Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

>> NOW SEATING

Benny Lai's 32-seat BYO sequel to Chinatown's celebrated Vietnam (221 N. 11th St.) opened this past Monday. Lai says he's long wanted to bring his brand to the West Philly neighborhood he's lived in for 30 years. "A lot of the neighborhood, they head out to Chinatown," says Lai. "Now, we can bring Vietnam a little closer to home." The restaurateur's eight siblings are helping out with the new venture, just as they do at Fu-Wah Mini Market down the block from the Café. The menu is a pared-down version of the original's offerings, but the family's got a secret weapon — their momma. "I have to drag her out of retirement to oversee the food for me," laughs Lai. "A lot of people are expecting it to be the same [as the original]. And it will be if she's there tasting the food, keeping an eye on her recipes."

>> WAITING LIST

Back in July, Down Town Club chef Felix Maietta said that this upscale market would be ready to go by fall 2007. Unavoidable construction snags now have that date at early April. Maietta says the space will seat 50 inside and out, with free WiFi and a large community table. There'll be a "big lunch push," with fresh-made wraps, panini, gourmet pizzas and soups; they'll also offer what the chef calls "completes," ready-to-eat meals featuring a protein and two sides. Brunch and a small plates menu, both available only on weekends, will come into focus after they “work the bugs out.” Bookmark the Web site for updates.  

Curbside Chef, a concept founded by marketing firm Popa Media, has acquired the NoLibs space that briefly housed El Wingador's eponymous takeout. Initially, the six-month-old concept (basically, mobile, multimedia upscale food trucks) was developed exclusively for corporate and outdoor events, but it was such a hit that Popa decided to expand it. CC's Derek Bailey says the Girard Avenue location will serve as a commissary for five mobile kitchens that'll take up street residence throughout the city (UPenn, CCP, etc.); inside, it'll feature a 16-seat private dining area that they plan on filming to produce Web content. This whole crazy thing should be up and running within the next two weeks. Bite This: Curbside eats include fish tacos, meatball hoagies, BBQ pork sandwiches and pasta with mussels or clams.