Archaeologist opens a Philly wine bar
Between trips to the Middle East, archaeologist Jill Weber makes her home in Philadelphia, where she's affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania.
Between trips to the Middle East, archaeologist Jill Weber makes her home in Philadelphia, where she's affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania.
Dig this: She's turned her passion for international food and drink into a Center City spot, Jet Wine Bar (1525 South St.).
Due to open this week, Jet has a sleek bar on the ground floor and a lounge with tables in the lower level. Chef Matt Zagorski, last at Rouge on Rittenhouse Square, has put together a menu of meats, cheeses, and sandwiches designed to pair with the beverages. (See menus at http://go.philly.com/jetwine). Hours are 4 p.m. till late, Tuesdays through Sundays. Lunch is planned.
Moves
Merchantville's Cafe Bella Vita (43 S. Centre St., 856-665-8388) has expanded next door, adding 40 seats in a homey dining room. Carlo Finazzo and Linda Vendome opened the place last year as a 16-seat pizzeria. In addition to sandwiches and pizza, the menu is loaded with easy-on-the-wallet red-gravy entrees, including pasta dishes under $13, chicken dishes under $15, and veal dishes under $17.
After dinner Nov. 24, Salt & Pepper will move from Sixth and Fitzwater Streets to 1623 E. Passyunk Ave., doubling in size and gaining a liquor license when it reopens in early December. Around New Year's, Salt & Pepper's old location will become the new incarnation of Little Fish, which previously operated nearby.
Briefly noted
Krispy Kreme, the doughnut chain, will rise again. First new Philly-area location - 7855 Oxford Ave. in Fox Chase - is expected to open Tuesday.
Kevin Sbraga, who won Season 7 of Bravo's Top Chef, wants to keep his knife skills sharp while he scouts locations for his own restaurant. He has two events: a Dec. 1 shopping tour/lunch at Reading Terminal Market and a Dec. 9 dinner he'll prepare at the Omni Hotel's Azalea. Details at http://go.philly.com/topchef.
After more than two decades, Minar Palace (now at 1304 Walnut St.) has upgraded from paper plates and plastic cutlery to china and metal utensils.
Le Castagne (1920 Chestnut St.) has gone more casual with its new family-friendly Sunday brunch, which includes a la carte items plus a buffet ($20 for adults, $10 for children).
The 1200 block of Walnut Street is in line for two newcomers: an outpost of Fuel, the health-focused cafe from East Passyunk Avenue, which expects to open this week at 1225 Walnut St., and the first location of Marabella Meatball Co., a sandwich concept from Gabe Marabella (ex-Marabella's), in midmonth at 1211 Walnut St.