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]

James is among the newest twittering restaurants and they’ve just tweeted tonight’s “hour of happiness” special. From 9 to 11pm you can receive half off hot rum, cider and draft beer. There is also complimenary maple kettle corn available by the fireplace. [@jamesphilly]

French BYOB, Bibou has been named as one of Alan Richman’s 10 Best New Restaurants in the America by GQ.

Pierre and Charlotte Calmel’s Bibou came in number 7, congrats to them.

The 10 Best New Restaurants in America: Alan Richman [GQ]
Bibou [Official Site]

The Royal Tavern’s burger and beer bash was such a mob scene on Tuesday that they’re doing it again tonight. Also on the menu tonight is the most voted for special, the Smoked Duck Club. Specials start at 5pm.

Royal Tavern [Official Site]

Today saw the opening of Hawthornes at the corner of 11^th and Fitzwater. Chris Fetfatzes and Heather Annechiarico are behind the eatery, bruncherie and bottle shop. The Fetfatzes family also own Bella Vista Beer Distributors across the street.

The Space

• The corner space has been completely redone from its warehouse past.
  • Hardwood floors
  • Wood fireplace
  • Living room feel
  • Takeout and prepared foods counter
  • Chalkboard menu
  • Hours
    • 11am to 11pm Monday through Thursday
    • 8am to midnight Friday, Saturday
    • 8am to 4pm Sundays

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More on the Royal Tavern’s 7th anniversary. On Wednesday, November 11th the week long fun begins with a night for vegans and vegetarians. All of the blackboard specials will be vegetarian or vegan items and there will be a specialty cocktails crafted from cruelty free ingredients. It all starts at 5pm and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to PAWS.

Royal Tavern [Official Site]

Tuesday November 17th will mark the seventh anniversary of the Royal Tavern. To celebrate, the Bella Vista gastropub will be featuring DJs, drink specials, party favors and some of the most popular menu items and specials of all-time.

Stop in and fill out a ballot between now and Sunday, November 8th for your items that you wish would be brought back. Is it the smoked duck club, the poutine, Billy Ray’s fried chicken? Cast your vote and visit starting on the 11th as the specials are revealed and served daily.

Royal Tavern [Official Site]

Craig LaBan visits Bibou where he finds chef Pierre Calmels and his wife Charlotte creating another star French bistro on 8th Street in South Philadelphia. Of special note was the “gastro-splurge” of the seven-course $70 tasting dinner.

Our meal soared from an ethereally light but vivid chilled asparagus soup to a velvety-tender slice of poached veal tongue with sauce gribiche (a decadent throwback mayo with capers, cornichons, minced hard-cooked egg, and tarragon.) There were wonderfully crisped scallops with lime emulsion, sea beans and shaved cucumber noodles, another bowl of Madeira-sauced chanterelles (which I gratefully devoured), seared foie gras, and an intensely beefy hanger steak in a light green peppercorn sauce alongside snappy plumes of black trumpet mushrooms that glistened with a butter shine.

Three Bells – Excellent

Bibou [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Bibou [Official Site]

Philadelphia Magazine’s Joy Manning handed out an A- for the food at Bibou, calling the fare “the country cousin to the citified cuisine of Le Bec. It’s more rustic, without fussy embellishments or unnecessary elements, but just as genuine, and made with the same skill, the same obsessive attention to detail.” [Philadelphia Magazine]

Wine guru David McDuff visits Bibou on a Sunday prix fixe night for the $45 per person meal and finds the “plats principaux are the stars.” [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

Drew Lazor runs down what he had at his Sunday prix fixe and in addition to still being full the next day, he found it “ridiculously tasty.” [Meal Ticket]

Bibou also made the Philadelphia Weekly 50-Must Eats with its seven-course tasting menu for $70. PW calls Bibou’s foie gras some of the best in Philly. [Philadelphia Weekly]

Bibou [Official Site]

Adam Erace reviews Bibou, Philadelphia’s latest French bistro and finds the service and food is so good there’s nothing left to be done but some nitpicking.

To eat Calmels’ food is to, at least momentarily, depart the bistro parameters that have lately defined (or constrained, maybe) French in Philly. Sure, Bibou is a bistro at heart—in addition to ivory scallops ringed 
by couscous, summer squash ribbons and frothy gold curry (course No. 4), they also serve pigs feet and escargots—but the clean presentation, precise execution and sheer élan with which Calmels cooks puts it on another level.

Bibou [Philadelphia Weekly]
Bibou [Official Site]