Feeding Frenzy

by Drew Lazor

Now in its second week, this handsome Malaysian/Thai BYO serves up hearty portions at decent prices. The dining area is simple, with rows of cozy tables for two and a soothing waterfall installation. Be sure to check out the ultra-cheap stir-fried noodle options, which draw together Malaysia's Thai, Indian and native culinary styles. Bite This: The bold Indian mee goreng combines stir-fried egg noodles with tofu, potato, shrimp, peanuts and sprouts.

Co-owners Michele DiPietro and Irene Landy, who took over Meritage in June, are not wasting any time changing it up. They'll debut brunch on Sept. 17, and they've centered an outdoor dining program around chef Grant Brown's international small-plates menu. Bite This: One of Brown's more interesting starters is the Moorish beef and chorizo kabobs, served with salsa verde.

The latest installment of this opulent PoA branch (they already boast locations in Lawrenceville and Wilmington) was slated to open in May, but you know how it goes. A recent check-in with the Franklin House staff revealed that the interior framing's done, but no one's quite sure when it'll be up and running. Rumor has it, however, that the couches and lamps bordering the black-tarped windows will be trashed to make way for a lobby dining area and an open-window bar.

It looks like Emerald City, Philly's long-running after-hours dance club, has gone to see the Wizard. The spot officially ceased operations last week, but a post on their Web site states that owners are working on a "new 'non-after-hours' private food/restaurant-based concept." (A First Friday Vesago e-mail bulletin dropped "Penthouse Steakhouse" as a possible name.) Hey man, as long as this new place blasts "Zombie Nation" over and over, I'll be cool.