Zanzibar Blue owners Robert and Benjamin Bynum maintain that the choice to close the Jazz club is not financially related but according to Daily News sources, the brothers “have been under financial strain.”

The company has been sued 17 times since 2000 by plaintiffs including their insurance companies, seafood and meat distributors and also the city and state, which were awarded $246,769 and $323,244, respectively, for back taxes from Zanzibar, and in the state’s case, Warmdaddy’s.

Zanzibar’s blues [Philadelphia Daily News]

Zanzibar Blue is closing up shop on Broad Street as the restaurant and jazz club has chosen not to renew their lease. The last day will be April, 29th. Owners, Robert and Benjamin Bynum hope to open elsewhere but no plans are set.

Zanzibar leaving Broad [Philadelphia Daily News]
Zanzibar Blue [Official Site]

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation has just added a new podcast tour, their fifth, to soundaboutphilly.com. Philly Noir marks the first African American podcast tour of Philadelphia and features such recognizable voices as bowtie wearing Eagle, Dhani Jones, Kenny Gamble and of most interest to us foodies, Delilah Winder.

Delilah takes us through her southern cooking at Delilah’s at The Terminal. Other foodie spots on the tour include Jamaican Jerk Hut at 15th and South, Geechee Girl Rice Cafe, Natalie’s Lounge at 4003 Market St and Zanzibar Blue on Broad Street. These tours are really cool, so load up your iPod and bring an appetite.

soundaboutphilly.com [Official Site]

The Metro debuted a new Going Out section today. Although it isn’t available online it is worth checking out in the flesh.

The first print version of Rachel Furman’s Rachel’s Guide highlights this Friday’s grand opening of BAMBOO, a “new luxe lounge” at 20th and Arch as well as James, a sleek neighborhood restauant opening in November at 8th & Christian.

UrbanPhilly.com also contributes to the new Metro section and points us towards Bourbon St. on Broad St. where tomorrow, Wednesday October 25th, New Orleans Jazz blends with Philly Soul at Zanzibar Blue. Shows are at 8, 9:30 and 10 PM.

Rachel’s Guide [Rachel, Inc.]
UrbanPhilly.com [Official Site]
Zanzibar Blue [Official Site]

Stop by the rotunda at The Shops at Liberty Place all week from 12-2 pm for cooking demonstrations by chefs from Center City restaurants:

• September 5 Roy’s Restaurant & Zanzibar Blue
• September 6 Le Castagne Restaurant & Ristorante Panorama
• September 7 Twenty21 & McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
• September 8 El Vez & Tangerine

Everyone goes out for Mother’s Day and there are always a lot of deals to be had. But fathers, well they get screwed. A quick study of the typical sources of such information finds only a handful of food related deals for dads.

• The Smoked Joint, 1420 Locust Street, is offering dads 1/2 price entrees on Father’s Day.
• Constitution Center BBQ – Treat dad to a day of Barbeque and Sports at the National Constitution Center. Chow down on some delicious BBQ and visit their new exhibit Sports: Breaking Records Breaking Barriers.
• Kildare’s is offering dads a free pint of Guinness on Father’s Day.
• Zanzibar Blue Brunch for $35 a person. Seatings at 11, 11:30, 1:30, and 2. Three course menu plus the Tony Grandberry Quintet