Table Talk: Sunny Girasole flowers again on S. Broad

March 19, 2009|By Michael Klein, Inquirer Columnist

Michelle Iovino, Girasole executive chef and general…

The Iovino family's Girasole is back on the Avenue of the Arts after a five-year absence. It's now in a boutique space on the Pine Street side of the Symphony House (440 S. Broad St., 215-732-2728).

Girasole, a sibling of the location on Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City, makes you think sunflowers - look at the mural. The 40-seater has rich copper banquettes. A bar area in the front and center seats a dozen, or 24 if they're friendly. Doors will open to the sidewalk in nice weather.

Angela Iovino's menu, prepared by an all-female line, includes pastas, seafood, and various carpaccio selections. Entrees are $21.50 to $32, with some specials higher. It serves weekday lunch (including a $25 prix-fixe), plus dinner nightly (including a $35 prix-fixe before 6:30 p.m.).

What's new

Sakura Mandarin (1038 Race St., 215-873-8338), a Chinese-Japanese mix, has replaced Ong's at 11th and Race in Chinatown. Moderate-priced menu, no alcohol, seafoam-green interior with those utilitarian glass-topped white tablecloths. It's open daily for lunch and dinner.

What's coming

Effie Bouikidis of Effie's, the Greek taverna at 1127 Pine St., will honor the memory of her father, Paul, who died last month. Her new BYOB across the street, at 1120 Pine, will be called Paul. Paul Bouikidis also owned Pine Street Pizza. Paul, targeted for summer, will be a contemporary American.

Ken Shin Asian Diner is looking at a mid-April opening on the northwest corner of Third and Spring Garden, across from Finnigan's Wake. Owner Kenny Poon is partners with his brother Shin on this BYOB, which will combine Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese cuisines (think Pei Wei) in a high-energy atmosphere.

Four Seasons bartender Chris Simpson is one of the partners in the Wine Thief, an American comfort-fooder with a wine emphasis, coming to the former Bitar's space at 7152 Germantown Ave. in Mount Airy, just up the block from Earth Bread + Brewery. Simpson, who says the menu will have a healthful, local-sourcing bent, is targeting May for the opening.

Bibou - Le Bec-Fin alum Pierre Calmels' BYOB in the former Pif space at 1009 S. Eighth St. - is now looking at a mid-April opening. Calmels and his wife, Charlotte, were called back to France recently after her father passed away.

1 | 2 | Next »

Index by Keyword

Index by Date

About Philly.com