Italian restaurateur finds success at lower price

Joseph Tucker, who got his start in Philly in the 1990s with fancier Italian establishments (Joseph's, Joseph's on the Avenue, Pompeii), is thriving nowadays with lower price points and more modest aspirations.

Besides Joe Pesce on Walnut Street in Center City, the collection of Tucker and his wife, Chasity, now includes three BYOBs: A Joe Pesce in Collingswood, Thomas' Ristorante in Moorestown, and now Mom's Kitchen (505 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, 856-858-6667).

Mom's - named for Chasity's mother, Joy Ann Leuzzi - is a simple 50-seater in a former Curves salon. Chef Anthony DiSabato is doing Italian-influenced comfort food; entrees are under $20. It's open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays, plus 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays for breakfast. See the dinner menu at http://go.philly.com/mkitch.

What's new

Tiffin, Munish Narula's Indian BYOB, has opened another location, in Elkins Park Square (8080 Old York Rd., Elkins Park, 215-635- 9205). Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. He's planning spots in Wynnewood and Bryn Mawr.

What's coming

Vietnam Cafe, the West Philly branch of Chinatown's Vietnam, opens Tuesday in the larger space next door (816 S. 47th St.) that was Abbraccio. For 30 days, it will operate as a BYOB, and then pick up a liquor license.

Tuesday is the firm opening of Percy Street Barbecue at Ninth and South Streets (the former Crescent City), the latest project from Steve Cook and Michael Solomonov of Xochitl and Zahav, with chef Erin O'Shea. (She previously was chef at Marigold, which Cook/Solomonov sold earlier this summer to chef Robert Halpern.) Initial hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, till 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Bar will stay open until 2 a.m. After a few weeks, it will be open for lunch. Design is by Elisabeth Knapp, who also designed Zahav and Xochitl.

Win Signature Restaurants, which took over the upstairs space at Maia in Villanova in July with Azie on Main, will take the downstairs for an American-style comfort food/bar in the spring. There's no name yet.

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