Boom time: New restaurants are on the way in Philadelphia

This has been one of the busiest years for Philadelphia-area restaurant openings. That can only mean that even more are on their way.

The crop of late summer/early fall restaurant openings includes one project that's been in the works for 2½ years (P.J. Clarke's), an ambitious food hall (Bourse Marketplace), three mom-and-pop BYOBs (Cerise Craft Steakhouse, Porch & Proper, and Keep), and what is shaping up to be a delicious partnership between the Termini South Philly bakery family and restaurateur Michael Schulson (Giuseppe & Son's).

A few projects, including Vernick Fish at the Comcast Technology Center and an unnamed Jean Georges Vongerichten restaurant at the new Four Seasons Hotel, are now up for 2019. The Greg Vernick-run coffee bar on the building's second-floor lobby, though, should soft-open for Comcast employees in September. I'm hearing "fall" for a Thai restaurant at 1227 Walnut St., where Cibo has been lately. I'm also hearing "very late 2018" for Separatist Beer's tasting room off East Passyunk Avenue, and — since everyone in South Jersey seems to be asking — "November" for Central Taco & Tequila, the new incarnation of the Irish Mile in Haddon Township.

In more or less chronological order, here are highlights of restaurants due to open in the next 60 days:

Billy Hines, Adrienne Salvatore-Markey, and Tom Lidiak are behind this days-old cocktail bar serving chef Barbara Romeo's Southern menu at 1551 W. Passyunk Ave., at the corner of 16th Street. They've packed the place with church items, including lights, a backlit stained-glass bar, and a real confessional booth with a secret back door leading into a speakeasy-like second room. West Passyunk, by the way, will gain a BYOB called Stina from chef Bobby Saritsoglou and his wife, Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou, at 1705 Snyder Ave. in the fall.

» READ MORE: Cerise Craft Steakhouse, Bryn Mawr

Chef Ben Thomas and his wife, Elana, have retooled their Euro-style Bryn Mawr BYOB (1011 Lancaster Ave.) into a steak house serving responsibly sourced cuts. Opened Aug. 24.

» READ MORE: Porch & Proper, Collingswood

Porch & Proper, 619 Collings Ave., Collingswood.

Starr alums Jason and Casey Simkins, backed by chef Ryan McQuillan, are opening a lovely American BYOB at 619 Collings Ave. in Collingswood. Opened Aug. 28.

» READ MORE: Stock Rittenhouse, Rittenhouse

Tyler Akin of Fishtown's popular Viet-style noodle shop Stock is going into a second location, at 1935 Chestnut St. Opened Aug. 30. 

The old Roosevelt's at 23rd and Walnut Streets will become a Mexican bar under FCM Hospitality (Harper's Garden, Parks on Tap, Morgan's Pier, etc.). Opens Sept. 5.

» READ MORE:

The stylish New York City landmark bar announced in early 2016 that it would set up shop in the Curtis at Sixth and Walnut Streets, across from Independence Hall. Assorted delays, including a redesign, crept in. With chef Ned Maddock on board, it's getting close. Opens in early to mid-September.

The longtime Mirna's Cafe at 417 Old York Rd. in Jenkintown is now under the ownership of chef Mike Jenkins (a Di Bruno's cheesemonger-turned-Garces executive chef) and Melody Lauletta (who, after managing with Garces, helped Nick Elmi open ITV on East Passyunk). They're planning a gracious, upscale (but not white-tablecloth) American BYOB with a seasonal menu. Opens in early September.

Shawn Darragh and Ben Puchowitz of the two Cheus and Bing Bing Dim Sum are readying a sleek Japanese bar next to Cheu Fishtown (1414 Frankford Ave.). Due to open Sept. 21.

» READ MORE: Giuseppe & Sons, Rittenhouse

The Termini family of South Philly pastry fame, in a partnership with Michael Schulson and Nina Tinari-Schulson (Harp & Crown, Sampan, Double Knot, etc.), are setting up a South Philly-style trattoria whose homespun food is reminiscent of patriarch Vince Termini's side project, Mr. Joe's Cafe. Opens mid-September.

» READ MORE: Sarvida, Fishtown

Lou Boquila of East Passyunk's Filipino BYOB Perla goes modern and casual with Filipino small plates/brunch at this BYOB at 300 E. Girard Ave. Opens in mid-September.

The local brewpub makes it downtown, taking a corner of the East Market development at 12th and Market Streets. Due to open Sept. 13.

» READ MORE: Bourse Marketplace, Historic District

Twenty-nine food and beverage vendors will fill the Bourse (Fifth Street between Market and Chestnut Streets). It will open in phases through late fall. Starts opening in September.

» READ MORE: Federal Donuts, Queen Village

The chicken-and-doughnut chainlet is setting up at the corner of Sixth and South Streets. Opens in late September.

Casual-upscale, indoor-outdoor rooftop escape at the new Cambria Hotel (219 S. Broad St., across from the Bellevue). Opens in late September. (N.B.: Del Frisco's Grille is expected to open on the Cambria's ground floor in the fall.)

More than a year in the works, this locally created, nationally syndicated hotpot specialist, complete with food dispatched by conveyor belt, is coming to 146 N. 10th St. Due to open in September.

» READ MORE: Somo SoPhi, South Philadelphia

The old Medora's Mecca at 13th Street and Packer Avenue is being transformed into an offshoot of the Manayunk bar owned by James Morrissey of Morrissey Design. The sleek, environmentally forward restaurant, bar, lounge, and nightlife concept is a partnership with Jahri Evans, the Green Bay Packers all-pro guard, and his wife, Takia. Opens in late September.

» READ MORE: Seorabol, Center City

The Korean mainstay in Olney is adding a branch at Center City One (1326 Spruce St.). Late September-early October opening is planned.

» READ MORE: Hops, Brewerytown

The company that runs the Bernie's Pubs is remodeling Brewerytown Taproom, which closed recently at 31st and Master Streets. Mid-October opening planned.

» READ MORE: aether, Fishtown

Seafood-based menu and serious wine list from the creative team behind Mistral (Princeton and King of Prussia) and Elements (Princeton), at 1832 Frankford Ave. Early October. 

» READ MORE: Classic Cake Co., Center City

The South Jersey bakery is opening an outlet including a 40-seat restaurant open from morning through dinnertime at One Penn Center (1617 JFK Blvd.). Early October.

» READ MORE: Stir, Art Museum

Architect Frank Gehry-designed restaurant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Opens Oct. 9.

For more, follow "The Insider" blog at www.philly.com/mike.