AGENDA

Icepack

Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.


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Published: Jan 12, 2010

You wouldn't know from the reception Nine got, but Fergie's right: The urge to "Be Italian" is mighty. As an actual Italian, thank you. I know how hard it is for you un-Mediterraneans. Why else would you watch MTV's Jersey Shore unabashedly and unapologetically? Don't give me that social science shit. (And, because you care: That group appearance of Shorekids at Grey Social I told you about is now at McFadden's. It's sposed ta be Jan. 22, at like $7,500 a Guido. Oh.) Why else would you jump when CP and me talk about Italian food? You'll line up at the Paesano's opening in the Italian Market to suck down "Liberaces" (liver, gorgonzola, pancetta) like you would your mom's gravy. (Then again, I can't vouch for her gravy.) Better yet, Marc Vetri's Amís, which opens at 13th and Waverly, Jan. 14. The guy-behind-the-guy-behind Osteria and Vetri was talking about making an affordable rustic Roman trattoria nearly three years ago, before any economic downturn. Fuggedabutdat. Now, during a Sunday mock-service session, Vetri's readying his pine-n-zinc-covered restaubar just like the ones he noshed out while abroad. "It's our most designed space — the colors, the reclaimed stuff," says Vetri of Amís' tony, moody look. Vetri's doing something that he hasn't done at his other spaces, letting you bring your own wine for a corkage fee. He stresses that the personal wine idea (along with Amís' simple 12 whites/12 reds) and the rustic décor fit in nicely with his menu. "We're doing everything our other restaurants aren't: small plates, focusing on a region, being a little more affordable. Being faster. We broke everything down with Amís. It's raw." And while he can expound upon Amís' Roman menu items with enthusiasm, Vetri gets really rapturous about his tonnarelli cacio e pepe with pecorino and black pepper. Save your appetite for more Vetri in the online version of Icepack.

► Before we leave The Boot: The late, great Frank Zappa is Italian. There ya go. His widow, Gail, just released another new double-CD concert, Philly '76 that was recorded Oct. 29, 1976, at the Spectrum and features fellow Ital Terry Bozzio banging the drums. Atza nize.

► Ramon "el Rock" Martinez, after a teensy hiatus, is bringing his Latin-flavored Y-Rock Internacional back to WXPN-FM and its dot.com radio jawn Jan. 16, Saturdays, 3-4 p.m. Olé.

► WHERES-n-WHENS: Rumor has Crocodile, a Chi-town saloon company with a bar in Brooklyn, taking ovah Moda in Old City for early '10. Rumor has Govberg Watches leaving Boyd's big boutique on Chestnut for Walnut, and Jack Kellmer's location soon. Not a rumor no-more (since Craig LaBan mentioned it in an Inky Stella review): Stephen Starr's next pizzeria is Parc's neighbor, right where Potcheen was.

► So read the tweets: Stephen Starr's director of development got the grand tour of the Piazza Tuesday night. Where and what exactly? Stay tuned.

► Jan. 14 marks the big reopening of The Fire (last night was a teensy one) with a Wilco (ugh) tribute starring Birdie Busch, The Great Unknown, Hezekiah Jones and more, followed by Friday's CD release from The Shutters who waited for the Fire to reopen before popping the cork on their eponymous CD, with Andrew Lipke and Paper Masques alongside them.

► How come SPIN mag's 2010 picks didn't mention synth-chilly Cold Cave is from Philly? Yo.

► Bicycle Diarist David Byrne is hitting Philly to talk not so much about his bike but rather yours on Feb. 4. That's when he'll sit with Alex Doty of the Bicycle Coalition and Ignacio Bunster-Ossa to discuss the "Future of Getting Around" at the Academy of Natural Sciences. It's free, too, though I dare say it's pretty much gone, seat-wise.

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► Also coming to town is Pam Anderson, who'll sell her new perfume by day at Rite Aids (nothing but class) in Narberth and Ardmore. Then at night she'll appear at the opening of the 360 lounge at Parx Casino in Bensalem.

► Before Philly scribes CAConrad and Frank Sherlock (with photog Zoe Strauss) usher forth their joint publication The City Real & Imagined at Feb. 3's Institute of Contemporary Art soiree, the two poets got some stuff to do — like host a potluck at the reopening of Molly's Books, in the Italian Market Jan. 16. "Bring some food or drink to share a poem to read," says Conrad. Two nights later on Jan. 17, the poet pair host musician pals So Lil and I Feel Tractor along with filmmaker Ish Klein at L'Etage.

► If you're a roots musician and you get hooked up with Fleming Artists Booking, it's a big deal. Ask Ani DiFranco and Grant-Lee Phillips. Philly's Hoots and Hellmouth just signed with Fleming and expect to tour even more than their 150 dates in 2009 — so see you home in 2011.

► First, Rosalena's coffee and dessert nosh, now this: Michael's Cafe on East Passyunk is closed. The horror.

► Local muscle-throated singer Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE has always had a big heart. His Light of Day charity has been raising money to fight Parkinson's disease for 10 years now. This weekend he celebrates with gigs Jan. 15 at the Stone Pony, Jan. 16 at the Paramount Theatre and the Wonder Bar, and Jan. 17 at the Watermark, Langosta Lounge and Tim McLoone's Supper Club, all in Asbury Park, N.J. Vincent Pastore — Big Pussy to you — hosts all the shows. It's worth the drive to see LIVE, Jesse Malin and pals as well as giving to the good cause.