Though it’s in a very old edifice rumored to have been once owned by Benjamin Franklin’s mistress, Old City gathering spot Grey Social embraces the speakeasy/teahouse era of its long history; the Prohibition-era cocktails include many made with tea (available for a moderate fee), and the light fixtures, tables, numerous votives and art all look appropriately vintage.

132 Chestnut St.; 215-923-4159

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• – By 2018, 43% of Americans are expected to be obese. [NYDN]
• – Gordon Ramsay has lost his right-hand man. [Bloomberg]
• – The Senate is considering requiring beef to be tested for E. coli. [NYT]

• – Top Chef contestants aren't being paid for the TV dinners that feature their faces (and recipes). [Time]
• – First canned pumpkins, now an Eggo shortage looms. [NYDN]
• – The art of complaining to a restaurant. [Guardian]
• – A modest proposal for fixing restaurant and bar smoking bans. [Eater]
• – Related: the science behind banning smoking outside. [Time]
• – Ever wonder what it would be like to cook dinner for Thomas Keller? [Esquire]
• – Talking cooking with Coolio. [Fork in the Road]
• – NBC's newest cooking show, United Plates of America, will give away a four-restaurant chain. [Reuters]
• – Hey, so, while you eat that sushi, this guy here is going to swallow a sword. [WSJ]
• – Starbucks continues to roll out its unbranded coffee shops. [Diner's Journal]
• – If New York loses its lawsuit, Tavern on the Green will become Tavern in the Park. [Crain's]
• – Restaurants embrace Twilight. [NRN]
• – Martha Stewart is not a fan of Rachael Ray. [ABC News, via EMD and GS]
• – The Rolling Stones, the wine. [Examiner]
• – Pork belly and other over-served dishes. [Between Meals]
• – Students arrested for not paying their tip. [Philly]
• – Plastic wishbones: what will the kids fight over? [SE]

The highly regarded Indian Tiffin is at it again. The growing chain has just opened a new BYOB location at 8080 Old York Road in Elkins Park (215-635-9205). There is one difference between the newest Tiffin and its older siblings, though: you can't yet rent Bollywood DVDs from the restaurant to watch at home when you order online.

Love a good sequel? Here are two upcoming spots to look out for:

Rouge, the Rittenhouse Square bistro known for its burgers, is branching out with a nearby stand called 500° at 15th and Sansom Streets; it’s scheduled for a late-winter or early-spring opening.

Shank’s Original plans to open a South Philly location at Pier 40 on Columbus Boulevard in mid-December.

• – Marcus Samuelsson will be working the kitchen at Obama's first state dinner. [Obama Foodorama]
• – The fight for Cadbury intensifies. [WSJ]
• – Chipotle sets its sights on London, Europe. [NRN]

• – Costco drops Coke. [AP]
• – Related: Coke bottles, 1899–1986. [Pixdaus]
• – Milk producers wish they could sell their product "raw." [NYT]
• – Hooters is having trouble in Vegas. [Eater]
• – A canned pumpkin shortage looms. [Diner's Journal]
• – Putting things in perspective with the Fat Map. [HP]
• – Jamie Oliver wants to help you find a date. [Marketing]
• – A Shake Shack in Boston looks increasingly possible. [GS:B]
• – What a $20 Thanksgiving feast from Walmart gets you. [The Awl]
• – A word we'd like to quickly forget? "Koodie." [SE]
• – Foods named after people. [Mental Floss and Cakespy, via SE]
• – They found water on the moon...can you drink it? [Slate]
• – Making mushrooms with coffee grinds. [Chronicle, via Coldmud]
• – Making art with meat, some wires, a videocamera and a stove. [EMD]

At the retro-looking Sweetie's Pie Diner near Community College of Philadelphia and Logan Square, the affordable menu offers everything from quickie breakfasts to sweet snacks to savory lunch and dinner selections; it’s all vegetarian and organic too, right down to the homemade desserts.

1822 Spring Garden St.; 215-988-0230

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Alison at Blue Bell has closed after its six-year anniversary. According to her website, Alison Barshak is now focusing on Alison two in Fort Washington (which will be honoring all Blue Bell gift certificates).

Ota-Ya has given up the ghost in Warrington, PA., though its Newtown location remains open.

After just over a year, H.I. Rib & Co. in Conshohocken has closed.

Also recently departed is Bonte, the waffle shop at 1315 Walnut Street, and Sushikazu in Blue Bell. The latter will be replaced next month by Yama, a sushi specialist from Horsham.

Square 1682

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Organic, locavore fare served in a high-style, polished art deco setting is the hook at Square 1682, a bi-level New American in Rittenhouse Square’s eco-friendly Hotel Palomar, where chef Guillermo Tellez (ex Charlie Trotter’s) presents imaginative, pricey small and large plates; the chic first-floor bar, whose bottles are fed by a two-story wine tower, is a prime happy-hour destination.

121 S. 17th St.; 215-563-5008

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Firecreek

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Downingtown's New American Firecreek would like to let you and yours into its open kitchen, or at least right next to it. On Tuesday nights the restaurant now offers seating at a 16-person communal chef’s table for a three-course dinner, with a weekly changing menu. N.B. budget-conscious diners, take heart – your party doesn't need to be 16 strong to partake ($35 per person, $50 with wine; 610-269-6000).