Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

Drew Lazor

NOW SEATING

Darin Picorella's brand-new lounge, which soft-opened last Friday (should be running full-time by this weekend), is bringing a classy, slightly different vibe to stereotypically be-douched Old City. The two-story space (it's said it was a speakeasy way back when) is one big thematic talking point, with a triple-tiered chandelier, exposed brick, aluminum café tables and leather banquettes. There are Prohibition-era cocktails like the French 75 and the Clover Club (and more modern ones featuring tea infusions), plus a fairly priced French bistro-inspired menu, from chefs Alonzo Washington and Jose Calderon, that features tartares, raw bar eats, bruschetta and sandwiches. More photos and the menu on Meal Ticket.

Jolly Weldon unveiled his latest Philly project, a dynamic piano bar with food and booze, this past Friday. The 125-seater features a happy hour from 6 to 8 with $3 beers, wines, bites and cocktails. Chef Brendan Smith of Smith's Restaurant | Lounge and B*Smith's Gourmet Catering designed the finger-food-friendly menu, which features eats like flatbread pizzas, sliders and spring rolls for under $10. Pianists Anthony "Tony T" DeCarolis and "Wildman Joe" Marchetti perform on double baby grands Tuesday through Saturday starting at 8 p.m. More photos and the menu on Meal Ticket.

A newcomer to the UCity mobile grub game, Coup de Taco is a joint venture from longtime friends Peter Berman, Jeff Henretig and Richard Lopatin, who first met as classmates at Lower Merion High School. The trio came up with the business plan for a taco truck in May, and they officially launched Monday, offering three fresh-made taco varieties — chicken in a sweet Thai coconut basil sauce with peanut paste and marinated apples; barbecue pulled pork (or seitan) with jicama slaw; and a chicken or seitan tikka masala taco with basmati rice. (You can also order in rice bowl, salad or combo platter formats.) They're serving from 40th Street, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 to 3.