New Restaurants
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| Aqua |
705 Chestnut St. |
Philadelphia |
215-928-2838 |
| Bootsie's |
38 S. 19th St. |
Philadelphia |
215-988-0089 |
| Miraku |
1326 Spruce St. |
Philadelphia |
215-732-1110 |
| Miraku |
1121 N. Bethlehem Pike |
Spring House |
215-643-0100 |
| Naked Chocolate Café |
1317 Walnut St. |
Philadelphia |
215-735-7310 |
New Nightspots
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| Moon over Miami |
1716 Chestnut St. |
Philadelphia |
215-568-8282 |
| North Bowl |
909 N. Second St. |
Philadelphia |
215-238-2695 |
| Restaurant M |
231 S. Eighth St. |
Philadelphia |
215-625-2946 |
Coming Soon
Kitchen 233
Chris Painter (ex Tangerine) will open this Med-influenced American bistro showcasing artisanal wines in Haddon Township, NJ (233 Haddon Ave.). It's on tap for late September.
Maia
The partnership that owns Berwyn's luxe Nectar has big plans for this Villanova small-plater, opening in about six months in a new spot near the Blue Route's Route 30 exit.
Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen
The world-famous restaurateur heads to Philly's Main Line in late September with this moderately priced noodle bar/dumpling house at 555 E. Lancaster Ave., Radnor. Its chef will be Robert Boone, who has cooked at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago, Norman's in Miami Beach and Atrio in the Conrad Miami Hotel.
Tinto
Amada's Jose Garces plans to open this tapas bar near Rittenhouse Square (114 S. 20th St.) in early November; the menu will spotlight Spain's Basque country, complemented by the wines of Northern Spain and Southwestern France.
Triumph Brewing Co.
This long-in-the-works Old City brewpub should open by early fall at 117-121 Chestnut St.
Good Deals and Other News
Alphabet Soup
This New American in Audubon, NJ, plans to reopen on September 8th serving a moderately priced à la carte dinner menu Wednesday–Sunday, as well as a nine-course BYOB tasting menu available on Friday and Saturday nights ($89–$100 per person; no corkage fee).
A new champagne brunch on Sundays (noon–3 PM) features live jazz.
Now that this South Philly Italian has gone dark, the Varallo family and staff have regrouped at Ristorante Pesto, their nearby BYO.
This newcomer on the 19th floor of the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue is serving a $35 three-course prix fixe dinner menu Monday–Wednesday.
Edging into semi-retirement, saxman/restaurateur Pete Souders is selling to a partnership of jazz fans who plan to spruce up the room and pump up the food.
Mindful of construction in front of the Inn at Penn, this upbeat Italian is offering a "Pardon Our Appearance" menu – a three-course prix fixe for $30 – through the fall.
Now has a "jacket optional" policy – while they are still required in the main dining room for gentlemen, it's business casual in the front dining room, lounge and bar. The meatery has also added a smaller, 16-ounce portion ($29.95) of its signature 32-ounce dish.
This casual Mex chain has another Center City outpost on the way, at 20th and Chestnut streets. A late September opening is expected.
Since the August 19th departure of Christopher Lee for NYC's Burger BarGilt, this Center City seafooder is shopping nationally for a new chef .
This chic wine bar is readying a second branch at 1137 Spruce St. for early 2007.
A Friday-night wine-and-cheese series in the Lobby Bar will feature cheeses from Di Bruno Bros. paired with five wines from Lauber Imports. Each session will focus on a different region, including Spain on September 15th, California on September 22nd and France on September 29th (5–8 PM; $24.95 per person; 215-563-1600; www.westin.com).