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]

Is it just us or is there really very little happening on Tuesdays around these parts? It’s the new Monday. But with two exhausting nights of the Phillies, maybe it’s time chill out and catch up with your DVR. Pizzeria Stella is now doing takeout if you’re in down that way or  have the Rittenhouse Square SliCE deliver. The truffle pizza hit the spot last time we ordered.

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]

A.D. Amorosi sings a positive song for South Street despite the corridor’s recent loss of Ansill and Gayle. He says with the addition of Pizzeria Stella and the upcoming Percy Street Barbecue that South Street is looking at another Renaissance.

The story does hit on these interesting tidbits:

• Check out the big, bad fire engine red smokers that Percy Street is getting.
• Chef’s market rumors say the big space will be divided into a cafe and “tony” Asian restaurant.
• Joey’s Stonefire Pizza is rumored for the 500  block (Venuto’s?)
• A noodle house with liquor license is looking at 216-218 South Street (former  Club 218)

Rising Again [City Paper]

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 »

Stephen Starr’s Pizzeria Stella has an opening date of September 29th. [The Insider]

Praised chef Chris D’Ambro is out at Bocca. He says he’s mulling other options. [Meal Ticket]

Square 1682 is getting close to opening in the lobby of the Palomar by Kimpton Hotel on 17th Street. So close they’ve even announced October 14th as the opening night. [Grub Street]

Alert your DVR, Wednesday at 10 pm the Travel Channel’s Man vs Food comes to Philadelphia. [Travel Channel]

Station Taproom is the proposed craft beer bar hoping to open in the West end of Downingtown. [Daily Local News]

Meal Ticket has the all-vegetarian menu for the upcoming Sweetie Pie’s Diner. [Meal Ticket]

Drexel gets Chick-fil-A. The student body voted for the fast food chicken spot over 8 other possibilities. Yeah democracy! [The Triangle]

This Week, Philadelphia Magazine’s Restaurant Club Newsletter asks the question, are you ready for Restaurant Week?

• Restaurant Week Countdown: Five Days to Go!
  It’s an interesting look at RW from the owner’s point of view.
• Restaurant Week: (A Few) Reservations Are Still Available
  Amada on Wednesday at 8? ACT NOW!!!!
• Pizza Preview: Three New Spots to Look For
  Stephen Starr, SliCE and Zavino are going Neopolitan on us.

Restaurant Club [Philadelphia Magazine]

SliCE opens on Sansom Street this Monday. [Meal Ticket]

Seriously? Another name change in store for Stephen Starr’s Stella Pizza? [Grub Street]

Coo’s Sports Bar & Lounge is hoping to open this weekend on north Broad Street. [Meal Ticket]

APO Bar + Lounge is overhauling their drink menu adding 14 new drinks to the menu. [Meal Ticket]

Barb and Suzy’s Kitchen is a new stand at the Reading Terminal Market serving Pennsylvania Dutch sandwiches and bacon cheese fries. [Grub Street]

Parker’s Prime is looking to open next week in Newtown Square. It’s the latest from the Win empire. [Table Talk, Philadelphia, Inquirer]

Whipped Bakeshop is getting its own storefront in Fishtown. [Meal Ticket]

Cupcakes Gourmet adds a location in the Gateway Shopping Center. Perfect after your Five Guys burger. The Best of Philly winner is expanding from their Frazer location. [Restaurant Club]

Dr. Watson’s Pub is going to be sold by longtime owner Barry Sandrow. [Philly Gossip]