Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

NOW SEATING

Drew Lazor

Opening tomorrow, Jose Garces' seventh Philly stronghold is the chef's celebration of American growers and producers. Completely overhauling the former Rae space in the Cira Centre, the soaring 175-seat restaurant — look for the "living wall" of greenery that frames out the front dining area — features a menu and beverage approach shaped exclusively around artisanally crafted products from within the United States. Chef de cuisine Dave Conn, formerly of Garces' Tinto, oversees an ever-changing (and decidedly un-Latin) menu. JG Domestic is open for lunch weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and serves dinner Monday to Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. More on Meal Ticket. Cira Centre, 2929 Arch St., 215-222-2363, jgdomestic.com.

Biba

The owners of Tria have opened this boutique wine and beer bar on the strip of Walnut leading into University City. Guests can pull up a bar stool, share a perch along a central communal table or even stand around a couple of barrels that double as high-tops to enjoy a tight selection of wines by the glass and beers by the bottle (they also have one cask selection). The food-and-cheese approach is smart and less elaborate than Tria's — think crostini, house-sliced charcuterie and just a few salads and sandwiches. Biba's open Sunday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. with lunch hours soon to follow. More on Meal Ticket. Left Bank Building, 3131 Walnut St., 215-222-BIBA, bibawinebar.com.

Blackbird Pizzeria

Chef Mark Mebus has partnered with Ryan Moylan to open a new all-vegan pizza and sandwich operation in the corner space that was Gianna's Grille for-ev-er. Mebus, who's cooked locally at Horizons plus several other vegan spots in New York, offers specialties like a "South Philly" pie with seitan sausage, broccoli raab, fennel, eggplant, red sauce and vegan Daiya cheese; and a veg-friendly play on a Cubano sandwich with baked tofu and seitan pepperoni. Blackbird is open Tuesday to Sunday from 3 to 10 p.m. More on Meal Ticket. 507 S. Sixth St., 215-625-6660, blackbirdpizzeria.com.

Stephen Starr, Marc Vetri and Cescaphe Ballroom owner Joe Volpe have signed on to open concepts in developer Eric Blumenfeld 's raw space at 600 N. Broad. Starr is doing Route 6, a New England-style seafood restaurant; Vetri is prepping Birreria 600 , an Italian beer bar; and Volpe intends to open a 700-head private event space. All three concepts are slated for 2011 debuts. More on Meal Ticket. >> The Chipotle location that took over Susanna Foo (1512 Walnut St.) will open Oct. 20. >> South Philly's Green Eggs Café has opened a second location at 719 N. Second St. in NoLibs.