Joe Sixpack is prepared to take a stand against the “moraly wrong” idea of mixing beer and spirits in beer cocktails. But in the end he has to admit, some of them can be tasty.

Beer cocktails: Could it be? [Philadelphia Daily News]

Trey Popp visits Smokin’ Betty’s and finds the menu is trying too hard to be all things to all people.

What drew me in to begin with was its tur-duck-en burger, but this was the first of several disappointments. Ground turkey and chicken overwhelmed the core of duck rillette with a blandness that an oversweet cranberry relish only called more attention to. Perhaps it’s foolish to hope for much from a derivative of a dish that’s a gimmick to begin with, but then again, rooting out fruitless ideas is part of what a restaurant ought to do.

Not So Smokin’ [City Paper]
Smokin’ Betty’s [Official Site]

London Grill added a list of beer cocktails last month and suddenly beer cocktails seem to getting positive press from the most unlikely of sources. The Beer Lass, yes the BEER Lass enjoys the Curious Georgia, a $3 Happy Hour cocktail at Smokin Betty’s. It’s Allagash White, peach schnapps, garnished with a peach that’s been soaking in ginger infused simple syrup!

Noted beer scribe Lew Bryson admits he’s sold out to beer cocktails and says “they don’t taste bad, either.”

And just when you’re thinking what’s going on here you find out it goes much deeper. Self-proclaimed “beer purist” and Brooklyn Brewery brewer Garrett Oliver says some of them “are really delicious.”

Well it’s not like we didn’t see this coming. Xochitl’s michelada has been delicious since day one, the Sidecar’s beer mimosa goes down oh so well at Sunday brunch. So it’s time to embrace the beer cocktail. Full speed ahead!

Smokin Betty’s: Of beer AND beer cocktails [Beer Lass]
Beer Becomes a Cocktail [ Fine Cooking via Seen Through a Glass]
Q & A: Garrett Oliver [Delights & Prejudices]

Smokin’ Betty’s, the barbecue and comfort food restaurant at 11th and Sansom finally opens today at 11. We hear there’s a turducken burger on the menu. Oh my!

The Beer Lass has the opening draft list including the house beer, Smokin Betty’s Blonde.

Smokin Betty’s open for business [Beer Lass]

Update: Meal Ticket has a first look at the inside of Smokin’ Betty’s and some scans of the menus.

If you like computer renderings of restaurants as much as we do, you’ll be checking out Meal Ticket’s shots of the upcoming P.Y.T. at the Plaza at Schmidt’s. [Meal Ticket]

Table Talk says Capogiro isn’t done yet. After opening their third and fourth stores they’re planning a production facility and cafe in East Falls. And check out the University City location, it will be the model as they head to other cities. [Table Talk, Philadelphia  Inquirer]

Aladeen snuck open a few weeks back. Meal Ticket has the Middle Eastern menu. [Meal Ticket]

Azie on Main will be the name of the new restaurant taking over the upstairs at Maia in Villanova. Azie on Main will be the latest from Win Signature Restaurants. Win’s other restaurants include Teikoku, Mikado, Thai Pepper and Flavor. Zaie will be serving Asian fusion with a global twist by mid-summer.

Draft Magazine features the five best new gastropubs around the country and rightfully highlights our own Local 44. [Draft Magazine]

Max Brenner has been hiring for their 15th Street location and now their web site has the menus for soon to open Philadelphia location. [Max Brenner via PhillyMag.com]

Bish Bish Cafe, we hardly knew you. OK, we didn’t know you at all. Gone after just a couple months. [Meal Ticket]

Haha, union picketers of Susan Schlisman’s Smokin Betty’s actually brought in more business when they were stationed in front of her Devil’s Alley. [Table Talk, Philadelphia  Inquirer]

This week the Bite focuses on barbecue in Philadelphia. It wasn’t that long ago that there was a dearth of BBQ options available. But now barbecue is becoming the latest craze.

Philly smoking hot for summer [Metro Philadelphia]

Today’s edition of The Bite runs down March’s openings from tasty menus for Center City bars to frozen yogurt off of Rittenhouse Square.

Fro yo (and more) added to the menu [Metro Philadelphia]

Susan Schlisman, owner of Devil’s Alley and Sam’s Grills in the suburbs is bringing a new concept to 11th and Sansom. Smokin’ Betty’s will be opening in early February. Look for comfort food and barbecue as well as some vegetarian options that go beyond the boring regular options.

Maybe this will be the answer to the hopes of barbecue fans who have lamented the lack of BBQ in Center City since the Smoked Joint closed.