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CLEM MURRAY / Inquirer Staff Photographer
Co-owner and chef Joseph Tucker in his Joe Pesce restaurant in Collingswood, where he expects to begin offering weekday lunch in mid-April.
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Table Talk: Blackbird's Capasso starts on second spot
Collingswood keeps growing.
Alex Capasso of Blackbird Dining Establishment (619 Collings Ave.) says he's starting work on West Side Gravy - a 50-seat contemporary diner - across the street at 616 Collings. "I kept looking out the window and saying, 'I wish somebody would open another restaurant here,' " Capasso says. He's also location-hunting in Philly.
Meanwhile, Colls crowds have found Joseph Tucker, who's owned a slew of eateries in Philly and at the Shore, including Joseph's, Joseph's on the Avenue, Pompeii, and Tucker's Steak & Seafood House. Tucker opened the South Jersey branch of Joe Pesce (833 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, 856-833-9888), an Italian-seafood BYOB, shortly after Thanksgiving. (Nothing to do with the actor Joe Pesci; "Joe" is Tucker and "pesce" is fish.)
The original Joe Pesce operated during the 2006 and 2007 summer seasons in Ventnor. Tucker then brought the concept - more seafood, lighter preparations, easier prices - to brother Robert Liccio's restaurant Pompeii (1113 Walnut St.). That place was reflagged Joe Pesce last fall.
The Joe Pesce in Collingswood - decked out in the blues and stainless steel of a casual market - also has a raw bar, fish display and open kitchen; a fish display is planned for Philly.
Expect to pay $15 to $29 for most entrees; it's open nightly, and weekday lunch will start in mid-April.
Also Collingswood-related: Jimmy Marino of Bistro di Marino (492 Haddon Ave.) opened an Italian takeout next door, called Bistro ToGo. . . . Il Fiore, an Italian BYOB, is under construction at 693 Haddon Ave. . . . The episode of Throwdown With Bobby Flay taped in January at the Pop Shop (729 Haddon Ave.) will be shown April 13 at 10 p.m. on the Food Network. The challenge was grilled-cheese sandwiches.
Contact columnist Michael Klein at 215-854-5514 or mklein@phillynews.com. Read his recent work at http://go.philly.com/michaelklein and http://go.philly.com/foodanddrinq.
What's coming
Nicholas Matteo and Nicholas Sweeney, who met on the line at Striped Bass in the mid-1990s, are behind a new-American BYO called Nicholas, expected to open in mid- to late-April on Moyamensing Avenue at Emily Street (just north of Snyder Avenue) in Pennsport. The spot previously was Cafe Carmen, a gelato/coffee shop. Jim Kirk and Jake Hampson, bartenders/managers at Bishop's Collar, are converting the former Savannah at 1836 Callowhill St. into Kite & Key Tavern. Kirk promises lots of beers and solid food, and they hope to open at the end of May or early June. As Alison two in Fort Washington gets closer, Alison Barshak has named Anthony Bonett as chef of Alison at Blue Bell. Barshak will oversee both kitchens. Bonett, who worked with Barshak at the opening of Striped Bass in 1994, most recently was executive chef at Oceanaire Seafood Room. Devil's Den, the gastropub coming to the old Felicia's at 11th and Ellsworth Streets, is now aiming at next week for opening.Briefly noted
Many changes at the Bellevue and its assorted restaurants. Chris Dhimitri has taken over Bliss from Francesco Martorella; chef Anthony Goodwin left last weekend. (Goodwin says he's weighing an offer in Los Angeles as well as exploring other opportunities on the East Coast.) New chef is expected to be named shortly, and Dhimitri says he's not sure if the Bliss name will remain. Martorella is weighing options, too. . . . New manager at Nineteen (XIX), Pamela Bower, previously was with Le Bec-Fin, and the new sommelier, Scott Turnbull, came from Striped Bass. . . . Downstairs, Ed Pyne took over Montesini's Pizza from longtime operator Tony Schiano, who retired after 14 years. Pyne, who previously worked for LaScala's and Apollo's Pizza, changed the name of the Bellevue location to Angelo's in honor of a favorite relative. . . . Soo Ji Kuk is the new owner of La Cucina, formerly Pasta Cucina, and Dennis and Susan Miller are the new owners of Amazon Café.Contact columnist Michael Klein at 215-854-5514 or mklein@phillynews.com. Read his recent work at http://go.philly.com/michaelklein and http://go.philly.com/foodanddrinq.
