Ladies and gentlemen, start your menus

While life in the city and suburbs slacks off in the summer, workers get busy pounding out new restaurants to open before the holiday rush.

This year's crop is emerging - an assortment of concepts as familiar as Italian and new American, and as novel as upscale kosher, Mexican and Scandinavian. A couple of chains. And pubs - by the yard-full.

And of course, Stephen Starr. He has some new tricks. He even may be spoiling for a new rivalry with Jose Garces, the guy he brought to town at El Vez and Alma de Cuba, but who is building an empire of his own (Amada, Tinto, and more on the way).

The lineup of new BYOBs - the independent jewel boxes that have become Philadelphia's signature - looks promising, though it may be the smallest list in memory. Barry Goldstein, a lawyer with Goldstein, Friedberg, Goldstein & McHugh in Bensalem who handles many local transactions, says perhaps it's economics, as a liquor license helps cover rising expenses and rents.

Here's a rundown of what's new - including some very new arrivals - and what's on the way:

New

Blue Pear Bistro. The venerable Dilworthtown Inn has added this chic, refined bistro next door; lively bar, too. 275 Brintons Bridge Rd., West Chester, 610-399-9812.

Pietro's Prime. Downtown West Chester gets an upscale steakhouse-seafooder. 125 W. Market St., West Chester, 484-760-6100.

Joe Pesce. Pompeii has reconceptualized (fresher, less-formal Italian) under brothers Joseph Tucker and Robert Liccio; a second location is in the works next month for Collingswood. 1113 Walnut St., 215-829-4400.

Jose Pistolas. Creative burritos y muchos cervezas in the old Copa Too location. 263 S. 15th St., 215-545-4102.

City Grange. Regional American, locally sourced ingredients. Westin Philadelphia, 99 S. 17th St., 215-575-6904.

Zinc. French bistro, a remodeling of La Boheme; neat zinc bar. 246 S. 11th St., 215-351-9901.

Zacharias Creek Side Cafe. High-style American BYOB in Central Montco. 2960 Skippack Pike, Center Point, 610-584-5650.

Triada. Old City lounge with global small plates. 120 Market St., 215-627-2401.

Brio Tuscan Grille. Italian, by way of Columbus, Ohio. 901 Haddonfield Rd., Cherry Hill, 856-910-8166.

Cravings. The North Wales bistro has moved next to the Pennbrook R5 station, adding a larger menu and bar. 155 Pennbrook Parkway (Station Square Shopping Center), Lansdale, 215-855-4500.

Knock. Global dining/lounge. 12th and Locust Streets, 215-925-1166.