate titan Wayne Ratkovich, and Morris House owners Michael DiPaolo and Gene LeFevre. As the name suggests, says Lindsay Ratkovich, Cabaret will be "a space designed to entertain," and the food will be "American-Parisian bistro cuisine." Look for red decor and a piano bar as part of the restaurant.

Cabaret coming to Morris House [Dan Gross/Daily News]

So... the infamous strip club site on 13th and Locust (owned by the equally infamous Frank Palumbo) seems like it will quit the Signatures legaacy in favor of a restaurant. The Inquirer reports that a new "restaurant and dinner theater" will open in the space and, judging from the quotes they gather, it sounds it will be a non-adult entertainment space:

He's a pretty classy operator," the judge said in a brief telephone interview. "I'm impressed with what he's done."

Judy Applebaum, head of the Washington Square West Civic Association, said she believed the new restaurant would be "only a positive" for the neighborhood and said the group had no problem with Coleates' involvement.

"He has a history of running very successful restaurants," she said.

Further, Applebaum said, "there will be life on that corner. There has not been life there for years."

Hoewever, a member of the group who will be running the restaurant spent almost two years in prison after siphoning $2.7 million dollars "from a drag show in Honolulu called Boy-lesque," per Inquirer. So who knows? Maybe some of the 13th & Locust sleaze will remain.

Former strip club has new tenants [Inquirer]

West Philly's newest dining option is the Vietnam Cafe, on Baltimore Avenue between 47th & 48th Streets. We'll have their menu shortly... in the meantime, the Daily Pennsylvanian just stopped by the restaurant and found a worthwhile place:

On Baltimore Avenue, Lai is aiming for a calmer experience that brings his cuisine closer to some of his patrons. "Lots of customers of Vietnam live in West Philly, that's why I'm bringing Vietnam close to home," he said. Lai and his family - his father opened the deli located next to the Cafe - have been a fixture in the West Philadelphia neighborhood for over twenty years. Lai said he hopes to bring a low-key, highly tasty atmosphere to the new Vietnam Cafe. He says, "We don't need fast food [here], we need family gourmet."

More business on Baltimore Ave. [Daily Pennsylvanian]

[Image via Daily Pennsylvanian]

Over at The Clog, CityPaper's Drew Lazor got a sneak peak at the menu of yet-to-open South Philly pub Devil's Den. The food's pretty damn gastropubby (a sandwich of mushroom broth-marinated pulled duck? a jasmine tea pork chop with sweet potato flan? BRING IT ON) and it makes up for the menu's unfortunate devil-theme, which is pretty cool when you're an 18-year-old line cook who's obsessed with The Misfits and zombie movies, but plays out a bit less well in the real world...

We'll have the menu up on MenuPages as soon as Devil's Den opens.

Menu Exclusive: Devil's Den [The Clog/CityPaper]