Ahoy: Garces sets sail

It looks as though reopening the Olde Bar at Bookbinders isn’t Jose Garces’ only nautical move for 2015. Canada.com is reporting that the Iron Chef is rolling out two new restaurants and a bar on the Escape, Norwegian’s largest cruise…

Pint Sighs: Philadium Tavern

Smoking: No Jukebox/Entertainment: TouchTunes, vintage video poker in the back and a big, green Pennsylvania Lottery machine Bathrooms: Classic gold-swirled South Philly sink and a weird two-toilet situation without a dividing wall Head Count/Tab: Two people, $26.50 before tip: Two…
- Jan 22, 2015 - 5:00 am
- Food

Openings: Parlor Pizza Bar

Goodbye Saint James, hello Parlor Pizza Bar. The former Saint James space in Suburban Square is getting an Italian makeover courtesy of Rob Wasserman. He’s transforming the never-could-really-get-its-feet-off-the-ground restaurant into Parlor Pizza Bar, a family friendly wood-fired pie spot serving…
- Jan 21, 2015 - 1:14 pm
- Blogs

Dinner Plans: Next Dinner at Isaiah’s Announced

Neal Santos Okay folks, mark your calendars: The next collaboration dinner at Isaiah Zagar’s studio space is happening on Monday, March 9th. The first one was a rousing success featuring food from South Philly barbacoa, chef Lucio Palazzo and Vetri’s…
- Jan 19, 2015 - 7:35 am
- Blogs

Restaurant Week Planner: Pittsburgh Cheesesteak at American Sardine Bar

Restaurant Week kicks off on Monday and while $35 for three courses sounds like a good idea on paper, this two week promotion is, well, let’s just say not the best time to get a stellar restaurant experience. Instead of…
- Jan 16, 2015 - 5:17 pm
- Blogs

Good Things: Pay-it-forward goes national at Rosa’s Fresh Pizza

When Mason Wartman decided to leave a career in finance and return to Philadelphia he brought something new to the city, Rosa’s Fresh Pizza (25 S. 11th St.) a barebones pizza place that specializes in dollar slices. Conceptually there was…
- Jan 16, 2015 - 9:08 am
- Blogs

La Divisa Meats, a forward-thinking butcher shop, opens in Reading Terminal Market.

Neal Santos STILL LIFE WITH SALAMI: Nick Macri at La Divisa Meats. neal santos The end-all, be-all for me wasnt to have a white tablecloth restaurant. The end-all, be-all was to have a retail counter and slicer and thats it,…
- Jan 15, 2015 - 8:34 am
- Food

Change Ups: Rob Marzinsky is out at Fitler Dining Room

Mike Persico Looks like three-bell chef Rob Marzinsky is moving on from Fitler Dining Room (2201 Spruce St.). Marzinsky began working at Pub & Kitchen back in 2011 and then moved on to take over the kitchen at The Diving…
- Jan 13, 2015 - 1:24 pm
- Blogs

Dinner Plans: Italian preview at Townsend

There are still a few seats left for a very special dinner happening tonight at Townsend (1623 E. Passyunk Ave.) Chef Townsend Wentz is teaming up with olive oil maker Lorenzo Caponetti for a multi-course menu previewing Wentz’s upcoming Italian…
- Jan 13, 2015 - 7:29 am
- Blogs

Chef William Distefano looks back at the final days at the Fountain at the Four Seasons

Caroline Russock A peek into the last dinner service at The Fountain When chef William DiStefano began at the Fountain restaurant, he was an apprentice externing from the Restaurant School. The year was 1989 and the menu, was full of…
- Jan 2, 2015 - 12:22 pm
- Food