Previous Months

December 2006

• Rae - The Daniel Stern restaurant at the Cira Centre is now open.
• Tiffin Store - Now serving customers on Girard Avenue.
• Trattoria Alla Costiera - Opened Thursday December 14th, and if the smell is any indication…. Yum!
• Fogo de Chao - Meat lovers have gotten their Christmas wish. Fogo de Chao is now open.
• James - Husband and wife run restaurant in Bella Vista is planning a soft opening on Friday, December 29th.
• El Wingador’s To-Go - The official opening will be the morning of Wing Bowl, but the doors are now open.

January 2007

• Margot opened on time at the old Carmine’s Creole Cafe in Narberth on January 6th.
• Prison Doors - Philadelphia restaurateur and convict Neil Stein was released from prison on January 13th.
• Bootsie’s - Gone is the all-natural fast food, now open is an 85-seat Mediterranean sit-down restaurant with a strong emphasis on seafood.
• Xochitl - The former Filo’s is now open. Try out the frozen beer and the sopes at this high-end Mexican spot.
• Carmine’s Creole Cafe & Blues - Carmine’s Creole Cafe is moving up the Main Line to Bryn Mawr. Same Cajun classics but now with live music five nights a week. Opening night was January 16th.
• Mama’s Grill - From the same folk as Mama’s Vegetarian comes Mama’s Grill, now serving!
• Black N Brew - Passyunk Avenue’s newest spot for breakfast, lunch and coffee had its grand-opening Saturday, January 20th.
• Tre Scalini - The long time East Passyunk restaurant closed its doors in January, but have no fear they reopened Thursday, January 25th at 1915 E Passyunk Ave.
• Mexican Post - The newest Mexican Post has finally opened at the corner of 16th and Cherry.
• Table - The former Next on South Street is now open as Table.

February 2007

• Chiarella’s Ristorante - East Passyunk Avenue welcomes one of Wildwood’s favorite restaurants! Located at the fountain, Chiarella’s offers fine Italian dining in a comfortable, BYOB atmosphere.
• Zot - The latest in Philadelphia’s love affair with Belgian bars opened February 10th at 122 Lombard Street. The grand opening is set for March 7th
• Osteria - Marc Vetri’s “accessible” North Broad Street restaurant opened February 15th and has been packed since.
• Rum Bar - This luxe lounge will of course focus on rum! The doors swung open February 19th.
• Mission Grill - The people who brought you the Public House have opened an upscale Southwestern spot at 19th and Arch.
• Hershel’s East Side Deli - Classic hand-carved deli sandwiches & authentic homemade Jewish specialties are coming to the center court of the Reading Terminal Market.

March 2007

• Shula’s 347 - An American grill is set to open March 1st at the Marriott in West Conshohocken.
• Uzu Sushi - This “cozy BYOB sushi restaurant with a flare of exotic offerings” is now open in Old City.
• Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus - The grand reopening happened March 8th.
• Smith’s Restaurant Lounge - Taking over at the old Jolly’s/Pazzo locations, Smith’s promises flat bread pizzas and crocks. Opening date is March 9th.
• Tinto - Jose Garces’ follow-up to Amada is bringing Basque cuisine to Rittenhouse. March 16th was the born-on-date.
• Legal Seafoods - Legal Sea Foods brings its seafood chowder to the masses at the Court at King of Prussia.
• Aramingo Diner - The Aramingo Diner has survived its December fire and re-opened on March 20th.
• Penthouse Lounge and Grille - No nudity, Penthouse goes classy at the former Emerald City location in that desolate stretch between Old City and Northern Liberties. The spot opened on March 22nd and has Grand Opening events the rest of the month.
• Savory Off South - Breakfast sandwiches to fondue at this now open all-day cafe.
• Misconduct Tavern - The Locust Street bar is making a comeback with new ownership, the doors re-open Monday, March 26th.

April 2007

• Triumph Brewing - The popular New Hope brew pub has opened in Old City.
• Swanky Bubbles - The Cherry Hill outpost of Swanky Bubbles is now open to the public after their Grand Opening party the other night.
• yello’bar - Asylum won the name the yellow bar contest but for some reason Harrisburg didn’t like the name, so now it will be yello’bar. But it isn’t yellow anymore.
• Pita Pocket Falafel & Grille - This takeout spot at 218 S 16th Street has opened in the old Monticelli space.
• Bistro Juliana - The folks from Radicchio opened their new BYOB,at 2732 E Cumberland Street.
• Chick’s Bar - The long shuttered Chick’s Bar at 7th and South opened April 18th.
• Wrap Shack on the Square - The the second Wrap Shack, much fancier than the Old City shack opened at the former Paninoteca on South 18th Street April 23rd.
• 707 - With a bar for 30 and tables for 65 this lounge hopes to be a place neighbors visit once or twice a week. 707 welcomed its first customers on April 20th.
• Academia del Caffe - The 1800-square foot location at Penn Square, 1 South Penn Square, will open in April 2007.
• Players Pub - It looks like mid-April for Players Pub at 19th and Passyunk.

May 2007

• Tavern 17 - This restaurant and lounge opened May 1st on 17th Street between Walnut and Locust. Seating for 160 inside, another 20 or so outside plus a special menu for pooches.
• Machismo Burrito Bar – 4330 Main St in Manayunk is now open. A hot sauce bar, vegan friendly and free wi-fi sum up Machismo’s. A second location is set for 1001 N 2nd St.
• Marathon Grill - the 7th Marathon location has opened at 10th and Walnut.
• Palace At The Ben - Upscale Indian at the Ben Franklin House.
• The Inlet - From the man behind the Moshulu comes the Inlet on Great Egg Bay. Grand Opening is May 22nd. 160+ seating on the outdoor decks.
• Phillips Seafood - Phillips Seafood has opened at the Sheraton Center City.

June 2007

• J. D. McGillicuddy’s - With spots in Kirklyn and Upper Darby this Manayunk bar looks to be in direct competition with Kildare’s.
• Sabrina’s Cafe & Spencer’s Too - Now open, the Bella Vista brunch star, Sabrina’s is now open in Franklintown.
• Silk City - N. 3rd owner Mark Bee is completely re-habbing the Spring Garden diner. Grand opening is Thursday, June 14th.
• St. Stephens Green - James Stephens of Black Sheep and Jeff Keel of Bishop’s Collar are collaborating on this spot that will open Tuesday, June 19th, in the former Cuvee Notredame at 16th and Green Streets.
• Cacia’s Bakery - Cacia’s has opened at 719 S 2nd Street, tomato pie for everyone!
• Franco’s Trattoria - This Italian restaurant has opened just off of Kelly Drive in East Falls.
• Salento - This Italian BYOB has opened at 22nd and Walnut.

July 2007

• Bookbinders - There’s a Bookbinders down the shore as a more affordable version of the Philadelphia institution has opened in Linwood, NJ
• Coquette Bistro & Raw Bar - The French bistro has opened at 5th and Bainbridge.
• Level - The Cease and Desist Order adorned the window for more than a year but this Market Street club is slated to open July, 27th.
• Tria - The second Tria location has opened in a former laundromat on Spruce Street.

August 2007

• City Grange - The sustainable food restaurant opened August 6th at the Westin in Liberty Place.
• Dock Street Brew Pub - The West Philadelphia brew pub startedserving up beers and pizzas on Monday August, 20.
• Jose Pistolas - Copa Too was reborn Jose Pistolas on August 29th. It’ll be a beer bar with burritos.
• Knock - Former owner of Woody’s and his brother are combining forces to take on the restaurant black hole at 12th and Locust. The former Dmitri’s, Pamplona and Lula is in soft opening, this time as a “global restaurant-lounge.”
• Makers Local - Open on the 500 block of N 13th Street is the first bar of note in the Lofts district, opened by veteran bartender Paul Browning this spot will be heavy on the Local and of course the Makers Mark too.
• Potbelly Sandwich Works - This Midwest based sandwich shop is now open at 12th and Walnut Streets.
• Triada - “Resto-lounge” replacing Suede on the 100 block of Market opened Tuesday, August 28th.
• XIX - The swank spot atop the Bellevue is set to debut outdoor dining on their balcony August 31st.

September 2007

• Arbol Cafe - Paraguayan food comes to 2nd and Poplar.
• Belgian Cafe - Tavern on Green is going to be reborn Belgian Cafe. Opening day was Wednesday, September 12th. Tom Peters of Monk’s fame is bringing Belgian back to the area.
• Gaja Gaja - The Wasabi House has become Gaja Gaja, sporting Japanese and Korean food as including sushi.
• Jimmy John’s - This midwestern sandwich shop has staked its first location in Philadelphia at 44 S 17th Street.
• Joe Pesce - Pompeii on Walnut Street has been reborn Joe Pesce. And as you may have guessed from the name, there will be more of a focus on fish!
• Johnny Brenda’s - Johnny Brenda’s is opening a stand at the Linc this fall that will feature JB’s grilled pork and meatball sandwiches.
• Whistle Bar - Bye bye Tragos. Hello sports bar.
• WineO - The Ministry of Information has gotten a once over and is already closed.
• Yakitori Boy - Food on a stick, Japanese style comes to Chinatown.
• Zinc - Zinc Bistro a Vins has taken over for La Boheme.

October 2007

• Astral Plane Millennium - The Astral Plane is back as Astral Plane Millennium. Neither the interior nor the food will be the same.
• Beneluxx Tasting Room - Eulogy’s second spot is headed to the 33 S 3rd St., the former Bar Named Sue/Soma.
• Chipotle - The area’s first Chipotle Mexican fast and casual restaurant has opened on City Avenue near the New Target.
• Cochon - The former Cafe Sud is now as a French BYO, serious about the food, casual in atmosphere.
• Bombino’s - Mantra’s Al Paris is opening an Italian spot in Bella Vista where Mezza once stood.
• Flip & Bailey’s - The former Wild Onion in Rosemont is set to be taken over by the owners of Kelly’s in Bryn Mawr. Look for an October opening.
• Golosa - This Italian dessert spot is looking for an October opening at the former Dessert spot in Bella Vista.
• Le Virtu - New Italian restaurant, this one with a liquor license opened October 25th on Passyunk Avenue.
• Las Bugambilias - The former Ristorante Primavera has been reborn as a traditional Mexican restaurant.
• Machismo Burrito Bar – The Manayunk and Northern Liberties locations are now open.
• Pei Wei Asian Diner - The first of two P. F. Chang sibling locations have opened, the Baltimore Pike location has opened and the second on City Avenue is slated to open later this month.
• Slainte - Slainte from the New Deck owners has taken over the old Doyle’s Corner at 30th and Market.
• Supper - Mitch and Jennifer Prensky who own Global Dish Caterers have opened a restaurant in the former Vespa store on South Street.
• Urban Saloon - This sports bar is now open on Fairmount Avenue.
• Vango Lounge and Skybar - The swank spot with roof deck has opened on South 18th Street.

November 2007

• Arbol Cafe - You can find Paraguayan fare at this NoLibs cafe.
• Barbary - DJ nights galore at the new Barbary at Delaware and Frankford.
• Bella Luna Pizza Kitchen - The folk behind Gypsy Saloon and Stella Blue have added a pizza restaurant to their West Conshohocken empire.
• Bobby Chez - The South Jersey crabcake empire opened November 1st at the 1352 Lofts on South Street.
• Cafe Estelle - The cafe with fresh breads, pastries, flatbread pizzas and paninis opened at the edge of Old City at 444 N 4th St on November 5th.
• Meju Korean Restaurant - The former Mandoline is now a BYO Korean restaurant on Chestnut Street.
• Pat Bombino’s - “Generational Italian” is on the menu at this Al Paris and Matthew DiNatale venture at 9th and Catharine.
• Peppercorns - Pennsport and Moyamensing Avenue has a new American restaurant.
• Sonam - It’s global dim sum at the former Table on South Street.
• Ugly American - All American menu from artisan cheese to venison at the former La Vigna on Front Street.
• Venuto’s Old World Pizza - Lorenzo’s is looking at some late night pizza competition on South Street as Venuto’s promises to stay open till 3:30 AM on weekends.

December 2007

• Auspicious Chinese Restaurant - Create your own stir fry at this Ardmore spot.
• Bindi - An Indian eatery by Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney of Lolita will replace the Grocery Cafe on 13th Street. Opening night is December 13th.
• Centennial Cafe - Operating out of the Ohio House in Fairmount park at Belmont and Montgomery Avenues, this might just be the quaintest coffee spot in Philadelphia.
• Field House - From the Public House to the Field House. The former Independence Brew Pub will become a huge sports bar. December 18th is the target opening date.
• G Lounge - Super swank G Lounge made its debut December 6th beneath Davio’s.
• Irish Times - Irish Times has taken over the black hole spot at 2nd and Bainbridge that most recently was the Black Door.
• Javier - “High-style Continental” is open in Haddonfield.
• Kaizan - The Zen Setsu concept is not happening but Kaizan has opened at the old Smoked Joint location in the Academy House.
• Paddy Whacks - A chain out of Northeast Philadelphia has opened at the former Monte Carlo Living Room at 2nd and South.

January 2008

• 2204 Liberty Bar - The facade was completed for years and finally the insides are done too.
• Bottom of the Sea - This mini seafood chain has opened at the former Kama Sutra on South Street.
• Kujaku - The former Peacock on the Parkway has been taken over by the Uzu Sushi people and re-branded Kujaku.
• Maoz Vegetarian - Philadelphia’s second Maoz has opened at 11th and Walnut.
• Vietnam Cafe - Chinatown’s Vietnam has a swank West Philadelphia offspring at 47th and Baltimore.
• Yakitori Boy - A two story Sushi and karaoke bar in Chinatown has had its soft opening.

February 2008

• Blue In Green - The mainly breakfast spot the formerly had locations in Old City and Restaurant Row is coming to 12th and Chestnut.
• Bocelli - A new Italian BYOB has opened at the top of the hill in Chestnut Hill.
• California Pizza Kitchen - The area’s second CPK has opened at the City Ave complex next to Target.
• Pearl - The peeps behind Red Sky have opened a midtown spot on Chestnut. Ari Weiswasser formerly a sous chef at Striped Bass and at New York’s Gilt and Daniel has been named executive chef. 
• Penang - Jerseyites can save a toll now when they get a craving for Malaysian food.

• Philadelphia Brewing Co. - The Philadelphia Brewing Co. is brewing and should have its first beers out by the end of the month.
• Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop - Open at 713 N 4th Street the Random Tea Room features over 40 teas, homemade scones and other baked goods
• Tinto - Tinto is expanding its tight quarters to take over next door in February.

March 2008

• Jin House - Jin House which went up in smoke with the building at 11th and Spruce back in 2003 is back at 1117 Locust Street by the March.
• Prime - The fancy upstairs neighbor of the new Finn McCool’s has opened at 12th and Sansom.
• O.N.E. at Rittenhouse - The Mansion is no more. A new father and son team is in its place.
• Philadelphia Brewing Co. - The Philadelphia Brewing Co. is brewing and should have its first beers out by the end of the month.
• Swallow - A European inspired bistro has opened on Liberties Walk.
• Tinto - Tinto has expanded its tight quarters taking over next door.
• Zot - The Belgian restaurant is shuffling some things around. Upstairs now houses Zotikot, a sports bar as well as a wine bar.

April 2008

• Devil’s Den -The couple who brought you Manayunk’s Old Eagle Tavern has brought a 28-tap beer bar to 11th and Ellsworth.
• Chink’s Steaks - The famous Northeast cheesesteakerie will be opening a takeout only location on Columbus Blvd.
• ¡Cuba! - Chestnut Hill is on the look out for some Latin flair this April.
• Food & Friends Neighborhood Market - New food market at 20th and Spruce that will dedicate half of its shelf space to beer!
• Kanella - The former owner of Mezze is going to be trying his hand at a mainly Mediterranean spot in Washington Square West.
• Les Bons Temps - Good Cajun-Creole is on its way downtown as John Mims is opening a restaurant on South 12th Street.
• Memphis Taproom - Brendan Hartranft from Nodding Head has opened his own place deep in the heart of Port Fishington at Memphis and Cumberland.
• Mélange Café - Haddonfield location of the popular Cherry Hill Louisiana spot is set to open April 30th.
• Rick’s Cabaret - Rick’s will be taking over the Home Depot sized strip bar Crazy Horse Too on Delaware Avenue.
• Time - The former Ludwig’s has been reborn under the tutelage of Vintage’s Jason and Delphine Evenchik as a beer and spirits spot with ” updated country club fare.”
• The Waverly - Bistro 7’s Michael O’Halloran is looking to open his second spot by April but lease problems might have it delayed.

May 2008

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert - Le Bernardin chef Eric Ripert’s spot at the Ritz Carlton is aiming to open this spring.
• Apothecary Bar & Lounge - The Original Caribou Cafe owner is coming back to the city, 13th Street to be exact with a high-end cocktail list that is quite intriguing.
• Ashoka Palace - Northern Indian comes to 38 S 19th Street where Bootsie’s tried to make a go at it.
• Azul - Casual Mexican from George Markakis of Old City’s GiGi is headed to 10th and Spruce.
• California Pizza Kitchen - Another branch opens, this time in Plymouth Meeting.
• Chima - Brazilian at 20th and JFK has the dry wall in and big graphics on the windows.
• Chipotle - The Chipotle borg continues to expand, this time in Ardmore.
• Goodburger - The New York based mini-chain has put down stakes on the 1700 block of Chestnut Street.
• JL Sullivan’s Speakeasy - The people who brought us McFadden’s bring us a high-end sports bar at the former Zanzibar Blue location in the Bellevue.
• Mama Palma’s - The Fitler Square pizzeria is set to reopen May 27th after a costly fire.
• Maia - Brother chefs come together to create this two floor restaurant and food market in Villanova. It’s official, May 6 is opening night.
• Nicholas - Weekly changing menu of local ingredients is the M.O. of this Moyamensing Avenue spot.
• Sassafras - The refurbished Sassafras has reopened with lots of the old standards.
• Table 31 - A behemoth restaurant by Georges Perrier and Chris Scarduzio is under construction at the Comcast Center. The 3 floor spot is aiming to open in May, 18.
• Union Gourmet Market & Cafe - Chef Felix Maietta is opening a cafe in the Washington Square West featuring indoor/outdoor dining, Sunday brunch and selection of artisanal cheeses, cured fish and charcuterie.
• Victory Brewing Co. - The new Victory Brew Pub has opened and it is swell.
• Vino Volo - There’s a brand new wine bar at PHL.
• Zahav - The people behind Marigold Kitchen and Xochitl are opening a Israeli-Mediterranean restaurant at the base of the Society Hill Towers on May 5th.