Zagat Survey Discussions

In early April, Bobby Flay expects to open a University City branch of Bobby’s Burger Palace in the Radian building, next to Capogiro and downstairs from a forthcoming beer-centric American called City Tap House, from the folks behind Mission Grill and Public House (3940 Walnut St.).

Tony Kanjanakorn, owner of the late Thai-French mix Alisa Cafe (in Upper Darby, then Cherry Hill), is looking for an early April opening of Kinnaree, a similar BYO, at 583 Horsham Road, Horsham.

Finally, Stephen Starr hopes for an April 21 opening of El Rey, a fun home-style Mexican, at 2013 Chestnut Street. Diners can expect hearty dishes like housemade tortillas, cazuela de carne (skirt steak, salsa, black beans, avocado, cactus) and chilapachole de Jaiba (blue crab in a spicy broth). As for the decor, the look will be comprised of vibrant colored flea-market finds.

Alison Barshak is having a bad year. Four months after filing for bankruptcy protection, and five months after closing Alison at Blue Bell, the ambitious toque has shuttered her Fort Washington restaurant Alison two.

• – Why all the food giveaways lately? They're good for business. [WSJ]
• – New York restaurateurs are nonplussed that the city is really going to force them to display health-score letter grades. [Eater]
• – Fallout from Florida's winter freeze won't stop until mid-April. [NRN]

• – Praising the restaurant critic. [Time]
• – Starbucks will soon offer the ability to completely customize their Frappuccinos. [WSJ]
• – Related: the Times' exclusive deal with the coffee chain is over. [AdAge]
• – The potato industry is ready for America's decreasing taste for french fries. [The Star]
• – Calorie counts loom in Illinois. [S-T]
• – Foodies on food stamps. [Salon]
• – Restaurant trends that have to go. [Eater]
• – What goes into your OJ might surprise you. [Culinate]
• – Top Chef's Marcel Vigneron is getting a show on SyFy. [EMD]
• – Not content with a menu in Toronto, Wilco gets a beer too. [The Stew]
• – One woman's dream to weigh 1,000 lbs. [Gothamist]

10 Arts

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

The Avenue of the Arts is packing in plenty of events this spring, and along with tickets you’ll need solid info on where to go for a bite beforehand without the need to move the car.

At the top of the street is 10 Arts, the Eric Ripert–branded New American in the atmospheric lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, where chef Jennifer Carroll (a finalist in Bravo’s Top Chef) handles the day-to-day operations.

Power players can sink their teeth into steaks at Capital Grille, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle, The Palm and Ruth’s Chris, or they can go for bison at Ted’s Montana Grill.

Stylish salons include Bliss and Nineteen (XIX) for New American, McCormick & Schmick's for seafood, Estia for Greek, Girasole for Italian and Sakeya for Japanese, while the liveliest newcomer is Chew Man Chu, an Asian concept.

For value, there’s Italian Bistro, Marathon Grill and Tavern on Broad.

Finally, dessert fans can find decadence after the show at Naked Chocolate Café.

• – Gordon Ramsay, always in the news, is picking up the pieces of a bad year – and owing the taxman. [Guardian, DR]
• – The Chilean wine industry continues to take stock. [WSJ]
• – Oh, no! Gloucestershire's annual cheese rolling has been canceled due to health and safety fears. [Guardian, via EMD]

• – The anti-HFCS campaign hits success with the return of sugar in products like ketchup and Gatorade. [Ad Age]
• – It isn't just about making healthy foods cheaper – you have to make the junk more expensive. [NPR]
• – NYC restaurants are turning their expansions toward DC. [WBJ]
• – For love of shad roe. [WSJ]
• – Bobby Flay heads to prime time. [Eater]
• – Gross: 13,780 lbs. of spaghetti. [KTLA]
• – How to annoy your server. [CNN]
• – A McDonald's that doesn't serve food? [Jaunted]

Peeps Ice is coming.

March 20 brings us the first day of spring – and along with it, free regular-size cups of Italian ice (or water ice) at the more than 550 Rita's stores around the nation (with more than 60 in the Philly area). Just in time for Easter, the "First Day of Spring Giveaway" has a special attraction this year: the roll-out of a Peeps-flavored ice. Inspired by the famous marshmallow candy, the new flavor will be bright yellow – always an iffy choice for colored ice. Also on the menu? A Peeps Chocolate-Covered Gelati, which layers the ice with chocolate frozen custard.

• – Another week, another story on how to make a food celebrity. In this case, Katie Lee. [NYT]
• – It isn't just tomatoes suffering – the cold in Florida means OJ prices are about to rise. [Reuters]
• – The LA restaurant accused of serving whale meat admits to the charge. [LAT]

• – Related: ever wonder what whale tastes like? [Slate]
• – The next season of Top Chef will shoot in Washington, DC. [WP]
• – Related: Bravo has another cooking show up its sleeve, Around the World in 80 Plates. [Bravo]
• – Just like New York, Paris has fancy restaurants popping into its museums. [NYT]
• – A Boston bar is selling the right to sit during Red Sox games. [Deadspin]
• – Is the butcher backlash on? [Salon]
• – Make a sandwich with Lady Gaga in her latest video. [GS: B]
• – Breathable chocolate. Want a hit? [BH]
• – Top Chef gets the porn treatment. [Eater]