Philadelphia : Notable Openings

Going Grey (Social)

BuzzEditor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:55:00 GMT

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

The Newest Pie Hole in Town

BuzzEditor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:03:00 GMT

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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Square Squared

BuzzEditor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:35:00 GMT

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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A Doozy of a Koo Zee Doo

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:56:00 GMT

Koo Zee Doo

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Affordable mom-and-pop BYO Koo Zee Doo in Northern Liberties serves hearty, family-style Portuguese fare accompanied by made-from-scratch bread and served in a rustic setting with exposed brick and terra-cotta tile; N.B. the name is a phonetic reference to the Portuguese word for ‘cooked’ as well as the name of a traditional stew on the menu.

613 N. Second St.; 215-923-8080

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Enter the Baja Room

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:56:00 GMT

Graduate Hospital’s Pico de Gallo has extended its lively vibe into the corner storefront across the street with the Baja Room at Pico de Gallo, a BYO (until the liquor license arrives) cafe offering an American pub menu of burgers, mussels and nachos; the funky space is packed with Christmas lights and all manner of garish south-of-the-border bric-a-brac.

1500 South St.; 215-772-3003

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Tasting Tavolo

BuzzEditor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Hearty portions of housemade pastas and other traditional Italian fare (plus an attractive dessert list) are the main draws at Tavolo, a moderately priced Huntingdon Valley BYO; the mauve-tableclothed environs include a convivial front space and a romantic back room.

2519 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley; 215-938-8401

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Chew, Man, Chu!

BuzzEditor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:15:00 GMT

With sexy graphics and a mod soundtrack, the energetic Pan-Asian Chew Man Chu in the Symphony House on the Avenue of the Arts is positioned as a magnet for theatergoers and late-nighters craving low-cost noodle dishes and dumplings; grab a seat at the counter to chat with the chef, whose résumé includes stops at NYC’s Lutèce and Le Cirque.

400 S. Broad St.; 215-735-8107

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Good for What Ales You

BuzzEditor — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:01:00 GMT

The crew from Memphis Taproom and Local 44 has settled into a South Philly corner for Resurrection Ale House, a classic-looking, tin-ceilinged bar aimed at beer geeks and the people who love them; the modest-priced New American menu, which includes a solid selection of vegetarian specialties, is accompanied by a dozen craft brews on tap (plus one cask engine), and lots of arcane bottle options.

2425 Grays Ferry Ave.; 215-735-2202

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Broadly Speaking

BuzzEditor — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:29:00 GMT

Business-lunchers and late-night revelers find equally satisfying shelter at hoppin’ sports pub Tavern on Broad in the subterranean space at the Bellevue on the Avenue of the Arts, where the New American menu includes sandwiches and budget-priced platters of ribs, chicken and pasta; N.B. draws for the midnight-oil crowd include DJs and guest bartenders.

200 S. Broad St.; 215-546-2290

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Go Dutch at MidAtlantic

BuzzEditor — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:09:00 GMT

MidAtlantic

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

In a departure from his more refined concepts (the now-shuttered Gayle and Rae), chef Daniel Stern has conjured MidAtlantic, a newfangled Philly-centric pub in a mod, high-ceilinged University City space; the budget-friendly menu offers Pennsylvania Dutch and other regional cookery accompanied by classic cocktails like Schuylkill fish house punch, and there’s also a nightly $30 prix fixe.

3711 Market St.; 215-386-3711

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MaGerks Moves In

BuzzEditor — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:17:00 GMT

Fort Washington’s landmark Bent Elbo has been renovated top to bottom and turned into MaGerks, an offshoot of a Baltimore pub serving a budget-friendly menu of bar snacks and sandwiches (notably Maryland-style crab cakes); there’s a family-friendly dining room off the main bar, while more than 30 TVs ensure sports fans always have an eyeful.

582 S. Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington; 215-948-3329

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Society Hill's New Starr

BuzzEditor — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:08:00 GMT

Stephen Starr has jumped into the pizza scene with Pizzeria Stella, a classic parlor across from Head House Square in Society Hill offering light, Neapolitan-inspired wood-fired pies; the setting lays on the shtick, with subway tiles, reclaimed wooden furniture and a cheesy Venetian mural giving it a well-worn look.

215 Lombard St.; 215-320-8000

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Gemelli Pops Its Cork in Narberth

BuzzEditor — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:05:00 GMT

Well-traveled chef Clark Gilbert (ex Restaurant Taquet, the Saloon) makes his solo debut as a restaurateur with Gemelli, a budget-priced BYO in Narberth; the laid-back vibe reflects the menu’s focus on casual Italian fare, though there are a few French classics tossed in, and the impressive cheese selection is worthy of your better bottles.

232 Woodbine Ave., Narberth; 610-660-0160

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Downington in the Doghouse

BuzzEditor — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:14:00 GMT

Doghouse

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Craft beers and wine wash down a menu of char-grilled gourmet burgers at Doghouse, a modern American joint on the bank of the Brandywine River in Downingtown (adjacent to sister restaurant Firecreek); stools that swing out from the counter are a novel touch, while a hot-dog menu and park across the street add kid-friendly appeal.

24 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown; 610-269-9381

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Rittenhouse Gets a SLiCE

BuzzEditor — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:13:00 GMT

South Philly's BYO pizzeria SLiCE has brought its thin-crust, brick oven–baked Neapolitan pizzas and salads to a walk-up storefront off Rittenhouse Square; like the original, the new location offers a handful of tables in a spartan dining room with a full view of the kitchen.

1740 Sansom St.; 215-557-9299

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