Construction updates
A gate has gone up at Hop Sing; staff training starts at Sbraga.
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.
East Passyunk's Birra, the pizza and beer eatery coming to 12th and Morris, seems to be two weeks out. The paper was taken off the windows briefly (for cleaning) on Sept. 30.
Updated, Oct. 2: See the map of restaurant projects here.