Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

Published: February 27, 2008

>> NOW SEATING

The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop

713 N. Fourth St., 267-639-2442, therandomtearoom.com

Open since Feb. 22, the Random Tea Room hopes to introduce some steep competition (sorry!) to NoLibs' café scene. The space is owned by Rebecca Goldschmidt and managed by "Master Tea Tender" Jor Kane, who ran a tea house in Virginia before relocating to Philly. Random's capacity is about 20 seats. The international list includes more than 40 choices, with big regions (China, Japan, India) and up-and-comers (Sri Lanka, South Africa) represented. Tea's available loose, by the cup and by the pot. Kane also makes his own chai. The "curiosity" end comes in the form of antiques, accessories and knickknacks (many tea-related) for sale. Bite This: Random also carries a selection of locally baked snacks. Look for cinnamon-smear, cranberry-buttermilk and cherry/white-chocolate scones.

>> WAITING LIST

The Purple Heart Café

213-217 N. Fourth St., 215-923-5999

Native son Kevin McCourt, who's both a city restaurant vet and an author (he published Dear Dad, Thanks: A Tribute with Outskirts Press in December), says he'll open this straightforward coffee shop with partner Joan Lindsay on March 10. The space, owned by (and located below) the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center (PVMSEC), is dedicated to U.S. vets both in name and on the books. (PVMSEC helps vets find employment and education opportunities and provides them with health services, counseling, etc.) Coffee will start at 75 cents a cup. Food choices will include hot dogs, burgers, chicken and egg salad sandwiches, Irish soda bread, muffins and more.

>> LITTLE VITTLES

Cozco Management's Andy Cosenza (Glam) is bringing a franchise of Cape May's Ugly Mug to the space that housed Sassafras (48 S. Second St.). To keep abreast of the latest, check out citypaper.net/clog, category: Bite This. >> Guess who: This restaurateur, who recently closed something west of Broad, is mucking through the paperwork stages of a "really cool concept" in Washington Square.