Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

>> NOW SEATING

New Jersey native Keith Taylor, who's done everything from reviving the Houston Marketplace at UPenn to handling culinary operations for a multitude of pro sports teams (New Jersey Nets, Baltimore Orioles, New England Patriots, etc.), opened this family-friendly restaurant and live music venue in Roxborough a week back. Formerly Chuck U. Farley's, the space has seating for 140 and three bars, including one that features a wealth of jazz/blues-themed artwork from famed muralist Dane Tilghman. On the menu: 10-inch brick-oven pizzas, Southern and Caribbean-influenced starters/sandwiches (po'boys, conch fritters) and a variety of barbecue meats readied in-house using a $20,000 smoking system. There's also a selection of family-style dining packages.

Chefs Todd Braley and Daniela D'Ambrosio (no relation to CP's Felicia) hope to have their Fishtown bistro open before the summer. The pair, who met while working at the Ritz-Carlton, have cooked all over the place (Braley opened the kitchen at NoLibs' Copper Bistro); their 50-seat restaurant (BYO at first) will be built around locally sourced produce/meats and in-house baking/charcuterie-making. Proposed menu items include escargot encroute with garlic, golden raisins and parsley; onion soup with house-baked baguette; and pan-seared scallops with salsify, chanterelles and red wine jus. More on Meal Ticket.

>> LITTLE VITTLES

>> Tonytonytony Union Trust (717 Chestnut St., 215-925-6000, uniontruststeakhouse.com) started lunch service on March 2. Options include Cajun meatloaf with mashed potatoes, a muffaletta, slow-smoked wagyu beef chili, a 10-ounce USDA prime burger and more. Check it out Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.