It is post-Labor Day and that means brunch has returned to Meme. The $35 prix fixe menu is sticking around too giving you one more Restaurant Week alternative.

Yes, the commenters who figured Shola Olunloyo is aiming to open his StudioKitchen in NoLibs down the street from Kong were right. He’s aiming for a November opening. [Grub Street]

XIX named by MSN as a top 10 Penthouse Restaurant in the United States. [MSN]

Monk’s Cafe’s back bar is open again. [Liquid Diet]

ROOT liqueur gets a shout-out in October’s Vanity Fair. It’s the skewing young one with Jackie O on the cover.

City inspections are the only thing left for the second location of Flying Monkey before it is ready to open at 1112 Locust Street. [Restaurant Club]

Elevation Burger, the environmentally friendly burger chain that has opened locally in Wynnewood is planning  on opening on Walnut Street near Rittenhouse Square in 6 to 8 months. [Blogalicious]

Brick House Tavern + Tap has opened in Willow Grove. Self-described as a Man Cave the beer selection isn’t too shabby and includes Victory Hop Wallop on cask.

Recess Lounge did not open Saturday as the vague “plumbing issues” reared its ugly head. [Grub Street]

We’ve been sitting on this draft for awhile, in fact it was last edited by Kirsten Henri on January 23rd. The “Shola is opening a restaurant” post is kind of the Foobooz equivalent of preparing Ted Kennedy’s obituary in advance. We knew we was going to use it, we just didn’t know when.

Studiokitchen fans, hold on to your hats. The enigmatic chef Shola Olunloyo, most recently rumored to be working on a project in the former Washington Square space, has announced his plans to open his very own restaurant.

Diehard foodies might be familiar with Shola through his now-defunct project Studiokitchen, which involved you and a group of friends paying Shola a prix fixe to cook for you in his house.

Today Shola posts that he is indeed opening a restaurant in Philadelphia. It will be about 30 seats and will serve dinner 5 nights.

Why ?

It works, it’s different and ultimately people want value both in the experience and the cooking, if all the energy went into the cooking and the food rather than the hype and the book matches.

It does not require multiple investors whose vision or interest may diverge from yours.

It is the “un-restaurant”

The one thing Shola leaves vague in his post is where the restaurant will be. Though we’ve repeatedly heard Northern Liberties we’ve learned that isn’t so until till Shola says it is.

For more on Shola Olunloyo check out his Philadelphia Diet on Grub Street.

The Way Forward and The Return of StudioKitchen [StudioKitchen]

Is Shola Olunloyo, Philadelphia’s Best Chef Without a Restaurant getting ready to retire that moniker? The rumor that won’t die has the Studiokitchen chef getting ready to take the plunge at the former Washington Square. Philadelphia Magazine adds to the speculation, reporting that Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie may be involved in the deal.

We’ll believe it when we hear it from the man himself but until then it is fun to wonder.

Shola Olunloyo to Open His Own Place in Starr’s Shuttered Space? [Daily Examiner]

Phoodie.info scores an interview with Shola Olunloya of Studiokitchen fame and there’s plenty interesting to read from the fascinating chef and almost as importantly, plenty of food porn.

Studiokitchen Redux: The Path To Deliciousness [Phoodie.info]
Studiokitchen [Official Site]

Foster’s demonstration kitchen is pulling some impressive headliners this month.

• Pizza making with Chef Jeff Michaud of Osteria.
• Plate presentation with Chef Shola Olunloya (and occasional Foobooz commenter) of Studio Kitchen.
• Herbs and spices with cookbook author Aliza Green.

Details after the jump.

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