Owner Clark Newman has to be pleased with the glowing 2-bells review for his Lucky 13.

It is chef Benjamin Johnson, though, Newman’s fedora-topped compadre in the kitchen, who puts Lucky 13 on the map of gastropubs that are worth heading to for dinner. Like the pub’s smart beer selection (five taps and 20 bottles), his affordable menu is concise but distinctive, with cheeky twists on familiar flavors, from “deconstructed” meatballs to sausage and peppers gone exotic.

“Punk-rock grandma cooking” is how Johnson characterizes his creative take on comfort classics, which may not be a surprising angle from a chef who grew up at a West Philly commune and whose rebellious streak even extends to the conventional white toques he shuns in favor of “nicer lids” such as a bowler or Panama.

Two Bells – Very Good

Lucky 13 [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Lucky 13 [Official Site]

Adam Erace finds filling and inexpensive pub grub at East Passyunk’s Lucky 13.

The numerical jinx proved powerless against the satisfying full-flavored fare that took forever to emerge from the kitchen. Johnson’s chunky black bean chili resonated with a rich beefiness and smoky jalapeño spice. Showered with fresh cilantro and white cheddar, the stew arrived over crisp tortilla chips instead of in a cup, and was all the better for it. For the pulled pork sandwich served alongside cool, nutty quinoa, Johnson starts with shoulders he sears, roasts and shreds by hand. Tossed in tangy, tomato-y barbecue sauce and piled into a Nino’s roll, the pork was so wet and juicy that the sharpness of provolone and prickly heat of jalapeño sliced through like a well-honed blade.

Clark’s Bar [Philadelphia Weekly]
Lucky 13

Joe Sixpack checks out a couple of Philadelphia’s newest gastropubs, West Philly’s Local 44 and East Passyunk’s Lucky 13. 

You’d be lucky to be local to either. 

New pubs just a few hops from Center City [Philadelphia Daily News]

David Snyder finds that South Philadelphia’s Lucky 13 Pub is dishing out some good grub.

I appreciated that Johnson paired a sausage and peppers app with a minty couscous, but it was the depth of flavor in his herbed tomato broth, along with the deliciously spicy merguez from D’Angelo Bros., that made this dish special. I liked the contrast of the rich tempura batter on the Mexican wild shrimp against the bitter orange zest in the glaze. Johnson deserves props not only for putting a sustainable seafood choice like bluefish on the menu, but also for taming its oily texture with a crispy cumin and coriander rub and a tangy puttanesca-style sauce.

Luck of the Draw [City Paper]
Lucky 13 [Official Site]

In today’s Metro and not available online, The Bite strolls down Passyunk Avenue visiting a trio of new places that either up the ante on bar food or provide a twist to the gastropub standard.

And in researching the column we found a nice deal. Monday night the Station Bar offers Chimay Blue for $5.

Phoodie.info takes an early look at Stephen Starr’s Butcher & Singer and doesn’t come away all that impressed. [Phoodie.info]

Living on the Vedge recommends the Ace of Spades, tempeh on rye with “caramelized onions, sprouts, and all” at Lucky 13 Pub. [Living on the Vedge]

Taylor had never been to Capogiro until last Friday, because she feared getting hooked. She was back on Sunday. [Mac & Cheese]

I am Beer Wise like most of us has a favorite bar, his is Capone’s in Norristown. [I am Beer Wise]

Wilmington’s Independence Mall has a new Malaysian restaurant, Rasa Sayang and Mac & Cheese checks it out. [Mac & Cheese]

What’s in a name? AD Amorosi reports Bar Ferdinand’s Owen Kamihira is miffed that Brendan Hartranft and Leigh Maida are using the name he came up with for their new bar at 44th and Spruce.Kamihra’s other spot, El Camino Real is less than a month away and is being called a “two-bar BBQ saloon.” [Ice Pack, City Paper]

Cream and Sugar has been open just about a month at 4004 Spruce Street. It’s Philadelphia-centric in this coffee and sweets shop. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Lucky 13 is the name of East Passyunk’s latest pub, taking over for Vincenzo’s. Owner, Clark Newman is a longtime Manayunk bartender and the chef will be Benjamin Johnson most recently of Plough & the Stars. [The Insider]

Ice Pack feeds the Jose Garces rumor machine with word he “was/is looking at the Griffin Cafe on Market and Bank streets in Old City.” Maybe he’s thinking about that taco stand again. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

Capriccio Café & Espresso Bar at Café Cret should open later this month at 16th and the Parkway.

Lacroix’s Matt Levin along with several other Philadelphia chefs are heading to backwater Dallas to do battle with some hack chefs from that town in the Gridiron Chef Classic, an Iron Chef style battle. Levin will be sporting a green faux-hawk for the competition. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]