As a commenter told us last week, Brett Perloff who is a part-owner of Pearl is taking over Monkey Bar. It’ll remain the Monkey Bar for the time being but will be reconceptualized come January. [Meal Ticket]

Get ready for weird dreams about tackling pony-sized unicorns to become commonplace as Philadelphia Distilling, makers of Bluecoat Gin, prepare Vieux Carre Absinthe for sale. [Daily Examiner]

Tampopo’s third location is coming to 44th and Spruce later this winter. [Meal Ticket]

Tiffin expands its delivery area to include East Falls from School House Lane to Indian Queen and Kelly Drive to Henry Avenue. [Tiffin]

The ballyhooed Union Gourmet Market & Cafe in the Western Union Building on Locust has closed up shop after opening back in May.

Adam Erace tries out Union Gourmet Market & Cafe and finds a tale of two settings. As a lunchtime market Union Gourmet is a series of letdowns with logistical problems to boot. But at Sunday brunch the food shines as much as the aluminum tables.

Completely cooked to order, the food at brunch shines, from the crunchy applewood-smoked D’Artagnan bacon to the tangy natural Greek yogurt livened with Bear Naked granola, fresh mint and juicy berries. More berries—straw, black and blue—are served over fluffy whole wheat pancakes in a warm compote. With butter-crisped edges and soft spongy centers, the short stack is a highlight.

Perfectly poached Lancaster County eggs perch atop rich, lightly tangy crab-and-artichoke dip and toasted Thomas’ English muffins in Union Gourmet’s signature benedict. The smoked paprika-freckled huevos pop like water balloons, sending a sudden rush of yolk into the tangerine-hued hollandaise and breakfast potatoes.

Union Market [Philadelphia Weekly]
Union Gourmet Market & Cafe

Forgive us for sounding a little bit like Crazy Eddie here, but starting today, it’s pure restaurant opening madness! Madness we tell you! You can always check our regularly updated Openings feature, but we’ve highlighted the following few days of anticipated openings for you after the jump…

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This week The Bite takes a look at two new markets opening in Center City, the Union Gourmet Market & Cafe and Food & Friends Neighborhood Market. Food & Friends may open as soon as today at 20th and Spruce. We witnessed produce being stocked early this morning.

Elixers & grocers coming to town [Metro Philadelphia]

Drew Lazor takes a tour of the soon to open Union Gourmet Market & Cafe that is coming this April to the Residences at the Western Union Building at 11th and Locust Streets.

Even if the shelves are empty there is still plenty to see from the pizza ovens to the refrigerated trash room.

Inside Union Gourmet Market & Cafe [The Clog]
Union Gourmet Market [The Clog]

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]