Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

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Published: Jun 3, 2008

>> NOW SEATING

May 31 marked the grand opening of Green Line on Locust, the block-away reincarnation of The Other Green Line (4305 Locust St.), which co-owners Douglas Witmer and Daniel Thut opened in 2005. "There's nothing 'Other' about it anymore," says Witmer. True — the new space is about twice the size of its predecessor. The plan is to make GLoL the West Philly mini-chain's primary music venue, shifting from the original Green Line on Baltimore. (When bands aren't performing, the carpeted "stage" will double as a kids' play area.) They'll soon introduce fresh salads and sandwiches at all Green Line locations.

>> WAITING LIST

This Caribbean spot is coming along nicely at the corner of Broad and Norris. Named for the leafy green that's a standard of Jamaican cuisine, Callaloo will work primarily as a takeout, but it will also feature about 10 seats inside and a bit of sidewalk seating. Specialties will include Jamaican must-haves like curry shrimp and jerk chicken. The owners — Richard Rochester; his wife, Simone Vilaire; her sister, Candace Vilaire; and Rochester's good friend, Jerry Melville — are hoping for a mid-July opening.

Buxco's Pete and Paul Kelley will open a Levittown branch of Tennessee's BBQ, a concept that's done well for them up in Boston, on June 9. They'll offer every slow 'n' low staple you can think of — pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken wings, Memphis-style ribs, plus sides like mac and cheese, BBQ beans, collard greens and more. The 85-seat interior was designed by the oh-so-prolific DAS Architects.

>> LITTLE VITTLES

Peggy Zwerver of Earth Bread + Brewery (7136 Germantown Ave., earthbreadbrewery.com) says she and husband Tom Baker are aiming for late June or early July to debut their Mount Airy brewpub.

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