Rick’s Steaks is aiming for a June 9th soft opening in the Bellevue, the Whiz has already arrived.

In other Bellevue news, Dave Schultz and Bob Wilkie host a live Internet hockey radio show from the XIX bar at 1pm on every Tuesday.

Demetris is a handsome Mediterranean spot at 45th and Chestnut that is open for breakfast daily. [The Insider]

The permanent Stephen Starr burger stand is aiming to open on July 4th inside Franklin Square. There’s still no name. [Philly Chit Chat]

Stephen Starr’s and investor Allan Domb were spotted on a train to Washington. Could a Parc DC be far behind? [Philly Gossip]

Iron Hill Maple Shade is still on track for a July opening. If all goes well brewing could start around June 12th. [The Brew Lounge]

943 is an Italian-Argentine BYO in the Italian Market that’s several weeks out. [The Insider]

Merl’s which was had a nice review in City Paper back in April has closed. [Kitchenplay]

Trey Popp rolls into Merl’s, a 20-seat diner at 16th and Dickinson. 

The meat-heavy menu loads the bases with bacon — pork, beef, turkey — and drives them home with the same trifecta in scrapple form. Six and change buys a platter with a meat and two eggs plus grits or home fries. But for my money, the only thing worth considering is the one in black marker. Merl’s chicken wings sport a crispy batter that pops with a few drops of Bayou Heat hot sauce, and meat as moist as it gets. The sprinkle of powdered sugar is all her Belgian waffle needs to play sweet foil to the savory fowl.

Merl-y Gates [City Paper]