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Philadelphia Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Culinary Events / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive
10 Arts by Eric Ripert is open for business. The emphasis is on locavore fare (a movement advocating only locally grown foods be consumed), with chef Jennifer Carroll, a Philly native, creating seafood-centric dishes ranging from comfort food to dishes reflecting Ripert’s Le Bernardin roots. Breakfast and lunch started June 9. 10 Arts by Eric Ripert, The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, Ten Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia, 215-523-8000.
El Camino Real, a Tex-Mex project from Bar Ferdinand's Owen Kamihira is taking over the former Deuce in Northern Liberties sometime in June. El Camino Real, 1040 N. Second St., Philadelphia, PA 19123, no phone available yet.
Chima, the DAS-Architect-designed Brazilian churrasco (Brazilian barbecue) opened in early June. The family-owned chain also has locations in Fort Lauderdale, Tyson's Corner, Va., Atlanta, Ga. and coming soon to Charlotte, N.C. Chima, 1901 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-525-3233.
Tennessee's BBQ and Grill brings beef brisket, smokehouse chicken and Memphis-style ribs to the Langhorne Shopping Center in June. Tennessee's BBQ and Grill, 1295 E. Lincoln Hwy., Levittown, PA 19056, 215-949-1599.
Azul Cantina, owned by George Markakis, last of Gigi, is opening any minute now. Chef is Jesse Vega, a Gigi vet. Highlights include a smashed fruit mojito bar and a menu of fresh Nuevo Mexican street food, portioned for sharing. Flights of small batch tequila are also featured. Azul Cantina, 941 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, no phone available yet.
Zahav, which means gold in Hebrew, brings modern Israeli cookery to Society Hill. The restaurant is a partnership between chef Michael Solomonov and restaurateur Steven Cook, the force behind Xochitl and Marigold Kitchen. Solomonov mines his Israeli roots along with the gastronomies of Morocco, Turkey, Yemen, Lebanon and Egypt and the Baltics. The main dining room offers a marketplace vibe and casual mezze-centered menu, with the separate fine dining room, the Quarter, offering chef's tasting and vegetarian menus. Zahav, 237 Saint James Pl., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-625-8800.
Table 31 is (softly) opened, with a high-end steakhouse menu and prices to match ($38-$68 gets you the beef). The 15,000-square-foot restaurant includes a two-story bar, an intimate lounge area and a state-of-the-art conference room. There's also a 250-seat banquet room. Table 31 has catering rights for the Comcast Center lobby, too. Table 31, 1701 J.F.K. Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-567-7111.
Cebu Dips into a Whole New Bag
Formerly a Filipino concept, Cebu, which lives in the gorgeous former Corn Exchange Building (World Fusion, Rococo), is now offering diners a choice of 30 dipping sauces to pair with grilled entrees. Chef Wilfredo Encarnacion---who has 15 years as a chef and trainer at Marriott hotels on his resume, prepared sweet, savory and spicy sauces such as tamarind chipotle, chili garlic and mango coulis---along with grilled salmon, tuna, pork and more. An extensive array of tapas starts things off. Still reflecting its Filipino roots, the menu's flavors are big and bold, a melting pot of Pacific Rim, Chinese and European cuisines. Cebu, 123 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-629-1100.
Under Wraps
There's a new concept brewing at Twenty21, the hidden new American gem in Commerce Square. The restaurant closed at the end of June to retool---concept still unannounced. Look for a Labor Day reopening. Twenty21, One Commerce Sq., 2005 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-851-6262.
For the Birds
Parotta's Happy Rooster is on the block, going to lawyer Larry Berk and partner Debbie Reid Jordan. Rose Parotta brought the Rooster into the 21st century when she bought it in 2000. Happy Rooster, 118 S. 16th St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-563-1481. 
Haute CheesesteakThe traditional Philly cheesteak has been given a luxurious makeover courtesy of chef James Locascio at Barclay Prime. His version of the sandwich comes with Kobe beef, butter poached lobster and shaved truffles---and a $100 price tag. Barclay Prime, 237 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-732-7560.
Spring Has Sprung
Carlo deMarco debuted his spring menu at 333 Belrose Bar & Grill in Radnor, including seasonal dishes such as Caprese-style grilled shrimp and scallops with Roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil pesto, jumbo lump crab cake with poblano-corn sauce and fresh corn and thyme chowder. 333 Belrose Bar & Grill, 33 Belrose Ln., Radnor, PA 19807, 610-293-1000.
Chef's Menu at Zinc
Zinc, Olivier St. Martin's newish French bistro, is now offering a five-course chef's menu Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $65. Guests need to reserve at least a day in advance, and the entire table must order---as a bonus, diners who opt for the chef's menu can BYOB. Zinc, 246 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-351-9901.
Fully Committed
Talula's Table in Kennett Square, the toughest table in town, is soon to become the hardest reservation to get in America. Already booked a year out, the single chef's table for 8-12 has gotten tons of press lately, including a segment on NPR's "Day to Day." Bryan Sikora and Aimee Olexy (last of Django) recently raised prices to $90 per person. Talula's Table, 102 W. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348, 610-444-8255.
For Every Season
Seasonal changes this spring are also appearing on the plates at Sonam BYOB, where chef Ben Byruch is serving dishes such as Mexican mac & cheese with queso blanco sauce and corn tortilla crust and deconstructed paella with saffron risotto cake. Sonam, 223 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 215-922-3092.
Put on your Sunday Clothes
Supper on South Street is now serving an a la carte Sunday brunch. The $5-$19 menu includes oysters on the half shell, a charcuterie platter, French toast with Nutella and baked treats such as buttermilk biscuits and oatmeal and apricot streusel. Supper, 928 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 215-592-8180.
Keith Murphy is moving from Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro to Jason and Delphine Evenchik's new restaurant, Time. Josh Keeler, a sous chef from El Vez, is now in the kitchen at Vintage. Time, 1315 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-985-4800.
Todd Laen, last of Deuce and Old City's Mandoline, is now a sous chef at Pod. Pod, The Inn at Penn, 3636 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-387-1803.
Allen Dann is the new top toque at South Philly's latest gastro pub, Devil's Den. Devil's Den, 1148 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 215-339-0855.
Dominique Filoni, the St. Tropez-born chef known for his inspired plates at Savona and briefly, Lacroix at The Rittenhouse, landed the top spot at Parc, the Stephen Starr-backed French bistro coming to the Park Rittenhouse at 18th and Locust. Parc takes over the space formerly occupied by Bleu and Potcheen.
Closings
Clementine's Bistro is a wrap after a year in South Philly. Clementine's Bistro, 1617 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148, no phone available.
Kaizan, the Japanese spot in the Academy House has closed after just five months. Kaizan, 1420 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, no phone available.
Azure is no more in Northern Liberties. Azure, 931 N. Second St., Philadelphia, PA 19123, no phone available.
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