A Market Named Market Is Opening in the Italian Market

ITALIAN MARKET — Ryan Rubino, whose family owns the 100-plus-year-old Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, and Anthony Barone, formerly a chef at Ralph’s, are opening Market at 943 S. 9th Street in what was Restaurant Neuf. Market will be, appropriately enough, a market during the day. At night the space will turn into a BYOB with a new American menu. It’s shooting for a June 1 opening (and the name is subject to change). Rubino and Barone also own Bar One nearby, at 767 S. 9th Street.

QUEEN VILLAGE — M2O Burgers & Salads is going into 701 S. 5th Street, a couple blocks south of South Street. The quick-serve restaurant’s m.o. is made-to-order burgers and salads. The burgers come as beef or veggie on a potato or pretzel bun or wrapped in lettuce, with a choice of cheese, toppings, and sauce. M2O is from the team behind HaveABurger in Havertown. Look for it to open this month.

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ARDMORE — The Bercy is taking over the former Primavera Pizza Kitchen space at 7 E. Lancaster Avenue, in a one-time bank building that dates back to the 1920s (it has that telltale high-ceilinged design). It’s from Justin Weathers and Joe Monnich of Stove & Tap in Lansdale and Al Pastor in Exton and it’s going for a classic French brasserie vibe, with pasta, steaks, a raw bar, and wood-fired dishes. Both Weathers and Monnich used to work for Stephen Starr. Monnish was the executive chef at Parc and Dandelion. Their newest venture should open early April.

SOUTH PHILLY — The second location of SOMO, this one with an NFL star on board, is opening next month at 3101 S. 13th Street (13th and Packer). SOMO SoPhi is a restaurant, bar, lounge, and club all rolled into one, spanning three stories and 5,000 square feet. Designer/restaurateur James Morrissey of SOMO in Manayunk is opening it with Jahri and Takia Evans. Jahri Evans, an all-pro offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers, is originally from Philly.

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OLD CITY — Famed New York City falafel and shawarma shop Mamoun’s is heading to Philly. The restaurant is going into 300 Market Street on the ground floor of a new apartment building. The original opened in Greenwich Village in 1971.

RITTENHOUSE — Speaking of Middle Eastern fare, Hummus Republic is opening its first outpost outside of California, at 115 S. 18th Street, reports Philadelphia magazine. Expect falafel, shawarma, vegan proteins, and veggies available in build-your-old bowls, pitas, and salads, plus tahini shakes— a concept Philadelphians are already obsessed with thanks to Goldie. It won’t start serving for a few months. [Philly Mag]

EAST KENSINGTON — A new doughnut shop opening at 2557 Amber Street is the result of an unusual collaboration. Four musicians and band managers, including Ben Walsh of Tigers Jaw, Joseph Marro of The Early November, Zack Zarrillo, and Scott Luciano, are teaming up with ReAnimator Coffee for Hello Donuts, which serves both traditional and vegan varieties. This will be the first brick-and-mortar location for the bakery, which currently focuses on wholesale and pop-ups.

SOUTH STREET — Vietnamese BYOB Ngon Ngon is opening just off South Street, at 615 S. 3rd Street right next to South Street Philly Bagels. Look for pho, broken rice and vermicelli dishes, and banh mi.

February 19

SOUTH PHILLY — Vegan bakery Batter & Crumbs is getting its first brick and mortar location. Owners John Schultz and Paul Carmine are turning the vacant corner spot at 1401 Reed Street into a café with coffee, tea, sandwiches, and, of course, plenty of baked goods. Look for animal-product-free brownies, cupcakes, pies, and more.

RITTENHOUSE — Central American street food is heading to Rittenhouse with El Merkury, a delivery operation now setting up shop at 2104 Chestnut Street. Owner Sofia Deleon is planning it as a quick-serve restaurant with two counters, according to Philadelphia magazine. Customers will line up at one counter for Deleon’s casual Guatemalan and El Salvadorian dishes, like tostadas and pupusas. The other counter will be dedicated to churros. Look for it to open in the spring. [Philly Mag]

SOUTH PHILLY — Primal Supply Meat’s Heather Marold Thomason is opening a butcher shop at 1540 East Passyunk Avenue focused on sustainably raised, locally sourced beef, pork, and chicken. She also plans to host classes and dinners. If all goes according to schedule, the shop will open in the spring.

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FISHTOWN — Brunch-focused mini-chain Green Eggs Café bought Medusa Pizzeria at 2327 Gaul Street. Rather than turn it into another bruncherie, Medusa will continue as a pizza shop, with the addition of waiter service and potentially a liquor license, and a Green Eggs Café will be added to part of the space. According to Philly.com, the owners plan to have that ready to go in April. [Philly.com]

CALLOWHILL — Peter Woolsey of Bistrot La Minette and La Peg is heading to North Broad for an as-yet-unnamed French all-day cafe. He’s partnering with Bistrot La Minette executive chef Kenneth Bush and La Peg GM Brad Histand on the project, which will be in the upcoming apartment complex Hanover North Broad.

January 22

CENTER CITY — Giuseppe & Sons, a collaboration between Michael Schulson and the Termini Brothers Bakery family, is going for a spring opening at 1521 Samson, next to Schulson’s Harp & Crown. Similar to Schulson’s Double Knot, Giuseppe & Sons will have a two-in-one set-up: Look for a bakery and cafe at street level and an Italian restaurant in the basement. With the Terminis behind it, keep expectations high for the pastries.

SOUTH PHILLY — Cousins Albi Furxhiu and Dejvi Furxhi are opening Burrata, an Italian BYOB in what was August at the corner of 13th and Wharton. Furxhiu says the menu will be modern Italian.

CENTER CITY — Washington, D.C.’s District Taco just opened in King of Prussia and already has a second Philly-area location in the works. The fast-casual taco shop is going into East Market, the upcoming residential/commercial development that spans Market to Chestnut streets from 11th to 12th.

RITTENHOUSE — In the beer and wings category, Clubhouse Sports Lounge opens February 2 at 17th and Sansom (under Davio’s) with two bars, an ice lounge, escape rooms, and 32 TVs. The ice lounge comes complete with an ice luge and a caviar station.

OLD CITY — A bartender from the abruptly closed Eulogy Belgian Tavern is back in the neighborhood. Dave Crudele, who worked at Eulogy for 10 years, is opening Glory Beer Bar and Kitchen at 126 Chestnut Street, according to Philadelphia magazine. He’s planning 36 beers on tap, more than 100 bottles, and a meat-heavy pub fare menu for Glory, which will seat diners at long communal tables. [Philly Mag]

January 3

FISHTOWN — Father-and-son restaurateurs Andrew and Drew Abruzzese are opening an offshoot of Pineville Tavern, their popular — and historic — Bucks County eatery. The Pineville, which they’re describing as “an homage to the corner bars of yesteryear,” will be a bi-level restaurant at 2448 E. Huntington Street. It’s slated to open in the spring with a menu similar to the original.

NARBERTH — Michael Pasquarello of Kensington Quarters, Cafe Lift, Prohibition Taproom, and Bufad, is opening a second Cafe Lift, this one outside the city in Narberth. Like the original, the new restaurant (724 Montgomery Avenue) will focus on brunch, including signature dishes like the cannoli French toast and Jen’s Crespelle, named after Pasquarello’s wife, Jeniphur. Michael and Jeniphur opened the first Cafe Lift on North 13th Street in 2003. Josiah Richmond will be the chef at both. The new location, which will have a liquor license, is being designed with seats for 65, a retractable front window with a counter and stools, and outdoor seating. Look for it to open in the spring.

BELLA VISTA — A restaurant serving New Orleans fare is coming to Bella Vista, in what was most recently Coeur. Acadia is from Sean Nevins, who told Billy Penn it’s not a theme restaurant but “a restaurant you might find in New Orleans,” serving the likes of jambalaya, muffuletta, and po’boys. It should open later this month, at 824 S. Eighth Street. [BillyPenn] STATUS: Open

MIDTOWN VILLAGE — Brickwall Tavern, the other half of the brand-new Porta (officially opening January 5), is coming along at 12th and Chestnut. Look for it to open its doors in the spring.

December 13

RITTENHOUSE — @Ramen is moving into 1608 Sansom Street, the snug space that was Korean spot Giwa, which relocated up the street. The ramen shop is from Jason Kim, who already has an @Ramen in Manayunk, plus the brand-new Japanese bar Momokawa, also in Manayunk, and Jason’s Toridasu outside the city in Ardmore, reports Philly.com. Kim is a busy restaurateur: He’s also planning to open a Jason’s Toridasu on City Avenue. [Philly.com]

CENTER CITY — Florian Furxhiu is already causing a stir at his not-yet-opened taco shop on South Broad, due to its questionable name: Illegal Tacos. STATUS: Open

SOUTH PHILLY — The brick-and-mortar location of Mike’s BBQ is very close to opening at 11th and Morris streets, in what was South Philly Barbacoa until Barbacoa moved into sister spot El Compadre. Michael Strauss, who also has Taproom on 19th, has been running his barbecue venture as a roving operation. STATUS: Open

SOUTH PHILLY — More barbecue for South Philly. Eric Daelhousen, along with Robert Passio of Reading Terminal Market’s Giunta’s Prime, are opening South Philly Smokhaus in the Bok building, a school turned commercial space, reports Philly.com. Smokhaus will offer both a counter-service restaurant and a butcher counter. [Philly.com]

CENTER CITY — Little Baby’s Ice Cream is heading to East Market. A branch of the ice cream shop, which first opened in East Kensington in 2012, will go into the new tower at 12th and Ludlow, joining Wawa and Iron Hill Brewery. The East Market development is under construction.

FISHTOWN — Now that Mad Rex is up and running, the team behind the post-apocalyptic-themed restaurant/virtual reality lounge is focusing on Urban Eel, opening next door with a sushi bar, a cigar lounge, and a tank stocked with eels. Stay tuned.

November 16

SOUTH PHILLY — Jersey Shore sandwich shop Junior’s Beef & Pork is opening on Philly’s hottest restaurant strip. Junior’s will serve classic sandwiches — roast beef, roast pork, meatball, sausage — out of a small storefront at 1840 East Passyunk Avenue. The original Junior’s is in Wildwood. [Phillymag.com]

CENTER CITY — Craft Hall, taking over the Yards Brewing Co. building on Delaware Avenue next year, is giving a preview of its barbecue and bread (the latter from Alex Bois) at a month-long holiday pop-up outside City Hall.

KING OF PRUSSIA — Jose Garces is heading to the King of Prussia mall with taqueria Buena Onda. Look for it to start serving the day after Thanksgiving, just in time for Black Friday shoppers. STATUS: Open

OLD CITY — Three more food vendors have been announced for the upcoming Bourse food hall. Sam Jacobson of Stargazy and Chris DiPiazza of Mighty Bread Co. are joining forces for upgraded grilled cheese sandwiches at Mighty Melt. Scoop DeVille plans to bring its ice cream and wide variety of mix-ins, and Mi & Yu will be on hand with noodle bowls.

November 1

SOUTH STREET — Andy’s Chicken, the popular Korean fried chicken spot in Fishtown, is about to open a second location. Look for Andy’s Chicken at 2108 South Street to be up and running starting this Sunday, November 5. But owner Andy Choi isn’t selling any chicken that day. He’s giving it away. The first 150 customers will each get two pieces of chicken, for free. Doors open at 1 p.m. After that, the shop will be closed Monday and then open for real on Tuesday. The hours will be Tuesday through Sunday from 4-9 p.m. for about a month while the restaurant gets into its groove. Hours should expand after that. STATUS: Open

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UNIVERSITY CITY — A replacement is lined up for Kevin Sbraga’s The Fat Ham, which closed at the beginning of the year. Anh Vongbandith and Tory Keomanivong are opening Tipsy Bistro at 3131 Walnut Street, Philadelphia magazine reports. It sounds like the restaurant will serve a bit of everything: French, Asian, and Spanish dishes along with classic American fare. [Philly mag]

UNIVERSITY CITY — The father-and-daughter team behind White Dog Café is opening another restaurant at Penn. Marty and Sydney Grims are taking over the former Penne space at Hilton’s Inn at Penn with Louie-Louie, a European-style bistro with seats for 200 inside and outside.

UNIVERSITY CITY — The University of Pennsylvania’s new food court will open early next year with some of Philly’s hottest eateries plying their wares. Goldie, Kensington Quarters, Pitruco Pizza, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, and The Juice Merchant are all signed up to run food stalls at Penn Food Hall. Two additional tenants haven’t been revealed yet. The best news? It’s open to the public.

CENTER CITY — Loco Lucho Latino Kitchen is bringing Puerto Rican street food to Reading Terminal Market. The food stall is from chef Luis Liceaga, a native of Puerto Rico who runs a local catering company. Cooking runs in the family: Liceaga’s great aunt wrote one of the first published Puerto Rican cookbooks, Cocina Criolla. Look for seafood and chicken and sausage paella, crab coquettes, pinchos de churrasco (marinated skirt steak with chimichurri sauce), and empanadas at the market when Loco Lucho opens next year.

October 18

WEST PHILLY — Kensington-based coffee roasters ReAnimator is opening a third coffee shop, this one in West Philly. It’s going into the ground floor of the Garden Court Plaza apartment building at 47th and Pine. Mark Capriotti and Mark Corpus of ReAnimator also own Res Ipsa in Rittenhouse. [West Philly Local]

WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST — Middle Child opens this week at 248 S. 11th Street with breakfast, lunch, and packaged snacks and sweets. According to the restaurant, it’s a “healthy-ish neighborhood joint inspired by the delis, diners, and hoagie shops of Philly's past.” It could open as soon as October 19. STATUS: Open

UNIVERSITY CITY — Just Salad is opening at Penn early next year, at 3728 Spruce Street. The restaurant — which also sells wraps, grain bowls, and smoothies, not just salad — will focus on takeout but also have seats for 23 at café tables and a counter. Frequent customers can buy a reusable Just Salad bowl for $1 and get free toppings every time they use it. It’s the second Philly location for the chain; there’s a Just Salad in Center City at 17th and Chestnut.

GRADUATE HOSPITAL — The second floor is in place at the second location of Loco Pez, going into the former Robert’s Twi-Lite Lounge at 20th and Bainbridge. The first Loco Pez is a cash-only LA-style taco shop in Fishtown. The Grad Hospital taqueria still has a ways to go:

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CENTER CITY — Domenico Giovannini is opening a U.S. location of Roman pizzeria Alice in the former Cosi at the southeast corner of 15th and Locust. The first Alice, pronounced “ah-LEE-cheh,” opened in Rome in 1990. It’s now a chain with several locations in Italy. Like the new Rione in Rittenhouse, Alice serves pizza al taglio. Look for it to open in November. [Philly.com] STATUS: Open

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FAIRMOUNT — Albert Zheng is contributing two new restaurants to Fairmount Avenue, both named Engimono. One will be a sushi spot at 1811 Fairmount Avenue. The other is planned as a deli of sorts, with a menu that includes poké. It’s going into the former Rybread at 2319 Fairmount Avenue.

September 27

RITTENHOUSE — Aimee Olexy of Talula’s Table in Kennett Square is opening The Love off Rittenhouse Square with Stephen Starr, who hasn’t opened a restaurant in Philly in a little while (he’s been busy opening a Paris bistro and picking up two James Beard Awards, including Best New Restaurant for New York’s Le Coucou). Olexy and Starr also have Talula’s Garden and Talula’s Daily, both on Washington Square. STATUS: Open

CENTER CITY — Famed French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who has restaurants around the world including several in New York, is heading to Philly. Vongerichten will open an eatery in the upcoming Comcast Technology Center, situated off the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel going into the top floors of the tower.

CENTER CITY — Greg Vernick, who won the 2017 James Beard Award for best chef in the mid-Atlantic region, is also heading to the new Comcast tower. Vernick will be opening his second restaurant — after Vernick Food & Drink in Rittenhouse — on the ground floor of the building.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES — Avram Hornik is opening Craft Hall at 901 N. Delaware Avenue after Yards Brewing Co. leaves the property to relocate to 5th and Spring Garden. Hornik, who owns Morgan’s Pier and Dolphin Tavern (and previously co-owned Union Transfer, among other venues), is turning the space into a bakery, brewhouse, and barbecue kitchen, reports Philly.com. Star baker Alex Bois of Lost Bread Co. will set up shop there. [Philly.com]

FISHTOWN — Post-apocalyptic bar/restaurant/virtual reality lounge Mad Rex is slated to open its doors just a crack this week. The goal is to get settled in and work out any kinks before the official opening, tentatively scheduled for October 6. STATUS: Open

KING OF PRUSSIA — The first Philly-area location of Founding Farmers is opening in King of Prussia Town Center on November 1. The restaurant chain, which started in Washington, D.C., is majority owned by the North Dakota Farmers Union, made up of more than 47,500 family farmers. The King of Prussia location is 14,000 square feet, with a restaurant, bar, and cafe/ice cream shop. STATUS: Open

Check out the spring/summer 2017 list of Philly restaurants opening soon here.