The return of Philippe Chin

Once upon a time in Philadelphia back in the 1990s, Philippe Chin was the man.

The Harley-driving, Paris-born chef - a publicist/girlfriend on his arm - owned a boutique spot called Chanterelles, serving uppity French/Chinese fusion, at 1312 Spruce St. (He sold the salon to a kid from Abington named Marc Vetri.) Chin's next stop was a restaurant at the Locust Club, then at 1614 Locust St. He left there - quickly - in early 2001. He landed at the Partridge Inn in Augusta, Ga. (signature restaurant Bambu), then went the solo route with a restaurant called CuiZine in Aiken, S.C., before the economy tanked and he took a job with Centerplate Inc. He ran food at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in D.C.

Chin, now 49, is back in the area. Surfaced on the bay in Somers Point, N.J., with Philiippe Chin French-Asian Bistro & Deck Bar at 800 Bay Ave. The year-round restaurant, opening Memorial Day weekend, previously was 800 Bay after seasons as Fanucci's and Tucker's. It's a 300-seater in its multiple rooms and is accessible by land (comp valet parking) and water (private slips).

(It's also across from Latz by the Bay, a high-style affair from the Latz family, former owners of Atlantic City's Knife & Fork.)

Phillippe Chin's menu will include a raw bar. Sample items: Tuna or crab sliders with Asian slaw, pickled ginger and sweet chili remoulade; whole crispy bronzini, with ginger and scallions, bambu rice, baby bok choy; sea scallops with edamame/Napa cabbage fondue, Chinese bacon and vegetable fried rice; Paku ribs; and Mongolian lamb chops.

Prices are not set.