At the door is a sideboard, where Mitch Prensky slices bread for the tables and rations out cheeses and jars of preserved food. The ambitious new-American menu, executed by chef de cuisine Brinn Sinnott, is based on dishes that are slightly larger than typical appetizers but smaller than a main course. Patrons are encouraged to order two or three plates per person, which brings the per-person tab to about $65.
A couple of for-instances: marinated octopus with escarole, honshimeji mushrooms with miso dressing ($18), Berkshire pork belly with lentil cassoulet and miso-poached quince ($24), and slow-roasted chicken breast with onion soubise, dried plums and marjoram, $22.
For now, it's open for dinner only Tuesdays through Saturdays. They're planning "Sunday Supper," a come-as-you-are seated dinner ($35).
What's new
Caterers Christine Fischer and partner Clara Gomez also have gone the restaurant route, rehabbing Center City's Astral Plane - which closed in July after 34 years - into
Astral Plane Millennium (1708 Lombard St., 215-735-0815). Fischer briefly ran ChriStevens at Ninth and South Streets. Gone are the Astral Plane's parachute ceiling and knickknacks, in favor of simple, creamy white walls, track lighting, and white tablecloths. Also gone, much to Fischer's dismay, is the liquor license, which building owner Reed Aphagian sold. It's BYOB, though Fischer wants to buy a new license. The international menu, mostly organic and locally sourced, tops out at $28 for lamb chops and mixed grill. Specialties are carpaccio (beef, salmon, scallops).
What's coming
That spiffily renovated spot at Moyamensing Avenue and Reed Street in Pennsport has a name,
Peppercorns, and it's looking for a mid- to late-November opening. Concept will be new American, more restaurant than bar. Operators are interviewing chefs.
