A stainless-steel wrap-around bar, in the same spot as Maia's, has almost enough TVs to qualify the area as a sports bar. A bright front dining room, which Maia had used for grab-and-go coffee, also has TVs and is intended for large parties and overflow.
It's open Mondays through Saturdays from lunchtime through late night, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (with brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).
What's new
Carluccio's, a homey, 26-seat Italian BYOB, has opened in the former Shank's & Evelyn's space at 932 S. 10th St. in South Philly (215-574-5000). Carlo Nigro, in his restaurant solo debut and inspired by his family's hometown of Bagnoli Irpino, is open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays. Shank's nostalgists can get their tripe sandwich ($7.50), though Nigro's version is augmented by smoked pancetta. Nigro has set up a deli-style meat slicer in the dining room as a station for antipasti. He pickles his own eggplant, and uses finocchiona (fennel-flavored salami) and bresaola (an air-cured beef) in his antipasto. Most entrees are $15 to $24, though specials (lamb, etc.) are priced higher.
Apollinare is the new incarnation of Vino, the Italian bar at the Piazza at Schmidts in Northern Liberties (1001 N. Second St., 215-923-2014). Umbrian-bred restaurateurs Fabio Auguadro and Andrea Scotacci said the Piazza's Italian feel sold them on the location. They're planning upgrades, including white tablecloths and on-premises bread- and pasta-making. Figure on $10 plates.
Briefly noted
Hawthornes, the beer cafe at 11th and Fitzwater Streets in South Philly, has started dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Chef Jim LoCascio's last night at Barclay Prime on Rittenhouse Square will be Tuesday, and he's going out a winner. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association handed him a National Beef Backer Award for independent restaurant innovator of the year.
Contact Michael Klein at mklein@phillynews.com. Follow his blog at http://go.philly.com/insider and on Twitter @phillyinsider.
