Blogalicious reports that his four course feast at Salento was top notch for Restaurant Week and he isn’t the only we’ve heard that from. So on your marks, get set, call! 215-568-1314

For more Restaurant Week help check out the Foobooz Restaurant Week Guide.

Hell Is Frozen, Pigs Are Flying [blogalicious]
Salento in pictures [Flickr]

David Snyder, better known to many as PhilaFoodie gives some tips on picking the right wines to have at this week’s most favored Italian BYOB, Salento.

One of the most reliable rules of pairing is to choose wines native to the regions where your food originated — as the saying goes, what grows together goes together.

Salento [Pocket Sommelier, City Paper]

Kirsten Henri may be suffering from Italian BYOB overload but there’s no denying Salento’s charms.

A special of homemade ravioli stuffed with ground veal is rich enough on its own, but you’ll need superhuman willpower to push away any of the accompanying truffled cream sauce. The same goes for that highly addictive ricotta gnocchi, lightly crisped from a quick trip to the saute pan and heavily doused with garlic and wild mushrooms. Ciceri e tria—a humble Salentine specialty of ribbons of pasta smeared with crushed chickpeas and garnished with fried pasta—is hearty and workingman-homey.

Gnocchi on Heaven’s Door [Philadelphia Weekly]

Craig LaBan reviews Salento, the newish Italian BYOB at 23rd and Walnut. He finds Salento a “worthy addition” to the crowded Italian BYO scene.

What Salento may lack in warm decor and pure comfort (the room is incredibly noisy, despite sound treatments), the restaurant more than compensates for in outgoing service and genuine flavors.

The menu’s style is similar to L’Angolo’s, though it mostly avoids duplication, and Faenza focuses on the aspects – bean dishes, seafood, and game ragus – that distinguish his region and hometown of Gallipoli.

Two Bells – Very Good

Salento [Philadelphia Inquirer]

The Illadelph has a first look and name for The Georges Perrier, Chris Scarduzio restaurant set for the Comcast Center. The name is Table 31, which may seem a quizzical name till you realize that’s considered the best table at Brasserie Perrier. Table 31 will be a monster of a restaurant. More than 15,000 square feet over 3 floors. [The Illadelph]

A.D. Amorosi’s Icepack reports that the Dive is rumored to be closed or closing. This is in contrast to a recent Dive My Space bulletin says that not only are they open but they’ve got their smoking waiver. [Icepack, City Paper]

Rumor has it Copa Too won’t sit empty too long as Fergie’s ex-manager Jo Gunn is looking to open Jose Pistolas, a “beer bar with Mexican flavor.” [Icepack, City Paper]

A couple of new Italian restaurants have landed. Franco’s Trattoria has taken the spot once held by Verge off of Kelly Drive in East Falls. And 23rd and Walnut has a new Italian BYO Salento where Fellini’s Cafe. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Miami Cafe is set to open around June 11th in the spot that once housed Abilene on South Street. Cuban Sadwiches will be featured heavily as well as fried plantains served with shrimp, chicken or chorizo. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Almaz Cafe isn’t just about coffee. There are also affordable Ethiopian dishes at this 20th Street coffee shop. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Go North, at least that’s what the owners of L’Angolo are thinking as they plan to open a Salento, an Italian BYO where Fellini Cafe once resided. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Byblos owner Diaa Sawan is bringing Vango Lounge and Skybar to South 18th Street this August. It’ll be a 120-seat bi-level spot with Japanese fusion cuisine. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Silk City should be back in business next Thursday and the yet to be open Stephens Green already has a new name, St. Stephens Green. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Seats are still available for Rae’s wine dinner on June 19th. [Foobooz.com]

Cary Neff’s as yet unnamed restaurant at 5th and Bainbridge is aiming to open in late June. The Sansom Street Oyster House owner will be adding a raw bar to the spot, expect a menu of “rustic, French-inspired choices.” [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Mark Bee’s Silk City is scheduled to open in the first week of June. Expect the diner to resemble its classic predecessor, just some new beer taps. Also expect better flow between the bar and diner sections. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

Bobby Chez is bringing his crab cake empire across the bridge with his first Philadelphia Bobby Chez Seafood Specialties set to open at the 1352 Lofts on South Street. [The Illadelph]

The former Fellini Cafe at 23rd and Walnut is going to be reborn Salento, an Italian BYOB from Davide and Kathryn Faenza, who own L’Angolo at 15th an Porter Streets. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Blackbird Dining Establishment is the name of Alex Capasso’s new Collingswood BYOB. the former hardware store will feature French, Italian and Asian flavors. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Orange Placard Alert – Application for liquor licenses are up along South Street in both the former Abilene and Black Door locations.