Craig LaBan reviews the transformed Meritage and finds that the Asian influenced cuisine of Anne Coll has made the neighborhood restaurant a destination.

[W]hat separates Coll from so many other fusion pretenders is the command of Asian ingredients that allows her to draw an uncommon depth and elegance of flavors. I’ve had Thai curried mussels a hundred times, but rarely have the Kaffir lime, basil, and lemongrass popped through the richness of coconut broth like hers.

A confident use of Three Crabs fish sauce is one secret that lends these dishes a snappy backbone, whether it’s the pristine dice of tuna tartare, shined with sesame and chile oil next to a tingly froth of wasabi-soy foam, or the cilantro-ginger marinade that gives the hanger steak a subtle tang.

Three Bells – Excellent

Meritage [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Meritage [Official Site]

Adam Erace visits the new Meritage and says the Asian inspired menu and booze-friendly bites are ready to step out of Pub & Kitchen’s shadow.

Meritage’s wine program has become more approachable and affordable, with 14 by the glass (all $8), fun flights and 50 bottles under $50.

So bring on the alcohol sponges, fair bartender! Fat, tempura-fried jalapenos, like addictive poppers filled with hoisin-kissed house-ground pork and cellophane noodles in a ginger-soy glaze. Tight, pan-fried Hudson Valley foie gras dumplings tossed in butter browned with Burgundy truffles, cilantro and scallion. Silky Lancaster chicken liver pâté crowned with black plums macerated in brandy and five spice. All $6 or less, all tasty.

Meritage [Philadelphia Weekly]
Meritage [Official Site]

Meritage reopens today at 5 after an intense 10-day overhaul that doubled the bar area and transformed the dining area.

Space

• New color scheme combining two yellows
  • Tuscan Sunrise
  • Tuscan Sunset
• Hardwood floors in dining room
• Butcher block tabletops
• Artwork features women, a tribute to the restaurants female owners and chef
• 50 seat dining room
• Bar area doubled by removing wine storage from bar

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Meritage closed last night for a  couple week renovation that aims to breathe new life into the restaurant that has sat in the shadow of Pub & Kitchen at the corner of 20th and Lombard.

Susanna Foo alum Anne Elizabeth Coll will be in the kitchen with a new more budget friendly menu and the space will be more open with an expanded bar area.

The menu will blend French techniques and Asian flavors, featuring snacks, small plates and large plates. The menu tops out at $21 for the roasted Maine cod.

The dining room will get hardwood floors, butcher block tables and new lighting.

Check out what will be on the menu when the restaurant reopens on Thursday, August 13th.

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Meal Ticket catches up with chef Robert Halpern as he prepares to take over Marigold Kitchen. [Meal Ticket]

Restaurant Club sits down with another chef with a new job, Anne Coll who is taking over the kitchen at Meritage. In addition to the interview there is also the menu. [Restaurant Club]

Philadelphia Weekly gets in on the Q&A funwith chef Sheri Waide of Southwark. [Philadelphia Weekly]

Yogorino has its grand opening tomorrow at 20th and Locust. There’s just one smooth tart flavor and lots of toppings. Check the reversible cups. The size changes depending on what end is up. More on Meal Ticket. [Meal Ticket]

Za Vino will be the name of the pizza and wine bar concept headed to 13th and Sansom. [The Insider]

Drew Lazor has some details on Bar, the bar from Jason and Delphine Evenchik who own Vintage and Time. Bar games like foosball and MegaTouch, no food, mixed drinks in pints. [Meal Ticket]

Meritage, a Foobooz Jobs poster has hired former Susanna Foo chef de cuisine Anne Coll to run the kitchen at the Center City South restaurant. [The Insider]

Elevation Burger has opened its first Philadelphia-area location in Wynnewood. [Main Line Restaurant Guide]

Good Food Market is opening a sophisticated convenience store in Chestnut Hill. The spot will also serve $20 for-two dinners. There’ll also be delivery and curbside pickup. This people, is how you react when your Wawa closes! [Meal Ticket]

The seemingly cursed corner of Chestnut and Strawberry has claimed Korean BYOB, Meju. Now lets get those Jose Garces taco stand rumors going again! [Meal Ticket]

Pearl has closed after 16 months. [The Insider]

Elisa Ludwig takes a look at the fine dining and wine-focused Meritage at 19th and Lombard.

Goodman has an especially judicious touch with fish and seafood. In the tuna tartare appetizer, cubes of fish glisten with olive oil and, on the palate, flare with shallot and jalapeño. Mussels in a sweet and spicy puttanesca are juicy little bursts of brine. Bar-side scallops with a speckled pan-given crust are well-matched with just-wilted spinach tossed with thin slivers of hearts of palm, the mild flavors of vegetable and shellfish accented with equal parts lemon juice and garlic.

Wine Tuning [City Paper]
Meritage [Official Site]

It’s been a year since Michele DiPietro & Irene Landy have taken over Meritage and they’re celebrating. From 6 to 8 PM on weeknights, DiPietro, one of only a handful of female sommeliers in Philadelphia is picking out some excellent wines for just $5 a glass. If you visit later for dinner you can still get a bargain with $5 Sangria all night. Also check out the new menu introducing summer dishes like tuna tartare and pan seared butterfish.

Meritage [Official Site]

Jose Garces’ Tinto is scheduled to open a week from today on March 15th. Garces’ big Mexican restaurant is looking at the summer of 2008, but at least it has a name, Chilango, slang for someone who lives in Mexico City. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Django’s founders, Bryan Sikora and Aimee Olexy have opened Talula’s Table in Kennett Square. Although not a restaurant there is a “farmhouse” table of ten available for meals. The market showcases pastry and bread baked on the premises as well as house-cured sausages, artisan cheeses and prepared foods and sauces. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Drew Lazor channels David Byrne as he realizes the Dunkin Donuts at Broad and Christian is not his beautiful DD. Flatbread sandwiches and pizzas now dot the menu. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Meritage adds a new executive chef, Jason Goodman as executive chef. Goodman’s resume includes Circa, Novelty, Next, and most recently Callahan Catering. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

The Peek-A-Boo Revue has a new home, the Tin Angel starting March 31st. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

The long awaited Marathon Grill at 10th and Walnut is set to open in April.[Ice Pack, City Paper]

Have you noticed it seems everyone is doing a wine dinner these days? Not that we’re complaining, we’re just saying. Well on Tuesday March 13th Meritage gets in on the action with the first of their monthly wine dinners. The meal will be accompanied by wines of Italy and will cost $75.

Menu after the jump.

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