Tinto has been expanding towards, but not entirely into, the corner of 20th & Sansom for what seems like an eternity and finally, the expansion is open for business.

Alison Barshak has installed Anthony Bonett, formerly of Opus 251 and Oceanaire, as chef at Alison at Blue Bell. Barshak will still be overseeing the menu at AaBB, but she’ll also be busy with the opening of her new restaurant Alison two.

Also, a tipster tells us that Canavan’s, the short-lived pub that replaced the short-lived pub Maker’s Local, may have shut its doors in the Callowhill/Loft District.

Alison Barshak deftly defends naming her new restaurant Alison two and even takes a shot at us!

Some people like the name. Some don’t. Some bloggers think I’m egotistical. (Check out opinions at  foobooz, chowhound, shallowcenter and foodandrinq.)

Now Alison, we don’t think you’re egotistical and we certainly understand that part of what you are marketing is your name, so incorporating it into the name makes sense. And yes, we’re glad you didn’t get too clever and name it Curls or Red .

Naming the Restaurant [Alison at Blue Bell]

A couple of places that we’ve mentioned in the past now have names. Konstantinos Pitsillides’ Greek BYOB at 10th will be known as Kanella and Spruce. Alison Barshak’s second restaurant will go with Alison Two, which puts it near the top of the unfortunate names list. [Food & Drinq]

Speaking of unfortunate names, Bottom of the Sea is opening a location on the 700 block of South Street in the former Kama Sutra/Frank DiCicco campaign headquarters. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Blue In Green which we first mentioned was returning back in October is just days from opening on Chestnut Street. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Devil’s Den, the gastropub at 11th and Ellsworth is hoping for an early February opening. Expect a focus on German and local beers. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Devil’s Alley owner Susan Schilisman is bringing her Sam’s Grill concept the corner of 11th and Sansom. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

If you believe the orange placards it looks like Del Frisco’s steakhouse is really coming to the Packard building at 15th and Chestnut. [Philly Chit Chat]

Oh great, Ho Sai Gai’s long closed 10th and Race location is going to return. Sorry we’re not more excited but growing up our phone number was one off from theirs and we received lots of late night drunk dials requesting wonton soup. Lets hope the number is different this time around. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The Making of Zahav and Alison’s New Restaurant each have posts detailing the the trials and tribulations of designing a new restaurant that works for staff and customers as well as evokes the right ambiance.

Raising the Bar [Alison's New Bar]
Week Eight: Meet the designer [The Making of Zahav]