Craig LaBan says that Rittenhouse Square’s Snackbar has finally struck the right cord and its harmony is best exemplified in the chicken pot pie deconstructed.

Good Taste [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Snackbar [Official Site]

Rouge is offering a six-course tasting menu Tuesday through Saturday for $55 per person, $85 with wine pairings.

Among the highlights are seared scallops, King Salmon and braised beef brisket.

Click the menu below for full details and wine pairings.

Rouge [Official Site]

Adam Erace enjoys the details as he eats and relaxes at Snackbar.

As a former sous chef at Zahav, 27-year-old Taus brings a clear culinary focus that has eluded snackbar. The menu feels very American, very loose and likeable, with a collection of plates that are neither small nor large. Taus’ food is suited to grazing, but fortunately the servers don’t get all mathematical about your order. Start slow and order more when you get hungry again, seems to be the practice here, echoed by Makar, who says he actually encourages staff not to turn tables.

Eyes on the Guise [Philadelphia Weekly]
Snackbar [Official Site]

The Wrap Shack went out and got themselves a liquor license and a new name. Now the Wrap Shack Kitchen & Bar, the Rittenhouse Square spot has converted its sandwich counter into a 10-seat bar with 3 flat screen TVs.

And now through the end of the year they’re offering a special on three new wraps.

• The New York Strip Wrap and a pint of draft beer
• Tilapia Fish Taco Wrap and a pint of draft beer
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Crepe with warm marshmallow and vanilla ice cream and a frozen white chocolate milkshake with vodka, crème de coco, and Bailey’s Irish Cream.

They are also offering $1 pints during all World Series games.

Wrap Shack Kitchen & Bar [Official Site]

Michael Klein reports that Stephen Starr has rented the Midtown IV Restaurant building at 2013 Chestnut Street. But what will it be?

Starr says it won’t be another Pizzeria Stella and that he will keep the bar in the back and the private entrance onto Ranstead. Starr floats the idea that he might do Mexican that isn’t El Vez. Mexican is certainly under-represented around Rittenhouse Square.

Or could it be one of the other concepts previously floated, like the Greek diner once hoped for Broad and Ellsworth. Or the Love Burger concept once  proposed for the Letto Deli? Any guesses?

Stephen Starr’s next restaurant [The Insider]

Rick Nichols celebrates the resurgence of the art of the cocktail at Village Whiskey and other purveyors of adult cocktails.

[T]his is a place, especially on a quieter weeknight evening, to reunite with the well-made cocktail. Bartender Keith Raimondi will be happy to oblige, fashioning a proper Old Fashioned (dousing the sugar cubes first with house-made bitters), a moody Vieux Carre (rye, cognac, sweet vermouth and two kinds of bitters), or for a sip of the city’s roots (and provided you are not about operate heavy machinery), a sneaks-up-on-you Philadelphia Fish House Punch, which involves peach brandy, cognac, dark rum, and other accents, peels and spices that mask those initial ingredients.

Please then, won’t you raise your glass. . .

Takes a Village to raise a glass [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Village Whiskey [Official Site]

Tomorrow,  Brown Betty Petite just off of Rittenhouse Square will be turning one. Starting at noon they will be giving away cupcakes.

Red Velvet, Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry will be offered and be available, one per customer until supplies run out.

Brown Betty Petite [Official Site]

Today, the Tria Rittenhouse Square location has tasting portions of Russian River Consecration. The 6 oz draft tasting portions will be $6.

This strong dark ale aged in Cabernet barrels with currants is a beer geek’s dream – and the perfect beer for winos. Divine, indeed. And rare, so get it while you can.

It’s available now until it kicks.

Tria Cafe [Official Site]

Bloggers are continuing to investigate Jose Garces‘ Village Whiskey, one even breaks their gaze from the “meat monster” in order to talk about the liquor.

Count Kate of Philly Food and Drink among the decadent and gluttonous who have been wowed by the “Village King” burger. [Philly Food and Drink]

Phoodie sits down not to try the beef but to quaff an equally formidable lineup of drinks. [Phoodie.info]

Femme Fermentable on the other hand is disappointed with VW, and leaves a “Dear Jose” letter behind as she heads off to New England. Oddly, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a poor experience at a Jose Garces establishment framed as a break-up letter. [Femme Fermental]

Previous Village Whiskey Around the Web [f8b8z]

Village Whiskey is still brand new but it has already been haiku’d about and of course bloggers have made their way to Jose Garces’ latest. Here’s what they’re saying.

The Beer Lass checks out Village Whiskey on Saturday enjoying the nostalgic snacks, big burgers and duck-fat fries with beery cheese sauce. Jose himself told us that the secret ingredient in the cheese sauce is indeed Cheez Whiz! [Beer Lass]

Fidel Gastro digs the old timey chic of Village Whiskey but it is really about the short rib and cheddar fries. [Fidel Gastro]

BROG and friends take in Village Whiskey on opening day, sampling as much as the can. Highlights include the homemade mustard for the pretzel sticks, fries and cheese sauce as well as the Whiskey King burger which they write, lived up to the hype. [BROG]

Living on the Vegdge goes with the veggie burger and is left a little wanting. But not so much so that she won’t be back. [Living on the Vedge]