Manayunk restaurant shuffle: Gigi to move and expand

Chef Craig Wilson opened two restaurants in Manayunk last year: Maya.J, a bar with an international small-plates menu, at 4371 Main St., and Gigi Italian Bistro, a homespun BYOB, at 4357 Main St.

After crunching numbers, Wilson said, "Gigi has to expand. Business is growing like crazy."

So effective March 8, Gigi relocates to 4371 Main St., where its menu will expand to include Mediterranean tapas such as grilled Spanish octopus with roasted garlic and Italian hots over bruschetta; spicy meatballs, lobster mac-and-cheese, grilled baby lamb chops with hot pepper pesto, and tuna crudo. (The storefront was Chabaa Thai before it, too, moved down the street.)

Gigi also will pick up a bar. Wilson, mindful of his BYO customers, is working with Frank Taormina of Majestic Wines on an affordable wine program, with the house red and white starting at $5 a glass. For the first few months, BYOB will be allowed, as well.

Gigi will be open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch, Monday to Saturday for dinner, and weekends for brunch.

The former Gigi space at 4357 Main will be used for private parties and catering. Wilson says he is hoping to move Maya.J into Center City.