Japanese BYOB coming to Manayunk

Yanako, a Japanese sushi and cuisine restaurant, is due to open in Manayunk on July 20. Overall of the ozashiki room. ( Charles Fox / Staff Photographer )

Michael Klein

Posted: July 19, 2012

Moon Krapugthong, who owns Chabaa Thai in Manayunk, is going the Japanese route with a second BYOB opening Friday just down the street.

For Yanako (4255 Main St., 267-297-8151), she enlisted a team of designers that included new graduates of Philadelphia University architecture program. One of them, Jun Suh, is segueing into the general manager's role. Smashing job: The former boutique now has a two-story skylight. Birdcagelike light fixtures hang from the ceiling over a terra-cotta overhang. There's also seemingly enough cedar to clad all of Manayunk, plus a gleaming, 18-foot bar made of monkey wood. Those who require a window seat will like the ozashiki room, which is like a tatami room but with floor-based seats rather than mats. Instead of cramming people in a waiting room up front, Krapugthong will steer folks into an area beyond the sushi bar, where they can chat with her in the kitchen.

Chef Haruo Ige, who had been working with Krapugthong at Chabaa Thai, is chef. His menu includes sushi/sashimi, teriyaki ($18 to $25), tempura ($16 and $19) and bento boxes ($25 and $35). It's open daily for lunch and dinner.

Fond on the move

Three years after their debut on East Passyunk, Fond owners Lee Styer and Jessie Prawlucki and Tory Keomanivong are on the move from 1617 E. Passyunk Ave. They're not going far — 289 feet, according to Google Maps. They're taking 1537 S. 11th St. They'll pick up a liquor license at the new location, which is expected to open in October and November. Styer says the new Fond will have a six-seat bar. They have not determined what they will do with their current location. Prawlucki also owns Belle Cakery, a dessert shop, at 1437 E. Passyunk.

Restaurant weeks

University City Dining Days, through next Thursday, has special pricing ($15, $25 or $30 per person) on three-course meals at 34 restaurants.

Ambler Restaurant Week runs July 20-29, covering two weekends.

Farm to Fork Week from the SJ Hot Chefs runs July 22-28 with four courses for $35. Details at www.philly.com/mike.

Changes

The Argentinean-Italian BYOB 943 in the Italian Market is closed while chef/owner Pascual "Pat" Cancelliere recovers from triple heart bypass surgery.

The South Street-area bar scene is getting a shake-up. Cavanaugh's, which has locations in University City, Rittenhouse, and the Delaware Riverfront, is buying the Dark Horse Pub (421 S. Second St.). The deal is pending transfer of the liquor license, expected in August. The Dark Horse is open pending the change.

Briefly noted

Fish, Mike Stollenwerk's seafooder at 13th and Locust Streets, has started Sunday brunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Besides à la carte options, there's a $35-per-person "endless" family brunch (two-hour limit).

Opa, the Greek restau-bar at 1311 Sansom St., just opened a nighttime beer garden in what was a depressing alley leading out to Drury Street — hence its name of Drury Beer Garden. The bar, fashioned from an old dresser, has what appears to be a boom box but actually plays tunes from an iPod. Table tennis, too.

Photos, menus, and additional details about these restaurants, plus dining news, can be found at www.philly.com/mike.