Restaurant notes: HeadHouse stalls; Mustard Greens is back
Changes.
The HeadHouse, the "craft beer cafe" that opened only a month ago in the Lombard Street former home of Zot, is closed through the summer. Partner Bruce Nichols told me that he needs to reconceptualize. The news was first reported by Beerlass, who attributed the reason to a chef who quit. Nichols said it was more involved than that but would not elaborate.
Rita's, the water-ice company that brands itself "Rita's Italian ice" because heaven forbid it should honor its Bensalem roots as it aims to a national audience, has generously donated $575,000 to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation through its four-week "paper lemon" program, where customers kicked in money.
Mustard Greens, the Chinese destination on Second Street between South and Bainbridge, has reopened after a renovation that spruced up the bar, opened the facade, and changed the flooring. Same fabulous softshells and dumplings.
The forthcoming Philly branch of the New York restaurant Serafina is unaffected by this legal maneuver at 10 Rittenhouse, according to insiders. Serafina's target opening is November.