Marc Vetri says Philadelphia is comfortable and that there’s nothing wrong with red gravy done right. [Meal Ticket]

Big John’s in Cherry Hill has a pickle bar that certainly looks “world famous.” [Phoodie]

Uncle Jimmy says when you’re hankering for Israeli, make it take out from Mama’s Vegetarian. [Uncle Jimmy Eats]

The sweet potato fries stole the show at Ants Pants Cafe. [Foodzings]

Pho & Cafe Viet Huong is the perfect place to spend a freezing cold day. [Foodzings]

It’s a appetizer heavy look at  El Camino Real. [Veggicurious]

Foodaphilia has plenty of pretty pictures of Uzu in Old City. [Foodaphilia]

Old City’s Uzu might be tiny but Philadelphia Weekly finds the sushi fresh and well prepared.

The shining star arrives in the form of a firecracker roll. Shrimp tempura cozies up with fresh avocado in a bulky rice-cocoon topped with spicy tuna, crunchy fried sprinkles and tobiko (flying fish roe). What threatens to be an overwhelming onslaught of flavors and textures harmonizes with distinct smooth, crunchy and salty notes. That is, if you can fit the monster in your mouth.

The firecracker’s sister, the dynamite roll, confirms that the chef’s specials are where Uzu excels. Lump crab and spicy tuna innards are rice-wrapped and layered with strips of tuna and avocado spiked with a dollop of jalapeno sauce. Chef Nguyen isn’t afraid to add a real kick—yet the quality of the fish doesn’t get lost in the multiple layers.

Raw Some [Philadelphia Weekly]
Uzu [Official Site]

Tiny Uzu, Old City’s newest sushi place is all about the personalized sushi experience.

Save your pickiness for Uzu, a new sushi joint that welcomes your kind. The tiny outpost seats only eighteen, which allows the chef to give every patron his undivided attention.

Dishes are customized on the spot. Want cream cheese, cucumber and tuna wrapped in eel? You got it. Crown your meal with that bottle you brought back from France.

Just the Place for Uzu [Daily Candy]

Mission Grill, from the peeps at the Public House, is set to open this week at 19th and Arch. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

A.D. Amorosi fondly remembers the Five Spot and even before that when it was the Casbah. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

February 15th is looking more and more like the date that Marc Vetri’s Osteria will open. We’re excited for the anticipated pizzas but worried that OpenTable isn’t taking reservations yet. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Old City is going to be getting a new BYOB sushi spot. Uzu Sushi says they’ll be “a cozy sushi restaurant with a flare of exotic offerings.”

And overheard last night, Dock Street Illuminator will be available on on March 1st. Look for the Amber at finer beer bars now. The new Dock Street Brew Pub is aiming for a June opening.