Restaurant notes: Chef chat

Plus, our very Philly gift guide, a management shakeup at Mariposa, a bagel shop's return.

Now there are two Mei Mei restaurants in Philadelphia and a third (EMei) with a similar name. Is there room for everyone?

Sal Cusumano has been talking about opening his Collingswood pizzeria seemingly forever. “It’s time to really bite the bullet and let my OCD not get in the way,” he says.

Philly is rife with food innovators conjuring everything from flaky croissants to silky fresh pastas, airy doughnuts, crisply fried chicken, and crusty loaves that are both delicious and gluten-free.

A new crop of restaurants and bakeries draws on Louisiana roots, from gumbo egg rolls in Northern Liberties to house-baked po’boy rolls in Kensington.

Rounding out a fleet of chefs from South Philly, Center City, and Kensington are restaurants in Fairmount, West Philly, and North Philly.

Here's what Kensington's cooking for The Inquirer's Food Festival, on Nov. 14.

Here's what Center City's cooking for The Inquirer Food Festival.

The “perfect” hoagie, the month’s new restaurants, and a po’boy shop that’s about to roll out.

Two chef brothers from Delco are opening Philly Po’Boy Co. beneath the El in Kensington, serving New Orleans-style sandwiches on house-baked rolls, plus gumbo and fresh-from-the-fryer beignets.

Italian newcomers (as always) lead the lineup, alongside Tex-Mex fare, a swanky steakhouse, a po'boy specialist, a long-awaited pie shop, and Magnolia Bakery's debut.

With double-fried chicken sandwiches, pork belly bao, and chili noodles, a much-missed Korean restaurant has been resurrected in Chester County — with a different name and doughnuts.

Here's what South Philly's cooking for The Inquirer Food Festival.

The century-old candy maker has a new factory, the same recipes, and plans to return its chocolate-covered Easter eggs to Philadelphia-area stores before Christmas.

Baan Atelier, serving Northern Thai cuisine in the former Blackfish space, is an elegant newcomer to Conshohocken's restaurant row on Fayette Street.

The fondue restaurant on Filbert Street shuttered more than a decade ago.

Pizza Plus West has returned with its original owners and two new partners who are bringing an additional specialty to the table.

Backyard Cravings goes legit; Craig LaBan finds a winning Indian restaurant; a diner gets 86ed; and Fishtown is getting more new food options.

Kouklet’s move, from 1647 to 1615 E. Passyunk Ave., will allow Mardhory Santos-Cepeda to expand it into an all-day café with breakfast, lunch, and seating for about 15 customers.

November thunderstorms are unusual, occurring about once every two years in Philly.

“A large cargo ship has struck the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge today,” said State Rep. Ed Neilson.

Starbucks workers have been organizing for years and are seeking their first union contract.

While investigators did not assign blame, their documents offer new insight into the flawed response surrounding a blast that killed three people and injured 20 others just before last Christmas.

The gunman has been identified as a doctor locked in a dispute with building management over mold and moisture problems in his penthouse.

As Gopuff looks to compete with AI-delivery rivals, the company says its new Grok Bot interface will aid deliveries in as little as 15 minutes.