Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

>> NOW SEATING

Vincent Whittacre and Roger Harman, who formerly owned the now-defunct Abbraccio, are back in the West Philly swing of things with the Gold Standard, which opened under the radar this past Monday. Named for the restaurant Harman and late partner Duane Ball ran in the '70s at 47th and Chester, the space is both a sit-down daytime café (La Colombe coffee, sandwiches, etc.) and a BYO dinner spot Wednesday through Sunday. Comfort food is the specialty here — the menu will change regularly, but will feature dishes like meatloaf, osso buco and fettucine alfredo.

>> WAITING LIST

Varga Bar

Varga Bar, from George and Valerie Anni and chef R. Evan Turney (Valanni, Mercato), will open to the public next Wednesday, May 20. On the ceiling above the bar, Jenkintown-based artist John Albright painted a mural homage to Alberto Vargas (right), who popularized pinup girls in the early 20th century. Frilly underthings aside, this is a beer bar — there'll be 20 crafts on tap, with two hand pumps and a specialty house brew from Flying Fish. Turney's all-American menu will include hickory-smoked ribs glazed in a tangerine and chili sauce; truffled mac and cheese with gruyere, fontina, mascarpone, parmesan and applewood-smoked bacon; and a kobe beef hot dog cooked in Sly Fox Helles and topped with homemade chili.

>> LITTLE VITTLES

>> Max Brenner, the high-style chocolatier, will open a Philly location at 1500 Walnut in June or July.

>> Blackfish Stone Harbor (9628 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, N.J., 609-967-9100, blackfishrestaurant.com), the shore imprint of chef/owner Chip Roman's popular Conshy BYO, is now open. More details on Meal Ticket.