Table Talk: New at 10th and Spruce

The corner of 10th and Spruce is expected to have not one but two newcomers in the next few months. The short-lived Sauce (on the northeast corner) is getting new life as a casual Mexican restau-bar from George Markakis, owner of Old City's GiGi. Working name is Azul, and he's shooting for March 1.

Konstantinos Pitsillides, who cooked at the recently closed Meze in South Philly, settled last week on the space on the northwest corner that for 27 years housed Logan's. (The Kravaris family has retired.)

Pitsillides, working with wife Caroline, says the concept of Kanella - Greek for cinnamon - will be Greek-style Cypriot BYOB. Pitsillides, who grew up on the Mediterranean island, calls it an amalgam of Greek, Turkish, French and Italian - basically a round-up of the conquerors. He hopes to open in March. Pitsillides previously worked in London for 14 years and briefly worked at Bistro St. Tropez.

That general neighborhood (that is, Midtown Village, Washington West, etc.) will gain even more newcomers, besides previously mentioned the Waverly at 13th and Waverly, and the revived Minar Palace at 1304 Walnut St.:

Expect an opening any day at the southeast corner of 10th and Chestnut Streets for Blue in Green, marking a return to the hipster breakfast-lunch game for Michael Baer. He's opened and closed two Blue in Greens, first in Old City and a second on Jeweler's Row.

Susan Schlisman, who owns the Sam's Grills in Wynnewood and Jenkintown as well as Devil's Alley at 1907 Chestnut St., plans to take over the northwest corner of 11th and Sansom Streets for a third Sam's Grill - think comfort food and a low-key vibe. She plans to install Terry Owens, now running the kitchen in Wynnewood, as executive chef and is hoping to open this summer.

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