Not too many restaurants celebrate their opening outside of Chinatown - and in August - with a Chinese lion dance.

Northern Liberties' Kong (702 N. Second St., 215-922-5664) did one Saturday. It's the Hong Kong-style "street-food" bistro from Michael O'Halloran and wife Sophia Lee, who own Bistro 7 in Old City.

They are offering the home-style grub available in Hong Kong stalls, buns, rice bowls, noodle bowls and such, paired with Asian and domestic beers and assorted wines. Dishes top out at $16.

Designer Dominic Episcopo added spiffy touches - pine on surfaces including the 15-seat bar, light fixtures wrapped in chicken wire, a 14-seat communal table in an alcove beside a mural of the Walled City. It's open for dinner at 5:30 p.m. daily.

Deli slices

Jeff Katz, whose family was in the Center City deli business decades ago (Penny's, DeliTown), has traded the engineering/construction business for a life of rye at Katz's Deli Kitchen, in the newly renovated 225 Building at 225 E. City Ave. (610-668-1100). Hours for now are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; weekends will start next month.

Russ Cowan hopes to open his next Famous 4th Street Deli at 38 S. 19th St. next week.

The unrelated Famous Deli in Holland, and its Chill nightclub next door, are closed. Sign says "renovations."

What's new

California Pizza Kitchen's new Cherry Hill Mall location will donate the proceeds of all dine-in pizza sales on Monday to Safe Kids Southern New Jersey at Children's Regional Hospital at Cooper University Hospital.

Ristorante Mezza Luna has moved a block away, into larger quarters on the southeast corner of Eighth and Christian Streets, formerly Paxia and Molcajete Mixto. Similar decor, same food, owner "Pete" D'abbraccio says. The door of Mezza Luna's former home for 10 years, at 763 S. Eighth St., bears a sign indicating that the landlord took possession of the premises and changed the locks. Philadelphia Common Pleas Court files show two filings for unpaid rent and outstanding bills. Asked what that was all about, D'abbraccio said he and the landlord had "some problems."

Meritage at 20th and Lombard Streets has a new look, including hardwood floors, new windows and tables, and high-top seating across from the bar. The color scheme has reverted to yellow. Prices have come down under new chef Anne Coll, a Susanna Foo alumna. Nothing is over $21. Wine program now puts more emphasis on flights and bottles (25 whites, 25 reds) for under $50, though a pricier "reserve selection" remains.

What's coming

Fond, an upscale American BYOB from three well-pedigreed restaurateurs, is targeting an Aug. 31 opening at 1617 E. Passyunk Ave. in South Philly. Le Bec-Fin kitchen alums Lee Styer and Jessie Prawlucki and Lacroix server Tory Keomanivong are promising wallet-conscious dinners every night but Sunday.

David Gilberg and Carla Goncalves (Matyson, Loie, Coquette, Ugly American) are taking over the Northern Liberties storefront at 614 N. Second St., which previously housed Copper Bistro and Aden. The BYOB will be called KOO ZEE DOO, the phonetic pronunciation of the Portuguese adjective for cooked (and the first word in the traditional dish cozido á Portuguesa). The idea, they say, is to use quality ingredients prepared simply. Check average will be under $20. After some sprucing up, they hope to open in mid-September.

The downside

Sept. 4 is the final night for Gayle, Daniel Stern's ambitious BYO, after nearly four years on Third Street in Queen Village. Not a good summer for that block, what with Ansill pulling the plug.

Chef Nick Farina, busy with the new Verdad in Bryn Mawr, has closed Blush, his upscale American restaurant nearby.

Bertolini's, which opened in 1995 in the expansion of the Plaza at King of Prussia, has been closed as corporate master Morton's copes with the recession.

Aimee Olexy and Bryan Sikora of Talula's Table in Kennett Square have run into balky bankers, so their ambitious plan for a large restaurant across the street has been scaled back. The space is back on the market, though the couple hopes to be able to jump back in before the space is leased to someone else.

Konak in Old City, whose renovation was mentioned here last week, has a liquor license. It allows BYOB Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays; there's a $15 corkage fee on Fridays and Saturdays.

Contact columnist Michael Klein at 215-854-5514 or mklein@phillynews.com. See real-time restaurant info and menus at http://go.philly.com/insider.