As alluded to about a month ago, former Lacroix chef Matt Levin is indeed taking over the Coquette space at 5th and Bainbridge. [Meal Ticket]

Thoreau opens this evening, bringing New American vegetarian to 1033 Spring Garden.

Maru Global is now open and cooking up those enticing Takoyaki balls. [Meal Ticket]

The Chutney Company promises to be the “Chipotle of Indian food.” [Meal Ticket]

Mixx has opened as a comfort food bar and restaurant downstairs from Azie on Main in Villanova. The neighborhood friendly spot has nothing on the menu over $18. [Mixx]

New menu is in the works for World Cafe Live. Meal Ticket has a tease. [Meal Ticket]

Matt Levin is out of the Rubb project but says he’s looking to get his Masano project back on track. Former Eagle Jon Runyan is back in as an investor. Levin neither confirms nor denies that Coquette could be the location. [The Insider]

Cafe Comptoir will be coming to Chase Utley’s Washington Square condo lobby just as soon as Jared Stafford-Hill raises the last of the money he needs to open. [Grub Street]

Harry the K’s at Citizens Bank Park may not live on perpetually, a dispute has between the Harry Kalas estate and the Phillies threatens the name of the ballpark restaurant. [Philly Gossip]

GQ’s Alan Richman picks America’s five best desserts and Osteria’s Cannoli with Torrone Semifreddo makes the list. [GQ]

Former Monk’s chef Adam Glickman has landed at Jose Pistola’s but no title has been assigned. A chef from a Belgian restaurant heading to a Mexican spot, can you say mussels with chorizo? We knew that you could. [Meal Ticket]

Sweet Freedom Bakery, Philadelphia’s first gluten-free vegan bakery is set to open Friday at 1424 South Street. [@sfbakery]

Du Jour Commerce Square is now open at 20th and Market. [Restaurant Club]

Pam Anderson will be hosting the grand opening of 360 at the Parx Casino in Bensalem on Saturday, January 23rd. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Also in Meal Ticket’s interview with Matthew Levin are these juicy tidbits on Masano, Matthew Levin’s “progressive bar food place” aiming for a winter opening in Northern Liberties.

• Masano is a merging of his name and that of his sons, Sam and Noah
• Located at 201 Green St
• 4,000 Sqft
• Warehouse Feel
• Prix Fixe and a la carte
• “Food forward” like his tasting menu at Lacroix
• Raw bar
• Servers in rock mechanics shirts and Chucks

Checking in with Matthew Levin: Rubb, Masano … something else? [Meal Ticket]
Photo via 201 Green

Manayunk is getting a couple of new restaurants sure to generate some buzz. Former Sovalo head, Joseph Scarpone is opening a wine and panini bar called agiato. Ex Lacroix chef Matt Levin is setting up a barbecue restaurant on Main Street that will be called Rubb. [The Insider]

Resurrection Ale House names Union Trust alum Joe Chmiko as its chef. [Meal Ticket]

Drywall was recently delivered for Jolly’s Dueling Piano Bar, the latest incarnation of the piano bar that is aiming to open at 20th and Chestnut in mid-September. [Facebook]

Daniel Stern spills some beans about his two new restaurants, R2L and MidAtlantic. [Meal Ticket]

D.P. Dough is looking to sell its first calzone somewhere between August 10th and 19th. [DP Dough]

Pickled Heron was originally aiming for a spring opening. Now the French Bistro on Frankford Ave is aiming for late September. [Meal Ticket]

15% off is a good way to kickstart business. That’s the plan at Sakana Sushi Cafe. [Meal Ticket]

Spamps in Conshohocken is taking over Viggiano’s restaurant for a venture to be called Spampinato’s Italian restaurant. [The Insider]

Matthew Levin,who recently left Lacroix has his eyes set on a spot in Northern Liberties for his new eatery, Masano.

The food, says Levin, is Lacroix tasting menu meets gastropub: a high-low culinary mashup that will take the form of a year-round restaurant week — $35 for three plates. And with all bottles of wine priced under $50, the bar tab should also be easy to swallow.

The space itself will feel like an abandoned warehouse, says Levin. It’s an appropriate choice for this former warehouse district. He’s even bringing in local graffiti artists for some gritty wall art.

He’s looking to open by late summer.

Masano: Matt Levin’s New NoLibs Restaurant [Philadelphia Magazine]
201 Green [Official Site]

Matt Levin’s bistro concept has some big beef backing it. None other than Philadelphia Eagle offensive lineman, Jon Runyan. Northern Liberties is the preferred location. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Whether it’s called Mamaia or now Slate, we’re still doubting Thomases on the gastropub at the former Cafe Habana. The latest is it might be open by New Years or at least shortly thereafter. Another spot that invites skepticism is the Broad Axe Tavern which is now slated for a February or March reopening. [The Insider]

And in other it has been a long time coming news, MangoMoon is set to open Friday, December 19th and Meal Ticket has the menu. [Meal Ticket]

Could boozy gelato concoctions be in your future? Bhiladelphia suggests Capogiro could be looking for a liquor license. [bhiladelphia]

DP Dough has an opening date and a blog. February 2nd is the date for the West Philly calzonerie, http://www.dpdoughphilly.com/blog is the blog.

Seasons 52, a grill and wine bar is planning to open its first location outside of the Southeast this spring at the Cherry Hill Mall. [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Passyunk Avenue’s Triangle Tavern has closed. [The Insider]

Meal Ticket breaks a big one this afternoon. Matthew Levin is out at Lacroix. Word is he is pursuing his own project. Can’t say we’re too too surprised. Chef at a haughty restaurant in a luxury hotel never seemed to jive with Levin’s personality.

Breaking: Chef Matthew Levin out at Lacroix at the Rittenhouse [Meal Ticket]
Lacroix [Official Site]