In case you were wondering why posting was a bit light yesterday, it may have had something to do with recovering from this.

Long night to find toop six brews in city [Metro Philadelphia]

From neighborhood watering holes to the realm of the beautiful people. Tis the season to dine outside and The Bite has a plethora of suggestions.

Why Dine Inside [Metro Philadelphia]

Tonight marks the official grand opening of Time so stop by for that.

Another idea would be to grab an outside table anywhere. If you’re in the Art Museum area both the Belgian Cafe and St. Stephens Green are great alfresco choices.

The Brew Lounge stops by Fairmount’s Belgian Cafe to see if Craig LaBan’s criticism still held.

Overall, The Belgian Cafe measured up just fine. Let’s go back to my checklist in the opening above.

A) Our food experience seems to have been better than Laban’s;
B) Based on the trendy edge, or shall I say edgy trend (I couldn’t quite put my finger on whether they’re going for a particular vibe), that they seem to be exhibiting, I’m thinking that Bridgid’s would be a more likely every-other-day hang out for me, if I still lived in the neighborhood; and
C) Tom & Fergie have done well opening this new location, but will be interesting to see the long-term viability of it in the Art Museum neighborhood. The changing demographic of the area will help to determine.

Quick Review of The Belgian Cafe in Philadelphia, PA [The Brew Lounge]

Craig LaBan takes aim at the Belgian Cafe skewering much of the menu, especially the vegan dishes.

The Belgian Cafe’s only worthy reply flows forth by the bottle and glass. And it would be unfair not to consider this major new beer cellar as something worth saluting. It won’t cure most of the pub’s kitchen ills. But it has saved it – by the frothing head of foamy Duvel – from becoming the city’s first “No Bell Belgian.”

One Bell – Hit or Miss

The Belgian Cafe [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Living On The Vedge tries some of the numerous vegetarian options at the Belgian Cafe.

The “Scallops” were really pieces of smoked tofu wrapped in fake bacon and vegan caviar, but this dish was difficult to execute. The bacon did not seem particularly invested in securing the tofu, and the entire creation was easily rendered a mess if not carefully forked into. We moved on to the wings and forgave. The sweet-not-too-spicy BBQ sauce covered tender pieces of crusted seitan for the perfect bar snack. I’d order this again in a second, although it didn’t come with the celery as described on the menu, just vegan aoli.

Veg Out: The Belgian Cafe [Living On The Vedge]
The Belgian Cafe [Official Site]

Philadelphia Magazine has a audio tour of “nine spots to become scene staples.”

• Dock Street Brewery
• Davio’s
• Chill
• Molly Maguire’s
• Puck
• Belgian Cafe
• Beneluxx Tasting Room
• Blue Pear Bistro
• Flip & Bailey’s

Bars On Tap [Philadelphia Magazine]

Photo by Ryan Charles
McDuff’s Food & Wine Trail checks out the beer and food at the Belgian Cafe in Fairmount.

At the moment, the kitchen at The Belgian Café seems to be running a step behind the standard set at the original Monk’s Café. With a bit of fine tuning – the mussels need just a bit more flavor concentration to their broth while the burgers would benefit from a sturdier roll, such as the stirato served at Monk’s, and a surer hand at the stove – I hope the food will rise in quality as the design of the restaurant takes its final shape. The well thought out structure, ample space and relaxed atmosphere are already enough to make The Belgian Café a worthy destination for pilgrims in search of fine ale and chow as well as a regular watering hole for the denizens of Fairmount.

A Burger and a Beer: The Belgian Café [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

Phillyist is among the first to check out brunch at the Belgian Cafe a couple of Sundays ago. And there’s plenty to look forward to, including brunch mussels like, smoked salmon, red onion, and caper with mussels and charcuterie mussels: ham, sausage, goat cheese, and mustard.

The smoky flavor from the salmon permeated Ross’s mussels, giving them an excellent, and unique, flavor. The salmon itself, having cooked with the mussels, was perhaps a bit rubbery, but in such small chunks that it still remained easy to chew. My mussels were excellent, although the flavor from the goat cheese was almost imperceptible (you saw the cheese far more than you tasted it), perhaps because of the strong mustard flavor. I think next time, if I order this dish, I’ll ask for extra cheese.

Foodsday Tuesday: Not Just Waffles Anymore [Phillyist]

Cochon is now looking for a mid-October opening. The Passyunk Avenue BYOB’s menu will “strike a balance between rustic, comfy French country (steak frites, pork confit) and more adventurous “foodie food” (Gene’s tripe and pig’s feet stew).” [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Joe Pesce has been built over the ruins of Pompeii on Walnut Street. The Mediterranean seafood heavy eatery is the first of two as a second Joe Pesce will open in about a month in Collingswood. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The former Taco Bell on South Street is becoming a pizza spot owned by the family that brought us Hollywood Tans. Venuto’s Old World Pizza is planning to stay open till 3:30 AM on weekends to offer sustenance to the bar crowds. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Cafe Estelle is planning a November opening for its fresh baked and made from scratch goods in the Lofts at 444 N 4th Street. Marshall Green will be doing the cooking, he’s currently sous chef at Meritage. He’ll be joined by his girlfriend Kristin Mulvenna who you may have seen at Cantina Los Caballitos, she’s the curly headed manager who is always on the move. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Le Virtu is another restaurant opening along East Passyunk. Blogalicious has all the details and photos of the spot. He got a tour after being spotted spying in the window. [Blogalicious]

Vango Lounge and Skybar, the Japanese fusion lounge from the people who brought us Byblos is looking to open in mid-October on 18th between Market and Chestnut. No word on if you can see the sky from the Skybar though. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Michael Klein has a rundown on the Belgian Cafe, the latest from Tom Peters and Fergus (Fergie) Carey. Brunch starts September, 29th and lunch will follow after that. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]