30-plus restaurants opening this summer

As 2015 ticks toward the midpoint and spring yields to summer, here is a rundown of assorted restaurant projects expected to open in the next three months or so. "Or so" is the operative phrase; restaurants' gestation periods are wildly hard to predict.

The summer will see two Chinese destinations, a bunch of taquerias/Mexican concepts, a bottle shop, and bars, bars, bars. And even a bit of repetition for effect (in the names DanDan and JoséJosé, anywayanyway).

The season's "blockbuster" is not some splash from the Garces/Starr/Vetri orbit. It's Cheesecake Factory's first Center City location, at 15th and Walnut Streets, at lunchtime Tuesday, June 23. The very next day, Cheesecake will open a location of its more internationally focused Grand Lux Cafe, at King of Prussia Mall, across the mall property from another Cheesecake Factory. Together, these two new restaurants employ more than 500 people and are expected to generate upwards of $20 million in annual sales.

On June 25, the Main Line gets a b.good (Wynnewood Shopping Center, Wynnewood), a branch of the healthy quick-serve chain whose lone local branch is in Marlton.

June 29 sees the debut of the Center City branch of Tacony hoagie destination Fink's, moving into 132 S. Eighth St. on Jewelers Row.

JULY

The month will start with the temporary closing of Le Castagne (1920 Chestnut St.) for a summertime remodeling.

Malvern Buttery (233 E. King St., Malvern), a bakery/cafe, is coming to the borough's downtown; could you just melt from the name?

Don Quixote Tapas & Things (526 S. Fourth St.), a Mediterranean tapas spot in the former Delicias/Django space in Queen Village,.

DanDan (126 S. 16th St.), a Chinese bar-restaurant from Han Dynasty veterans in Rittenhouse.

JoséJosé (133 S. 18th St.), a vegan taqueria/bar from HipCityVeg/Charlie was a sinner.'s Nicole Marquis - two doors from the original HCV.

Scratch Biscuits (1306 Chestnut St.), a shop specializing in biscuit sandwiches (set up build-your-own-style) from Supper's Mitch Prensky, in Washington Square West.

Revolution Taco (2015 Walnut St.), a 30-seat taqueria from Street Food Philly and Say Cheese. I'm hearing dishes such as Yards Brawler-braised pork belly with a chipotle lime jicama slaw; sweet and sour Korean fried chicken with pickled vegetables; and house-made chorizo and manchego empanadas.

Heffe (1435 Frankford Ave.), a taco stand from prolific chef Peter McAndrews (Paesano's, Monsu, Bridgid's, etc) on a Fishtown corner.

SouthGate (18th and Lombard Streets), a Korean-inspired bar replacing Tangier.

Bud & Marilyn's (13th and Locust Streets), Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran's ode to Marcie's grandparents' mid-century Middle American cuisine, on a Washington Square West corner.

Misconduct Tavern (18th and JFK Blvd), a second location for the Rittenhouse bar, coming to The Sterling.

BeerLOVE (714 S. Fourth St.), a beer bottle specialist/tasting room in Queen Village.

Whetstone Tavern (Fifth and Bainbridge Streets), a regional American from the Brauhaus Schmitz crew.

Studio Movie Grill (53 S. 69th St., Upper Darby), a moviehouse with waiter service.

Luigi's Pizza Fresca (703 Chestnut St.), a branch of the Fairmount pizzeria.

Rapidough Pizza Pies relocates from Collegeville's Providence Town Center to downtown West Chester (30 S. High St).

AUGUST

Keystone (1100 S. Front St.), a Pennsylvania-theme bar in Pennsport replacing Ugly American.

Spuntino (701 N. Second St.), the Doylestown Neapolitan pizza specialist opens in a new corner building in Northern Liberties.

Kanella South (757 S. Front St.), chef Konstantinos Pitsillades' relocation of his popular Greek-Cypriot destination (now with a liquor license), tucked away in Pennsport.

Sabrina's (714 Haddon Ave., Collingswood), the bruncherie opens its fifth location, joining the scene in Collingswood.

Meltkraft (46 S. 17th St.), a second location for the Reading Terminal Market grilled-cheese specialist; this location will include milkshakes made with Bassetts ice cream and pastries from Flying Monkey.

Little Lion (241 Chestnut St.), a casual yet upscale America, coming to the former Haru space at Third and Chestnut Streets.

Chabaa Thai (4343 Main St.), the resurfacing of Moon Krapugthong's signature Thai restaurant in Manayunk.

Tio Flores (1600 South St.), a comfortable, Southwest Center City neighborhood-friendly Mexican from the Hawthornes/Cambridge crew.

Avenue Kitchen, the Villanova American, adds a location in Glen Eagle Square in Glen Mills.

SEPTEMBER

Tredici (13th and Sansom Streets), Greg Dodge opens a Mediterranean enoteca across from his flagship Zavino.

Lorenzo & Son's (High and Gay Streets, West Chester), the South Street pizzeria heads into downtown West Chester.

Pour House (Route 309, Airport Square, North Wales), a branch of the popular South Jersey pub.

Laurel, chef Nicholas Elmi's East Passyunk salon, opens its expansion next door.

Besito (Suburban Square, Ardmore), a Main Line branch of a Long Island-rooted Mexican mini-chain, taking over the former Plate.

Neuf (943 S. Ninth St.), Noord duo Joncarl Lachman and Bob Moysan's French/North African bar/restaurant in the Italian Market.

There's the unnamed Southern jazz restaurant from Ben and Robert Bynum, coming to 600 N. Broad St.

Hungry Pigeon (Fourth and Fitzwater Streets), chef Scott Schroeder and baking whiz Pat O'Malley appeal to Queen Villagers at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

SuGa (1720 Sansom St.), Susanna and Gabe Foo come back downtown with Chinese cuisine - not fusion.

Rosa Blanca Cafe (707 Chestnut St.), Jose Garces retools his Cuban diner to be more of a Cuban cafe.

Double Knot (120 S. 13th St.), a combo Japanese izakaya and coffee/curio shop from Michael Schulson, next to his Sampan.