Someone once told us that an actor’s headshot should look like that actor, not like someone else, but it should look like that actor on his best day ever.

That same holds true for a first date. You’ll want to present yourself as you on your best day ever. That brings us to our first type of first date, the false pretenses kind where you don’t have much money, but you want to impress like you do.

Foobooz would never advise lying to a loved one (or even a not-yet-loved one); that’s just not the way to begin a beautiful friendship… but…. you wouldn’t go on a date without putting on some lipstick or those jeans that make your butt look particularly hot? So why wouldn’t you put some thought into how hot the restaurant you’re going to might make you look?

If you don’t have a lot of money, you’ll have to be creative. Which means: a great restaurant on an off night, a bar with a subtle and sophisticated happy hour special and a BYOB situation with a possible trip to New Jersey for supplies. Here are two suggestions for the False Pretenses: I Don’t Have Much Money, But I Want to Impress Date…

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Ian Moroney and Hillary Bor who own Pumpkin Market and Pumpkin the BYOB are adding a third Pumpkin to the mix. This one will be a produce market. The current Pumpkin Market will be renamed Pumpkin Cafe and the new spot will be Pumpkin Market. Got it? Good. Opening is set for early August.

Those crazy Pumpkin kids are opening a produce market [The Clog]

We really enjoy the insights when someone on the Moore Brothers blog describes a dinner out at a BYOB. Tony Jordan has his parents in town and he takes them to Pumpkin armed with a red and white.

The Wianno oysters, seared scallops, sautée fluke, and pork with spatzle worked perfectly with the Ratzenberger Riesling, while the braised short rib dish (a wonderfully complex preparation) was perfect with the Vinsobres.

This is what life’s all about: great food, great wine, and of course great company.
Pumpkin [Moore Brothers Wine Co.]

G-Ho’s Pumpkin has quite the Sunday deal in place for the summer. Five courses, soup, salad, appetizer, entree and dessert for just $30.

Feeding Frenzy [City Paper]

The Washington Post takes a look at how Philadelphia’s BYO revolution has energized the city’s dining scene. Included are money quotes from Craig LaBan, David Snyder of PhilaFoodie, Pumpkin’s Ian Maroney, David Ansill of Pif and Ansill and Joseph Scarpone of Sovalo.

Over the past decade, Philadelphia has experienced an astounding boom in BYOB dining. When Audrey Claire opened in 1996, it was one of only two fine-dining BYOBs in the city, along with longtime favorite Dmitri’s. Now, in the metropolitan region, there are more than 240.

According to a recent survey by the online reservation service OpenTable.com, 63 percent of Philadelphia diners said they had taken their own wine to a fine-dining restaurant within their last 10 meals. That’s compared to a national average of 27 percent and more than double the percentages in New York and wine-crazy San Francisco.

Philadelphia’s BYO Revolution [Washington Post]

You’ve tried the BYO, now try the market. From Hillary Bor and chef Ian Moroney of Pumpkin comes Pumpkin Market. Just down the block from Pumpkin at 1609 South Street Pumpkin Market features fresh salads and sandwiches.

Eager diners can look forward to his delectable croque monsieur, warm roast beef sandwiches with celery remoulade and divine Cuban sandwiches. Moroney also promises coffee and house-cured gravlax and bagels for weekend diners.

Got Lunch Plans [Philly STYLE]

Osteria is opening tonight! Marc Vetri’s casual spot on north Broad Street will certainly but less expensive than Vetri, but at $50 a head it isn’t quite cheap. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Pumpkin Market is looking to open by March 1st. Next door to BYOB Pumpkin, the G-Ho market will offer familiar bagels and coffe in the morning and add anti-pasta type grub and semi-prepared foods (crab cakes, mac ‘n’ cheese, etc.). [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Rum Bar is preparing for a February 19th soft-opening and as if 45 rums behind the bar weren’t reason enough to circle that date, how about habanero grilled cheese? [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Savory Off South, an all-day cafe at 517 S 5th Street looks to bring everything from breakfast sandwiches to fondue to the South Street scene. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Legal Sea Foods’ first Philadelphia location is set to open at the Court at King of Prussia in about a month. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

A.D. Amorosi asks “And who is it that we hear is taking over that same street’s long-shuttered Cuvee Notredame?” We hear it’s the people behind Old City’s Plough and the Stars. [Icepack, City Paper]

PhilaFoodie heads to the 1700 block of South Street and checks out Pumpkin, a 28-seat BYOB and an apropos spot to try as the air turns crisper.

PhilaFoodie finds Pumpkin �a reasonably priced treat you can enjoy any time of the year as many times as you like.� Click through for the whole review and of course PhilaFoodie�s photos.

Pumpkin [PhilaFoodie]