A tipster lets us know Al Paris’ Pat Bombino’s at 9th and Fitzwater has a sign in the window stating the kitchen is closed and the bar is open Thursday through Sunday. Paris’ other spot, Bar Amalfi was dark last week as it is being changed over to a “Middle Eastern Lounge Concept.”

Bar Amalfi changing it up [The Insider]

Progress continues to be made at Earth Bread + Brewery where they’ve recently posted a photo album that chronicles the construction.

Frank Imbarlina was supposed to be the chef at Time but he’s out before they opened. Stepping in will be Keith Murphy who is currently the chef at Jason and Delphine Evenchik’s Vintage. [The Clog]

In other chef movement, pastry chef Peter Scarola is set to leave the Inn at St. Peters Village and is headed to Rae.

Orange Alert, Pat Bombino’s has a liquor license application in the window.

In other window based news, a paper sign in the window on 20th Street across from Twenty Manning notes that a Japanese restaurant, Yoshi is coming soon.

Phoodie.info has a photo of the refurbed upstairs dining room at the North Star Bar. Well we think they do. It might be a photo of someone’s living room. [Phoodie.info]

Trey Popp was turned off by his first taste of Pat Bombino’s but subsequent dishes picked up the slack.

But like a leadoff batter who goes down on strikes only to reach base the next eight times in a row, Pat Bombino’s proceeded to hit the sweet spot with each new thing I tried. And among the walks and singles, it even managed to knock a couple over the right-field fence.

The first home run came in the form of slow-cooked duck falling to shreds over freshly cut pappardelle. Here was the warmth I’d been craving. The pasta was simply perfect, and the rich ragout had a haunting, mouth-coating flavor so subtle that I couldn’t quite pin down the spice responsible. A faint trace of nutmeg? Mace? I didn’t want to rob the dish of its mysterious allure by asking.

Pat’s A Nice [City Paper]

The Clog grabs a copy of Pat Bombino’s menu. Like the sign says, it’s “generational Italian.”

Menu Exclusive: Pat Bombino’s [The Clog]

Pat Bombino’s by Al Paris and Matthew DiNatale has opened at 9th and Catharine. Expect old school Italian dishes from $12 to $32 and a Sunday family-style dinner. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Kai San Modern Japanese Cuisine has an opening date set of December 8th. The Japanese spot takes over for the former Smoked Joint at the Academy House. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

A. D. Amorosi reports Gavone’s at 10th and Wolf may be shuttered. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

And oh yes the debauchery of Wing Bowl will be back of a 16th year on February 1st at the Wachovia Center. Tickets will be available starting December 12th. [Philly.com]

Cafe Estelle is open at the 444 Lofts. The 45-seat cafe focuses on breakfast and lunch but will soon be adding brunch. The breads, muffins and sausages are all made on the premises. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Al Paris’ Pat Bombino’s is looking to open next Wednesday. G, the lounge under Davio’s has penciled in November 29th as its opening date. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The mega-Maia restaurant opening set for the end of this year is looking more like February ‘08. Melissa Monosoff, former sommelier at the Fountain, Striped Bass and Avenue B is the beverage director. [Icepack, City Paper]

The folk behind Gypsy Saloon and Stella Blue are getting in the pizza business with Bella Luna Pizza Kitchen in West Conshohocken. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The DiBruno Brothers web site has a rendering of their Comcast Center location. There’ll be a paninis, salads, prepared foods, a European-style coffee bar and of course cheese. [DiBruno Brothers]

Eric Ripert of New York’s Le Bernardin is opening his Washington restaurant, Westend Bistro tonight. He plans on opening a Philadelphia restaurant at the Ritz Carlton in 2008. Check the menu (pdf) for a taste of what may be coming. [Westend Bistro]

This week’s The Bite gives you plenty of tips on where to pick up some fabulously popular tacos as well as leaks the menu of a new South Street restaurant and previews a couple of upcoming spots. Yum.

Tacos, tapas and Tex-Mex, oh my [Metropolis]

The Bite appears every Wednesday in the Metro and is written by Foobooz editor Arthur Etchells

Rejoice Fairmount, The Belgian Tavern is set to open next Wednesday. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Knock has had its soft opening and is set to start serving pork chops with chocolate sauce. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Al Paris’ Italian restaurant has a name, Bombino’s. It’s about 5 weeks out. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Eric Ripert of New York’s Le Bernardin is looking to open a Philadelphia bistro in early 2008. [New York Times]

G Lounge is a subterranean lounge looking to open in November at 17th and Chestnut. Food will be from the same kitchen as Davios which is upstairs. Also coming soon is Urban Saloon to 2120 Fairmount Avenue. “The name should be a tip-off of the concept, but final details are still being worked out.” [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Fo a complete list of restaurants, bars and lounges that are everywhere from days away from opening to still on the drawing boards check out the Foobooz Openings page. There’s a lot on deck!