The Waverly, Michael O’Halloran’s new restaurant that was scheduled for an April opening, is no more, at least at the 13th & Waverly location.

Yesterday we spoke to O’Halloran, who also chef-owns Bistro 7 in Old City, and he confirmed that there were unspecified issues with the landlord. Lawyers are involved and The Clog has the full legalese, if you’re inclined to read it.

O’Halloran’s looking for a new location for the concept. The Restaurant Yenta is wondering what will go into the former (if it never happened, can it even be called former? almost former? nearly former?) Waverly space at 412 South 13th St. Any suggestions for O’Halloran?

Bistro 7 [Official Site]

Details are emerging on Michael O’Halloran’s (Bistro 7) second restaurant, The Waverly which is set to open this April.

“The Waverly will bring ambitious but approachable food to the neighborhood. We’ll apply French technique to local ingredients to create sturdy, full-flavored modern-classic dishes,” says Chef O’Halloran.

Unlike Bistro 7 The Waverly will have a liquor license featuring an international wine list, craft beers and classic cocktails.

A 12-seat bar and 8-seat lounge area will be offset from the 75-seat dining room by a two-sided fireplace. Modern chandeliers will illuminate the space. Dark wood and leather will accent the bar and lounge; high ceilings and large windows will mark the dining room.

Appetizers will be priced between $8 and $14; entrees range from $21 to $28. There will also be the option of a Chef’s Tasting Menu, a seven course $55 prix fixe. Menu highlights after the jump.

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Jayson Grossberg who was at the highly acclaimed Alphabet Soup in South Jersey is now in the kitchen of 707. [Food & Drinq]

Drew Lazor has some more details on The Waverly. The spot will have a liquor license and room for 90 diners, dwarfing chef/owner Michael O’Halloran’s Bistro 7. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Michael Klein has the lowdown on the new Field House at the Convention Center. It aims to be just a bar. A bar with 40 TVs including four 60″ plasmas. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Amid all the openings in Michael Klein’s recent 2008 Hot Restaurants post was this newsy item. David Katz of Restaurant M and for a split second, Silk City is looking to open a spot at 24th and Locust. May or June is the hoped for opening date. [Food & Drinq]

If Latin in Chestnut Hill, or just anything new in Chestnut Hill has you excited, rejoice that Miguel Castañeda says his ¡Cuba! will be open “no later than the very beginning of February.” [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

A replacement for J.C. Dobbs is in the works but don’t expect anything till September. In the meantime check out jcdobbs.net [Icepack, City Paper]

Maybe the name Jin House rings a bell. It was at 11th and Spruce before fire claimed it back in 2003. Well it’ll be back later this month next to More Than Just Ice Cream on Locust. [Food & Drinq]

The Bite takes a look at some of the new restaurants that have us salivating for 2008.

Bistro 7’s Michael O’Halloran second restaurant now has a name, The Waverly and is looking to open in April. Jose Garces’ Mexico City themed Chilango is looking at June. Nodding Head alums are opening a new spot, the Memphis Taproom north of Berks in “Port Fishington” and the Devil’s Den in South Philly is promising 28 taps shortly.

The Bite appears Wednesdays in the Metro and is written by Foobooz editor Arthur Etchells

2008 In Calories [Metro Philadelphia]