New Restaurants
New Nightspots
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| James Lounge |
824 S. Eighth St. |
Philadelphia |
215-629-4980 |
| Mexican Post |
1601 Cherry St. |
Philadelphia |
215-568-2667 |
| Osteria |
640 N. Broad St |
Philadelphia |
215-763-0920 |
| Rum Bar |
2005 Walnut St. |
Philadelphia |
215-751-0404 |
Coming Soon
Aprons
This new BYO in Germantown (5946 Germantown Ave.), whose cuisine will combine its partners' African-American and Italian heritages, should have its loose ends tied up by early April; the space's previous occupant, Geechee Girl Rice Café, has moved up the way into larger quarters at 6825 Germantown Avenue.
Chick's Cafe & Wine Bar
A total redo of the old Chick's Bar (614 S. Seventh St.), it should be up and running for late spring with a menu of small plates.
Clementine's Bistro
This Euro BYO with a daily changing menu expects to open in early March in the space that used to house Albertino's (1617 E. Passyunk Ave.).
Its first Philadelphia-area location is expected to open in late March at the Court at King of Prussia (160 North Gulph Rd.).
707
Ryan Margolis, who worked for Stephen Starr, is readying this American bistro and bar for a mid-April opening in Center City (707 Chestnut St.), where it will boast a front cafe, a large center bar and a more intimate dining room. According to Margolis, it will cater to Washington Square scenesters.
Good Deals and Other News
Philly Bans Transfats
On February 15th, the mayor signed an ordinance prohibiting Philly restaurants from using spreads or frying oils containing trans fats (the artery-clogging substance found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) beginning this September. By September 2008, restaurants must eliminate trans fats entirely.
Throughout March, this Center City Med is offering half-off a second entree Mondays–Wednesdays, as well as a comped glass of wine with the purchase of a dinner entree Thursdays–Saturdays.
Has added weekend brunch.
Deux Cheminées
Chef-owner Fritz Blank says he will close his Classic French mainstay in mid-June to retire in Thailand.
This Wilmington mainstay has reopened after a $750,000 renovation.
Now open on Mondays, this Northern Liberties breakfast-luncher has expanded into weeknight dinner service till 10 PM.
Indonesia
The family that ran the defunct Indonesia in Chinatown is looking to open its next incarnation in late March at 1725 Snyder Avenue in South Philadelphia.
All six locations will mark St. Patrick's Day with a $19.95 Irish-themed beer-pairing menu, including potato leek soup with Irish stout and horseradish-crusted salmon with Anvil ale.
This Center City French has added lunch service and received a liquor license. BYO is allowed until April 1st – then it will be permitted Tuesday nights only.
¡Pasión!
Only 10 seats at the chef's bar are available for its two new tasting menus offered on Tuesdays ($35 per person, includes three courses) and Thursdays ($100 per person, includes five courses and wine), begining at 5 PM.
On Sunday nights, all bottles of wine are half-price and there's no corkage fee for BYO.
Now serves Sunday dinner.
The long-delayed outpost at 117-119 Chestnut Street is now penciled in for late March.