Also on the steak-house front is Reserve, a sexy reinvention of the soaring-ceilinged Old City space that started in the 1990s as Rococo and sank into a series of sketchy clubs. Reserve (123 Chestnut St., 215-964-6262), fronted by Cuba Libre alumnus Didier LaFontant, offers dim lighting, a dramatic bar, live jazz Thursdays through Saturdays, and dinner nightly (entrees start at $22 for chicken); weekend brunch starts Feb. 19. Menu and photos are at www.philly.com/reservephilly.
What's new
Bierstube, a German themer, is the new incarnation of Old City Asian Bistro (206 Market St., 215-922-2958). Owner Mike Naessens, who owns Eulogy and Beneluxx around the corner, had toyed with creating a Chinese-German hybrid - after a historic German occupation of the port city of Tsingtao - but decided to go simple: moderate-priced, Teutonic menu, 16 beers on tap. For now, it's open nightly Tuesdays to Saturdays. Menu and photos are at www.philly.com/bierstube.
Briefly noted
Chef Ben McNamara, a gastropubber before the term was invented (New Wave Café, Dark Horse Pub, and St. Stephen's Green), has landed in Old City at Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant (120 Market St.). PBR also has installed two beer engines (a draft beer system designed for flatter, cask-style ales).
P.J. Whelihan's is looking for a spring rollout of a sports bar in the former Bull Durham's on Wilmington Pike outside of West Chester.
Landmark Americana has signed on to occupy the shuttered Paddock at Devon, at Lancaster Avenue and Old Eagle School Road in Wayne. Timetable for opening has not been disclosed.
Marc Vetri has amassed impressive culinary firepower for this year's Great Chefs Event fundraiser benefiting Alex's Lemonade Stand and the Vetri Foundation for Children, June 12 at Urban Outfitters headquarters at the Navy Yard. See list of chefs at www.philly.com/greatchefs2012.
Contact Michael Klein at mklein@philly.com or @phillyinsider on Twitter. Read much more on his blog, www.philly.com/insider, and follow him at www.philly.com/food.
