Archive: January, 2010
Michael Klein, Philly.com
The ink is barely dry on this one:
Vino, an American-run Italian bar, didn't work out in the Piazza at Schmidts in Northern Liberties.
Developer Bart Blatstein reached out to Italy for the replacement.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Elaine Soncini, who enjoyed a 20-year career on the old WPEN before she retired to Florida in 2000, is coming back.
She'll be piped in to sidekick with morning man Mike Bowe on 1340WHAT, starting Feb. 1.
Soncini does voiceover work with her husband, Larry Leaf.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Ooka, which owns several Japanese restaurants in the burbs, is about to come into a really big fish -- a bluefin tuna weighing about 410 pounds.
Ooka says its purveyor, Yama Seafood Inc. of Jersey City, N.J., got word that the fish has been caught and cleaned on a fishing boat in the Mediterranean, and will be on its way to an airport in Spain tomorrow afternoon and flown to JFK.
After a stop in Jersey City, it's supposed to be delivered to Ooka in Montgomeryville for processing by executive chef Shuji Hiyakawa by noon Thursday. And so will commerce Sushi Week at the Ooka locations in Montgomeryville, Doylestown, and Willow Grove, as well as Komé in Saucon Valley.
Here's what they're offering:
- $20 bluefin sushi or sashimi tasting, including Hon-Maguro (Japanese for bluefin), Chu-Toro (medium fatty belly tuna), and O-Toro (fatty belly tuna).
- $25 Toro Toban-Yaki, a hot pot featuring cooked Toro and exotic Japanese mushrooms.
- $25 bluefin tuna loin steak from the hibachi with soup, house salad, noodles and dessert.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Fellini Cafe in Paoli is closed, and records in bankruptcy court show it filed for Chapter 7 protection. Basically, it means that if the court approves, the corporate assets are sold and it's done.
On a more intriguing note, I see that Ro-Zu seems to be close to putting out sushi and other Japanese dishes at Seventh and Bainbridge Streets, across from the Bean Exchange and down the street from Chick's Wine Bar and Horizons. This project has been in the works for some time.
Yards Brewing says it has opened its tasting room at its plant at 901 N. Delaware Ave.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Carluccio's opened last Saturday night in the former Shank's & Evelyn's space at 932 S. 10th St. (215-574-5000), a couple of months behind schedule.
It's a 26-seat Italian BYOB. In his restaurant solo debut and inspired by his family's hometown of Bagnoli Irpino, Carlo Nigro is popping out homespun, Italy-meets-South Philly food in a cozy but spare room. It's open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays.
Shank's nostalgists can get their tripe sandwich ($7.50), though it's not the same. Nigro's version is augmented by smoked pancetta. And there's a chicken parm sandwich and sausage-and-peppers.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
This just in from WIP: Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi of MTV's "Jersey Shore" will attend the Wing Bowl on Feb. 5 at the Wachovia Center.
Her role in the bacchanal has not been determined.
Also due in the house is HBO's Sex Tips host Katie Morgan.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
That LOVE sculpture set up in the Philadelphia Industry Lounge at the Sundance Film Festival is filling up with autographs.
Latest visitors: Lea Thompson, Lil Jon, Tom Arnold and up-and-coming actor Rami Malek, who appeared as the pharaoh in Night at the Museum, as well as its sequel Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. While in the lounge yesterday, he got a call from his agent. He learned he was cast in the comedy Larry Crown, which is written, directed by and starring Tom Hanks and co-starring Julia Roberts. Malek and friends headed to the lounge's bar to celebrate with shots in With Love Philadelphia XOXO shot glasses (provided by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp).
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Barry Sandrow says the sale of his Doc Watson's across from Jefferson Hospital is due on Thursday, Feb. 4, so it appears that the grand finale at the landmark bar will be Wednesday, Feb. 3.
Sandrow opened Doc's in 1971
As I reported in December, buyers plan an English pub called Sherlock's Tavern to open this summer.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
After a week of tests, Alex Plotkin has opened the Washington Square branch of his Chops steakhouse.
Price point is lower than the original Chops in Bala Cynwyd, and he's offering 60 wines under $60 (from a 2,000-bottle collection) as well as comp valet parking.
The building, formerly housing Oceanaire, got a makeover, including new art and -- you'll notice -- a hardwood floor to replace the carpet throughout. The raw bar is also gone, in favor of an expanded bar with lower-priced bar menu (including Maine lobster taco and a 10-ounce Wagyu Kobe burger with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, Russian dressing, and fries for $15). He's also promising a full sushi selection.
Here's the dinner menu. It's open for dinner nightly, plus weekday lunch.
On Feb. 22, a 10-ounce kobe burger for $6 starts at lunchtime.
Lunch includes sandwiches, salads, plus such dishes as:
- filet mignon stir fry with white rice
- Cajun meatloaf with mashed potatoes
- salmon paillard with sautée spinach basil oil
- steak frites (a 7-ounce ribeye with truffle fries)
- rigatoni with sweet sausage
- angel hair with grilled chicken, mushrooms, herbs
Michael Klein, Philly.com
The new lunch menu at Union Trust (717 Chestnut St.) rolls out this week with five burgers, including a sweet-savory "Brunch Burger" ($13) with fried egg, maple-glazed bacon, and homemade English muffin, and "Le Mac Daddy," which for $25 includes foie gras, port-reduced onions, fried egg, and truffle aioli.
Union Trust Lunch Menu Winter 2010
