Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

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Published: Jun 5, 2007

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Byblos owner Diaa Sawan says this 120-seat bilevel resto-lounge will be ready to go in mid-August. Lunch and dinner offerings will center on Japanese fusion of the upscale variety � think tuna tartare, miso-flavored bass, takes on kobe beef and a fully customizable sushi menu. Sawan isn't releasing his chef's name yet, but says that he works "for some big guys" in Philly. (Draw your own conclusions.) Just one more question: What's a Vango? "It's a cool name," laughs Sawan. According to my research, it's also a U.K.-based camping equipment company. You know, that is kinda cool.

UPenn alum Jonathan Adler is looking at June 9 for the debut of his new café, a welcome addition to a purely residential strip of Fitzwater. According to Adler's research, barbers and beauticians have occupied the cozy 450-square-foot space since 1937; it's heritage he's celebrating via subtle décor touches, including checkered floors and retro molding. Food-wise, they'll serve simple sandwiches and soups; Adler says the menu will be fully fleshed out in his first two months of operation. Bite This: Beauty Shop will be the first café to carry beans roasted by Chestnut Hill Coffee Company.

Do you remember when � ugh �wraps got really big? While it's difficult to determine the exact reason why we became fascinated with something that's no different from a burrito, said sammy is now a part of the American lunchtime lexicon. Jesse Munoz, who hopes to open his Miami Café in the location that housed Abilene's around June 11, thinks Cuban sandwiches � typically grilled, with meat, cheese, pickles and spicy mustard � are prepped to blow. "I think it'll become part of our everyday choices," says Munoz, whose 150-capacity restaurant will offer an authentic-but-casual Cubano experience, down to salsa lessons and signature mojitos. Bite This: Munoz's "plaintain cups" are a hearty take on tostones � the fried plantains are served with shrimp, chicken or chorizo.

Kathryn and Davide Faenza, who own L'Angolo (1415 Porter St.), are hoping to open this new Italian BYO by the end of June. After seven successful years in South Philly, the couple felt it was time to Center City it up. Though the menu isn't finalized, Kathryn says it'll focus on classic antipasti and dishes from her husband's native region of Apulia, where legumes, seafood and grilled fare reign supreme. It'll accommodate more than 60 diners, almost double the capacity of the couple's original location.

 

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