Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

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Published: May 16, 2007

>> NOW SEATING

"I always wanted to [become] a surgeon," says Diana Guzman. "But I didn't, so I became a hairdresser." We're not sure when girl got bit by the restaurant bug, but we're glad she did: Guzman is the big personality behind Cobre, a Latin-flavored restaurant/lounge that opened two weeks ago. The space can accommodate 100; there's nothing over $15 on the Puerto Rican/Mexican menu. Guzman says the main distinction between the cuisines can be found in the seasonings: Puerto Rican versions of achiote, sofrito and tocino are more bold than spicy. Bite This: The kitchen even makes the simple stuff � chicken tenders, mozz sticks and tortillas � from scratch.

>> WAITING LIST

Sansom Street Oyster House owner Cary Neff recently gave us an update on this Queen Village project, which looks to break the Fifth-and-Bainbridge curse that's doomed a number of previous tenants (Angelina's Restaurant most recently). Neff is completely gutting the interior. A raw bar will feature weekly oyster specials; for dinner, expect rustic, French-inspired choices and an separate late-night menu. Look for it to open sometime in late June.

Robert "Bobby Chez" Sliwowski plans to have his seventh Bobby Chez location open at Broad and South by September. The award-winning crab-cake king, who opened in Washington Township last week, says this spot will feature around 45 seats with an elevated sidewalk patio. The location will also offer salads, dinner platters and curbside pickup � all new weapons in the Chez arsenal.

Global Dish caterers Mitch and Jennifer Prensky are looking at late July for Supper, their "urban farmhouse" concept right on South. Mitch says he wants to bottle the fleeting excitement of transforming a space into an exclusive restaurant for a single night � a practice he dubs "L'Atelier" � and apply it to a permanent sit-down. The menu isn't finalized yet, but Mitch says every Sunday will feature a $35 to $40 fixed-menu, family-style "supper." "You'd never walk into a friend's house and ask the menu ahead of time," he explains of the concept. "You just trust them."

 

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