Dining odds and ends
A well-regarded suburban Chinese restaurant is opening in Old City; truffle dinners; this week's openings.
Han Dynasty, the suburban Szechuan duopoly that got two bells from Craig LaBan in the spring, is opening at 108 Chestnut St. in Old City, where Joe Poon recently was. Owner Han Chiang (at right), who will keep his spots in Exton and Royersford, is targeting mid-December. He hopes to get a liquor license next year.
Tuesday (11/17) saw the opening of Percy Street Barbecue at 900 South St., in the wide storefront that was Crescent City. Concept from Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook (Zahav and Xochitl) and chef Erin O'Shea features meats sold by the pound, and beers sold by the pint, half-gallon, and gallon in a Texas roadhouse design by Elisabeth Knapp (Zahav). Menu and particulars here.
Moments ago (11/18), Hawthornes began rolling out the barrel at 11th and Fitzwater in South Philly. See details here.
Hunan in Ardmore, struck by a fire Oct. 27, will be closed longer than previously believed. It's now only in the insurance-adjuster phase. Besides the kitchen repairs, it will need a new sewer line and fire sprinkler system.
Today's word is truffles. You've seen my post from Monday about Barclay Prime's purchase of a $4,100 white truffle. While chef Jim LoCascio figures out what to do with it, chew on this:
Alison two in Fort Washington is offering a four-course truffle tasting dinner for $35 through Saturday (11/21).
And in West Chester, John Brandt-Lee at Avalon Restaurant will serve a six-course truffle menu ($50, weeknights) in December: grilled bread with truffled ricotta cheese, shaved prosciutto and crab-apple mostarda; mushroom and goat-cheese tortelloni with truffled porcini cream sauce; poached sea scallops with shaved truffles, black squid-ink fettuccini, and white truffle cream sauce; a veal duet of braised veal cheeks, truffle risotto and veal demi; a mixed salad; and truffled cheese and fruit plate.