Fall Preview

Fall Restaurant Preview: Where and What to Eat

Speck's signatures dish: Speck Toast
Speck’s signatures dish: Speck Toast Photo: Shola Olunloyo

As usual the summer’s been a little sleepy in Philadelphia. While some restaurants have made their debut - Adsum and Catahoula are two that come to mind - in recent weeks, a slew of new spots are coming in the weeks and months to come. Like last year at this time, the nation’s sputtering economy continues to have an effect on what types of places new and veteran restaurateurs are aiming to open. Don’t expect any over-the-top steakhouses this year; “casual,” and “neighborhood” appear to be this season’s buzzwords. Newcomers include Shola Olunloyo and Pascual Cancelliere, while established and recognizable names like Stephen Starr, Jose Garces, Marcie Turney and Mike Stollenwerk have new concepts on the way. Click through to see what’s coming and when.

Name: Barbuzzo
Address: 110 South 13th Street
Concept: Mediterranean farmhouse restaurant and bar
Why We’re Excited: Behind schedule by almost a year, this is Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran’s sixth venture in Midtown Village, and their first with a liquor license.
Anticipated Open Date: September 1


Name:
Speck
Address: 1050 Hancock Street
Concept: Progressive new American food
Why We’re Excited: Shola Olunloyo, chef, consultant, photographer and blogger, built a cult following with his now legendary StudioKitchen dinners, which he hosted in a tiny space. Speck is his first restaurant.
Anticipated Open Date: September 10

Name: JG Domestic, Fine Food and Spirits
Address: Cira Center
Concept: Americana with a farm-to-table leaning
Why We’re Excited: For his eighth venture (seventh in Philadelphia), Iron Chef Jose Garces will serve dishes created only with ingredients sourced from the United States.
Anticipated Open Date: October

Name: Frohmans Wursthaus
Address: 208 South 13th Street
Concept: Brats and beers
Why We’re Excited: Jose Garces plans on serving up housemade sausages of every imaginable stripe, frites, mussels and craft beers at this long awaited makeover of the former Letto Deli.
Anticipated Open Date: November

Name: Fathom Seafood Bar
Address: 200 East Girard Ave., at the corner of Shackamaxon
Concept: Seafood centric pub
Why We’re Excited: Beer, raw bar, Monday night crab night and more in a casual setting. What’s not to get excited about at Fish’s Mike Stollenwerk’s latest venture?
Anticipated Open Date: End of September

Name: 943
Address: 943 South 9th Street
Concept: Classic Argentine comfort food
Why We’re Excited: Chef-owner Pascual Cancelliere has been working on opening 943 for more than a year.
Anticipated Open Date: After Labor Day

Name: Biba
Address: 3131 Walnut Street
Concept: Wine, beer and cheese
Why We’re Excited: The “spunky little cousin” to Center City’s two Tria locations will be free of digital distractions and foster environment condusive to getting aquaited with its offerings, as well as other guests.
Anticipated Open Date: September

Name: Il Pittore
Address: 627 South 3rd Street
Concept: Understated neighborhood Italian restaurant
Why We’re Excited: Starr partnered with his culinary director, acclaimed chef Chris Painter, to create this restaurant.
Anticipated Open Date: October

Name: Unknown
Address: 122 South 18th Street
Concept: Non-gastropub gastropub
Why We’re Excited: Stephen Starr may or may not be partnering with Ken Friedman to develop this Spotted Pig-esque Rittenhouse pub.
Anticipated Open Date: November

Name: Hop Angel Brauhuas
Address: 7980 Oxford Avenue
Concept: German-inspired tavern and restaurant
Why We’re Excited: Grey Lodge Pub owner Mike “Scoats” Scotese
Anticipated Open Date: September

Fall Restaurant Preview: Where and What to Eat