Archive: October, 2011
Michael Klein, Philly.com
As fine dining seemed to wane two years ago, Kristian Leuzzi pulled the plug on Kristian's, his Italian destination at 11th and Federal Streets in South Philly, next door to his childhood home.
Leuzzi bought Stogie Joe's Tavern at Passyunk Avenue and Moore Street, and set out to make money in the bar world.
For his second location, he will return to the still-empty 1100 Federal in November with Kris, a casual Mediterranean bar and kitchen aimed at the neighborhood. He's added rustic hardwood, while maintaining the lovely cherry bar.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Steve Slaughter of Green Eggs Cafe is working the phone today to share more details on Stateside (1536 E. Passyunk Ave.), the American whiskey bar and restaurant that's been in the oven since March.
Slaughter will not nail down an opening date, unlike so many others in the biz, but it's safe to say "fall."
He and partner William Bonforte have hired George Sabatino, who was opening chef at Barbuzzo, to oversee a contemporary American menu that will be strictly sourced domestically. Mostly small plates, cured meats (all house-made), and cheeses (mostly house made).
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Restaurateurs Rob Wasserman and Michael Schulson, buddies for a dozen years, are going into business together, outfitting a space in Ardmore’s renovated Suburban Square for an American grill to be called St. James Place. It's after the street name.
Due in April.
"Affordable, good food" is the line from Schulson, who chef-owns the Asian-inspired Sampan in Center City and Izakaya in Atlantic City. “We didn’t think we had to remake the wheel,” said Wasserman, who with his wife, Maggie, owns Rouge on Rittenhouse Square.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Xochitl on Head House Square changed hands over the summer, and it's newly back after a four-day shutdown, during which the dining room was painted and the kitchen was gutted. The downstairs lounge is being brightened and converted into a dining room. New table tops and bar stools are on the way.
More noticeable from new owners Peter Leontaras and Dimitri Pappas of Xochitl are personnel changes, starting with Adam Solomon (Kokopelli, Twenty21, World Fusion) as general manager.
Gabriel Montalvo, who spent four-plus years in the Starr organization, including time as sous chef at El Vez, is now executive chef. Highlights are three varieties of of tacos, tamales, and a house-specialty fried chicken (pollo frito) that takes three days to prep: brined, steamed, air-dried, refrigerated, dusted with various flours.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Michael Caspi, who received great notices in his year as chef at M Restaurant at the Morris House Hotel off Washington Square, has stepped down.
The kitchen veteran of Daniel, Adour Alain Ducasse, and Per Se is New York-bound.
New chef, starting Friday, Oct. 7, is Aaron Bellizzi, a vet of a.kitchen, fish, Table 31, Le Cirque, Benoit and Gilt. Owners say he will expand the menu while staying with the local/organic theme. Owners have a farm in Frenchtown, N.J.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Chef Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby say they are looking at "two weeks - or so" until the opening of their modern vegan restaurant Vedge, which has made every critic's must-try list for fall.
The couple, who left Horizons at Seventh near South over the summer, have taken over the historic mansion at 1221 Locust St. that housed the Deux Cheminees, and from what I just saw, the hammering is wrapping up at what will be a rustically elegant destination.
In sum, there will be a 12-seat bar at the entrance, alongside a cozy, library-like lounge-type area in the historic building's corner at Locust and Camac Streets. One dining room will feature an open veg bar, where cold dishes will be prepared amid 16 high-top seats for walk-ins. Two other dining rooms will seat a total of 46 others.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Add this newcomer to the list of casual drop-in restaurants near the Kimmel Center/Academy of Music:
Giancarlo's Lounge, 1506 Spruce St., replacing a produce store. It's next to Giancarlo Frusone's sibling, Bella Cena Primadonna.
Menu (shared here) is a budget-friendly selection of hot and cold Italian small plates, such as beef, lamb, or pork meatballs, short ribs, eggplant parm, seafood salad, and octopus carpaccio. Atmosphere is more cafe than lounge, and there's a TV over the long bar.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Chef Chris Painter and Stephen Starr are running about 10 days behind on Il Pittore, the high-end Italian at 2025 Sansom St. near Rittenhouse Square.
It's now up for Tuesday, Oct. 25.
Painter, a Pottsville native and a vet of French Laundry and L'Espinasse, has been looking forward to this spot for years, as locations at 13th and Locust and Third and Bainbridge fell through.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Adding a fortress-like aspect to the otherwise nondescript facade of Hop Sing Laundromat at 1029 Race St. in Chinatown, an iron gate went up Sept. 30. The bar is due to open this month.
Also coming to that Chinatown block, possibly as early as November, is M Kee, a Chinese barbecue spot, at 1002 Race St., in the former produce store next to Ho Sai Gai. Owner is a Northeast Philly guy who is keeping a low profile.
Top Chef winner Kevin Sbraga's Sbraga restaurant (Broad and Pine Streets) is getting close. Front-of-the-house orientation starts Oct. 2, as he related on Facebook/Twitter. Reservations are being taken effective Oct. 15 by phone (215-735-1913). It's not yet on OpenTable. The website is at sbraga.com.
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Monday, Oct. 3 marks the debut of Isabel, a BYOB at 2601 Pennsylvania Ave. (aka 2601 Parkway) in the Art Museum in an off-the-beaten-path part of Fairmount.
Owners Van Chau and Michael Poole, who also have Trio on Brown Street, had great bones to work with in the former Coffee Room Cafe, whose window-filled spot allows for plenty of natural light. There will be outdoor seating, too.
Poole is chef. Menu is here. Hours will be 5 to 10 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and till 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It will be closed Tuesdays.
