Miga brings Korean food to Center City Philadelphia and Craig LaBan wonders, what took so long.

Like many Korean restaurants, Miga’s menu is huge, with both strengths and weaknesses. The place has many of the standards down pat, including the huge pajun pancakes, their crisp outsides and soft interiors laced with everything from seafood to tangy kimchi or beef and hot peppers. There is an excellent version of jap chae, the springy, clear, sweet potato noodles in lightly sweet dark sauce that, in the veggie rendition, came with the fantastic crunch of exotic, coral-like rehydrated mushrooms. The dduk bokki, tubular rice flour dumplings that resemble soft gnocchi, came in a vivid orange sauce tinged with red pepper powder that, in combination with the dumplings’ pleasantly sticky chew, stoked Miga’s hottest glow.

Two Bells – Very Good

Miga [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Miga [Official Site]

The Wrap Shack went out and got themselves a liquor license and a new name. Now the Wrap Shack Kitchen & Bar, the Rittenhouse Square spot has converted its sandwich counter into a 10-seat bar with 3 flat screen TVs.

And now through the end of the year they’re offering a special on three new wraps.

• The New York Strip Wrap and a pint of draft beer
• Tilapia Fish Taco Wrap and a pint of draft beer
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Crepe with warm marshmallow and vanilla ice cream and a frozen white chocolate milkshake with vodka, crème de coco, and Bailey’s Irish Cream.

They are also offering $1 pints during all World Series games.

Wrap Shack Kitchen & Bar [Official Site]

Unbreaded reminds us that the Kibitz Room is still offering its Corned Beef sandwich for just $4.95. But remember the deal goes away when October does, so get to the 1521 Locust Street deli this week.

Last Chance for $4.95 Corned Beef Sandwiches at Kibitz [Unbreaded]

Michael Klein reports that Stephen Starr has rented the Midtown IV Restaurant building at 2013 Chestnut Street. But what will it be?

Starr says it won’t be another Pizzeria Stella and that he will keep the bar in the back and the private entrance onto Ranstead. Starr floats the idea that he might do Mexican that isn’t El Vez. Mexican is certainly under-represented around Rittenhouse Square.

Or could it be one of the other concepts previously floated, like the Greek diner once hoped for Broad and Ellsworth. Or the Love Burger concept once  proposed for the Letto Deli? Any guesses?

Stephen Starr’s next restaurant [The Insider]

Adam Erace manages to incorporate “whorebath” into his largely positive review of Miga, the smokeless Korean barbecue on 15th Street.

The menu describes belly as “unseasoned,” which you should read as “bland.” But it’s okay, really, as the salt-and-peppered sesame oil and intensely savory Korean bean paste take care of that. You’re meant to dip each piece of pork before bundling them in frilly red leaf lettuce cups with sliced garlic and chilies. Dip, wrap. Dip, wrap. United, the ingredients in this leafy Korean burrito brought real balance. Fresh and rich flavors, working in tandem, totally worth the wait.

Miga

It’s prix fixe only at Meme on Mondays now, four courses for $38. there will also be some  additional “treats” available like foie gras, oysters and bone marrow. To drink,  three different glasses of wine will be pouring for $5.

Mémé [Official Site]

Craig LaBan doesn’t have much bad to say about his trips to Girasole, the glitzy Italian restaurant just steps from the Avenue of the Arts, except for maybe some gripes about the price. But there is a three-course prix-fixe menu for $35 available every night but Saturday that mutes that complaint.

The most memorable flavors at Girasole, however, had a genuinely more homey touch. Even the complimentary opening nibbles – one night some delicate fritters of mashed potato, another night a creamy, herb-flecked mound of house-made ricotta – taste like someone’s mamma made them.

The pastas, in particular, were splendid. Delicate ribbons of house-made tagliatelle came tossed with shavings of fresh baby artichokes and smoky speck. The bucatini Girasole – essentially an amatriciana – wore the zest of rendered pancetta and a flicker of chile pepper in its fresh tomato sauce. There was an authentic seafood risotto filled with shellfish flavor (though a second try wasn’t quite as creamy and fully cooked as the first). My favorite, though, was Girasole’s twist on passatelli.

Two Bells – Very Good

Girasole [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Girasole [Official Site]

Square 1682 is the new restaurant at the base of the Palomar Hotel at 17th and Sansom.The name is inspired by William Penn who founded Philadelphia in 1682 and his plan for a “green countrie towne” comprised of five squares.

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The Illadelph points us to a surprising policy at Ladder 15. Posted by the door is a sign that reads, “Ladder 15 is an over 23 establishment after 10pm.”

Turn 18, vote. Turn 21, drink. Turn 25, rent a car. turn 23, hang out at Ladder 15 after 10pm.

Ladder 15 Keeps It Classy With A Genre-Defying Over 23 Door Policy [The Illadelph]
Ladder 15 [Official Site]

The Pita Pit has a customer appreciation day once a month where pitas are half-priced. Today’s that day.

So either for lunch or dinner, head to 1601 Sansom Street for a bargain bite.

Customer Appreciation Day [Facebook]
Pita Pit [Official Site]