Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

	print	email	reply	rss feed

Published: Nov 7, 2007

>> NOW SEATING

This new 45-seat café in the Lofts at 444 complex is run by two serious Philly foodie vets: Kristin Mulvenna, who opened Cantina Los Caballitos in addition to stints at the South Philly Taproom and Charlie's Pub, and her chef boyfriend, Marshall Green, who's put in time at Ansill and Django and was most recently sous chef at Meritage. The eats, which Mulvenna describes as "high-end food, but not at a high-end price," are mostly crafted in-house — they're baking their own breads and muffins and making sausage on the premises. Breakfast and lunch are the focus in the café's first week, but brunch should be up and running in about a month. Bite This: The beef and bleu panini features roasted eye round, watercress mayo and gorgonzola cheese served with fresh watercress on a ciabatta.

>> WAITING LIST

Davinder Singh, whose father, Tarsem, opened the original Minar Palace at 1605 Sansom back in 1991, recently touched base to confirm that the insanely popular Indian delivery/takeout is making a comeback in the Walnut Street space that previously housed Time Video. (The lease at the old location expired in July 2006.) Davinder says his father was about ready to retire, but an outpouring of support from customers reignited his passion for the business. The new location, which the Singhs hope to have up and running by January 2008, will have seating for 100 — a dramatic improvement from the old, tiny spot, if you ever tried to shoulder-ram your way in to pick up some lamb vindaloo. The menu will remain the same — good. "We let our food do the talking," says Davinder.

South Philly native Steve Pollack says that his 80-seater, located at the intersection of Moyamensing, Reed and Third, should be ready by the end of this month. The building, which has been vacant since at least 1993, has been completely rehabbed; Pollack says that he'll serve a selection of bottled beers to start out, but will consider installing a draught system if there's a demand for it.They're not making the chef's name public yet, but Pollack says the menu will be New American, with a number of fish/veal/steak dishes and a large salad selection.

 

All reader comments are subject to our Terms of Use. By clicking Post Comment, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agree to these Terms.

Name	please enter your name
Email (will not be published)	please enter a valid email
URL	please enter a valid url
Comment	please enter a comment
Enter the security code on the right in the textbox below.
Security Code	please enter the code
	Join the City Paper Mailing List

Grange Days
King Cake
Cup o' Wisdom
The Week In Eats
Spins on Classic Candy
Jack's Famous Bar
Small Bites
You Ask We Answer