Restaurant notes: Watch your bags; BBQ on the way

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.

Marsh, the outfielder whose season was marked by extremes, underwent a carpal boss excision Oct. 14 in Scottsdale, Ariz., the team announced Friday.

Hard freezes are expected in most of the region the next several mornings.

The Pennsylvania governor, fresh off his blowout reelection win, is getting more involved on the national stage.

Outside of last season’s blistering pace, where he scored nine goals in his first 20 games, Foerster typically struggles to get going.

An unvaccinated Montour County resident who tested positive for measles has died.

The Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Rocky Balboa was established at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps on Friday.