David Snyder compares Minar Palace to Michael Jordan. But is it the Bulls Michael, or the Wizards MJ?

On the Rebound [City Paper]

We’re all about gilding recently. Friday it was in reference to the Pub & Kitchen’s Lobster BLT with truffle mayo and today it’s about gilding a pair of mirrors for Alison two. [Alison's New Restaurant]

Living On The Vedge makes it over to get some takeout from Minar Palace and found the tastes of the paneer and paratha flattered each other. But for now loyalties remain with Girard Avenue’s Ekta. [Living On The Vedge]

Mac & Cheese hadn’t been to a Jose Garces restaurant until the weekend when she tried out Distrito. Unsurprising to the the Jose fan club, she found it “wonderful.” [Mac & Cheese]

Philly Food and Drink enjoys the “lovely and tasty” sushi at Old City’s Zento. [Philly Food and Drink]

Phoodie.info snags an interview with Jose Garces regarding his new cook book, Latin Evolution. [Phoodie.info]

Brunch for ten? Jones fits the bill for Mac & Cheese. [Mac & Cheese]

The Clog has tasting notes from a Russian River tasting at Monk’s Cafe. [The Clog]

I swung by Minar Palace today because, like the rest of you, I couldn’t quite believe that it was really and truly going to be open today after so many false alarms. But it was! It’s true! I had chicken saag over rice (decent portion, $7.95) and naan for lunch and it was pretty darn great.

The digs are sweet too – especially compared to their previous hole-in-the-wall on Sansom Street. It sports a sort of a moody maroon-deep red palette and is stocked with plenty of tables.

Menus below.

Minar Palace Photo Set [Flickr]
Minar Menu Page 1 (PDF)
Minar Menu Page 2 (PDF)

Davinder Singh, Manager of Operations of Minar Palace sent us a note this evening proclaiming that this Wednesday will be Minar Palace’s grand opening.

I am happy to announce that Minar Palace Indian Restaurant will have its Official Grand Opening on Wednesday September 10, 2008. After a two year hiatus we will be back in business! I thank everyone who has contacted me since our closing. Please help spread the word and make sure you stop by at some time to check out the new location and try some of that great tasting food that made us so popular. I hope you all enjoy the changes we have made. See you all very soon.

The original Minar Palace closed over two years ago when they were forced from their 16th and Sansom location. Faithful patrons have kept the faith since, hoping their favorite affordable Indian restaurant would make a return.

And now 6 months after the original projected opening date, it looks like it will finally happen.

Minar Palace will be open weekdays from 11:30 to 9:00 pm and Saturdays from 11:30 till 7 pm. There will also be free delivery downtown.

AD Amorosi lobs out this rumor, “is Stephen Starr doing designer Mexican for his Broad Street diner?” [Ice Pack, City Paper]

Paxia, the former Molcajete Mixto is having their official grand opening Monday. They’ll be offering a $25 three-course dinner. [Food and Drinq]

Phoodie.info has what John McCain ordered at Devon Seafood the other day. And yes, we think this does make Devon the new Bookbinders. [Phoodie.info]

Bar 210 at Lacroix is aiming for the second week of September for an opening. The Clog has the rundown of the design. We’re intrigued by the leather floor. [The Clog]

Bridge hoppers will be glad to hear that Old City’s Swanky Bubbles was unscathed from a fire yesterday morning and was open for business last night. [Dan Gross, Philadelphia Daily News]

In the still not open category, Earth Bread + Brewery and Minar Palace have yet to open their doors. Your guesses are as good as ours and maybe theirs.

In the still closed department, Blue Comet in Glenside hopes to be back in 30 to 90 days. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

And in the gutted and we didn’t notice dept., the Elephant and Castle at 18th and Market is no more.

Food and Drinq is reporting that Minar Palace is scheduled to have their grand opening on Wednesday, September 3rd.

Minar Palace’s grand opening (?) [Food and Drinq]

Mama’s Grill on South Street has a new name, Chickpeas Falafel & Grill. It’s still owned by the Mama’s Vegetarian people though. [The Clog]

Food and Drinq has the Minar Palace menu. They’re promising mid-July but the Time Video sign is still in place and the front really doesn’t look much different from this Google Street View photo. [Food and Drinq]

Molcajete Mixto is closing to install a new hood in the kitchen. Hopefully that’s not a euphemism for closing for good. [The Clog]

Speaking of renovations, the Marathon Grill on the 1300 block of Chestnut will be closed for about 10 days as the popular lunch spot gets an overhaul. [Philly Chit Chat]

Kujaku, the successor to Peacock on the Parkway is already gone, just under 6 months if you’re scoring at home. [Food and Drinq]

Every week at least a few people email us and ask what’s the deal with Minar Palace. Well here’s the latest, the Indian restaurant is waiting for PGW to hook up a gas line and then they’ll be ready to open. Of course when that actually happens is anyone’s guess. It could be as little as in a couple days to several weeks out.

Here are some Minar Palace details to go with highlights from today’s edition of The Bite.

Vegetarian Specialities range from $6.95 – 7.50
Chicken Specialities range from $7.95 – 8.95
Lamb/Goat Specialities are $8.95
Shrimp Specialities are $11.95
Biryanis range from $8.95 – 12.95
Platters range from $7.95 – 8.95

The Daily Specials are…

Monday
Alu Baingan – Morsels of eggplant and potatoes sauteed in mild spices…$7.00

Tuesday
Dum Alu – Chunks of potatoes in a thick tomato gravy mildy spiced…$7.00

Wednesday
Rajmaah – Kidney beans in a thick tomato gravy medium spiced…$7.00

Thursday
Vegetable Jalfrazi – assorted vegetables in a highly spiced tangy gravy…$7.00

Friday
Chilly Chicken – succulent pieces of chicken breast sauteed with onions and bell peppers in a spicy sauce…$7.95

Hours of Operation will be
Monday – Friday 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Sunday Closed

Invasion of the Farmers Markets [Metro Philadelphia]

Owen Kamihira is an ambitious man. He’s turning Deuce into El Camino Real, a “Mexican border bar.” He’s also looking to bring an izakaya to Northern Liberties, a gastropub to 44th and Spruce and A.D. Amorosi reports he is also looking into the bar black hole at 20 S 20th Street that was the Blue Horseshoe and 20 S 20 for a split second each. [Icepack, City Paper]

Michael Klein says Minar Palace is returning the week of May 19th but the facade of the former Time Video at 1304 Walnut Street looks the same as it does in this Google Street View image from last summer. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

South Philly Bar & Grill has their liquor license in hand and is now aiming to open the 9th Street sports bar around June 1st. The interior definitely reminds us of Jose Pistola’s, lots of exposed brick, cherry wood and green walls. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Noble is the name of the “seasonal-American” restaurant slated to take over the Gioia Mia space at 2025 Sansom Street. The Apothecary’s Bruno Pouget and Steve Cameron are among the partners. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

El Fuego is looking to expand from it’s Washington Square storefront with a second location at 21st and Chestnut. Look for the doors to swing open around June 1st. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Turns out there are some one word names left for restaurants. Root is set to open later this month or early June at 1033 Spring Garden in the former home of Palate. Chris Hora whose local resume includes Coyote Crossing is talking “slow food and sustainable agriculture. [Food & Drinq]

Another tidbit in Icepack this week has the Happy Rooster getting a new owner and decor redo. [Icepack, City Paper]