Hotel dining
Philly's next two hotels have at least announced the names of their dining rooms.
Center City Philly will get two upscale hotels this year: Le Méridien Philadelphia (a Starwood property at 1421 Arch St., where the District Attorney's Office and a Y used to be across from the Municipal Services Building) and the Palomar (a Kimpton joint at 17th and Sansom Streets, across from the Sofitel).
Le Méridien, due to open in early September, has attached the name Amuse (which I'm sure is to be pronounced the French way, ah-mus-EE). The description: "Chic new bar and brasserie, featuring traditional, lusty French bistro fare including classics such as onion soup gratinee, escargots, frisee aux lardons, sautéed skate, raw bar selections and salad nicoise--and extraordinary, signature steak frites. The open floor plan at Amuse offers a capricious variety of drinking and dining experiences." Capricious?
Palomar's dining destination, opening mid-October, will be a bilevel called Square 1682. I can report that Square 1682's chef will be Guillermo Tellez, and the concept is to be announced; see updated post here.
(Post updated)