Table Talk: Seasonal eats in Point Breeze

Point Breeze, a slice of South Philadelphia that is seeing all sorts of new developments, is now the home of a neo-bistro.

A neo-what?

Neo-bistros, a thing now in Paris, are gastropubs specializing in seasonal foods.

Buckminster's (1200 S. 21st St., 267-928-3440), replacing the shot-and-beer Burg's at 21st and Federal Streets is a snug, casual spot from Michael and Jeniphur Pasquarello, who own Cafe Lift, Prohibition Taphouse, Bufad, and Kensington Quarters. Atmosphere honors Buckminster Fuller, the architect, designer, and promoter of the geodesic dome. The 14-tap system pours eight beers and six wines.

Chef Rob Marzinsky (ex-Fitler Dining Room) turns out such main plates as pork and apples with sauerkraut, mustard, and broth; and chicken Marsala made with Frecon Farms cider, mushrooms, and spelt noodles. Top price is $21. Opening for now is at 5 p.m. daily.

Chris Fetfatzes and Heather Annechiarico just opened their third restaurant, Tio Flores (1600 South St., 267-687-2220). Although their nearby Hawthornes and the Cambridge have enviable beer lists, this 50-seat Mexican cantina - with a bright layout, mini-flowering cacti on the tables, and an amped sound system - has eight beers on tap (served in frosted mugs), plus two wines and two margaritas. It's open from 4 p.m. for dinner and late night for now. Taco and beer delivery will start soon.

Anthony and Damon Mascieri of Plenty Cafe are on the move. They rebuilt the original location, at 1710 E. Passyunk Ave. There's a liquor license and a more ambitious, global-style menu. They're adding a beer and wine list to the location at 1602 Spruce St. A third location, at the corner of Fifth and Monroe Streets in Queen Village, is due to open early next year, says Anthony Mascieri, and it will have a liquor license.

Sabrina's Cafe's Robert and Raquel De Abreu have gone back to the five-and-dime for their fifth location, which opened this week at 714 Haddon Ave. in Collingswood, and which was a Woolworth's for many years. After that, it was a series of restaurants until a year ago, when Local Market Collingswood came and went in three short weeks. The bright, open look has pale yellow walls, wooden communal tables, white chairs, large signs, and a something-for-everyone menu. It's open from breakfast to post-dinner.

The Melting Pot, which closed its Center City location for the presumably more fondue-friendly climate of South Jersey, has set Friday as its opening date in Maple Shade. Its address will be 584 Route 38 East.

Osteria's finale at the Moorestown Mall is Saturday.

Matt Zagorski, who enjoyed a good run at Striped Bass, Lacroix, Rouge, and Hickory Lane before moving to Washington for Cuba Libre, has taken over the kitchen at Pennsylvania 6 in Washington Square West. Chef Marc Plessis is doing the Amtrak shuttle among the Pennsylvania 6 outposts in New York, Philadelphia, and a third location opening this month in Washington.

More restaurant news at www.philly.com/mike.