Table Talk | Coffeehouse with Ethiopian fare
Almaz Cafe (140 S. 20th St., 215-557-0108) is two restaurants in one. It's a modern coffeehouse, replacing Stellar Coffee, with drinks, pastries, wraps and sandwiches. But how many other Center City coffee stops serve budget-priced Ethiopian dishes such as firfir (beef), kitfo (steak tartare) and wat (stews), mopped up with the spongy bread called injera?
Almaz Cafe
(140 S. 20th St., 215-557-0108) is two restaurants in one.
It's a modern coffeehouse, replacing Stellar Coffee, with drinks, pastries, wraps and sandwiches. But how many other Center City coffee stops serve budget-priced Ethiopian dishes such as firfir (beef), kitfo (steak tartare) and wat (stews), mopped up with the spongy bread called injera?
Owners Solomon Getnet and Almaz Haile - who left Addis Ababa a decade and a half ago - are following their dreams after working in local hotels. Solomon Haile's background is in systems; he helped run FedEx's operations in Ethiopia.
In a nod to their new home, they also serve Bassett's ice cream. A few tables are on the first floor; most seating is on the balcony. It's open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
What's new
Baltimoreans Susan and Julia Chu recently opened
T Bar
(117 S. 12th St., 215-625-3936) - what they call an "urban tea bar retreat" with loose teas, tea-based beauty products, and tea sandwiches and sweets. It's open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, till 10 Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays.
Tomorrow is the scheduled opening of Thai L'Elephant, a moderate-priced BYO replacing Satang Thai in Kimberton Square (277 Schuylkill Rd., Phoenixville, 610-935-8613). It'll be open daily for lunch and dinner. Owner is Jiraporn Johnson and chef is the much-traveled Wansawang (Michael) Raethong, previously at Cherry Hill's Champa Laos after helping to open nearly every Thai restaurant within 30 miles of Philadelphia.
Briefly noted
Ravenna
has pulled out of Worcester's Center Point shopping center after about six years as chef-owner Shawn Sollberger seeks family time; he's interviewing locally for a chef's job. Taking over the space about Aug. 1 will
Zacharias Creekside Cafe
. Andy and Marlene Singer, who founded the Twin Bays Cafe in Phoenixville, are partnered with caterer Andrew Gallo on this New American BYOB.
The hash should start slinging next Thursday at Mark Bee's Silk City, the renovated diner at Fifth and Spring Garden Streets.
Catherine's in Unionville, Chester County, has added an outdoor garden patio.
Lacroix in the Rittenhouse allows BYOB on Monday nights for parties of seven or fewer with no corkage fee. It's also discounting its wine list 50 percent Monday nights.
After Kibett Mengech parted ways with David Ansill at Ansill in Queen Village, Ansill has moved in full time. Jared Frazer becomes chef de cuisine, running the Ansill-owned Pif in South Philadelphia.
Bistro Cassis, next to Pond in Radnor, has opened its terrace for Sunday brunch and dinner. Picturesque scenery; a new brood of cygnets is about to hatch.
Stella Blu in West Conshohocken will offer BYOB every night beginning Monday through Labor Day weekend.
Stephens Green, on tap to open soon at 17th and Green Streets, has modified its name to St. Stephens Green. "Has a better ring to it," says co-owner James Stephens. And an extra syllable.