The coldest cold front can’t quell the fires burning in Philadelphia’s newest kitchens, churning out exciting and inventive new flavors this winter. Some of the latest additions include an ’80s-themed bistro from a Top Chef (Juniper Commons); a vegan bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot (Flora); a French rotisserie (Petit Rôti); and a spate of quirky restaurant mash-ups. Here are just a few great reasons to check out Philly dining this winter:
Notable New Entrées:
After making a name for himself on the Jersey Shore, Chef Luke Palladino presents his first Philly venture with the eponymousPalladino’s on East Passyunk Avenue. His finessed Italian fare includes such dishes as casonei pasta filled with roasted beets and smoked ricotta; pork osso bucco with pickled mustard seeds and faro risotto; and tartufo. 1934 E. Passyunk Avenue, (267) 928-4339,lukepalladino.com
Top Chef Kevin Sbraga ambitiously takes on an entire decade of cooking with his ’80s-themed Juniper Commons, where the Caesar salads are made tableside, the wine coolers are mixed in-house and the speakers rage with New Wave hits. Given Sbraga’s track record, it’s clear that the deceptively simple-sounding entrees (prime rib, fettuccini alfredo) will be crafted with current-day care. 521 S. Broad Street, (215) 735-1913, sbragadining.com
Set in the former factory building, the Market at Maglio’s makes the company’s signature meats and other items like olives, fresh-baked bread and Italian pastry available for the takeout crowd. 3632 S. 3rd Street, (215) 465-3902, magliofoods.com
Chestnut Hill finally gets a Mexican restaurant to call its own with the opening of El Poquito. The brainchild of Garces alum George Atterbury, the cantina and bar serves up family-friendly eats such as tacos (with fillings like crispy cod, chicken confit or quinoa) and a thoughtful menu of tequilas. 8201 Germantown Avenue, (267) 766-5372, elpoquito.com
The bustling first location in West Chester sets the stage for Teca’s second spot in Newtown Square. The Italian wine bar serves house-made pasta, wood-oven Neopolitan pizza and clever small plates like short rib and fontina arancini. 191 Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, (484) 420-4010, tecanewtownsquare.com
Jose Garces revives the Old Original Bookbinders building with Olde Bar. The Old City haunt even adopts the culinary spirit of Philly’s classic eatery, with savvy spins on snapper soup, fried clams and crabcakes. 125 Walnut Street, (215) 253-3777,theoldebar.com
With a new location opening annually, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of where Iron Hill Brewery will put down stakes next, and this time it’s in Ardmore. At this latest outpost, the mega-successful, award-winning brewpub features the usual array of creative microbrews made onsite, plus a casual but extensive menu of pizzas, salads, burgers and more. 60 Greenfield Avenue, Ardmore, (610) 228-2280, ironhillbrewery.com
Building on a fine tradition of excellent vegetarian restaurants in the region, Jenkintown BYOB Flora delivers vegan meals with high-end flair. The changing prix-fixe menu ($35 for three courses) allures with dishes in the vein of roasted Brussels sprouts with burnt onion marmalade; country-fried mushrooms with truffled grits; and Morning Glory Farm’s butternut squash soup with honey crisp apples, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips and pumpkin seed oil. 307 Old York Road, Jenkintown, (215) 779-7945
Hybrid Concepts:
Fusing coffee bar, brunch kitchen and French bistro, Girard Brasserie and Bruncherie covers multiple bases in Fishtown. Morning might bring the French toast gâteau with dark cherry compote, hazelnut brittle and espresso ice cream; lunch, vegetable tagine; and dinner, a roast of the day. 300 E. Girard Avenue, (267) 457-2486, girardongirard.com
At The Crazy Sofa in Newtown Square, live music accompanies a slew of menu options, from sushi to tapas to large plates like three-sided ravioli with wild mushrooms, cheese and caramelized onions. 4755 N. Crum Creek Road, Newtown Square, (484) 318-7273, thecrazysofa.com
Coffee shop by day and bar by night, W/N W/N also distinguishes itself from the pack by being the area’s first cooperatively owned, collectively operated cafe. Customers were invited to buy “shares” in exchange for bill credits to be used at a later date. 931 Spring Garden Street, winwincoffeebar.com
The new flagship location for the region’s first serious coffee roaster, La Colombe’s Fishtown cafe is also a bakery and a distillery for the brand’s signature Different Drum Pennsylvania rum, as well as a casual eatery and a bar. 1335 Frankford Avenue, lacolombe.com
Focused Fare:
Nobody can argue with the elemental comfort of a great roast chicken and Petit Rôti banks on exactly that premise. The new rotisserie from Olivier Desaintmartin (Caribou Café; Zinc) offers chicken meals with sides; simple sandwiches; a deli counter of pâtés, charcuterie and French cheeses; and a pantry of gourmet jams, mustards and more. 248 S. 11th Street, (267) 457-5447, petit-roti.com
Soup and (almost) nothing but: Kensington’s Good Spoon Soupery is the storefront for a popular local farmers market staple, offering a daily selection of grab-and-go flavors that might include Senegalese chicken and peanut; white bean and kale; and smoky black bean and sweet potato, along with fresh breads and house-baked goods. 1400 N. Front Street, goodspoonfoods.com
With a solid reputation for waistline-busting concoctions such as the Megilla cheesesteak (brisket, sriracha ketchup, sharp provolone and bacon), Jake’s Sandwich Board has expanded to a second location. Thankfully, the University City satellite boasts the same array of handheld favorites, like the Midtown Turkey (pureed avocado, roasted veggies, and pickled onions) and the 50/50 (half pork, half bacon), plus build-your-own options. 125 S. 40th Street, (215) 921-9580, jakessandwichboard.com
Once a veritable bagel desert, Philly’s now in the midst of a hole-y renaissance, with the single-minded Knead Bagels at its epicenter. Exotic bagels (Moroccan-spiced apricot; fennel seed and sea salt) mingle with more traditional flavors like plain and poppy, and there’s also a range of spreads and creative sandwiches on offer. (Even the salads feature bagel croutons!) 725 Walnut Street, (267) 519-9920, kneadbagels.com
A tiny eatery focused on pizza in the Brooklyn Sicilian tradition, Square Pie sticks to its simple mission. A few appetizers and pastas complement the main event—crusty squares of dough topped with porchetta (roast pork with garlic and spinach), melanzane (eggplant with ricotta) and good old pepperoni. 600 Catharine Street, (215) 238-0615, squarepiephilly.com
International Drinks:
Jose Garces added a nightlife component to his Cuban diner-style restaurant Rosa Blanca by installing the bar Nacional 56underneath. The menu of cocktails (mojitos!) and small bites (croquetas!) stays on message with the Cuban theme, but live music and DJs add a newly festive element. 707 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-5555, rosablancadiner.com
Northern Liberties’ chic wine bar/cafe Bardot plays up its French stylings with French wine and cocktails named for its namesake’s films (Contempt: gin, Lillet, grapefruit and St. Germain). The food follows suit with dishes such as steak tartare, rabbit crepes and eggs en cocotte.
Finer Diners:
Diner food never goes out of style; in fact it’s having a resurgence with the opening of the Classic Diner’s second location, this time in West Chester. Omelets, French toast, burgers, salads and ice cream sundaes make for an unimpeachable menu of everyday appeal. 16 E. Gay Street, West Chester, theclassicdinerpa.com
In Philly, Dottie’s Dinette offers an equally down-home experience with an edge of culinary wizardry—after all, alums from the Jose Garces empire are running the kitchen. The Western omelet features maple-glazed bacon, the French toast comes with dulce de leche, and the Cobb salad is tossed with Cabrales cheese, but the credo of easy and satisfying prevails. 1080 N. Delaware Avenue, (267) 457-2431, dottiesdinette.com
Coming Soon:
The owners of Slice pizzerias get in the burger game with P’unk Burger, opening in early 2015 on East Passyunk Avenue. It will look like a diner, but the decidedly modern offerings include all-natural burgers; vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options; and Natural, organic fountain soda in traditional and unexpected flavors.
The team behind Brü Craft and Wurst will keep the German vibe going at their subterranean bar U-Bahn, set to open in early 2015.
Marc Vetri’s unstoppable march across Philly continues with a new edition of Pizzeria Vetri on the way in Rittenhouse Square in early 2015.
On the heels of its Fishtown opening, La Colombe will set up shop in Old City, promising excellent coffee and outdoor seating.
The team behind Local 44 and Strangelove’s expands its holdings in West Philly with the soon-to-come opening of Clarkville, a beer bar with small plates and veggie options.
Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran will try their hand at retro eats with their forthcoming Bud & Marilyns, located, naturally, along their beloved 13th Street corridor.
The much-loved Cypriot BYOB Kanella willopen a Queen Village satellite (replete with bar) in 2015.
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