Philadelphia Weekly’s Field Guide this week focuses on Philadelphia’s best margaritas rating them in 7 categories.

• Xochitl
• El Vez
• TGI Fridays
• Mexican Post
• Los Catrines Tequila’s
• Lolita

Lovely ’Ritas [Philadelphia Weekly]

With Cinco de Mayo just about upon us we have just one question.
[Poll=16]

Philadelphia will be expanding its Belgian beer base with the addition of Zot at 122 Lombard Street. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Rumor has it Pat Croce is looking to bring his Rum Barrel Bar, wto Atlantic City. His original Rum Barrel opened last year in Key West. [Dan Gross, Philadelphia Daily News]

Speaking of Rum, Rum Bar is set to open February 19th. In addition to 40+ plus rums there’ll be a tapas menu. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

In NoLibs happenings, much to the chagrin of locals, Ground Floor Coffee at 2nd and Poplar has closed. And this Spring the chains arrive with a Rita’s Water Ice opening in the neighborhood. [Philebrity]

Now that everyone’s reviewing Snackbar, chef Jon McDonald is going and changing up the menu. There will be nine new dishes and portions are getting bigger! Added to the menu are some new soups, veggie plates and three new meat dishes including a root-beer-braised beef brisket sandwich. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Chick’s Cafe & Wine Bar is being completely rehabbed on 7th Street just below South. Opening is still a couple of months out. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

And at long last the Mexican Post at the corner of 16th and Arch Streets has finally opened. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Mama’s Vegetarian and LaVa Café has spawned Mama’s Grill at 630 South Street, the former home of Tommy Gunns. The Grill should be firing by month’s end. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

King of Prussia eaters have another option; this one luckily far afield from the Cheesecake Factories of the world, Blue Dolphin has taken over the former Denny’s spot next to Ruth’s Chris Steak House on North Gulph Road. Open for lunch and dinner, with lunch specials topping off at $9. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The Mexican Post long planned for 16th and Cherry finally has an almost firm opening date of “Jan 26-ish.” [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

New record at Jim’s Steaks. Competitive eater “Humble” Bob Shoudt has set the new cheesesteak record at Jim’s. “Humble” Bob managed to devour 13 sandwiches in an hour and a half. His name will be said in the same revered terms as Alex Friedman and Linda Kuerth, both previous record holders. And for some reason the CBS affiliate in Boston has the video. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Day four of our look at the progress of restaurants that are “opening soon.”
The second Tria is coming to 12th and Spruce and into the former home of a Laundromat. The small corner location has a long ways to go, but promises to be a welcome addition to the Washington Square West neighborhood.

Read the rest of this entry »