Restaurant Neuf coming to Italian Market

Neuf means "nine," and Wednesday, Sept. 30 - the last day of the ninth month - will be the debut of Restaurant Neuf, the bistro from Joncarl Lachman and Bob Moysan, who own the Passyunk Square hit Noord.

It's also on Ninth Street, in the Italian Market.

The well-traveled couple is venturing south from Noord's Northern European fare, offering dishes from southern France and North Africa in the distinctive glass storefront at 943 S. Ninth St. (215-309-5847) that formerly housed the restaurant 943. It's across from Villa Di Roma, the original Di Bruno Bros., and Blue Corn.

Jesse Cornell, who won a Best of Philly this summer for his cocktailing at Vesper, is running the bar, whose wine list reflects Lachman's menu - Morocco, France, Spain, even the Canary Islands. Cornell says he's not trying to make the menu "too cocktail bar-y." You'll find a dirty martini with picholine olives and a couple of drinks starting with cognac. Two beers will be on tap - Churchville Lager from Neshaminy Creek and Wyndridge cider - plus 10 bottles, including Lammsbräu Pilsner.

Take a moment to peruse Lachman's menu, studded with such seldom-seen-locally dishes as shakshuka, pan-roasted squab, a mutton burger, and the heady, cumin-scented Tunisian beef stew known as kamounia. There are sharing dishes, including tajines and bouillabaisse.

Most entree prices are in the mid-$20s.

The dining room, once cold and open, has been tightened up simply by the addition of the bar and closing off of the open kitchen. They added linen table runners to wooden tables, which are well-spaced. Small, wooden chandeliers impart romance. Twin fans fixtures turn lazily against the ceiling.

Moysan is behind a novel counter set up against a wall near the bar. He collects liquor miniatures. He photographed the bottles and then printed the photo into a wide display that fools the eye. The counter is topped by an angled mirror.

Neuf, now taking reservations, will be open initially for dinner Tuesday to Sunday.