Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

Drew Lazor

NOW SEATING

In case you needed another option on the already-Viet-heavy strip that is Washington Avenue east, Pho Saigon opened about two weeks back in the Riverview shopping plaza. The menu's got all the heavy hitters, from bun (rice vermicelli) and broken rice dishes to noodle soups and 15 varieties of pho (above). They're open daily from 9 to 9.

Bain's Deli owner Jeff Joles has teamed up with his son Michael to open a second stand in the Bellevue's subterranean food court. Burger Maestro, which debuted Tuesday, specializes in 6- and 8-ounce fresh-ground burgers (starting at $4.99) available with all manner of fixins. Working off the musical theme, there are options like the Reggae burger (Caribbean jerk sauce, bell peppers), the Country/Western (barbecue sauce, bacon, cheese) and the Rap (a burger that swaps lettuce for the Le Bus bun). They've also got a lineup of Chicago hot dogs and hand-cut fries, both sweet potato and regular. The Bellevue's food court hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 to 5 on Saturdays.

LITTLE VITTLES

>> Philly's Jose Garces officially became an Iron Chef this past Sunday. You'll have to wait until Jan. 17 for his first appearance on the Food Network's Iron Chef America, when he battles Seattle-based chef Rachel Yang in Kitchen Stadium. Check out all our Iron Chef coverage on Meal Ticket, including our pre-victory interview with the chef.

>> Suburban Szechuan eatery Han Dynasty will open in mid-December at 108 Chestnut St.

>> Adam and Jen Ritter of the Sidecar Bar & Grille (2201 Christian St.) are opening an as-yet-unnamed beer-focused bistro on the corner of Girard and Montgomery in Fishtown in the first quarter of 2010.

>> Zama (128 S. 19th St.), chef Hiroyuki "Zama" Tanaka's Japanese restaurant, should be open to the public sometime in December. More deets on Meal Ticket.