Michael Klein: Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar is new in Wayne

Radnor Township is getting an upgrade - what with White Dog Cafe's reopening after a fire, Peppercorn's recent debut, and the forthcoming Estia Taverna and Pietro's Coal-Oven Pizza coming to 200 Radnor-Chester Rd. in a few months.

A week old is Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar (372 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, 484-580-6725), a dramatic transformation of HogFish Bar & Grill and its predecessor, Flavor. It's dark and sexy in a chain sort of way, which is about right because Carmel has five locations in Florida.

Carmel's concept is Mediterranean-inspired fare, available in small and large plates, priced easy on the wallet. The 160-seater has three communal tables and a semiprivate wine room. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Lunch is on the way.

BarLy - a sports bar with an astonishing 60 beers on tap - has succeeded Ly Michael's and Tazia in a newly vast, high-ceilinged space at 101 N. 11th St. in Chinatown (215-922-2688). Bar menu includes American and Asian dishes.

Garces Trading Company at 1111 Locust St. has rolled out an 18-seat bar, converting what had been a hybrid market-cafe into a more conventional restaurant. The bar replaces the retail counter. Garces Trading still has a small LCB-run wine shop at the edge of the dining room.

Ashton Cigar Bar offers 300 spirits plus six draft beers and 20 more in bottles, eight to 10 wines by the glass, and charcuterie and cheese plates, along with 200 cigars. It's upstairs from its parent, Holt's Cigar Company, at 1522 Walnut St.

The Lucky Well - the barbecue/American restaurant from Next Food Network Star contestant Chad Rosenthal - debuts Monday at 111 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler.

Chef Nick Farina of Bryn Mawr's Verdad is coming into the city to open Union Taco, a 20-seater, at 712 W. Girard Ave. in early October. That's the former Tiffin Etc., the quick-serve next door to the flagship Tiffin Indian restaurant. Tiffin will remain. The menu will include a half-dozen six-inch soft tacos using house-made tortillas, tortas, Mexican flatbread pizzas, and churros.

Pure Sweets - Andrea Kyan's organic, gluten-free, vegan, kosher bakery, and cold-pressed juice company - is looking for a spring opening at 1706 Locust St. Kyan said her line would be expanded to include plant-based Burmese/Chinese/Thai food.

Chef-owner Robert Halpern has dispensed with conventional menus at his West Philly BYOB, Marigold Kitchen (501 S. 45th St.). Patrons simply indicate seafood, meat, or vegetarian and get whatever he feels like making (up to 15 courses for $85).

After more than 20 years, Cafette - the quirky cafe in Chestnut Hill - has closed. Owner Jan Wilson is career-changing to acupuncturist.

The Kimpton Hotels - Square 1682 at the Palomar and Red Owl Tavern at the Monaco - are looking for a new executive chef, as Guillermo Tellez left. He said he needed a sabbatical.