Adam Erace visits Fishtown’s Bistro Juliana and finds it may not be as good as sibling Radicchio, it is certainly a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Take the octopus ($10). Sliced into coins, the tentacles were so amazingly tender their supple texture was more like filet mignon than any cephalopod I’ve ever tasted. Chickpeas, celery and red onion created dynamic contrast, each lemon-brightened, caper-studded, herb-showered forkful ricocheting from crunchy to tender to creamy, savory to sweet to sour and back again. The generous drizzle of fruity extra-virgin olive oil didn’t hurt either.

The piquant tricolore salad (9), a forest of bitter endive, biting radicchio, and peppery arugula was the stuff light summer dinners are made of. Salty curls of Parmigiano-Reggiano mingling with the greens were nice punctuations, and seriously acidic lemon vinaigrette was as refreshing as water ice.

Bistro is welcome addition to burgeoning neighborhood [Courier Post]
Photo via Blogalicious

Elisa Ludwig dines at Bistro Juliana and almost finds something to complain about but not quite. The Fishtown eatery by Luigi Basile and Massimo Coscia who gave us Radicchio is already making quite the name for itself.

Already, Bistro Juliana is just as good as — if not better than — Radicchio. If my experience was any indication, that bench outside will soon be well worn.

Juliana Theory [City Paper]

Look for Supper to open by August at the former Vespa shop on South Street. Supper willl be owned by Mitch and Jennifer Prensky who also own Global Dish Caterers. [Philadelphia Business Journal]

The fine folk from Radicchio are set to branch out to Fishtown. Bistro Juliana is set to open on April 17th at 2723 E Cumberland Street.

Pita Pocket Falafel & Grille has opened at 218 S. 16th St in the former Monticelli spot. Everything is under $10. [Table Tallk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

More information on Philadelphia’s first kaiseki restaurant. Zen Setsu will be the name and it will be located at the Academy House, in the same space that where the Smoked Joint was. Expect a June opening. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Tony Luke Jr. of Tony Luke’s fame is going to be appearing on an upcoming edition of Late Night With David Letterman.

Shula’s Steak House will be closing after six years at the Sheraton City Center. You can still get your full of the Hall of Fame coach at Shula’s 347 in Conshohocken. The Center City Hotel spot will be replaced by Phillips Seafood in May. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Fishtown baby! Hot Potato Cafe has opened at 529 E Girard Avenue, featuring New American cuisine for lunch and dinner. Ida Mae’s has also opened in Fishtown, billed as a “bruncherie” expect “hearty, budget-priced, Irish-influenced fare” daily till 3 PM. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Elsewhere in Fishtown, Bistro Juliana prepares to open. This neighborhood BYOB by the owners of Raddichio is set to open next Monday. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

At 161 W Girard Avenue is Modo Mio, a new Italian BYOB by Peter McAndrews who cooked for 12 years at Rembrandt’s. Modo Mio combines two of Philadelphia’s staples, Italian and small plates, nothing of $16. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Crosstown, East Falls is getting a couple of new spots. The former Verge, along Kelly Drive, is being re-born Franco’s Trattoria. Who’s Franco? He’s Franco Faggi, one of the original Monte Carlo Living Room partners. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The Set Table is a breakfast/brunch and lunch spot on Indian Queen and is being touted as the Sabrina’s/Morning Glory of East Falls. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

More Korean Vietnamese on Washington Avenue? Pho sure! Pho Hoa, a Vietnamese chain with 84 outlets world wide is set to open on April 28th at the former home of Porky and Porkie. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Le Jardin has closed its doors. The voicemail is full and chef/owner Athmane Kabir did not return calls. [Dan Gross, Philadelphia Daily News]