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New Philadelphia Restaurants

Butcher & Singer

November 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM | 0 Comments

The sagging economy and rising food prices are making most restaurateurs want to go back in time. Philadelphia dining honcho Stephen Starr decided to go way back to the 1940s with his latest eatery, Butcher & Singer.

Starr (of Buddakan, Moriomto, and most recently, Parc) took over the opulent former National Bank building that most recently housed the restaurant Striped Bass and converted it into a pretty-damn-close-to-genuine Old Hollywood hangout.

Among the tufted leather booths, marble columns and low lighting, you almost expect Lana Turner to be puffing a cigarette at the table next to you.

The menu forgoes the trendy tendencies of Starr's other restaurants, sticking to simple steakhouse classics like prime rib, lobster Newberg and baked Alaska. Although, as you might expect, there's no nostalgia on the pricing: Butcher & Singer pushes Philly firmly into that three-digits-per-person price range.

Related Stories:
· Butcher & Singer [Official Site]
· New Philly Restaurant: Parc [Jaunted]
· New Philadelphia Restaurants coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: the busy brain]

Restaurants

New Philly Restaurant: Pub and Kitchen

September 26, 2008 at 12:30 PM | 0 Comments

Philadelphia is becoming quite the foodie town lately, but with all the brasseries and bistros popping up, this city is ripe for a solid old-fashioned pub that can make a damn good burger and fries.

Philly has that in the way of the recently opened Pub and Kitchen, a new Rittenhouse Square spot from chef Jonathan McDonald. Not that this is any sort of dingy neighborhood dive--just like its freaky rabbit-pig hybrid logo, Pub and Kitchen manages to be all things to all people: Laid-back enough for most Philly locals, but with just a little bit of foodie flair that brings in the bistro crowd too.

If Pub and Kitchen were just a little more pretentious, it would surely be billed as a gastropub (in addition to the burger, there are some trendier menu items, like a lobster BLT with truffled mayo). But it's just chill enough that you feel at home kicking back with fish and chips and a few pints.

Related Stories:
· Pub and Kitchen [Official Site]
· Philadelphia Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Pub and Kitchen]

Restaurants

New Philly Restaurant: Bistrot La Minette

September 4, 2008 at 2:00 PM | 1 Comment

The hottest topic on the Philadelphia dining scene this summer was Parc, which had locals debating whether Philly restaurant mogul Stephen Starr's massive new bistro would be the next Buddakan or an overpriced faux-French stand-in.

Meanwhile, the much less hyped Bistrot La Minette opened on Sixth Street last week and more than a few Philly foodies are saying this one is the real deal.

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Restaurants

New Philly Restaurant: Parc

July 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM | 1 Comment

If you're in Philly and craving steak frites or escargot, you're in luck, because a brand new French bistro opens today, just in time to celebrate Bastille Day.

Parc is the latest endeavor from Philadelphia restaurant mogul Stephen Starr, the man behind hotspots like Buddakan, Moriomto and El Vez. If you're familiar with any of those places, you can probably guess that the ambiance at Parc is less Left Bank, more Champs-Élysées.

Philadelphia City Paper has a walk-through of the elegant new space, which includes details like a 50-foot hand-crafted solid zinc bar, vintage fans and intricate tile work. No word yet on whether the food will be as exciting as the décor, so if anyone stops by today, be sure to let us know.

Related Stories:
· Parc [Official Site]
· Stephen Starr Gives us the Grand Tour [City Paper]
· Francophile Travel: Bastille Day in New York [Jaunted]

[Photo: Philadelphia City Paper]