Archive: August, 2011
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Talula's Garden, the new Aimee Olexy-Stephen Starr collab on Washington Square, comes in at No. 6 on Bon Appetit's list of the best new U.S. restaurants.
Which is fine, except for that fact that chef Michael Santoro -- who left two weeks ago -- is singled out for praise.
Critic Andrew Knowlton writes that he never ate at Chez Panisse during its '80s heyday, "but I imagine the food tasted something like the meals I had at Talula's Garden."
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Looks like 21 is Stephen Starr’s lucky number.
Right now, Starr owns 19 restaurants in Philadelphia, if you include the seasonal Square Burger on Franklin Square and his management of Granite Hill at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He also manages the posh Rat's in Hamilton Township, N.J. (See map of his city holdings here.)
Starr says that after the October opening of Il Pittore with chef-partner Chris Painter at 2025 Sansom St. and November’s planned opening of a seafood restaurant at 600 N. Broad St. (names are narrowed down to Little Neck or Route 6), he’ll take a breather from Philadelphia "for a while."
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Christopher Thames of Roxborough's Distinctive Fare Catering turns up Tuesday, Aug. 16 on the Food Network show Chopped (10 p.m.).
Ep is titled "A is for apple and U is for udon," and the plot description goes like this:
"The chefs find udon noodles and a brightly colored vegetable in the appetizer basket. Then in the entrée round, the competitors are challenged to be creative with a seemingly straightforward basket. And the chefs hold back their tears when they learn they must use onions in their desserts."
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Another Stephen Starr restaurant is on the way: an upscale, modern-Italian dinner spot called Il Pittore, and it will occupy 2025 Sansom St., which until today was Noble American Cookery.
The deal – which will be Starr’s 19th Philadelphia restaurant and his 25th overall – will provide a showcase for Chris Painter, one of Starr’s brightest chefs and certainly his most durable.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Emboldened by their success at Isabella in Conshohocken, Tom Richter, Peter Richter, and chef Michael Cappon are sprucing up the 401 Diner on the other end of town, at Fourth and Fayette Streets. (See the glowing LaBan review here.)
The 401, which closed last winter, is due to reemerge later this month with a new concept, branded as "Comfort with a Conscience." Cappon will offer a healthier take on comfort food with an emphasis on local, organic and sustainable ingredients.
The interior and kitchen are being revamped, and Tom Richter himself is designing a new glass mosaic for the exterior. It will be BYOB with no corkage, and they're planning to offer seasonal mixers to accompany spirits, plus live music on the weekends.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
The Daves here at philly.com are abuzz with anticipation over Famous Dave's promo Dave's Day, which means a free entree if your name is Dave and a half-price offer if your middle name is Dave.
It's Sunday, Aug. 14.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Let's be patient with Tommy Joyner and Jamie Lokoff and crew at the new Milkboy as it opens on the southwest corner of 11th and Chestnut Streets.
A year and a half in the making, Milkboy, an offshoot of the popular Main Line hangout, rolls out first thing (6 a.m.) Monday, Aug. 15 with beverages. A week or two later, breakfast/lunch/dinner will come on board, courtesy of chef Jon Bohn, a Culinary Institute of America grad, who plans to cook the basics.
Mid-September comes the heart of the matter: live music six nights a week upstairs.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Sometimes, you hear a restaurant name and just wonder...
In Center City, the Tria name is golden: casual wine/beer bars in Washington Square West and Rittenhouse Square serving interesting cheeses and light bites.
Then a smaller third restaurant came on board last October at 3131 Walnut St. at The Left Bank in University City, and its name was Biba.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Busy, busy times for Michael Chow as he uses August to open two Sang Kee restaurants.
Friday, Aug. 12 is the grand opening of Sang Kee Noodle Bowl at 4755 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square (610-353-5353), which was last Parker's Prime.
Chow is a consultant on the restaurant for Win and Sutida Somboonsong, who own such western-suburbs spots as Thai Pepper in Ardmore, Teikoku in Newtown Square, Azie in Media, and Azie on Main and Mixx in Villanova.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
The de-China-fication of Chinatown continues.
Yesterday, I described a forthcoming Korean restaurant from Cherry Hill's Sammy Chon's K-Town BBQ setting up in Chinatown, as well as Ramen Boy, an offshoot of Chinatown's Yakitori Boy.
Today, I chatted with Kenny Poon, who three years ago opened the fun/casual Ken Shin Diner at Third and Spring Garden Streets in Northern Liberties.
