Table Talk: 'A more manly Tria'

"A more manly Tria"

That's how Jon Myerow describes Tria Taproom, opening within a week at 2005 Walnut St.

Unlike the other Tria locations, which celebrate the trio of beer, wine, and cheese, this one will have a kitchen turning out wood-grilled flatbreads and what Myerow calls "bar food - things like chicken wings and ribs, but good ingredients."

As for the beverages, there will not be a bottle in the place. Everything - the 24 beers, two ciders, two soft drinks, 12 wines - will be poured from taps.

Top Chef contestant Nicholas Elmi is behind the stove of his first solo restaurant, Laurel, a richly appointed, 24-seat, French-inspired BYOB at 1617 E. Passyunk Ave. (215-271-8299). It's open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner only. The spot previously housed Fond, which moved around the corner in December.

WokWorks specializes in fast-service Asian food at 1935 Chestnut St., 215-644-9127). You join the queue, choose a noodle/rice/quinoa (carrots, cabbage, bean sprout, onion, and free-range egg make up the base), pick a protein, add vegetable, if desired, and finish with one of eight sauces. It's open daily.

Alfredo Sandoval, who owns the upmarket Mexican restaurants Mercadito in Chicago, New York, and Miami, will install a branch - twinned with his cocktail bar Double A - at 2116 Chestnut St., the new high-rise at 22d and Chestnut Streets. (And less than two blocks from El Rey.)

If you've eaten at fine-dining restaurants in Center City over the last 15 years, chances are high that Waldemar "Val" Stryjewski cooked for you: Brasserie Perrier, Le Bec-Fin, Pasion, Django, Pumpkin, Meze, and through last week, a.kitchen. He has joined his former Le Bec-Fin colleague Pierre Calmels at Le Cheri. Calmels and his wife, Charlotte, who also have Bibou, plan to open in the next two weeks at the Art Alliance on Rittenhouse Square.

Christopher DeFeo, former chef de cuisine at Bar Savona, is the new chef at Avero Craft Pizzeria in Devon. He's added more of a trattoria feel to the menu.

It's not even open yet, but Jose Garces' Cuban diner - Rosa Blanca, at 707 Chestnut St. - will participate in the next Center City District Restaurant Week, Jan. 19-24 and Jan. 26-31. Reservations are open at 100-plus restaurants, via www.centercityphila.org.

The Mexican Post location just off the Parkway at 1601 Cherry St. closed after 6½ years.

Casona in Collingswood closed after 7½ years.

Lucky Lab Tavern in Royersford closed after two years.

Hybird, the chicken stand that Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and Stephen Starr opened in New York's Chelsea Market, closed after six months.