Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

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Published: Sep 15, 2010

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The Lola Bean | Erica Zito and Mary Button named their brand-new Fishtown coffee shop, which opened this past weekend, after their pooch, Lola, but the vibrant, energetic and adorable interior is far from a dog. Located right up the avenue from Johnny Brenda's, the café pours La Colombe coffee and serves various pastries from Au Fournil, and the owners plan on rolling out a menu of straightforward sandwiches, soups and salads in the next couple of weeks. They're open 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. More photos on Meal Ticket. 1325 Frankford Ave., 215-634-LOLA, thelolabean.com.

On Oct. 1, Elizabeth "Baker E" Halen will take over Rebecca Michaels ' Flying Monkey space at Reading Terminal Market (12th and Arch streets), introducing her signature sweets (whoopie pies!) to the fray. Michaels is focusing on running her Flying Monkey café at 11th and Locust. More on Meal Ticket.

The Sofitel (120 S. 17th St.) will introduce Liberté , a new bar/restaurant concept, to its ground floor in October. More on Meal Ticket.

Manakeesh is the name of the Lebanese-inspired café and bakery opening at 45th and Walnut in November. More on Meal Ticket.

Philly Cupcake (1132 Chestnut St.) has grown its 12th-and-Chestnut operation into the adjacent storefront that was Zack's Café. The expansion, which gives owners Johnny Columbo and Michael Lewis an additional 550 square feet, is being used as an "art kitchen," where customers can check out PC's baking pros prepping, mixing and decorating their wares. The extra room will also allow them to expand their offerings; look for booze-infused "chocolate liquor shooters" and cupcake sandwiches to debut in the coming weeks.

Maru Global Takoyaki (255 S. 10th St.) has launched a brand-new menu, featuring plenty of entrée eats in addition to their speciality, Japanese pop-'em balls. Check out the selection of hand-cut curry fries, which can come topped with ingredients like cotija cheese, pickled daikon radish and beef. Get the full menu on Meal Ticket.

Brit-born Robert Aikens will be the chef at Stephen Starr's still-not-named English pub at 18th and Sansom. Opening is slated for early December.

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