We’ve been hearing rumblings about possible happenings at the former home of Oceanaire. First we heard the Cheesecake Factory rumors. Those have dried up a bit since Michael Klein put the kibosh on that with a statement from the company that they weren’t interested in the area. Cheesecake Factory needs parking, lots and lots of parking.

We’ve also heard Stephen Starr has checked out the space and most recently that Alex Plotkin of Chops Restaurant & Bar on City Avenue is interested in the space.

We caught up with Plotkin to find out if he would really consider bringing another steakhouse to Center City. Plotkin said he would love to do something downtown having already been associated with the Palm and Four Seasons but it is way too early to say for sure if something could happen at the former PSFS bank at 7th and Walnut. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have some ideas for the space that was so opulently redone for Oceanaire.

Plotkin envisions a variation of Chops with more seafood and about 25% of the menu being USDA prime steaks. The wine list would consist of 150 wines all under $70. And in a feature sure to appeal to those who’ve suffered valet parking sticker shock elsewhere on Walnut Street, free valet parking.

There’s nothing in writing yet but it’s good to know the building is seriously being looked at.

Philadelphia’s Oceanaire Seafood Room has closed. The oppulent seafood palace on Walnut Street is gone from the reservations dropdown on Oceanaire’s web site, as are locations in Charlotte, Cincinnati, Phoenix and Seattle.

The Oceanaire [Official Site]

Tonight Oceanaire is hosting a $65, six-course Yards beer dinner and although it’s a little last second, we thought we’d share the menu.

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In the Metro today The Bite gives you a head start on some Philly Beer Week events that pair food and beer.

After the jump, check out the full menus being offered at Oceanaire Seafood Room this Monday and the fun Philly-focused menu that will be offered by Bridget Foy’s all Beer Week.

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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]

Craig LaBan boards the Oceanaire Seafood Room for a meal basking in the retro vibe of grand old cruise ship.

And despite a “de-bell-able” offense with the lobster, LaBan finds the staff is hitting its stride with its more modern dishes.

The Oceanaire aims to serve it both ways, with a dual-concept menu that nods to unadorned chowder-house standbys, but also presents numerous dishes inspired by a considerably more contemporary feel. And it has a swimming chance with a chef like Anthony Bonett, a Striped Bass and Tony Clark alum who made his lasting lead-chef impression as a modernist at Opus 251.

One gets a quick sense of his skill with a dish like his almond-crusted halibut, a thick slice of luscious Alaskan fish posed over a zesty white gazpacho made from blended cucumbers and romaine. A sliced asparagus and roasted marcona-almond salad on top lends the final Spanish touch. A seared scallop special was equally stunning, the juicy white rounds paired with lentils and bittersweet candied kumquats scented with orange and cardamom.

Two Bells – Very Good

The Oceanaire [Philadelphia Inquirer]
The Oceanaire Seafood Room [Official Site]

It’s the Philly Food Blog Wrap Up and check out this new and essential tool to the food blogger, food mode.

Tre Scalini has moved and the atmosphere is a huge upgrade but rest assured the pastas are still “enchanting” and the meat and fish “are still excellent in quality and value.” [blogalicious]

Zocalo doesn’t score as well as the more authentic taquerias of South Philadelphia but it still has a time and a place. [Foodaphilia]

Lunch time at Sang Kee Asian Bistro featured some soups and delicious penang baked seafood fried rice. [foodzings]

The Astronomer and the Gastrometer do it up with brunch at Lacroix. 7 dishes and more than 50 photos of what the Astronomer called the “favorite meal that I have ever eaten at a restaurant.” [gas•tron•o•my]

Café Nhu Y serves a vegetarian Vietnamese hoagie and Mac & Cheese investigates. [Mac & Cheese]

A look at the bigger and fresher is better philosophy of Oceanaire Seafood Room. [PhilaFoodie]

Were you puzzled when you read the Daily News article regarding alfresco dining at Oceanaire Seafood Room? Where was this outdoor dining? On Walnut Street? Rest assured this nice looking outdoor dining area isn’t mere feet from the 9, 12, 21 and 42 buses but rather it is tucked away on a patio facing tiny St. James Street.

The patio will open on May 1st and will offer seating for up to 40 people for lunch, dinner or cocktails.

Oceanaire Seafood Room [Official Site]

Well you might be hard pressed to find a touch of spring in the air today but rest assured it’s coming. and with spring comes alfresco dining. The Daily News takes note of several places to dine outside. Including Tavern 17 a new restaurant and lounge set to open May 1st on 17th Street just down from the Warwick Hotel. Tavern 17 will seat 170 indoors and another 16-20 outside, plus they’ll have a special menu for pooches!

Additional alfesco dining:

• Patou
• Meridith’s
• Avalon
• Positano Coast
• 333 Belrose
• Oceanaire Seafood Room
• Ecco Qui
• The Water Works
• Restaurant M

Alfresco, old & new [Philadelphia Daily News]

Kirsten Henri boards the elegant Oceanaire Seafood Room and finds the meal has a tough time living up to its surroundings.

It’s hard to be enthusiastic about a $35.95, very dry whole branzino surrounded by a wan ratatouille, except to say our server’s superior tableside filleting skills convinced me she missed her true calling as a surgeon. Hawaiian marlin took advantage of its macho, steaky flesh and was prepared in appropriately macho fashion: coated with pepper, topped with a scoop of blue cheese butter and resting on sweet onion confit. It might’ve been more appealing had any moistness in its flesh not been thoroughly grilled into submission.

Hawaiian tombo sashimi—served on an 18-inch-long pontoon of a plate with a squiggle of wasabi paste, soy sauce and a seaweed salad—was designed to impress with its exotic name and over-the-top presentation. The mild flavor of the tombo (which is in actuality not-very-exotic albacore tuna) failed to justify the massive plate or the $34.95 price tag.

Ahoy, Pricey! [Philadelphia Weekly]
Oceanaire Seafood Room [Official Site]