In today’s Metro, The Bite highlights some spots that are doing something special for Inauguration Day.

‘Obama-tinis’ and more toast Inauguration Day [Metro Philadelphia]

The Brew Lounge and Lew Bryson report back from opening night at Local 44. [Brew Lounge, Seen Through a Glass]

Foodzings checks out Ms. Tootsie’s on South Street and has plenty of good things to say. [Foodzings]

There’s tea for two at Chadds Ford’s specialTeas Tea Room. [StellaLand]

The Beer Lass has a very beery-eyed look back at 2008. [Beer Lass]

I Am Beer Wise made it to the opening of Limerick’s Craft Ale House. [I Am Beer Wise]

Artisan Boulange Patissier garners raves for their “flaky, chewy, airy buttery and melty in the mouth” croissants. [Fries with that Shake]

Foodzings visits the huge Wokano on Washington Avenue. [Foodzings]

Trey Popp eschews the normal brunch spots to dine on fine southern cooking at Ms. Tootsie’s on South Street.

It would be hard to best the fried chicken, which boasts a crispy crust free of superfluous grease. The meat is moist, and the leg and thigh I got suggested a hen big enough to strike fear into the heart of the proverbial fox. A heap of collard greens carried just the right level of salt, and a bowl of black-eyed peas was stellar in its straightforward flavor.

Lunch Drunk Love [City Paper]

Congratulations to South Street’s Ms. Tootsie’s Restaurant Bar Lounge which was awarded Best Soul Food restaurant in the August 2007 issue of the national publication, Black Enterprise Magazine.

Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Caf� has a new next door neighbor in Ms. Tootsie’s Lounge.

Together, the two buildings offer the best of both worlds: intimate BYO atmosphere on the one side and Old City-esque dining with DJs, bottle service and the requisite unisex restroom on the other.

Show Us That Tootsie Roll [City Paper]
Ms. Tootsie’s [Official Site]

Susanna Foo’s Gourmet Kitchen is open and busy. The Radnor dumpling house sprung to life last Saturday. Open daily for dinner, lunch starts this Monday. [Table Talk]

Taco House is no more? That was our reaction when reading the Taco Houseon the 1200 block of Pine Street is now Caf� Centraal. serving Middle Eastern as well as Mexican. [Feeding Frenzy]

Ms. Tootsie’s Restaurant, Bar & Lounge is set to debut tomorrow next to Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Cafe on the 1300 block of South Street. The space will feature three bars, the Soul Food Cafe’s food, plus some new menu items. [Feeding Frenzy]

The Marigold Kitchen backed Xochitl is expecting a Mid-November debut. Drew Lazor gives the tip, expect to see a large tequila list. [Feeding Frenzy]

Vegetarian favorite Horizons was named restaurant of the year by Vegnews magazine. [Table Talk]

UPDATE: And yes, snackbar opened for business last night. And eGullet has the photos to prove it. [eGullet]