Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

Fairmount residents are getting tipsy off HFD's down-home grub -- no alcohol necessary. Open since September, the dry restaurant also has a no-BYO policy. "There are a lot of people who don't want that type of environment," says co-owner Beverly Douglas. Girl's keepin' busy -- in March, she published her first book, the Christian Will You Be Next? (Holy Fire). Bite This: Heaven's soul food is like manna plummeting from the skies, but probably more delish. Treat yourself to the beef ribs, Cajun catfish or turkey wings.

Apollo owner Rob LaScala wanted to spruce up his Italian eatery for the Center City crowd, so he buffed in some metropolish and slapped his surname on the front.The only significant menu change is that some of the pastas are now homemade. Bella. Bite This: One new dish is the grilled baby lamb chops, marinated in herbs, sea salt and olive oil.

Back in June, we reported that Gayle's Daniel Stern had plans to unveil a new restaurant in the Cira Centre. New news is good news: Rae should be open to the public by mid-December. Stern's piecing together an intricate New American menu that's big on seafood and fine meats. Bite This: We're excited about the winter-braised short ribs, which come drizzled in bacon dressing.

Temple alum Paul David's new Web resource is designed to promote locally owned eateries, all while sticking it to the chains. (We won't name any TGInames.) Restaurants pay to be featured on the site, which reportedly receives 3,000-plus hits a day. My only concern's with the name. Indie makes me think of clove-scented tresses and Death From Above T-shirts. There's nothing appetizing about indie. 'Cept maybe Sufjan Stevens. I'd take him to Chili's any day.