Opening today is Shank’s and Evelyn’s new Center City location, Shank’s Original at 15th and Sansom. Shank’s is going to be franchising and a second location is planned for Columbus Boulevard.

Check the now tripeless menu at The Insider.

Shank’s moves uptown [The Insider]

Blackfish, which had stopped lunch service in April is bringing the afternoon delight back. Among the pluses for suburban office dwellers, it means the “big burb burger” is back.

Check out the full lunch menu after the jump.

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It’s Thursday and that means Meme is serving lunch and David Katz is cooking up his fried chicken deal for $11. Craig LaBan recently took it in.

Not surprisingly, like any serious cook, the opinionated Katz has his own thoughts on what makes great fried chicken. He fries only legs and thighs (”I don’t mess around with breasts, it’s the worst piece on the bird. Dark meat, baby!”) He cooks his chicken in batches slightly in advance of service, rather than piping hot to order (”it has to sit a while before you eat it, or it’s just too hot and the flavors haven’t settled down.”) He prefers to fry yellow-skinned birds rather than the white-skinned breed he roasts whole at dinner (”the yellows have more fat, which helps give skin a little more pliable integrity – it doesn’t shatter.”) 

 Meme fries up a memorable bird [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Georges Perrier is going to be cooking lunch today outside the TD Bank at 19th and Market Streets. Perrier will be there treating passers-by to lunch and the chance to win tickets to the TD Bank Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival that’s set for July 30th to August 2nd.

Little Fish’s Mike Stollenwerk shares some details about his upcoming fish with Drew Lazor. Expect it to be different than the Bella Vista BYOB as there will be a liquor license and the menu will be split into raw, cold, hot and sweet categories. [Meal Ticket]

DiBruno Bros. is aiming to open a wine bar in the Italian Market by mid-August. [Meal Ticket]

Part of the facade of the former Brasserie Perrier crashed down onto Walnut Street Wednesday morning. Sorry, this wasn’t an attention grabbing way of debuting a Center City Apple Store. [Philadelphia Daily News]

Savona in Gulph Mills has been completely refurbished and there’s a sharp new outdoor terrazzo to check out. [Restaurant Club]

Bon Appetit has a spread on Philadelphia in its July issue. Author Andrew Knowlton hits Bella Vista Beer, Distrito, Franklin Fountain, Johnny Brenda’s, Reading Terminal Market and Zahav. Meal Ticket has the scans. [Meal Ticket]

Varga Bar starts daily lunch as of Sunday. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Copper Bistro in Northern Liberties has called it quits. [The Insider]

This week in Philadelphia Magazine’s Restaurant Club newsletter.

• Philly’s Best Lunch Deals
• Burgers, Burgers, Everywhere!
• The Beard Awards Backlash

Restaurant Club Newsletter [Philadelphia Magazine]

The Reading Terminal Market has launched a $7 Meal Deal 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch. 22 merchants are participating and offering everything some real value.

Check out all the offers after the jump.

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Shank’s & Evelyn’s last day in South Philadelphia will be this Thursday. Then it’s 6 to 8 weeks until they open on 15th Street near Sansom at the former J.B. Pastrami’s. Some of the old classics like tripe and veal scaloppinni won’t make the trip to Center City, hopefully the old school vibe and even the Benito Mussolini photo do make the journey north. Old South Philly classic moves North [Metro Philadelphia] Shank’s & Evelyn’s confirms it’s Center City-bound [The Insider]

Don’t forget that today is the kickoff of Meme’s Thursday fried chicken lunch special.

If you go, tell us how it was.

Meme [Official Site]

Jose Garces‘ Peruvian/Cantonese restaurant Chifa is adding lunch. There will be a leisurely tasting menu available or for those with afternoon plans, the Hiram Binham Express will get you in and out in a reasonable time. 

The Express includes two-courses and a non-alcoholic beverage for $18. The tasting menu will be available for $25 and all items are available a la carte ranging from $7 to $15. 

Among the items:

• Duck Wonton Soup, duck wontons with ‘Peking’ broth and sliced muscovy duck breast
• Ecuadorian Ceviche, fresh shrimp with yellow tomato gel, avocado and crispy favas
• Lomo Saltado, seared beef tenderloin with potatoes and stir-fried vegetables
• Red Curry Del General, jasmine rice with coconut, king grab, machas, tofu and eggplant

Chifa [Official Site]