Amid all of our shiny new Mexican restaurants Trey Popp visits something old, Las Tarascas en Zocalo on Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia.

The food is also a refreshing departure from what has long passed for “authentic” in these parts. Enchiladas come drenched in a dark mole that’s appealingly bittersweet. The pork butt in my cochinita pibil wasn’t quite shredded, but a long simmer in vinegar and orange had rendered it tender and flavorful. Pollo santuario featured a pounded chicken breast topped with chorizo whose smokiness contrasted nicely with the tang of a fresh tomatillo sauce.

Back to El Futuro [City Paper]
Las Tarascas en Zocalo [Official Site]

We’ve always liked the concept of Zocalo better than any meal we’ve had there. But maybe that will change as the West Philadelphia Mexican restaurant with the great outdoor patio has new owners. Owner and Executive Chef Gregory Russell along with his wife Mary are concentrating on bringing authentic dishes to the restaurant.

They also have a Recession Guide worthy happy hour of 25% off house margaritas, sangrias and selected beers and 25% off all appetizers 4:30-6:30pm nightly.

Some menu highlights after the jump.

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707, the restaurant lounge for the Washington Square populace is now open. And as Michael Klein points out, what might be most impressive is it opened just about when it was originally expected! [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Chick’s Cafe & Wine Bar, on 7th between South and Bainbridge is now open. Jim Piano, an alum of Bridget Foy’s brings a menu of small eclectic fare to the table. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

According to a post on PhillyBlog, Zocalo in University City is being purchased by the current executive chef and Greg Russell, owner of Las Tarascas in Sicklerville, NJ. The new restaurant will sport a new menu and name, Las Tarascas in Zocalo when the transaction is complete. [PhillyBlog] via MenuPages Blog

Trattoria Guiseppe, an Italian BYOB has opened on West Chester Pike in Edgemont. [Main Line Restaurant Guide]

Queen Village’s La Vigna, a staple since the early 90s has closed. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

It’s the Philly Food Blog Wrap Up and check out this new and essential tool to the food blogger, food mode.

Tre Scalini has moved and the atmosphere is a huge upgrade but rest assured the pastas are still “enchanting” and the meat and fish “are still excellent in quality and value.” [blogalicious]

Zocalo doesn’t score as well as the more authentic taquerias of South Philadelphia but it still has a time and a place. [Foodaphilia]

Lunch time at Sang Kee Asian Bistro featured some soups and delicious penang baked seafood fried rice. [foodzings]

The Astronomer and the Gastrometer do it up with brunch at Lacroix. 7 dishes and more than 50 photos of what the Astronomer called the “favorite meal that I have ever eaten at a restaurant.” [gas•tron•o•my]

Café Nhu Y serves a vegetarian Vietnamese hoagie and Mac & Cheese investigates. [Mac & Cheese]

A look at the bigger and fresher is better philosophy of Oceanaire Seafood Room. [PhilaFoodie]