Girasole, a sibling of the location on Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City, makes you think sunflowers - look at the mural. The 40-seater has rich copper banquettes. A bar area in the front and center seats a dozen, or 24 if they're friendly. Doors will open to the sidewalk in nice weather.

Angela Iovino's menu, prepared by an all-female line, includes pastas, seafood, and various carpaccio selections. Entrees are $21.50 to $32, with some specials higher. It serves weekday lunch (including a $25 prix-fixe), plus dinner nightly (including a $35 prix-fixe before 6:30 p.m.).

What's new

What's coming

Ken Shin Asian Diner is looking at a mid-April opening on the northwest corner of Third and Spring Garden, across from Finnigan's Wake. Owner Kenny Poon is partners with his brother Shin on this BYOB, which will combine Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese cuisines (think Pei Wei) in a high-energy atmosphere.

Four Seasons bartender Chris Simpson is one of the partners in the Wine Thief, an American comfort-fooder with a wine emphasis, coming to the former Bitar's space at 7152 Germantown Ave. in Mount Airy, just up the block from Earth Bread + Brewery. Simpson, who says the menu will have a healthful, local-sourcing bent, is targeting May for the opening.

Bibou - Le Bec-Fin alum Pierre Calmels' BYOB in the former Pif space at 1009 S. Eighth St. - is now looking at a mid-April opening. Calmels and his wife, Charlotte, were called back to France recently after her father passed away.

City permits finally in hand, Kelly Schmitz suggests "May" for Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St.), the German beer hall she's developing with husband Doug Hager.

Briefly noted

Table 31 chef/co-owner Chris Scarduzio seeks to kill a rumor he's been hearing: that he will offer takeout and delivery at the Italian steak house. It's Plaza Cafe, which he operates outside of T31 beside the fountains on the Comcast Center's plaza, that will offer a to-go menu when it is scheduled to open for the season Tuesday. Plaza Cafe also will offer delivery of large orders (as caterers such as Marathon Grill and Di Bruno Bros. do).

About three dozen Brandywine Valley restaurants are offering three-course meals from Sundays through Thursdays in March for $25 and $30. List is available at http://brandywinecvb.org.

Horizons (611 S. Seventh St.) recently got approval for outdoor seating, and plans to renovate the downstairs room for an indoor/outdoor look, reminiscent of the nearby Beau Monde. It also will open for Saturday lunch with a small-plates menu. Chef-owner Rich Landau will mark his 15th anniversary starting Tuesday by adding a tasting menu with updated versions of his older recipes. His grilled portobello sandwich with pesto, tomato, and grilled onions will be re-created as portobello medallions in a grilled green onion salsa verde with roasted cherry vine tomatoes over smoked potato puree.