Deuce, the first restaurant to open up in Liberties Walk, shut its doors last night.

Drew Lazor has the whole story over at the Clog and it’s shaping up to be a juicy one.

Laura Vernola, the owner, in a particularly classy move, is admonishing her defenders (and there are many over on the angry-on-the-inside NoLibs message board) to take it easy on Liberties Walk developer Bart Blatstein. While it’s easy to hate Blatstein on the basis of his hideous aesthetic sense alone, Deuce has been through at least three good chefs (Scott Schroeder, Greg Ling, Todd Lean) in two-and-a-half years. Staff turnover is usually a sign that something is awry – something that has nothing to do with the landlord.

Check out “The Bite” in today’s Metro.

This week in The Bite: a Northern Liberties establishment throws one heck of a rum-soaked birthday party, we feature an out-of-the-ordinary happy hour and we dish on juicy morsels of Philadelphia foodie gossip.

The Bite: That’s The Spirit [metro philadelphia]

Foodaphilia feels compelled to complain about the food at Deuce after a less-than-advertised grilled cheese. But she’ll go back, if only for their $1 Lagers during happy hour.

Deuce [Foodaphilia]
Deuce Restaurant & Bar [Official Site]

The howl of Joe Sixpack has been heard. April Lisante of Philly.com covers the trend of dog friendly dining that seems to have sprung up this spring.

Call it a case of Le Bec Fido, but something doggone tasty is happening this spring at restaurants from Rittenhouse Square to Northern Liberties to the Main Line: customized canine menus for pampered pooches.

Dog Bites [Philly.com]
Fido-friendly restaurants [Philly.com]

Head to Deuce this Sunday afternoon for a Brunch cocktail party featuring complimentary brunch hor d’oeuvres, $4 Bloody Mary pints, $3 Mimosas.

So wear your Sundays best and enjoy the outdoor seating.

Deuce Restaurant [Official Site]

Deuce in Northern Liberties is hosting an open mic night starting this Sunday. Sign-ups start at 9 PM for acoustic music, spoken word, comedy and magic acts.

Late night happy hour from 10 to Midnight means half off drafts and $3 well drinks.

Deuce [MySpace]

Northern Liberties’ Deuce has a special offer for its friends on MySpace. Buy one brunch entree at regular price and get the second for half off.

Deuce serves brunch on Sundays starting at 11:30 AM.

Deuce Restaurant & Bar Brunch Coupon[MySpace]
Deuce Restaurant [Official Site]

The Metro’s In The Loop highlights a group that is right up our alley, the First Wednesdays Wine Tasting Group. Every first Wednesday of the month the group, consisting of 20-30 somethings, heads out to a venue and tries different wines. This month they’re headed to Deuce to sample a selection of champagnes. Although usually casual they’re spicing it up for the holidays requesting cocktail attire.

First Wednesdays Wine Tasting Group [Official Site]
Deuce [Official Site]

Deuce is celebrating its anniversary with a party next Wednesday with a party from 7 PM to Midnight.
There will be an Absolut open bar and new menu choices to try. Goodie bags will be available for all and Delicious Corsets Cigarette Girls will keep the party “smokin.”

Deuce Restaurant & Bar [Official Site]

Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly is hitting newsstands now.
CBS3 has video in the best of food category.
Among those mentioned are Boyz in Cherry Hill, which wins for “Best Strip Mall Dining.” Deuce earns the nod in “Best in Cheesesteak Updated” for their cheesesteak eggrolls and Marchiano�s Bakery in Manayunk gets “best tomato pie.”

Yesterday PhilaFoodie treked down to the National Constitution Center to get a look behind the scenes at the making of the Best of Philly issue.