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More of West Ave Grille and Dmitri's

West Ave Grille's Dresher location borrows much of Carambola's decor.

By Michael Klein, Inquirer Columnist

Posted: March 25, 2010

Two local dining fixtures have branched out.

Nine years to the day that West Ave Grille opened in Jenkintown, the casual, big-menued American opened a second location in Dresher's Dreshertown Shopping Center (1650 Limekiln Pike, 215-367-5428). Decor is much the same as it was under previous occupant Carambola. Both locations are open from 8 a.m. through dinnertime from Tuesdays through Sundays.

Dmitri's, which has been on the city's map since 1989 for its grilled Greek specialties, has stretched its tentacles into Northern Liberties for Dmitri Chimes' third location, joining the Queen Village original and the 10-year-old Fitler Square outpost. The BYOB at 944 N. Second St., at Laurel Street (215-592-4550), is open for dinner daily from 5:30 p.m., has about 30 seats on tiny marble tables, plus a dozen at the counter. Dmitri's usual rules of engagement apply: cash and checks only, no reservations.

What's coming

After three weeks of menu development in the kitchen at Barclay Prime, chefs Dionicio Jimenez and Chris Painter have moved into a new kitchen at El Rey, the Stephen Starr-owned Mexican cantina being built at 2013 Chestnut St. that is due to open in late April. The Puebla-born Jimenez, last at Xochitl, told me that his menu will focus on simple, homemade, street foods from Puebla and Veracruz, including cemitas (sandwiches), chalupas, crepas, and Veracruz-style seafood. Painter, who runs Starr's culinary team, is jazzed about halibut with avocado leaf butter and cazuela de Carné (with black beans, skirt steak, avocado, and cactus).

Serafina, coming to the high-rise 10 Rittenhouse (18th and Sansom Streets) this fall, has five locations in Manhattan, but the Philly location won't resemble any of them, said Robert J. Ambrosi of the developer ARC Properties. The menu will be simple Northern Italian food focused on a wood-burning grill and pizza oven.

Briefly noted

Solaris Grille's location on Skippack Pike in Center Square has been redone as a branch of Tequila Joe's, owner John Anderson's budget-friendly cantina in Oreland. The opening is tomorrow.

Butterfish in West Chester closed, just shy of three years. Gift certificates will be honored at sister restaurant Spence Cafe.

Honey in Doylestown will begin Friday and Saturday lunch service (11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) on April 2.

Tickets are on sale for the star-studded Great Chefs Event sponsored by the Vetri Foundation, at Urban Outfitters at the Navy Yard on June 15. It benefits Alex's Lemonade Stand. See www.vetrifoundation.org.

Contact columnist Michael Klein at mklein@phillynews.com. For real-time restaurant information, see http://go.philly.com/insider.