Bussola
Third St. and Girard Ave., 215-922-2376
April 18 marked the grand opening of NoLibs' latest restaurant, a true-blue trattoria specializing in Tuscan culinary traditions. Executive chef Harlan Russell, who formerly ran Harlan's in West Conshohocken, collaborated with owner and Florence native Erik Pruneti to create the traditional menu. Be sure to check out their homemade pastas and desserts. Bite This: The spinach and ricotta gnocchi is served with butter, sage and freshly shaved parmesan.
Alexander's Kitchen Bar
1482 Old York Road., Abington, 215-576-9766
The Makris boys (brothers Ted and Steve and Ted's son Bob) decided to spruce up this Rt. 611 mainstay about six months ago. The most drastic changes occurred on the inside: The dining area has grown twofold, and the bar is now adorned with flat-screen TVs. Once the weather warms up for good, expect outdoor seating. Bite This: Big seller alertMakris says patrons are crazy for the grouper filet served with a peach-almond brandy sauce.
Rock Lobster
221 N. Columbus Ave., 215-627-7625
My old roommate used to go here to pick up boys and watch cover bands, which is totally fine. Anyway, owner Joanne Keenan enlisted Manayunk Brewery's Mike Rose and Bill Goldberg to reinvent the place. They're building VIP cabanas (finally!), and head chef Torin Postal has created a new menu. This Friday, the Lobster will be, uh, rockin' during its Cinco de Mayo celebration. Bite This: Visit on May 5, and someone will hand you a drink and a lobster claw kabob the moment you walk in. You complete me, dudes.
The Moshulu
Penn's Landing, 401 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-923-2500
Mariano's done like a Sunday roast, the Phillies are mediocre at best and mosquitoes are spreading West Nile like Robin's Bookstore dishes out pinko literature. But don't worry, downtrodden denizens, hope has arrived: The Moshulu is about to re-open its mother-effin' BONGO bar (and deck)! In my opinion, there's no better place to escape all the localized insanity. Remember: When the going gets tough, the tough board a restaurant boat and order mussels marinated with lime-cilantro aioli.