Are you ready to step into the Octo? Rock Lobster which was closed all last season is coming back as Octo, complete with an octopus tank. [The Insider]
Novita Bistro on South Street has a new menu, focusing more on Moroccan dishes than their previous Mediterranean menu. [Meal Ticket]
A quiet buzz is building for Bibou near the Italian Market. Former Le Bec-Fin Executive Chef Pierre Calmels is behind the project and the menu looks promising. [The Insider]
Talula’s Table has signed a temporary lease on a corner property directly across from America’s most difficult reservation. If they get the financing, Aimee Olexy and Bryan Sikora imagine being up and running within 6 months. [Meal Ticket]
Transit hasn’t been an everyday spot for awhile now but word is it is no more. [Ice Pack, City Paper]
Flavors of the Avenue is a victim in Vince Fumo’s downfall. The festival has been cancelled as Fumo-backed Citizens Alliance has dropped out from cleanup duty. The local business improvement district can’t foot the $20,000 bill. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]
Wegman’s Downingtown location will begin selling beer by the end of the month.
The folk behind Thai Pepper, Flavor, Azie and Teikoku in the ‘burbs is now opening Parker’s Prime, a steakhouse in Newtown Square. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]
Tony Luke’s The Nail: The Story of Joey Nardone took home the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the Philadelphia Film Festival/Cinefest. [The Clog]
We’ve got so many Quick Bites today we’re breaking them in half. Here’s part 1.
Stephen Starr will not be purchasing the Broad Street Diner. This makes us sad. [The Insider]
Shank’s & Evelyn’s is closing at the end of April. This also makes us sad. Their new location might be 15th Street in Center City. This makes us happy. [The Insider]
How many unique kegs did Memphis Taproom go through during its No Repeat Beer Week? 128! That’s a lot of different beer.
The Washington Post’s Beer Madness has Troegs Hopback facing off against Ommegang Hennepin (Official Foobooz house beer of Summer ‘07) in the finals. Harrisburg’s finest is trailing but it looks like votes are still being accepted. [Washington Post]
It certainly isn’t Morimoto at the ballpark but it’s worth noting that Campo’s is the new cheesesteak vendor on Ashburn Alley at Citizens Bank Park. [The Insider]
Tony Luke Jr. has a starring role in The Nail: The Story of Joey Nardone whic is premiering tomorrow as part of Cinefest ‘09. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]
When Tony Luke announced he was going to be marketing microwavable versions of his sandwiches it certainly had us cringing. Rick Nichols, being the consummate professional he is actually decided to eat the sandwich before weighing in. And of course, prose to swoon over.
Luke’s uses juicy, U.S.-raised basic ribeye on the flat-top grill, not the imported cow meat some use.
But here’s the thing. It doesn’t travel. Let that cheesesteak (or Luke’s signature roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe) start steaming in its paper wrapper, and say goodbye to good eating. It gets wet. It gets soggy.
It’s meant to be eaten right then and there – under the harsh lights, in the unheated alcove, with the bad fries and cheap pickles, your feet planted on the cold pavement.
Yo, you may be frozen.
But at least you’re not eating a frozen cheesesteak.
Bistro 7’s Michael O’Halloran was looking to open a second restaurant a year ago but that deal fell through. Now he’s back, aiming to open Kong, a Chinese comfort fooder at 702 N 2nd St, the former home of Sovalo. [The Insider]
Tony Luke’s is going international with frozen microwavable sandwiches. Look for them in your grocer’s freezer this April. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Homestyle grub and “killer breakfasts” are available at Williams Cafe near the corner of 13th and Christian. [Meal Ticket]
The Daily Pennsylvanian has some more details on Ned Taddei’s The Blockley Pourhouse and Mary Oaks restaurant set to open at 38th and Ludlow by the end of the month. [Daily Pennsylvanian]
When we read “Doc Watson’s” and “locked in” in the same sentence we thought the pub was back to its old antics. But no, current owner Barry Sandrow is locking himself in the bar to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. [Daily News]
Farming is fun for the hipster set. No irony! Seriously!
Roast pork magnate Tony Luke is also a movie star. Do you know how you can really tell he’s a star now? He had surgery to fix his ‘deviated septum.’
Speaking of roast pork, the illadelph directs us to the Washington Post, where they finally discovered what you already know: this particular Philly sandwich is far superior to the dreaded overbearing cheesesteak.
We couldn’t believe our wondering eyes a couple weeks ago when we were riding down Market Street. There was actually activity behind the facade of 2204 Liberty Bar. The facade has looked complete for years (unlike Vegas Lounge – what’s going on with that?) but it has sat vacant. Well now they’re open with 8 different beers on tap plus a full menu of typical bar fare from fresh roast beef to insanely hot wings.
High concept food carts? That seems to be the idea at Curbside Chef. Originally developed for corporate and special events five multimedia roach coaches are set to hit the city from Penn to Community College. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]
Tony Luke’s is looking to go national with a line of products including steaks, roast pork, broccoli rabe and rolls. The frozen products will be marketed through supermarkets, home-shopping TV and an online shop. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]
A.D. Amorosi has heard rumors that G Lounge is looking to get its hands on an after-hours license. [Icepack, City Paper]
Bruce Kim of Sushikazu in Blue Bell has moved on to the new Misso in Center City. For something different he plans to add touch screen ordering. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]
Details continue to emerge regarding the Union Gourmet Market & Cafe at the Western Union Building. There will be a concentration on lunch and ready-to-eat meals plus seating for 50 and free wifi. Aroundphilly.com refers to the concept as “Dean & Deluca-ish.” [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]
A.D. has another rumor of note in today’s Icepack, this one saying Anthony Bonett may be “leaving his co-owning/cooking spot at Oceanaire.” [Icepack, City Paper]
Philebrity has an exclusive report this afternoon stating Tony Luke’s doesn’t have a lease in place for the Reading Terminal Market and never intended to replace Rick’s Steaks at the Terminal.
Maybe best of all is that District Attorney Lynne Abraham will be brought in to mediate the situation between Rick Oliveri and the Terminal.
The PR department of the Philadelphia Phantoms hockey team is spending much of its summer rating steak sandwiches from around the area. They’ve already hit up Jim’s, Tony Luke’s, Pat’s, Rick’s, Sonny’s Famous and Lee Hoagie House in Newtown. The quest for the best steak continues all summer and will feature guest reviewers who are current or former players in the Flyers organization.
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When Tony Luke announced he was going to be marketing microwavable versions of his sandwiches it certainly had us cringing. Rick Nichols, being the consummate professional he is actually decided to eat the sandwich before weighing in. And of course, prose to swoon over.
