Table Talk: First, Rittenhouse Square; next, a burger joint

By Michael Klein

Inquirer Columnist

Rob and Maggie Wasserman, whose burger on the menu at Rouge on Rittenhouse Square is an institution, are branching into the burger biz.

They're planning 500° for a first-quarter 2010 opening in a storefront on Sansom Street just west of Roy's at 15th Street.

Rob Wasserman said they got a taste during the Rittenhouse Row festival in May, as they sold smaller burgers by the hundreds. He says he worked with his vendors to drive down the cost of ingredients, while maintaining quality. (Goal is to serve 4- to 7-ounce burgers for $4 to $4.50, and to price a burger, fries, and shake meal for $10.) The look will be comfy-upscale, Wasserman says: wood, metal, and marble. About 20 people will sit inside; most business will be take-out. There will be no liquor/beer.

What's new

Con Murphy's, an Irish pub from the creators of Tir na Nog, is now open in the odd-shaped, bilevel space at the Windsor that was the old Peacock on the Parkway (1700 Ben Franklin Parkway, 267-687-1128). Owners Maurice Collins and Liam Kelly and chef Todd Butler are keeping hours from morning till late night, including weekend brunch. Design includes a floor-to-ceiling mural of Irish sports, music, and culture. They're offering 12 beers on tap, plus a large selection of imported bottles and Scotches. Menus are at http://go.philly.com/conmurphy.

The PJ Whelihan's chain opened two sports bars off the main concourse of the Wachovia Center; the spots previously were operated by Finnigan's Wake and Red Bell.

Floret on the way

The waterside setting on King of Prussia Road in Radnor that's now Pond and previously was Passerelle will become a Euro-style American comfort-fooder called Floret. Opening is aimed at December, and Pond will be open for the near future. Pond owner Raelyn Harman, who will maintain an ownership interest, will honor Pond gift certificates and reservations.

Owners Scott Morrison (Nectar) and Dan Kremin (whose resumé includes Barclay Prime and Buddakan) are aiming to draw frequent repeat business with entrees under $20. There will be several menus - hors d'oeuvres and small plates to pair with specialty drinks, craft beers, and wines in the 90-seat lounge, plus a selection of burgers and salads. Kremin's restaurant menu will feature steak frites, fish pommes souffle, and original takes on cassoulet, Amish-raised chicken coq au vin, braised lamb shanks, chicken liver crostini, lasagna al forno, and vegetarian shepherd's pie.

What else is coming

The space at 25th and Aspen Streets in Fairmount that was Aspen is coming back after a year-plus layoff. Owner Jud Bertolf's name, Lucky 7 Tavern, comes from one of his favorite trivia questions: "What is the name of the bar in the Rocky movies?" Unlike Aspen's global focus, Lucky 7 will carry an American tavern menu from chef Sean Pashley, whose past includes Eulogy and the reality show Average Joe 2. Opening is targeted before Thanksgiving.

Stephen Starr has rented the former Midtown IV diner at 2013 Chestnut St. He's looking for a concept, perhaps Mexican, and wants to serve classic cocktails in what he says will be an exclusive barroom in the 35-seat back room, which has an entrance on Ranstead Street.

The Blue Horse, which sat for 5½ years in the fieldstone building at the intersection of Penllyn-Blue Bell and Skippack Pikes in Blue Bell, has shut down. Next up: a branch of Domenico's in Ventnor, N.J., from chef Nicola Domenico. An Italian concept worked pretty well at the Blue Bell location; from 1988 to 2003, it was Marabella's.

Contact Michael Klein at 215-854-5514 or mklein@phillynews.com. For real-time restaurant news, read his blog at http://go.philly.com/insider.

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