This Sunday is Valentine’s Day and we’re ready to help you out. Whether you’re intent on a romantic night at a BYOB or a Valentine’s Day Brunch, we’ve got you covered. And for your you dyed-in-the-wool Valentine’s Haters, we’ve got something for you too.

Check out our all-new Valentine’s Day Guide to Philadelphia.

It’s the last night of the $18.95 Surf and Turf 3-course dinner at London Grill. It’s also Meatball Monday and they’ve tapped Rogue Chocolate Stout. Those are a lot of reasons to head to Fairmount.

Meal Ticket has the latest on the ongoing saga regarding Brew’s liquor license. Now the PLCB has requested a signed document stating Brew’s hours of operation and that they will have an ID-swiping machine on the premises before the board grants the license. Of course this document may not be ready for the board’s February 10th meeting, so there may be more delays.

Design a tee for Ultimo Coffee while you wait for Brew’s liquor license to take [Meal Ticket]

Garces Trading Company. will open to the public on Tuesday, February 16th at 7am. The gourmet market and cafe is Jose Garces’ sixth Philadelphia venture and promises house-made and imported foods under the Garces Trading Company label plus Garces food available for eat-in or take-out. There will also be a flower shop, on-site bakery and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s first wine boutique under the same roof.

Garces Trading Company is located at 1111 Locust Street and the hours will be Monday to Friday, 7am to 10pm and Weekends from 8am to 10pm. The wine shop will be open from 10am to 10pm Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5pm on Sunday.

Garces Trading Company [Coming Soon]

Craig LaBan sets his sights on Daniel Stern’s MidAtlantic. How will the University City restaurant that features Pennsylvania Dutch inspired dishes fare?

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Craig LaBan was hesitant to try the James-hattan cocktail at Bella Vista’s James but he finds there’s lots to like in the cinnamon infused Jack Daniels based drink.

The James-hattan is a rarity in the land of fooffie drinks – a cocktail concocted with the same attention to balance as the often stunning contemporary plates that emerge from the kitchen in this sleek Italian Market gem.

Drink [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Well received but just under the radar, Queen Village’s Saute is undergoing changes. Most notable is the addition of a liquor license and a four-course tasting menu for $35 per person.

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Craig LaBan visits the Pelican Restaurant, an Italian seafood BYO in Sewell, New Jersey. What he finds are well crafted Italian seafood favorites from Bill Fischer, former executive chef at Caffe Aldo Lamberti.

Wonderfully sweet and fresh Venezuelan lump crab finds its way into many of the menu’s highlights. Tossed by the fistful into a bright tomato-basil sauce (with a little clam stock), it makes a hearty plate of capellini sing. Sauteed with lemony beurre blanc, it adds another shine of luxury to an already decadent lobster tail francese. Into a creamy pedestal of crab imperial, Fischer folds his signature zucchini, capping the top and bottom with crispy panfried cakes of the squash, whose sweet and lacy vegetal snap is a natural match for the crustacean.

Two Bells – Very Good

Pelican Restaurant [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Pelican Restaurant [Official Site]

It’s been a big snow storm.

Where are you hanging out?

Bar Ferdinand’s Michael Thomas will be manning the kitchen at Adam Ritter’s (Sidecar) new bar at Girard and Montgomery. That spotis shaping up nicely for an April opening. [Meal Ticket]

Alex Capasso, owner of Collingswood’s highly regarded Blackbird is opening West Side Gravy, a comfort food BYOB coming to the former Woolworth’s on Haddon Avenue. [Restaurant Club]

The Curtis Center will be getting its own wine bar in early April. Cooperage is the name, it will be owned by Joe Volpe (Cescaphe Ballroom) and Jen Kremer (former sommelier at Parc).  [The Insider]

Falafel Factory will be opening to the public on Tuesday, February 9th at 18th and Ranstead. [Meal Ticket]

Barbuzzo, the Mediterranean bar from the Safran/Turney Juggernaut is aiming for late March. [The Insider]

Stephen Starr is saying that he is absolutely, 100%, for sure, without a doubt bringing back Blue Angel. “In June. Or September.” [The Insider]