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Restaurant closings: Penne, Barbacoa, Tilted Kilt

Over the last 25 years in the Philadelphia area, the openings have far outnumbered the closings. But still…

Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar at the Inn at Penn, 3600 Sansom St.
Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar at the Inn at Penn, 3600 Sansom St.Read moreINN AT PENN

The restaurant scene is a never-ending churn of openings and closings. Over the last 25 years in the Philadelphia area, the openings have far outnumbered the closings.

Here's a look at some recent shutdowns:

Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar's 15-year run at the Inn at Penn concluded Sunday, June 25, as the University of Pennsylvania has decided to use the slow season to redo the restaurant. The new name and concept have not been disclosed, though I hear that an outside operator will be running it. Penne was known for housemade pastas.

The region's two restaurants with the name Barbacoa are now closed. June 19 brought the curtain down on Barbacoa, the Peruvian chicken specialist in Ardmore, as it prepares for a nearby relocation, where it will be known as the Shack in the Back. Meanwhile, South Philly Barbacoa — Cristina Martinez's well-regarded Mexican shop — shuts down Sunday, June 25, as it consolidates its operations seven blocks away at El Compadre, 1149 S. Ninth Street.

After 14 years, Fred Kellermann serves his last meal at Haddon Heights' Elements Cafe on Sunday, June 25, as he steps away from the daily grind of restaurants. I'm hearing word of a Mexican BYOB setting up at 517 Station Avenue.

Modo Mio's finale at 161 W. Girard Avenue will be an open house on June 29 as chef-owner Pete McAndrews readies a relocation to what is now Rembrandt's in Fairmount, whose last day after 34 years will be July 9. Details here.

Rittenhouse Korean quick serve Giwa closed last week as it awaits a move later this summer to 1722 Sansom Street, the former crepe shop next to SuGa.

Picnic, the University City gourmet-to-go, packed it in June 23. Owner Anne-Marie Lasher said competition for the lunch dollar in the neighborhood was simply too much.

Eat A Pita, the pita specialist at 128 S. 12th Street, closed last week after five years. Owner Jamie Kelly Steenson said construction at her doorstep hurt walk-in business.

Tilted Kilt, the syndicated sports bar outside the King of Prussia Mall, has closed. Another concept is on the way.

And just catching up on the April 28 closing of Herban Quality Eats, a counter-serve eatery with design-your-own plates, at 3601 Market Street.