Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

NOW SEATING

Opening Friday at 5 p.m., Kraftwork is a serious Fishtown beer bar from Adam Ritter, owner of The Sidecar. A one-of-a-kind interior conceptualized and fabricated by Philly sculptor/artisan Andrew Jevremovic serves as an elegant nod to industry, with plenty of gorgeous wood and steel. They’re doing a lineup of 24 all-draft craft beers (one on cask), plus a small wine list and a few cocktails conceived by local mixologist Christian Gaal (Noble). Chef Michael Thomas, formerly of Bar Ferdinand, is handling the bill of fare. Shareable/small plates (veggie, charcuterie and cheese boards; mussels and fries; flatbread pizza) and sandwiches (burger; trout BLT; beer-can-cooked chicken sandwich) round out the main menu, which will be supplemented by seasonal entrée specials rotating daily. More on Meal Ticket.

Tucked inside the western edge of the Curtis Center (enter on Seventh Street between Walnut and Sansom), Cooperage is a bar specializing in wine, whiskey and Southern-inflected food. Jen Kremer, former sommelier at Parc, is running the joint, and she’s put together boutique wine and spirit programs focusing on harder-to-find selections (the bourbon list is serious business). Chef Ralph Kane is doing eats like battered alligator bites with smoked tomato/red pepper remoulade; a New Orleans muffuletta sandwich; a pecan-crusted catfish with black-eyed pea ragout and sautéed beet greens. A separate café, open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., does coffee and light takeaway. The main kitchen is open Mon. to Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 4 to 10 and Sundays from 4 to 9. More on Meal Ticket.

 Dan Semko and Bret Cavanaugh, longtime friends and natives of Lambertville, N.J., have teamed up to bring us Renaissance, a new food truck specializing in sausage sandwiches crafted using locally sourced and organic ingredients. They’re doling out eats like pork country herb sausages topped with caramelized onions, Asian chicken sausages, and even a vegetarian rendition, a mix-up of local veggies, spices and vegetable proteins. The truck made its debut this past Sunday at Headhouse Farmers Market, and will be at that hotspot every weekend. Weekday hours and stops are still being worked out, but note that the truck will be at the annual Clark Park May Fair this Saturday, May 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More on Meal Ticket.