2009

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January 2009

• A La Maison – A rustic French BYOB in Ardmore.
• Akoya – Pearl’s first floor has been remade into an Asian gastropub.
• Bistro on 10 – The former Grady David’s has a new owner and name.
• Camac – Girasole’s old space on Locust is looking to open as a pizza lounge.
• Chipotle – The Mexican chain open In University City.
• Crepe Maker – National franchise opens in 30th Street Station.
• Fiesta Acapulco – La Lupe is opening a seafood eatery.
• Local 44 – Brendan and Leigh of Memphis Taproom are taking the plunge again. This time at the old Kelliann’s at 44th and Spruce.
• Mim’s – The Freehouse in Wayne is being taken over by John Mims of Carmine’s fame and will serve New Orleans contemporary.
• Pico de Gallo – The longtime Mexican spot is expanding across the street and making their current spot a to-go taco stand.

February 2009

• Aki – drop the “O” add the “K” and you see what’s happened to Aoi on Walnut Street.
• Alphabet Soup – Jayson Grossberg is reopening his Audubon BYOB with a more affordable menu.
• Alison at Blue Bell – Look for Alison at Blue Bell to reopen in early February focusing on Mediterranean fare.
• Bar Amalfi – Al Paris has reconceptualized Mantra into an Italian wine bar and restaurant.
• Cassizzi’s Pizzeria Ristorante – Former funeral home turns pizzeria.
• Chifa - Jose Garces brings Peruvian/Cantonese with a dash of ceviche to 707 Chestnut Street.
• IndeBlue – Another Tiffin alum breaks out on his own. This one to Collingswood.
• Insomnia Cookies – The cookie service now has a cookie truck on Temple’s campus.
• Jimmy’s BBQ – Real bbq comes to Malvern.
• Kin Gyo – The long time Genji is now Kin Gyo.
• Naked Chocolate Cafe – The third location of NCC opened on 18th Street between Market and Chestnut.
• Restaurant Rosalie – It’s a sous vide specialty restaurant in central MontCo.
• S & H Kebab House – Turkish kebab house has come to the former Overtures on Passyunk.
• Saute – French influenced spot on Front Street.
• Sakura Mandarin – Chinatown’s Ong’s is being re-born.
• Slate - The former Cafe Habana on 21st between Sansom and Chestnut has finally opened.
• Union Trust – A big time independent steakhouse is set to come to the 700 block of Chestnut Street. Its fall opening has been pushed back to February.
• The Whitman – The old Whitman Diner in Washington Township has opened as The Whitman, an upscale diner and martini lounge.

March 2009

• 2nd Street Annie’s – Formerly of North Wildwood this spot is opening in NoLibs at the old Metro location.
• Club Adesso – A “soft grand opening” is set for Friday, March 27th.
• Daddy Mims – John Mims is in Phoenixville with a couple of new restaurants.
• Firecreek Restaurant & Bar – A steakhouse with an open kitchen is coming to Downingtown.
• Girasole – Girasole is open at the Symphony House.
• Holy Smoke – New barbecue for the good people of Roxborough.
• Jazmine – New Thai eatery for West Chester.
• Ladder 15 – The Mad River peeps are opening a new concept at 1528 Sansom Street. Menu by Little Fish’s Mike Stollenwerk.
• Little Italy – Pizza and specialty sandwiches will make up the menu of this new spot, trying to make a go of it where Mimosa and ChrisStevens have failed.
• Lovers and Madmen – Great name for this West Philadelphia coffee shop.
• Majolica – It’s death short-lived, Phoenixville’s 3-bell BYOB is reopening with a much more affordable menu.
• New Orleans Pizza Kitchen – John Mims is in Phoenixville with a couple of new restaurants.
• Pizza Rosso – Derek Davis is going with pizza for the masses near Temple University Hospital.
• Seasons 52 – Wine bar and grill chain is coming to the Cherry Hill Mall March 23rd.
• Strongbox- Brett Perloff is reconceptualizing the former Monkey Bar.
• Wingstop – National chicken wing chain opens near Temple University.

April 2009

• Bebe’s BBQ – Quality barbecue comes to the Italian Market.
• Bocca – It’s Mediterranean small plates on Market Street in Old City.
• Campo’s – The Old City sandwich shop has landed the cheesesteak spot at Citizens Bank Park.
• Franklin Square – Stephen Starr is bringing a burger stand to Franklin Square.
• Kibitz Room – Straight out of Cherry Hill! A second location is coming to Locust Street.
• Lynda’s Mediterranean – Mediterranean food with an Algerian slant comes to Passyunk Avenue.
• Mango Bush – Caribbean eatery comes to 4th Street near South.
• Michael’s Cafe – The former Roselena’s is keeping the kitsch but getting a new name.
• Q Barbeque & Tequila Bar – Philly Fish & Co. is morphing into a BBQ spot.
• Thai Singha House To Go – University City’s Thai Singha is opening a branch off of Rittenhouse Square.

May 2009

• Bibou – Le Bec-Fin Chef de Cuisine, Pierre Calmels is opening his own BYOB in South Philly.
• Brew /Ultimo Coffee – Coffee shop and takeout beer store for South Philly behind the guys who gave us SPTR.
• Broad Axe Tavern – 16 taps and a whole lot of wait later….
• Capogiro – The University City gelato artisan also has a liquor license.
• Capogiro – The fourth Capogiro opens to East Passyunk.
• Coyote West – West Chester’s former Coyote Crossing is coming back as Coyote West.
• Darlings – Darling’s Cheesecakes owners open a diner at Piazza at Schmidt’s.
• Freehouse – Former Les Bons Temps chef Brett Naylor is in the kitchen at the re-flagged Wayne restaurant.
• Gold Standard – A new breakfast lunch and coffee spot from the folk behind Abbraccio.
• Grey Lounge – A lounge with a French food twist comes to Old City.
• Ken Shin Asian Diner – Asian diner coming to the corner of 3rd and Spring Garden.
• Noble American Cookery – “Seasonal American” is coming to the former Gioia Mia on Sansom Street.
• Silk City Beer Garden – A Silk City expansion will add a beer garden with a capacity for 50.
• Swift Half – The Good Dog’s owners are opening a new spot at the Piazza at Schmidt’s.
• Varga Bar – The former Azul is going to be transformed into a pub inspired by Alberto Vargas’ pinup girls.
• Verde – Flowers and Chocolates make for one stop gift shopping on 13th Street.
• Vino Restaurant Lounge – Wine bar is open at Bar Blatstein’s Piazza project.

June 2009

• Blockley Pourhouse – A gastropub comes to 38th and Chestnut.
• Brauhaus Schmitz – A German beer garden is headed to the 700 block of South Street.
• Demetris – A handsome Mediterranean spot at 45th and Spruce.
• Doghouse Gourmet Burgers – Burger spot next to Firecreek in Downingtown.
• Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company – New York’s Death & Co. are bringing their concept to Center City Philadelphia.
• Leila Cafe – Middle Eastern at the corner of 13th and Pine.
• Miga – Korean barbecue coming to the old Pasion! building.
• North by Northwest - The Mt. Airy music and food venue is back in business.
• Octo Waterfront Grille – The old Rock Lobster has opened.
• Oyster House – The son of the original owner has reopened the Philly landmark.
• Panda Bar – The former MarBar has been rebranded.
• Rick’s Steaks – Rick’s is moving to the food court at the Bellevue.
• Smokin’ Betty’s – BBQ and comfort food at 11th and Sansom coming this spring.
• Sweet Ending – Tart frozen yogurt opposite the Continental Midtown on Chestnut.
• Sycamore – New BYOB in Lansdowne.
• Wine Thief – Look for a wine bar with American comfort food on Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy.
• Yunkers’ Pub & Lounge – Tonic on Main in Manayunk is now Yunkers.

July 2009

• American Pub – It’s a weekday only operation near the Clothespin at Centre Square.
• Azie on Main – Asian fusion with an international flair upstairs at what was Maia.
• Buttercream – It’s a cupcake truck dispensing lovely baked goods around town.
• Elevation Burger – A “green” burger chain comes to Wynnewood.
• SquareBurger – Stephen Starr’s permanent burger stand is aiming for Independence Day.
• The Institute – The north of Spring Garden bar finally gets a kitchen.
• Iron-Hill-Brewery – Iron Hill has opened their first New Jersey location.
• May’s Gourmet Cafe & Deli – New deli at 19th and Christian.
• Max Brenner – The Israeli chocolate company is at 212 S 15th Street.
• Paul – American bistro by Effie Bouikidis of Effie’s on Pine St.
• Restaurant M – The Morris House restaurant is back with shortened hours.
• P.Y.T. – The pretty young lounge coming to the Piazza is going to be run by promoter Tommy Up.
• Sakana Sushi Cafe – Yes, another sushi spot on Sansom, this one taking over for you guessed it, another sushi spot.
• Shank’s Original – The Center City luncheonette is sling sandwiches at Sansom Street.
• Sonata – The former Swallow on Liberties Walk is giving it a go as a contemporary American BYO.
• Tampopo – The third Tampopo is open at 44th and Spruce.
• Yogorino – Tart frozen yogurt for Rittenhouse Square.

August 2009

• Avril – Bala Cynwyd BYOB from a former Daily News food writer.
• Barb & Suzy’s Kitchen – New Reading Terminal Market stand with Pennsylvania Dutch sandwiches.
• Distrito – The downstairs bar has been reconceptualized with a cheaper and more affordable menu.
• Fond – New American BYOB with principals from Le Bec and Lacroix say August 31st is the day.
• Gia Pronto – New pizzeria in a cursed space on Penn’s campus.
• JD McGillicuddy’s – The suburban/Manayunk sports bar is opening at the former Whiskey Dix.
• Kong – Bistro 7’s Michael O’Halloran is doing a Hong Kong street food restaurant.
• Meritage – The 20th and Lombard spot is back with a new chef and new look in mid-month.
• NoVi – An Italian restaurant with International influences on Hamilton in Fairmount.
• Parker’s Prime – The folk behind a host of Asian restaurants are opening a steakhouse in Newtown Square.
• Penthouse Club – Motorcycles on chains and girls, girls, girls.
• Rare – Breast meat on the menu at this gentlemen’s club and steakhouse.
• SliCE – The South Philly Neapolitan pizza spot is aiming to open a second location, this one at 1740 Sansom Street.
• Spampinato’s Italian Restaurant – Spamps in Conshy is adding a red-gravy spot next door where Viggiano’s was located.
• Sushi Cafe - Former Kami Sushi on Sansom is becoming the Sushi Cafe.
• Tastee D’s – West African cuisine coming to the former Django’s space.
• Tiffin Etc. – Indian pizza is aiming for a summer opening on Girard Avenue.
• Verdad – It’s tapas and tequila for Bryn Mawr.

September 2009

• Coo’s Sports Bar & Lounge – North Broad Street gets a big new sports bar.
• D. P. Dough – The oft-delayed calzone chain has opened.
• Fair-Food-Farmstand – The Reading Terminal farm stand takes over the former Rick’s Steaks.
• Famous 4th Street Deli – A second Famous Deli, this one on 19th Street.
• Flying Monkey – A branch of the popular Reading Terminal spot on Locust Street.
• From the Boot – The Lafayette Hill fave has opened a branch in Ambler.
• Fuel – Everything on the menu is less than 500 calories at this East Passyunk cafe.
• Marigold Kitchen – The old spot opens with a new menu and new chef/owner.
• Mike’s Steaks – New cheesesteak spot at the Comcast Center.
• Milk & Honey Market – New market opens at 45th and Baltimore.
• Milkcrate Cafe – We love the paint job on this cafe and record store.
• Music Fountain Cafe – An old fashioned soda fountain and coffee shop for Girard Avenue.
• Recess Lounge – Old City gets a new super-exclusive lounge.
• Resurrection Ale House – Leigh and Spanky are at it again. This time turning Yello’Bar into a beer bistro.
• Soul of Jamaica – Lansdowne offshoot of the Jamaican Jerk Hut has opened.
• Sprinkles Yogurt – Froyo in UCity.
• Pizzeria Stella – Stephen Starr’s got a pizza place at 2nd and Lombard.
• Strongbox – Oh joy, oh joy. Strongbox has reopened September 10.
• Taglio – New pizza place where the pies are served by the pound.
• Tavern on Broad – JL Sullivans is reconceptualizing  on Broad Street.
• terra – Slate’s Eric Paraskevas goes out on his own below Tavern on Camac.
• Texas Wieners – A branch of the hot dog spot heads to Collingswood, NJ.
• Village Whiskey – Jose Garces has opened a whiskey bar at 20th and Sansom in September.