Starr Group Plans In-Hotel Restaurants, Other Expansion

IN THE NEWS: Starr Restaurant Organization has some major growth plans — and only part of them involve Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports. The Old City-based company, which has 16 restaurants in three cities, will roll out a host of in-hotel restaurants with food-and-beverage services in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, New York City, Las Vegas [...]

‘Gourmet’ Lauds Farm-to-Table White Dog Cafe

Gourmet magazine’s October 2007 issue features a guide to “America’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants.” gourmet.com:
RESTAURANTS WITH FARM CONNECTIONS: 2nd Street Bistro, Livingston, MT; Amherst Chinese Food, Amherst, MA; Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN; Crook’s Corner, Chapel Hill, NC; Eve, Alexandria, VA; La Provence, Lacombe, LA; Lantern, Chapel Hill, NC; Pacific’O and I’o, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii; Tree House [...]

Du Jour Opening Spot in New Condo Tower

IN THE NEWS: Du Jour, a gourmet market and café in Haverford, Pa., will open a new 2,600-square-foot eatery at Symphony House, a new condominium tower in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports. The restaurant will be located on the ground floor corner of Broad and Pine streets and means the retail portion of the [...]

Ansill Drops Foie Gras; Pompeii Closes

IN THE NEWS: The Inquirer’s Michael Klein reports in the new Food and Drinq blog that Ansill has pulled foie gras from the menu. Chef/owner David Ansill says he’s tired of the protests … Pompeii, an Italian restaurant across from the Forrest Theater on Walnut Street, has closed and has been replaced by Joe [...]

Knock, Jose Pistola’s, Mizu Sushi Open

IN THE NEWS: City Paper’s Eliza Ludwig reviews Silk City (435 Spring Garden St., 215-592-8838, www.silkcitydiner.com), while Trey Popp considers Tria (1137 Spruce St., 215-629-9200) and A.D. Amarosi rates Ly Michael’s (101 N. 11th St., 215-922-2688). … The paper notes the openings of Knock (225 S. 12th St., 215-925-1166), Jose Pistola’s (263 S. 15th St., [...]

‘Philadelphia’ Mag Details Chops Vs. LaBan

IN THE NEWS: Philadelphia magazine’s Steve Folk reports on the legal fight involving Inquirer critic Craig LaBan, who trashed the strip steak at City Line restaurant Chops, prompting owner Alex Plotkin to sue him. “It’s Philly’s juiciest food fight ever — featuring money, power, a critic’s anonymity, and one man’s quest to defend his meat,” [...]

Reviewers Rate Silk City Diner, Franco’s

IN THE NEWS: Philadelphia Weekly’s Brian McManus reviews Silk City Diner and Lounge (Fifth and Spring Garden sts. 215.592.8838. www.myspace.com/phillysilkcity). philadelphiaweekly.com … City Paper’s Elisa Ludwig reviews the new Franco’s Trattoria (4116 Ridge Ave., East Falls, 215-438-4848, francostrattoria.net). citypaper.net … The Inquirer’s Michael Klein Table Talk reports: the opening of Zacharias Creek Side Cafe [...]

Saxbys Coffee Moving HQ to Philadelphia

IN THE NEWS: IN THE NEWS: Walnut Street Capital has bought Atlanta gourmet coffee shop chain Saxbys Coffee for an undisclosed amount, and plans to open 40 new stores within the next six months, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. Saxbys Coffee’s headquarters will move to Philadelphia. The coffee chain already has 27 locations. One of [...]

Crowne Plaza Unveils Renovated Embers

IN THE NEWS: The Inquirer’s Craig LaBan awards two bells in reviewing Rylei (7144 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia), while Michael Klein reports, “The Crowne Plaza Cherry Hill (the old Hilton) has sunk gobs into a renovation of what was Cooper’s Bar & Bistro. It’s now Embers Wood Fired Grill (2349 W. Marlton Pike). … After giving [...]

Evicted Rick’s Owner Sues Reading Market

IN THE NEWS: The owner of a cheesesteak shop with family ties to the inventors of the famous sandwich has filed suit against a historic farmer’s market that plans to replace his restaurant with another cheesesteak shop, the Associated Press reports. Rick Olivieri, owner of Rick’s Philly Steaks, vowed yesterday to fight the eviction [...]