Uncle Jimmy checks out Bistrot La Minette with lowered expectations but comes away pleased with the ambiance, food and service. [Uncle Jimmy Eats Philadelphia]

Phoodie.info escapes XIX at $41 per person. Well played. [Phoodie.info]

Foodzings enjoys a “great bucket of pho” at Pho Hoa. [Foodzings]

Over the weekend we were wondering aloud, just who goes to Pico De Gallo. Today we find out that Food Coma is a fan. [Food Coma]

David McDuff connects with some Philly attitude before escaping to Paris at Parc. [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]

Foodaphilia gives the first negative review we’ve heard of Northern Liberties’ Cafe Estelle. [Foodaphilia]

Kirsten Henri is back doing reviews for Philadelphia Weekly and today she’s giving us the lowdown on Pho Hoa, the first area location of the California based Vietnamese restaurant chain..

Pho Pas [Philadelphia Weekly]
Pho Hoa [Official Site]

Fishtown baby! Hot Potato Cafe has opened at 529 E Girard Avenue, featuring New American cuisine for lunch and dinner. Ida Mae’s has also opened in Fishtown, billed as a “bruncherie” expect “hearty, budget-priced, Irish-influenced fare” daily till 3 PM. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Elsewhere in Fishtown, Bistro Juliana prepares to open. This neighborhood BYOB by the owners of Raddichio is set to open next Monday. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

At 161 W Girard Avenue is Modo Mio, a new Italian BYOB by Peter McAndrews who cooked for 12 years at Rembrandt’s. Modo Mio combines two of Philadelphia’s staples, Italian and small plates, nothing of $16. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Crosstown, East Falls is getting a couple of new spots. The former Verge, along Kelly Drive, is being re-born Franco’s Trattoria. Who’s Franco? He’s Franco Faggi, one of the original Monte Carlo Living Room partners. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The Set Table is a breakfast/brunch and lunch spot on Indian Queen and is being touted as the Sabrina’s/Morning Glory of East Falls. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

More Korean Vietnamese on Washington Avenue? Pho sure! Pho Hoa, a Vietnamese chain with 84 outlets world wide is set to open on April 28th at the former home of Porky and Porkie. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Le Jardin has closed its doors. The voicemail is full and chef/owner Athmane Kabir did not return calls. [Dan Gross, Philadelphia Daily News]