Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

>> NOW SEATING

Dingy underage drinking epicenter The Four Horsemen (formerly Arena's) is no more, and the spot's new team has already cleaned things up. Thumper's is a venture between couple Sean and Jessica McGranaghan and Cavanaugh's River Deck owner/chef Patrick Pawliczek. They've overhauled the interior, creating distinct dining and pub areas; McGranghan describes the eats as "a step up from pub fare." Bite This: Try the cheesesteak, garlic parm or Buffalo bleu fries.

>> WAITING LIST

We first reported on this still-unnamed G-Ho gastro project in June. Update: Co-owner Ken Hyland says the bar's infrastructure is all but established. The interior will feature a split-level drinking/dining area and an outdoor beer garden; eventually, there will also be a small basement bar. Hyland expects to open mid-February. No official word on a chef just yet, but he hints that they're in serious talks with a vet who boasts 30 years' experience at various Rittenhouse-area eateries.

Andrew Michaels, who has worked at Tangerine and Astral Plane, says that his cozy coffee shop/eatery will be ready tomorrow, Jan. 5. The menu will change weekly, with rotating soups, salads and sandwiches. Who's E? Michaels' young son Emerson, who's also featured on his sign. Bite This: Michaels never knows what he'll whip up until a few days before, but he counts organic Lancaster bacon and sauteed oyster mushrooms among his favorite ingredients.

>> LITTLE VITTLES

An addendum to last's week's tidbit on Mission Grill: The chef is newcomer Jose Vargas, who hails from Caparra Country Club in Puerto Rico. >> Good ol' Woody's (202 S. 13th St.), which was recently snatched up by the Weiss brothers (Bump, Pure), is temporarily closed for renovations. Not to grant them Monopoly status, but passing a Weiss gayborhood property could very well result in you giving them $200.