Table Talk: A Pearl springs from Little Pete's old spot
Pearl, a pan-Asian restau-bar three years in the works, has opened in a former Little Pete's at 1904 Chestnut St.
Pearl
, a pan-Asian restau-bar three years in the works, has opened in a former Little Pete's at 1904 Chestnut St.
The project from David, Scott and Sean Stein of Old City's Red Sky, with lawyer/club promoter Brett Perloff, is a two-story affair designed by DAS Architects (Rae, Rat's, Le Bec-Fin). First floor includes a white dining room and bar. There are a dark lounge, DJ booth, plus private room overlooking Chestnut Street on the second floor; four large "pearls," or seating areas, allow for bottle service for groups.
Ari Weiswasser's menu is heavy on appetizers; entrees range from $18 for the cashew wok chicken to $33 for filet. Average tab per person will be $40 to $50 per person, says Perloff.
It's open daily for dinner and late-night only. Note that tomorrow, Pearl will be closed until 10 p.m. for a private party.
What's new
Michael Baer has brought back the
Blue in Green
name that adorned his two breakfast-lunchers, the last of which closed a few years ago. This incarnation, taking up less than 500 square feet in the White Building on the southeast corner of 12th and Chestnut Streets, is focused on takeout; there are maybe 10 seats. He bakes his own breads, muffins, biscotti and scones in the back. There's a 16-foot case displaying sandwiches (tuna, ham/Brie, tomato/mozzarella) and salads. For now, hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
Briefly noted
The Wawa at 20th and Locust Streets closes today.
Snackbar
, Jonathan Makar's boîte at 20th and Rittenhouse, plans to step into the void tomorrow morning with grab-and-go coffee, doughnuts, bagels, fruit and juices. "With the exception of the hoagies to order, we've got our neighbors covered," he says.
Morton's
steak houses (Center City and King of Prussia) will give a free steak and seafood dinner to anyone born on Feb. 29 who dines there tomorrow night. Reservation is required.
Andrew Deery and Sarah Johnson have cut days of operation for their Phoenixville BYOB,
Majolica
, following the birth of daughter Lila. As of March 1, Majolica will be open for dinner only Wednesdays through Saturdays.
What's coming
What was Raymond Jewelers in Collingswood (693 Haddon Ave.) is being configured into
Il Fiore
, a modern, moderate-priced Italian BYOB, from waiter/accountant Hekuran Daku and partner/chef Astrit Shimi, who last cooked at Center City's La Viola. They're counting on early April.
Renovations
Zot
, the Belgian at 122 Lombard St. in Society Hill, is having some work done on the eve of its first anniversary. Owners Tim Trevans and Bernard Dehaene are moving the wine bar in the front of the first floor to the upstairs, leaving two beer bars downstairs. Upstairs, they'll add a sports bar with a novel bar back: a regulation tiled bathroom (bathtub and sink). Behind the wall is a refrigerator box, and beer lines will be punched through over the tub.
Cary Neff is renovating
Sansom Street Oyster House
with a mind to make it look well-worn and fresh at the same time; work will be conducted during off-hours. Paralleling the redesign, Coquette chef de cuisine Jeremy Nolan will co-chef alongside Evans Herbert to update the menus.