Zama will be replacing Loie off of Rittenhouse Square. Chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka will be taking the space from Avram Hornik and turning it into an izakaya (Japanese Pub) Japanese restaurant.

Michael Klein reports that Tanaka was the chef who was going to be behind Stephen Starr’s shelved izakaya project at the Lanesboro.

Zama to replace Loie [The Insider]

Loie has introduced a new lunch and dinner menu focusing on French bistro fare. There’s classic French Onion Soup, Goat�s Cheese Tartlet, Duck Lyonnaise Salad, Seared Tuna Au Poivre Tartine, Steak Frites and Confit Duck Quarter.

Loie [Official Site]

We here at Foobooz have to be honest, we’re not the biggest fans of New Years. Events are often over-priced, under-served and most frustratingly, overrun by amateurs. Now New Years Day on the other hand…. When you’re out drinking with people on New Years Day, then you know you’re among professionals.

But that’s not to say won’t be going out. It’s just that we aren’t that big on the galas and such, but find a nice dinner out with friends, perhaps at a BYOB, that’s how we prefer to bring in the New Year. But we’ll be up and at it early New Years Day for some real debauchery.

Updated 12/24/06

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday
It’s the Grand Opening of the Upstairs Lounge at Loie Brasserie. Loie’s new upstairs lounge is open every Friday and Saturday night at 10pm.

Saturday
Running of the Santas – There are over 3,000 santas expected to run down 3rd Street from Finnigan’s Wake to McFadden’s.

Unwrapped � A Night of Tinsel and Tassels. The Hellcat and Bawdy Girls perform a classic burlesque show at the North Star Bar starting at 9 PM.

Also tomorrow night, Barristers Bar & Grille is throwing their Holiday Party with The Man in Black, a Johnny Cash Tribute band.

Sunday
Bridget Foy’s Carolers’ Dinner is Sunday night. Enjoy a four-course holiday tasting menu while being entertained by local performers.

Loie at 128 S 19th Street will be open for lunch Tuesday through Friday starting on September 19th.

Nightly you can take advantage of Loie’s 2/3/4 Happy hour, $2 drafts, $3 well drinks, $4 appetizers and sandwiches.

Rachel inc is at it again, this time compiling a list of happy hours to check out in Philadelphia.

• Drinkers Pub, Rittenhouse – Go for Cheap Eats & Drinks, Kitsy Dive Bar Style
• Noche – Go for Cheap Eats & Drinks, but Nicer Atmosphere than a Dive
• Marathon Commerce Square – Go for Atmosphere, Outdoor Courtyard with a Fountain!
• Center City Sips – Free Appetizers, $2 $3 & $4 Drink Specials Every Wednesday, All Around Town
• Black Door – A Neighborhood Belgian Pub with Half Priced Everything
• Drinker’s Tavern, Old City – Go for Cheap Drinks, Pool & a Juke-Box (And a Ripcord?)
• Loie - Go for Upscale Food with Cheap Drink Specials, A Gourmet Burger & a $2 Beer
• Alfa - A Sleek but Comfortable Spot with a Fun Happy Hour Ploy

Rachel also asks some friends for their recommendations and gets some votes for the Khyber among others.

If 5 PM isn’t doable for you check out the Foobooz six pack of late night happy hours.

Rachel Furman’s been back in town for a bit now and in the first of her “alls growns up” newsletter she focuses on brunch.
In addition to do it yourself tips for brunch drinks and baking your own quiche, Rachel gets down with her own brunch picks:

• Ansill: Fancy-Food-but-Totally-Laid-Back- Attitude Brunch
• Honey’s: Your Down-Home-Southern-Country-Jewish- Deli Spot
• Marathon Grill: Your Friendly Neighborhood Brunch
• Loie: Your Rittenhouse-People-Watching- Bottomless-Glass Brunch
• Beau Monde: Because-A-Crepe-Sounds-Much-More- Stylish-Than-An-Omelet Brunch
• Koko’s: Your Roll-Outta-Bed-for-Some- Grub or Stop-in-Before-Work Joint
• Moshulu: Your Bring-the-Parents-and-Let- Dad-Pay Buffet Brunch
• PhilaDeli: Your Surprisingly-Good-Food-Even-Though- You-Didn’t-Know-It-Was-There Diner

Rachel also asks some friends for their suggestions too.
You’ll find it all on her web site, rachelinc.