Restaurant notes: The Dan-TEA-lion; free dessert
The Dandelion launches lunch and tea, and Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant is in the Krimpets.
Old City's Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant (120 Market St.) opens for lunch starting Thursday (1/20). It's offering a free Tastykake bread pudding dessert with any sandwich or entree on Thursday or Friday. Lunch hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and dinner service will roll in after that. The Tastykake bread pudding is made of Butterscotch Krimpets.
Thursday (1/20) marks the launch of lunch at The Dandelion (18th and Sansom Streets). Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch menu is here. Lunch segues into afternoon tea, from 3 to 5 p.m. Here's the afternoon tea menu. And weekend brunch starts Jan. 22; runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; here's the brunch menu.
Friday marks the debut of Perch Pub, in the space that was Upstares at Varalli at Broad and Locust Streets. Here's the opening menu.
You have till noon Thursday (yes, today, 1/19) to qualify for a pastrami-on-rye eating contest at Delicatessen (703 Chestnut St.). Eat the 24-ounce sandwich known as the Big Macher. The six best times get to compete later in the say (at 5:30 p.m.) by eating a 48-ounce version known as the Maccabee. Winner gets a catered party for 25 in Delicatessen's Upstairs at Bubby's Lounge. The time to beat on the 24-ounce sandwich is 3:39.