Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

NOW SEATING

Named for the city in Tunisia, Lafayette Bistro is a new NoLibs BYO from partners Mondher Khayat and chef/co-owner Ramzi Boughamni. The menu, largely Mediterranean in approach, features plenty of seafood, handmade pastas, salads and a mix of entrées (topping out at $26); Tunisian tradition crops up in dishes like Couscous Royal, available with veggies or chicken. They're open daily from 4 to 10. For more pics and the full menu, check out our coverage on Meal Ticket.

Opening today, Avenida is a fam-friendly eatery from married chefs Edgar and Kim Alvarez, who last ran the Delaware Market House in Gladwyne. A takeover of what was Cresheim Cottage Café, the restaurant specializes in Latin comfort grub, including dishes from Edgar's native Guatemala. Entrée-wise, you'll soon be able to choose among dishes like pork pibil in a green mole; pepita- and pistachio-crusted tuna; ancho chili-dusted duck; and achiote-grilled shrimp. Avenida is currently BYOB but will have a liquor license in the coming months. They're open Tuesday through Sunday from 3 to 10. For pics and the full menu, check out our coverage on Meal Ticket.

Michael Schulson, chef/owner of Izakaya in AC and host of Ultimate Cake Off on TLC, is unveiling his very first Philly restaurant tomorrow, Dec. 18. A tour-of-Asia-style approach characterizes the menu, which is divvied up into eight tight categories. There are hot apps like crab and curry fritters and a Philly cheesesteak bao bun; cold apps like a take on a Maine lobster roll (this one's got yuzu, crispy shallots and Chinese celery); chicken, lamb, kobe, crab and short rib satays; and noodle dishes like BBQ pork ramen and Korean rice cakes.

LITTLE VITTLES

>> Zama (128 S. 19th St., 215-568-1027, zamarestaurant.com), from sushi chef Hiroyuki "Zama" Tanaka , opens to the public this Saturday

>> The Center City District has announced that 2010's first Restaurant Week(s) will take place Jan. 17-22 and 24-29.