Table Talk: Scratch Biscuits brings Southern taste to Philly
The shop also opens from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, selling $5 chicken sandwiches out of the shop's back door on Drury Street near 13th Street.
What's new
Mitch Prensky, the caterer behind the bistro of Supper on South Street, has a storefront for his Southern-style biscuit sandwiches. Scratch Biscuits opened this week at 1306 Chestnut St. The shop, which offers all sorts of varieties, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. It also opens from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, selling $5 chicken sandwiches out of the shop's back door on Drury Street near 13th Street.
Xfinity Live, the entertainment center in the heart of the sports complex in South Philadelphia, has embarked on a $6 million renovation and expansion. Most significant will be the revamping of Spectrum Grill, the white-tablecloth chophouse option among Xfinity Live's six main eateries. Chef Jason Cichonski, who owns Ela in Queen Village and the Gaslight in Old City, will open it as a more-casual restaurant called 1100 Social. Cichonski said the Mexican and Asian dishes would be designed for sharing. Changes, including a beer garden, are due to be completed by Sept. 12.
A bi-level bistro
Saturday will see the debut of DanDan, a bi-level Sichuan/Taiwanese bistro from Kevin and Catherina Huang, who previously ran Han Dynasty's University City location.
Cat Huang's brother is Han Dynasty's Han Chiang.
DanDan, unaffiliated with Han Dynasty, has taken a former print shop at 126 S. 16th St. It has a 10-seat bar on the ground floor, with three tables for two in the front window. A six-seat communal table is tucked behind the bar. On the balcony are 30 seats. Hanging lanterns and, along the staircase, a large-scale mural of hanging noodles add to the spare decor.
Menu will hit the basics: full-size dishes (most entrées less than $20) as well as under-$10 tasting plates in the evening.
Marc Yanga, formerly of the Sofitel and Han Dynasty, is managing as well as running the bar, which will have six beer taps, a few bottles, and cocktails designed to go with the food. DanDan will operate as a BYOB until the liquor license arrives.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
What's going
Matyson, the much-honored BYOB on 19th Street off Rittenhouse Square, closed with no warning after July 4 weekend. Its former chef, Ben Puchowitz, said his father - who owns the bricks - was ready to retire. "He's sad and relieved at the same time," Ben Puchowitz said. The new occupant, attempting to open by the end of August, is Milkhouse, which specializes in grilled cheese and milkshakes. Its first location opened last fall inside Suburban Station.
On the tube
South Philly brothers Adam and Andrew Erace will put themselves and their burgeoning chain of upmarket shops, Green Aisle Grocery, in the national spotlight this summer. Food Network launches a series called Great American Food Finds, premiering at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 3. It will show how the Eraces find items to fill their shelves. Adam Erace, 31, doubles as restaurant critic for City Paper and writes for national magazines, while Andrew Erace, 29, has a background in real estate.
see www.philly.com/mike.