It takes a lot to lure me out of my mini-hiatus, semi-retirement status these days (mostly because it’s not a hiatus from all work, just foobooz-related work) but for this, I’m chugging coffee and putting fingers to keyboard because this news is just too mind-blowing to be ignored…

Stephen Starr has bought the Broad Street Diner. STEPHEN STARR HAS BOUGHT THE BROAD STREET DINER! Take a moment to wrap your head around that one.

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Or, more precisely, can a restaurant jump the shark before it even opens?

We’re talking about izakayas here, people. An izakaya is the Japanese version of a gastropub supper pub, also known as a bar that serves snacky, alcohol-friendly food. A tavern, if you will. They were the hotness in New York a year or so back and we guessed it wouldn’t be long before they migrated down to Philly as so many food trends from NYC are wont to do (tapas craze, anyone?). And we guessed right!

First, there was Yakitori Boy, which turned out to be a dumbed-down sort-of-izakaya with middling food and a much more enticing karaoke bar. Then there was news that Michael Schulson, formerly of POD and Buddakan would be opening an izakaya called, well, Izakaya in the Borgata. Then Drew Lazor of City Paper reported that Owen Kamihira of Bar Ferdinand is also opening an izakaya in the Blatstein Vortex in NoLibs.

And then, this past Friday, Michael Klein revealed that the Stephen Starr octopus is plunging its mighty tentacles into the izakaya business with one planned for an undisclosed Rittenhouse location later this year.

All of which leads us to wonder: might the izakaya might be over before it began?

Joking! We’re looking forward to at least one of these places being worthwhile. We’re putting our money on Kamihira, but… the Restaurant Yenta in us can’t help but wonder where exactly Starr will lay down his newest Japanese-inspired gauntlet. We thought it would be amazing if Striped Bass were the spot–or the jinxed former Copa Miami location. If anyone can cleanse out the bad juju there, it’s the Dark Starr. Or perhaps that building on the corner of 20th and Sansom, just south of Tinto’s new expansion, which we’re calling the new restaurant nexus.

We thought all of these things, until a little Starrling peeped up that the likely locale would be The Lanesborough condominium building at 16th and Locust. That condo is an Allan Domb venture, as are the Barclay and the Parc Rittenhouse where Starr has (or will have) other restaurants. You do the restaurant and real estate math.

Some observations, some burblings…

Is Patou for sale? Sure looks like it from these pictures, which match their website pictures. We hear lots of Old City is on the market… perhaps because the more moneyed crowds have migrated their nocturnal activities to Rittenhouse? One Fourteen has been for sale for a long time, a tipster tells us that Red Sky is now as well.

So there’s an exodus of nightclubs, but we can’t imagine the residents of Old City are too happy about this. Any ideas of what it might be? We thought Pink Taco, but it’s too horrible to consider.

The ‘for rent’ sign that has been lingering forlornly in the window of the former location of Tre Scalini is down and there are signs of construction. Now we love this spot, despite its hideous Santa Fe-inspired facade. It faces the fountain on East Passyunk Ave. (even though it’s technically on 11th Street), it has great big windows and it’s just screaming to be revived as a restaurant. There are whisperings on the Avenue that it’s going to be a restaurant… an Italian restaurant, possibly called DaVinci’s. Because Passyunk Avenue desperately needs another Italian restaurant. There are also whisperings that a less Italian concept was slated for the space and the building owner wanted strictly Italian. We love this neighborhood, but sheesh!

We also hear that waning Rittenhouse nightclub Denim [insert your own joke about lame Philly nightclubs here] is soon to be the property of the owners of Rite Aid grotto G Lounge [insert second joke about lame Philly nightclubs here].

The Waverly, Michael O’Halloran’s new restaurant that was scheduled for an April opening, is no more, at least at the 13th & Waverly location.

Yesterday we spoke to O’Halloran, who also chef-owns Bistro 7 in Old City, and he confirmed that there were unspecified issues with the landlord. Lawyers are involved and The Clog has the full legalese, if you’re inclined to read it.

O’Halloran’s looking for a new location for the concept. The Restaurant Yenta is wondering what will go into the former (if it never happened, can it even be called former? almost former? nearly former?) Waverly space at 412 South 13th St. Any suggestions for O’Halloran?

Bistro 7 [Official Site]

…somewhere other than Melrose? See if you can put the pieces of this puzzle together:

A very popular South Philadelphia restaurant is listed for sale on craigslist by the prolific realtor Dr, Hanh, who also had the Broad Street Diner listing that we restaurant yenta’d not too long ago.

Dr. Hanh has this listing on his incredible website drhanh.net [sic]:

A welknown eatery of Philly has a history of over seven decate of excellent service. 110 customer seats covenient for relaxing in the city and a team of delivery plus a bakery in the premise that bring warm food to customers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Customers of this restaurant could be the most of popular people in the city, in the nation and even in the world. Available for sale is the turn key operation business and the property the business on it. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for anyone who loves the city and want to own a profit restaurant business. Own it and proud to be an owner of one of the nicest of historic Philadelphia. Please sign BFI and Confidential letter before appoitment to show. listing Broker must present.

The photo in Dr. Hanh’s listing matches this photo from the citysearch listing. Now, it’s entirely possible that some other historic diner with a bakery is for sale for 4.5 mil in South Philly, but we can’t think of another one that fits the bill. Remember that the Melrose, a long-running family business, changed hands less than a year ago. It was taken over by diner mogul Michael Petrogiannis, who has a habit of buying historic diners (Mayfair, Country Club) and, depending on which little old lady you’re talking to, ruining them.

Also, the Melrose’s website isn’t looking so hot either.

We found this very loquacious listing for the space that was once Deux Cheminees. A morsel:

The lease includes a LIQUOR LICENSE, four dining rooms and up to 125 seats in a revered location, tables, chairs, china & glassware, two enormous walk-in freezers, and kitchen and prep areas complete with fully-functioning equipment. Sign the lease today and SERVE DINNER/DRINKS TOMORROW. All that’s needed is a visionary restauranteur whose personal touch and culinary acumen will begin a new chapter in the annals of restaurant history.

Paging Shola Olunloyo! Unfortunately, former chef/owner Fritz Blank’s amazing cookbook library does not come with the space, but a Frank Furness mansion with Mercer-tiled fireplaces, leaded stained glass and walnut paneling? Yes, please.

The venerable General Lafayette Inn in Lafayette Hill is looking for a second location in Center City.

Owner/brewmaster Chris Leonard tells us via email that they’re on the hunt for the right location. The beery details, in his own words:
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