We usually save all of our breathless hyperventilating for Rick Nichols, but last night we discovered there’s enough room in our heart for two exceptional fellas. We had the opportunity to hear Mayor Michael Nutter speak at an event at the Union League (no, we’ve never been before and no, we’re probably never getting invited back) and we cannot hyperventilate enough about this guy. It might have been the open bar, but we we just about teared up while listening to him talk–honestly and with pride–about our town.

He took questions! He encouraged us to have pride in our city! He dismissed our Philadelphian negativity as balderdash! He agreed that the streets were inexcusably filthy and we had no one to blame for letting the trash pile up there but ourselves! In between addressing crime, taxes and the Philadelphian shoulder chip, he even found time to patiently explain to one very peeved lady why there wasn’t a proper department store in town (ladies of a certain age take the closing of Strawbridge’s very personally). Also, he’s very funny.

So it’s no surprise to hear that this forward-thinking, optimistic, intelligent gentleman is mulling over a farmer’s market in City Hall.

Sorry, Rick, but until your next article, we’re totally and completely Nuttered. Swoon.

Under Nutter, City Hall May Become More Visitor-Friendly [KYW1060.com via Philebrity]

Craig LaBan puts City Grange through the ringer and finds the restaurant at the Westin suffers from careless cooking and an overly ambitious menu writer.

That second visit, indeed, showed a genuine glimmer of what City Grange is hoping to become. The hard peach had been replaced by a hard pear (at least it was in season). And the kitchen served a handful of memorable dishes.

The macaroni and cheese was as good an update to the classic as I’ve had, tanged with good Pennsylvania Noble cheddar and snuggled beneath a deeply crunchy crumb crust. The trendy Angus burger sliders were borderline delicious, with good meat topped in three pleasantly distinct ways. The Alaskan salmon was moist, and basked in the gentle contrast of its earthy spice rub and a sweet peach chutney. The massive ribeye steak from Meyer Ranch in Montana was undercooked, but the spice-rubbed meat was profoundly tender and buttery.

One Bell – Hit Or Miss

City Grange [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Trey Popp checks out Citygrange at the Westin and definitely has a better time of it than some earlier reviewers. The simple dishes were best and the mint-chocolate milk shake was a keeper.

Not all of Citygrange’s ideas pay off, but a couple hit the jackpot. Here’s hoping they iron out the wrinkles. If the execution catches up to the concept, this could be the kind of big-hotel dining a townie can get behind.

Grange Days [City Paper]

Kirsten Henri takes on Citygrange, a hotel restaurant that promises much more than it delivers.

Then there’s that great middle ground of mediocrity, where Citygrange—the new fresh ’n’ local, farm-forward and allegedly foodie-centric restaurant in the Westin—squats on its irritating corporate haunches, spinning twee commentary on its menu about how it feels “a little warm bread and room temperature butter can cure almost anything.”

Hotel Reservations [Philadelphia Weekly]
Citygrange [Official Site]

Aroundphilly.com takes an early look at Citygrange in the Westin Hotel and finds a restaurant that hasn’t gotten its legs yet.

Citygrange is a new restaurant, and I hope that these issues were just the early-in-life jitters of a staff—both front of the house and kitchen—that hasn’t quite gelled yet. But the depth of these issues, and the egregious nature of so many of the problems we experienced, gives me pause. Best to take a wait-and-see approach before parting with your hard-earned money.

First Look: Citygrange [aroundphilly.com]

The Courier Post sits down with Chef Chris Lichtman to discuss the food he’ll be serving at City Grange, the new restaurant in the Westin.

“It’s basically American comfort food, which is where I’m aiming to begin this restaurant,” says the chef, who lives in Franklinville. “Food that’s recognizable and comforting, that makes people feel good. I’m going to stay away from fancy dishes where people really have to think about what it might taste like.”

Chef specializes in all-American fare [Courier Post]
City Grange [Westin Philadelphia]

Taste Daily reveals some more details about Jose Pistolas, the burrito and beer bar that is taking over the old Copa Too spot at 15th and Spruce Streets. Expect 3 tacos for $7 and beer running the gamut from PBR to Chimay. [Tasty Daily, Philadelphia Magazine]

Mantra’s Al Paris is looking to open a new Italian BYOB near the Italian Market in the former Mezza location on 9th Street. The as yet unnamed restaurant will specialize in the cuisine of Paris’ Sicily and Naples heritage. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

City Grange is in soft opening at the Westin. The local food restaurant is bringing a farmhouse feel to the hotel. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Ida Mae’s Bruncherie is going to be serving dinner starting on August 22nd. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

City Grange has a soft opening date set for August 6th. The Westin based restaurant will focus exclusively on local and sustainable ingredients from food to drink. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Will Bindi name stick for 13th Street Indian eatery by Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran? Michael Klein reports that Stephen Starr’s attempt to name a restaurant Bindi was rejected because a copyright is held on the name by Bindi by the Crocodile Hunter. The late Steve Irwin’s daughter is named Bindi. As for what Starr restaurant is in line for an Indian makeover, signs point to Washington Square although A.D. Amorosi also mentions Tangerine could be the target. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Jose Garces is planning on expanding his restaurant empire to Chicago where he will be opening a “Barcelonan-style tapas and charcuterie” restaurant with a Mexican wrestler themed decor. [ZAGAT Buzz]

The ZAGAT New York City Market Place shopping guide for 2007-2008 gave Moore Brothers “Highest Rated” in every category. [Moore Brothers]

Paddy’s Well is open in Fishtown, serving Pabst and BBQ with Bushmill Irish Whiskey sauce. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Sabrina’s Café and Spencer’s Too is about a week away from bringing the loitering masses hungering for French toast a place to eat in Fairmount. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Pearl is the name of the Red Sky backed spot set to open at the old Little Pete’s on Chestnut Street. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

City Grange will be the sustainable food restaurant slated to open this Summer at the Westin in Liberty Place. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Bring on the dancing women. The word in Icepack is that the Penthouse Lounge isn’t doing well and is now doing after-hours. [Icepack, City Paper]

Bookbinders is opening at the shore. 1201 New Road in Linwood, NJ is the address, July is the opening. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]