Q BBQ & Tequila is launching their Quick and Gourmet burger menus in a few days, Meal Ticket has the menu plus some tasty looking photos. [Meal Ticket]

Georges Perrier and Nicholas Elmi will be cooking at the James Beard House on February 24th, it’ll be Elmi’s first experience at the JBH. [The Insider]

Speaking of the James Beard House, Meal Ticket has the menu that Meme’s David Katz will be preparing for his March 23rd dinner in New York. If you make reservations and say “thyme” you are entitled to a discount. [Meal Ticket]

For the gossip fodder, AD Amorosi drops word that Stephen Starr’s director of development got the grand tour of the Piazza at Schmidt’s this week. [City Paper]

Drew Lazor asks Capogiro’s Stephanie Reitano a couple of pertinent questions regarding possible expansion of the East Passyunk store and status of the South Street project. [Meal Ticket]

Mixx, the sports bar in Villanova from Win Restaurants and Maru Global Takoyaki are both set to open on Monday, January 25th. [The Insider]

Misso has indeed closed at 1326 Spruce Street.

Craig LaBan visits Misso, owned by Bruce Kim who many should know from his stint at Sushikazu in Blue Bell. He’s back now in Center City and is looking to make an impact on our rapidly growing Japanese restaurant scene.

But judging from three lovely meals, I’d say they’re catching on quickly (they’re even planning outdoor seats soon). The reasonably priced menu is hardly unusual, but Kim’s kitchen executes both the familiar dishes and his signature creations with a precision, quality of ingredients and consistency that so many others lack.

Kim’s more creative rolls – many of which he mastered at Sushikazu – are worth seeking out, like the pristine slice of tuna draped over a ball of crunchy rice topped with a dab of minced spicy tuna and a jalapeño chip. And the Area 51, which adds the crunch and sweetness of kiwi to lemony yellowtail.

Two Bells – Very Good

Misso [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Bruce Kim brings his suburban Sushikazu-brand sushi to Center City under the name Misso at 1326 Spruce Street and it beats many of Philadelphia’s often middling sushi options.

But the pièce de résistance, the masterwork — the reason to visit, even — is the tuna ball. An orb of pink, fleshy, finely chopped tuna tartare obscures hidden bits of crisped flour, minced scallion and a judiciously applied smidgen of a spicy sauce (though sometimes the sushi chef uses wasabi). It’s rolled in vibrant orange masago and dusted with green flakes of shiso, each ball offering a spectrum of textures and flavors — crisp, soft, spicy, briny, vaguely oniony.

An order includes five balls (at Sushikazu you’d get six, but we can forgive this oversight) placed over a spaghetti-like tangle of daikon that absorbs the masago glow. Its naked presence, when the tuna is gone, will likely have you going for another round.

Misso Accomplished [City Paper]
Misso Sushi [Official Site]

We couldn’t believe our wondering eyes a couple weeks ago when we were riding down Market Street. There was actually activity behind the facade of 2204 Liberty Bar. The facade has looked complete for years (unlike Vegas Lounge – what’s going on with that?) but it has sat vacant. Well now they’re open with 8 different beers on tap plus a full menu of typical bar fare from fresh roast beef to insanely hot wings.

High concept food carts? That seems to be the idea at Curbside Chef. Originally developed for corporate and special events five multimedia roach coaches are set to hit the city from Penn to Community College. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Tony Luke’s is looking to go national with a line of products including steaks, roast pork, broccoli rabe and rolls. The frozen products will be marketed through supermarkets, home-shopping TV and an online shop. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]

A.D. Amorosi has heard rumors that G Lounge is looking to get its hands on an after-hours license. [Icepack, City Paper]

Bruce Kim of Sushikazu in Blue Bell has moved on to the new Misso in Center City. For something different he plans to add touch screen ordering. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Details continue to emerge regarding the Union Gourmet Market & Cafe at the Western Union Building. There will be a concentration on lunch and ready-to-eat meals plus seating for 50 and free wifi. Aroundphilly.com refers to the concept as “Dean & Deluca-ish.” [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

A.D. has another rumor of note in today’s Icepack, this one saying Anthony Bonett may be “leaving his co-owning/cooking spot at Oceanaire.” [Icepack, City Paper]