FOOD

Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending


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Published: May 5, 2009

>>NOW SEATING

Brew
1900 S. 15th St., 215-339-5177

Brew, the ambitious beer/java concept from South Philly Tap Room's John Longacre and Joe Bedia and coffee guy Aaron Ultimo (above), will open this Friday at 7 a.m. While the liquor license is still en route (expect between 500 and 800 choices), Newboldians should get familiar with Ultimo's style — every morning till 11 a.m., he offers house fuel brewed in a Chemex coffeemaker. After 11, choose from a lineup of four artisanal coffees (everything's sourced from North Carolina's Counter Culture roaster). Ultimo and Co. hand-brew using a pour-over dripper system. All espresso drinks are made with double shots and locally sourced milk. For eats, there'll be bready things from Four Worlds Bakery and a lineup of simple sandwiches.

Thai Singha House To Go
106 S. 20th St., 215-568-2390

West Philly's Thai Singha House (3939 Chestnut St.) has expanded east with this lunch/dinner spot in what was formerly Gianna's Jr.'s. Eats include apps like veggie spring rolls and crab dumplings; noodle staples like pad Thai and pad see uie; various rice dishes; and chef's specialties like salmon curry, duck curry, and chicken and shrimp with cashews. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat., 4-9:30 p.m.; closed Sun.

>>WAITING LIST

Grey Restaurant & Lounge
132 Chestnut St., 215-922-4739, greylounge.com

Darin Picorella is roughly three weeks away from opening Grey on the Chestnut Street strip that already features eateries like Zento, Eulogy and Ariana. Back in the early 20th century, the space operated as a wholesale tea supplier — but Picorella says it was a speakeasy, too. Grey, then, will throw it back to this lineage, with vintage décor (chinoiserie fabric panels, vintage wallpaper) and Prohibition Era-style cocktails (others will feature tea-infused liquors). A "simple French" menu will feature eats like seared foie and a charcuterie platter. (Picorella says he's working on opening a second Grey location in Rittenhouse this fall.)