Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

NOW SEATING

Open since Saturday, Hiroyuki "Zama" Tanaka's restaurant celebrates the former Pod sushi chef's take on Japanese cuisine. Tanaka applies an artist's eye to a menu that features sushi, maki and sashimi selections as well as steamed and pan-seared fish dishes and meat entrées (like New York strip, served with a trio of green tea, smoked soy and wasabi salts). To drink, they're doing sakes, shochu (single-distilled Japanese liquor) and a small selection of cocktails featuring Japanese mixers like Calpis (an uncarbonated, mineralistic, milk-type soft drink) and yuzu concentrate. Zama's interior (above), done up with vertical-slat maple wood, was conceived by Jun Aizaki of crème design, who's done Jose Garces' restaurants. For more photos, check out citypaper.net/mealticket, category: Openings.

Partners Michael Lewis and Johnny Columbo officially opened their designer cupcake boutique last week. They offer 10 cupcake varieties daily, including classics like red velvet and carrot and new twists like Jewish apple streusel and cinnamon swirl coffee with crunch icing. There's more than just the titular treat available, too — they're also doing hot chocolate and La Colombe coffee, cold drinks and gift items like designer cookie jars.

Little Vittles

>> Zavino (112 S. 13th St., 215-732-2400, zavino.com), the pizza and wine bar from chef/owner Steve Gonzalez, opens to the public on Wednesday, Dec. 30, on the crazy-happening corner of 13th and Sansom. The menu features pies like the classic margherita (with Claudio's mozzarella) and the "Philly," with béchamel, provolone, roasted onions and bresaola (Italian cured beef), in addition to antipasti and assorted seasonal specials.

>> Flyers great Keith Primeau is opening a Bain's Deli location on the corner of Broad and Lombard in mid-January.

>> The late, lamented Wawa space in the Dorchester at 20th and Locust has a new tenant — it's now a 7-Eleven. Shortis and cheese-stuffed pretzels for Go-Go Taquitos and Bakery Stix is kinda like the fat guy version of the Lee/Halladay deal.