Michael Klein: Cantina Feliz owners expand to the city

A year and a half ago, chef Tim Spinner and manager Brian Sirhal spun out of the Jose Garces orbit, choosing the suburbs (Fort Washington) as the setting of their debut restaurant, Cantina Feliz.

Emboldened by success, they've set their second whimsically decorated Mexican bar/restaurant in the city. La Calaca Feliz (2321 Fairmount Ave., 215-787-9930) takes the narrow Fairmount storefront previously occupied by Illuminare.

Chef de cuisine Lucio Palazzo, formerly of Xochitl, executes Spinner's menu, featuring tacos and nachos, tlayudas (pizzas), and alambres (skewers), including the octopus alambres with poblano peppers, pearl onions, and lemon vinaigrette that Spinner prepared at the James Beard House. There's a 12-seat, copper-topped bar whose shelves hold more than 50 types of tequila.

Dinner menu is here. Drink menu is here.

March is the projected opening of Square Peg, which will replace the Marathon Grill location at 10th and Walnut Streets. New owners Barry Gutin and Larry Cohen (Cuba Libre, GuestCounts Hospitality) have hired Matt Levin, last at Adsum after a turn at Lacroix at the Rittenhouse. The space, maintaining its industrial brick-and-steel look, will be a something-for-everyone American concept, open for lunch and dinner daily (plus late night), and was designed by Owen Kamihira, whose work includes his own Bar Ferdinand.

Brodo, Italian for "broth," will be a soup-centric cafe coming to the former Naked Chocolate space in the United Plaza Building (31 S. 18th St.). Matt Capetola, an engineer with a master's degree in finance, is saying late February/early March for the opening. Architect Andrew Blanda of Sandvold Blanda is working to give the space a rustic look.

Robert Amar, who helped create and run Fare in Fairmount, is setting up a hot dog/sausage shop called Underdogs in the lower-level storefront at 132 S. 17th St., which until recently was Argan Moroccan Cuisine. Amar says Underdogs, opening about March 1, will showcase local products, including Czerw's kielbasy, Fiorella Bros.' sausage, Martin's bacon, and Vallari's rolls. Also on the meat front: Jose Garces says Frohman's Wursthaus, his beer-and-brats eatery, is still listed as "spring" at the old Letto Deli at 13th and Chancellor Streets.

MidAtlantic, Daniel Stern's regional American restaurant at the Science Center in University City, plans to shut down Feb. 24 after a little more than two years. Refunds on gift certificates are being offered. Stern maintains R2L at Two Liberty Place.

Sofitel chef Kevin Levett is going back to England after 16 months. He had planned to import his wife and two teenage kids, but the move just never materialized. He will remain at the hotel (whose restaurant is Liberte) during the search for a new chef.

Sushi master Zento (138 Chestnut St.) has moved inside Grey Social, a lounge three doors away at 132 Chestnut St. The move gives Zento a sake bar.

The popular Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House, which has operated since 2003 out of a teensy-tiny walk-up at 927 Race St., will move next month to 1022 Race St., former home of a Pho 75 branch.