What won’t be a Stephen Starr restaurant? We had heard that the serial restaurateur was interested in the former Wawa at 20th and Locust but there are signs up saying a new 7-11 is coming soon.

Ristorante Panorama is aiming to get itself in the Guinness Book of World Records for its 120 wines by the glass and its wine-preserving cruivnet system. [Restaurant Club]

AOL’s Lemondrop has nominated Cosmi’s Deli as one of the four best sandwiches in the United States. [Lemondrop via Phoodie]

Michael Klein has a few more details on 500°, the upcoming burger business from Rob and Maggie Wasserman of Rouge. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Marigold Kitchen is changing its menu every month. The Colorado rack of lamb with parsnip-white chocolate puree, petite watercress salad, blood orange, pomegranate, pine nuts catches our eye. New item marked with a *. [Marigold Kitchen (PDF)]

Nectar’s Scott Morrison and Executive Chef Dan Kremin of Barclay Prime and Buddakan are partnering to open Floret in Radnor in the space that is currently Pond. There will be a lounge and restaurant menu with everything from burgers to Amish raised chicken coq au vin. Opening is set for December.

Stephen Starr is seeking an executive chef for a new Latin cuisine restaurant. [Grub Street]

Con Murphy’s officially opens today at 17th and the Parkway. It has been in a soft opening mode for a couple of days now.

Coo’s is having their official grand opening this Saturday with a masquerade party. [Beer Lass]

Coup de Taco’s fusion style tacos will be serving up tacos from Penn’s campus starting on Monday. [Meal Ticket]

The Aspen is coming back as Lucky 7 . It should be more bar than restaurant in this incarnation. [Beer Lass and the Insider]

Marty Grims who just opened Chew Man Chu is looking to open Timber in Abington at the spot that formerly housed Inn Flight. [Restaurant Club]

Two new restaurants are coming to West Chester. Nonna’s: A Giunta Tradition is going to be serving up Italian food next Spring. Indian Thai Spice Bistro is offering 85 seats and two kitchens, one for Indian, the second for Thai. [West Chester Dish]

Coquette’s sheriff’s sale is halted. [The Insider]

This week in Philadelphia Magazine’s Restaurant Club Newsletter.

• Breaking: Two New Pizza Joints for Starr
  Though Stella’s only been open for weeks, it’s already a huge hit. And Starr’s thinking we could use even more pizza. We’ve got the scoop on some of his latest pizza projects.
• First Look: November Reviews
  Joy Manning visits Avril, Fond and Sycamore
• Dish on Your Favorite Dish
  Is there a menu item that you order every single time? Email your favorite restaurant dishes.

Restaurant Club Newsletter [Philadelphia Magazine]

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]

Send a With Love Philadelphia postcard and be entered to win a $100 Stephen Starr or Jose Garces gift card.

Surely you know someone who deserves some love, just no one from Colorado, okay?

With Love [GoPhila.com]

This week in Philadelphia Magazine’s Restaurant Club Newsletter.

• Our Eagles Tailgate Guide
  20 places that offer creative, beyond-cheesesteak catering and takeout options
• Kitchen Confidential: Stella Pizzeria
  How Stephen Starr made his newest project
• Can’t Miss Food Events for Fall
  Drinking events, more restaurant weeks, an opening, free cupcakes, and a chance to win tickets to our favorite local happening

Restaurant Club Newsletter [Philadelphia Magazine]

Philly Mag’s Ashley Primis gets Stephen Starr to spill the beans on how Pizzeria Stella came to be. Including a story about Starr hiring someone to stand outside a pizzeria to find out where the tomatoes came from.

Stephen Starr’s Stella Secrets [Restaurant Club]

Philadining shows up on opening night at Pizzeria Stella, we know because we sat right next to him. His recap is dead-on and a must read.

We really enjoyed the pistachio pizza and our slice of Tartufu. We were also quite surprised by how willing chef Chris Painter was to toss out pizzas that weren’t up to snuff. It seems pizza making in a wood burning stove isn’t a science, at least not yet.

Stella – Starry Opening Night [Philadining]
Pizzeria Stella [Official Site]

Pizzeria Stella is set to open tomorrow at the corner of 2nd and Lombard. Stephen Starr’s pizza joint takes over the former Cosi location and promises 12 varieties of pizza plus a selection of antipasti, insalata and meats.

Read the rest of this entry »

This week in Philadelphia Magazine’s Restaurant Club Newsletter.

• A Center City Dumpster War Boils Over
  Del Frisco’s versus Chris’ Jazz Cafe
• The State of A.C.: Can Casino Restaurants Survive the Recession?
  Stephen Starr is cutting his losses. Will others follow?
• Eat Up Fall: Two Events You Should Know About
  PhillyMag has details and discounts to two events that are not to be missed

Restaurant Club Newsletter [Philadelphia Magazine]