Opening Today

Iron Hill Maple Shade opens today. It’s the regional chain’s first foray into New Jersey and the first brewpub to open in the state in 10 years.

Chris Lapierre, formerly of Iron Hill West Chester will be manning the kettles at the 280-seat brewery and restaurant. Of particular note is the brewpub’s automated growler filling system which means you can take some of Maple Shade home with you.

Iron Hill Brewery [Thrillist]
Iron Hill Brewery

Opening Tomorrow

Sonata is set to open on Liberties Walk where Swallow once resided. The BYOB from executive chef and owner Mark Tropea will serve American fare “in inventive and unique presentations.” Among the highlights are duck prosciutto with cantaloupe frisee salad and braised short rib with celery root puree.

Sonata Restaurant in pictures [Meal Ticket]

Complete Sonata release after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rick’s Steaks is aiming for a June 9th soft opening in the Bellevue, the Whiz has already arrived.

In other Bellevue news, Dave Schultz and Bob Wilkie host a live Internet hockey radio show from the XIX bar at 1pm on every Tuesday.

Demetris is a handsome Mediterranean spot at 45th and Chestnut that is open for breakfast daily. [The Insider]

The permanent Stephen Starr burger stand is aiming to open on July 4th inside Franklin Square. There’s still no name. [Philly Chit Chat]

Stephen Starr’s and investor Allan Domb were spotted on a train to Washington. Could a Parc DC be far behind? [Philly Gossip]

Iron Hill Maple Shade is still on track for a July opening. If all goes well brewing could start around June 12th. [The Brew Lounge]

943 is an Italian-Argentine BYO in the Italian Market that’s several weeks out. [The Insider]

Merl’s which was had a nice review in City Paper back in April has closed. [Kitchenplay]

The Inquirer reports Girasole has opened at the Symphony House on Broad Street. Chef Angela Iovino has an all-female line and an Italian menu of pastas, sefood and carpaccio. Thrillist has a copy of the menu plus a couple photos of the interior, no surprise there are sunflowers. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer / Thrillist]

The Iron Hill Brewery under construction in Maple Shade is now looking for a July 2009 opening. Chris LaPierre, currently at the West Chester location of Iron Hill will be the head brewer in New Jersey.

Main Line Today has photos of Firecreek Restaurant & Bar in Downingtown’s soft opening. The spot is amid four days of “friends and family” trial runs and should be open to the public next week. [Main Line Today]

Effie Bouikidis of Effie’s will open a new BYOB across the street from her Greek restaurant. The spot will be named Paul in honor of her father and will serve up  contemporary American sometime this summer. [Insider]

The upstairs restaurant at Maia has long been rumored to be in trouble and has finally closed. The downstairs remains open and in coming months a new space will be developed upstairs witha  new chef, cuisine and look including an outdoor bar.

We’ve heard this before. G Lounge is looking to purchase Denim as an after-hours joint. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

I’ll Eat You reviews Stephen Starr’s Butcher & Singer and provides the lowdown on the steak as well as a few chuckles. [I'll Eat You]

Philly Food and Drink gets to go to a press tasting at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House.  [Philly Food and Drink]

Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that little hole-in-the-wall pizza shops can do up a good pizza. La Rosa Pizza also delivers halfway across the city. [Drawing for Food]

If the taste of the mole burger at Snackbar can match its looks, they’ve got a winner. [Unbreaded]

Plenty of vegetarian options and a Lady and the Tramp goes to Italy vibe at Mr. Martino’s. [Veggicurious]

Mac & Cheese finds has some suggestions for ordering the mushroom po’boy at Local 44. [Mac & Cheese]

Fidel Gastro listifies the reasons he’ll be going back to Iron Hill North Wales. [Fidel Gastro]

Messy and Picky finds a good but pricey bagel at the Famous Fourth Street Delicatessen.  [Messy & Picky]

Iron Hill’s Maple Shade location is on target for a May opening despite crazy Garden State regulations. [Beer Stained Letter]

Teri’s in the Italian Market is opening for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Check out the menu dinner menu here.

Yello’Bar has undergone some renovations, darkening the paint and windows, making it a bit more cozy. There’s also a new menu. [Meal Ticket]

The menu from Manayunk’s MangoMoon is online. [The Insider]

Jack Curtin interviews Iron Hill Brewing Company’s co-founder and Director of Brewing Operations, Mark Edelson about the future of Iron Hill.

Iron Hill plans six additional pubs by 2011 and their first New Jersey location is right on schedule for a Spring opening.

One note we thought of particular interest was Edelson’s response to a Philadelphia location. “If the right situation or deal presented itself, we would certainly look at it. But, to be honest, because of the price of real estate and the opportunities to become a real part of the community, the suburbs fit our business model just right.”

Do you think a Philadelphia Iron Hill could work? Where would you put it?

Iron Hill New Jersey Site Right on Schedule, More Locations Planned by 2011 [Beer Yard]
Iron Hill Brewery [Official Site]

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant have been hunting for a South Jersey location for awhile now and have found one at the former Pasta Vino at 124 East Kings Highway in Maple Shade. The opening is set for May of 2009.

Iron Hill Comes to New Jersey, Will Open in Maple Shade in May 2009 [The Beeryard]
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant [Official Site]

Philadining has been to Cantina Dos Segundos a few times already and has plenty of raves for the kitchen. [Philadining Blog]

The Beer Lass recaps the Mexican Beer Dinner she enjoyed at Iron Hill West Chester. [I'll Have Another Stout]

We are seriously starting to dislike David McDuff. He goes to Talula’s Table more than we visit our parents. He was there again and has the pictures to prove it. [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

All summer Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is offering hungry visitors a Maine Lobster Bake for just $26.95 at all seven of its locations.

The Maine Lobster Bake includes a 1 1/4 lb. Maine Lobster, Prince Edward Island mussels and littleneck clams, all served with drawn butter accompanied by fresh corn on the cob and steamed fingerling potatoes. The Maine Lobster Bakes are every night and all day on Saturday and Sunday.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant [Official Site]

Pennsylvania has a great brewing tradition that continues today and this past weekend it was acknowledged at The Great American Beer Festival in Denver Colorado. Phoenixville’s Sly Fox Brewing was awarded a gold medal for Pikeland Pils and a bronze for their Instigator Bock. Downingtown’s Victory Brewing Co. picked up a gold medal for their seasonal Festbier and silver for their Prima Pils. Harrisburg’s Tröegs is enjoying the shine of gold for their Troegenator.

Local brew pubs also brought home some hardware with the McKenzie Brew House getting a gold and bronze medal. Rock Bottom King of Prussia received a gold for its Broad Street Barleywine and Iron Hill Media took home a bronze for its Kriek de Hill, a Belgian style sour beer.

Great American Beer Festival [Official Site]
2007 Medal Winners [Official Site]