Stephen Starr will be running a food stand in Franklin Square. Opening in mid-April, Starr will be serving up snacks and meals such as burgers, hot dogs, pretzels, drinks and ice cream. By summer a permanent facility will open in the park that will allow the menu to expand to include an array of specialty burgers, shakes, salads and Capogiro gelato. Diners will be able to eat at tables and chairs scattered throughout the park. 

This sounds very much like our very own version of the New York phenomenon, the Shake Shack.

Michael Klein reports in the last item in his Table Talk column today that Capogiro is looking for at a South Philadelphia location for its fourth store.

We’ve learned that Paradiso will likely have a new next door neighbor as Capogiro is set to take over half of the old Roselena’s Coffee Bar. The other half would still become Michael’s Cafe and the whole East Passyunk Avenue area has just become richer.

When Capogiro opens its University City location at the base of the Radian building this April it’ll be a bit different than the other locations.

Aside from its signature ice creams and sorbets, the cucina Italiana will serve a unique extended menu – including alcoholic drinks such as Gelato cocktails.

After delays, Capogiro set to open in April [Daily Pennsylvanian]

Matt Levin’s bistro concept has some big beef backing it. None other than Philadelphia Eagle offensive lineman, Jon Runyan. Northern Liberties is the preferred location. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Whether it’s called Mamaia or now Slate, we’re still doubting Thomases on the gastropub at the former Cafe Habana. The latest is it might be open by New Years or at least shortly thereafter. Another spot that invites skepticism is the Broad Axe Tavern which is now slated for a February or March reopening. [The Insider]

And in other it has been a long time coming news, MangoMoon is set to open Friday, December 19th and Meal Ticket has the menu. [Meal Ticket]

Could boozy gelato concoctions be in your future? Bhiladelphia suggests Capogiro could be looking for a liquor license. [bhiladelphia]

DP Dough has an opening date and a blog. February 2nd is the date for the West Philly calzonerie, http://www.dpdoughphilly.com/blog is the blog.

Seasons 52, a grill and wine bar is planning to open its first location outside of the Southeast this spring at the Cherry Hill Mall. [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Passyunk Avenue’s Triangle Tavern has closed. [The Insider]

Penn Appetit, the just too cute for words title of the University of Pennsylvania’s semesterly food magazine dropped Monday. If you haven’t been by a dining hall dorm or even Locust Walk in the last couple days you can check it out online.

Osteria, Capogiro and bánh mì from Viêt Hương Restaurant are all featured within.

For the Penn haters out there the Staff page is a treasure trove of loathing. Publicity Chair? Really?

Penn Appetit [Official Site]
Penn Appetit Blog [Official Site]

Finally! Earth, Bread & Brewery is opening to the public this Thursday on Germantown Ave. The Kleinsider has the details on what will be pouring from the four taps. [The Insider]

Rejoice again Mt. Airy. Come spring time, Mt. Airy will be home to the 4th Capogiro. [Blogalicious]

Jack Curtin has the opening beer list for Fairmount’s Tiedhouse. [Liquid Diet]

The bar at Alison two is now open with the dining room opening for dinner on October 16th.

Mi Lah Vegetarian is the name of the new vegetarian retaurant set to open on October 10th at 16th and Chancellor. [Living On The Vedge]

Sakeya has opened as an izakaya in the Academy House. We wish them luck in that tough space. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The former Ecco Qui is being turned into a sports bar but it won’t be the Yardhouse, it’ll be Mikey’s American Grill & Sports Bar. [The Triangle]

Joy Manning makes like a mad scientist and combines Capogiro’s red heirloom tomato with sea salt and basil for a tomato salad dessert.

Critic’s Notebook: You Say Tomato, I Say Dessert [Philadelphia Magazine]
Capogiro [Official Site]

Serious Eats has debuted a City Guide feature and they’ve gotten Philadelphia Magazine’s Joy Manning to handle Philadelphia.

It’s a good list with lots of love for Marc Vetri plus Cochon gets her nod for best BYOB and Capogiro as the must eat you have to have before you leave.

Serious Eats City Guide: Philadelphia (Way Beyond the Cheesesteak) [Serious Eats]

Philadining declares an Awesomeness Alert for the Espresso Granita from Capogiro. And at $3.50 it’s an absolute bargain for the pricey gelato spot. [The Philadining Blog]

We’re not sure how long Scoop DeVille has been at 18th and Chestnut but when you walk in it feels like it has been there forever. UWISHUNU provides the 411 for the uninitiated and drops this golden nugget that even we didn’t know. Scoop DeVille delivers, Vine to Pine, 21st to Broad. [UWISHUNU]

We visited Phileo for the first time as they were just trying to close up but they were nice enough to let us in anyway. Tried the tart banana, strawberry and mango yogurts swirled together topped off with some granola. We haven’t had Pinkberry in New York but we’ll be back for more Phileo.

Still hanging over from July’s mega restaurant openings? No rest for the weary! Grab the metro where the the Bite highlights more than a half-dozen openings just around the corner.
Root (1033 Spring Garden St)

• Cactus Restaurant and Bar (4245 Main St)
• Earth Bread + Brewery (7136 Germantown Ave)
• Izakaya Bar & Bistro (1420 Locust St)
• Pub & Kitchen (1946 Lombard St)
• Naked Chocolate Cafe (34th and Chestnut)
• Capogiro (39th and Walnut)
• Brown Betty Dessert Boutique (269 S 20th St)

UPDATE: Earth Bread + Brewery owner Tom Baker posted to PhillyBlog this morning regarding his likely opening date.

Greetings-
We still don’t have an opening date.  We’re still waiting on our liquor license approval.  Our construction will be completed this week and if our approvals come by the end of the month, we should be able to open in early Sept.  I have a new found awe for the bureaucracy in the Commonwealth.

We don’t think Tom is alone in his “awe” for Pennsylvania bureaucracy.