Chef Douglas Rodriguez is keeping things fresh this summer with some additions to the Alma de Cuba menu.

Chorizo sliders, duck empanadas, Alaskan crab salad, pan roasted lamb loin.

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Stephen Starr places two restaurants on Restaurants & Institutions 2009 top 100 grossing independent restaurants list. New York’s Buddakan is number 7 and Morimoto NY ranks 53rd. The Jersey shore places The Lobster House and Carmine’s on the list as well. No Philadelphia restaurant cracked the list. [R&I]

Alma de Cuba’s Douglas Rodriguez will compete on the Food Network’s Top Chef Masters a spinoff of the hugely popular Top Chef. This version will have actual chefs compete and prize money will be donated to charity.

Wegman’s has been named top supermarket in the US according to Consumer Reports. [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Morimoto was ranked in Playboy’s recent list of America’s 10 Best Sushi Spots. [Playboy] via MenuPages

If you were hanging on the edge of your seat wondering what would happen to Angiebrown and Samantha Johnson of Soul on The Chopping Block, worry not, the un-aired episodes are now on Hulu. [MenuPages]

It’s a good week for Philly food bloggers as Le Bec-Fin and Vetri show up among the spots visited.

The Femme Fermental counts the ways she loves Vetri. [The Femme Fermental]

A free meal at Le Bec-Fin. Always say yes. [Fries with that Shake?]

Foodaphilia reminds us that we should really get to Carman’s Country Kitchen more often. [Foodaphilia]

Veggicurious skips Restaurant Week at Alma de Cuba and focuses on Gloria’s Black Bean Soup among other things. [Veggicuious]

It’s a Korean birthday dinner at Nagwon Garden for Foodzings. [Foodzings]

The Wall Street Journal comes to town and they like us. America’s second most read paper has good things to say about our “restaurant renaissance” in general and our Cuban cuisine in particular.

Philadelphia’s Upscale Cuban Cuisine [Wall Street Journal]

What makes the crepes at Beau Monde so good? Imported cast-iron griddles! [blogalicious]

Konak delivers excellent humus, Sigara Borek and lamb chops but given the price, is it all worth it? [Foodaphilia]

With ingredients imported straight from Belgium Bonté waffles are a little piece of heaven. [Girls Guide to City Life]

Luscious dines at Alma de Cuba three times in five days, gas•tron•o•my details one trip. [gas•tron•o•my]

As if three trips to Alma weren’t enough, gas•tron•o•my tries Cuba Libre the next day. [gas•tron•o•my]

You are missing out if you haven’t tried the pan-fried scallops at Dmitri’s. [Metroblogging Philadelphia]

Phillyfoodguy Bill tries a Vietnamese hoagie at Café Cuong and leaves us craving our own. [Phillyfoodguys]

OpenTable.com lists the most booked restaurants in Philadelphia. In the last week it looks like steak was on the mind of Philadelphia diners.

1. Buddakan
2. Capital Grille – Philadelphia
3. Ruth’s Chris Steak House – King of Prussia
4. Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Philadelphia
5. Morimoto
6. Alma De Cuba