Restaurant openings update
Paul is looking at the week of June 13, while Pickled Heron is targeting late summer. Also, Reading Terminal Market is getting Cajun.
Here are some updates on a few random restaurant projects:
Paul -- the tiny American BYOB from Effie Bouikidis (of Effie's) at 1120 Pine St. is looking at the week of June 13. She's expecting* the health inspector today.
Azie on Main -- Media's pan-Asian opens its branch in the former Maia in Villanova sometime around July 17.
Sonata -- Mark Tropea's solo debut in the Northern Liberties' Liberties Walk (BYOB) is expected as soon as health inspectors get out there.
Iron Hill's Maple Shade location is up for the end of July.
Kong -- end of July is the target for Michael O'Halloran's "Hong Kong street food" concept at 702 N. Second St. in Northern Liberties.
Avril -- the French-Italian BYOB on Bala Avenue in Bala from April Lisante and chef Christian Gatti is aiming at early August.
Village Whiskey -- Jose Garces is shooting for mid-August for his whiskey bar at 20th and Sansom Streets.
Pickled Heron -- the long, long-in-the-works American bistro from Ritz-Carlton alums Todd Braley and Daniela D'Ambrosio at 2218 Frankford Ave. in Fishtown is aiming for late summer.
Meze -- the organic-focused eatery at 2028 Fairmount Ave. is hoping for late summer.
Early August should see the opening of Mary Oaks, the more foodcentric room attached to The Blockley at 38th and Ludlow. Late month is the expected rollout of Duo (a pizzeria/bar from Avram Hornik and Mark Fichera in the old O'Hara's at 39th and Chestnut).
Zama -- the Japanese restaurant from Pod alumnus Hiroyuki "Zama" Tanaka in the space that's currently Loie (128 S. 19th St.) has no real timetable. Tanaka says he's going before the neighborhood association soon as part of the liquor license transfer. So, perhaps fall.
October is the new target for Tap House (just what it sounds like, as it's from the Public House/Mission Grill/Field House crew, at the Radian at 39th and Walnut), and Percy Street Barbecue at Ninth and South Streets.
Reading Terminal Market watchers: Beck's Cajun Café will take over an empty space near the center court seating area before Labor Day. Menu items for lunch and dinner will include house-made beignets, po boys, Jambalaya, etouffe, and sweet tea from Bill Beck, whom you might remember from the old Pompano Grill, once at Fifth and Bainbridge (there's a bank on the corner there now).
* This is Philadelphia.