Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

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Published: May 2, 2007

>> NOW SEATING

This big-city offshoot of the upscale Indian mini-chain Palace of Asia, which we first told you about last September, finally opened May 2. A recent walkthrough of the breathtaking 185-seat interior revealed two lounges (the lobby features a resortlike walk-up bar) and plush dining areas. Joel Batchelor, who managed Zanzibar Blue, will run the floor; Lacroix sommelier Eric Simonis handpicked the wine list, which features selections from India's own Sula Vineyards. Bite This: The lamb rojanjosh is marinated in East Indian spices and cooked with tomatoes in a creamy sauce.

Bella Vista's three-week-old Bean Exchange is owned and operated by Matt Armstrong, a former bond trader who began roasting his own green beans three years ago. The open-air space, which features high-end WiFi and a swank water filtration system, was designed by Armstrong's mother-in-law; it'll accommodate just under 50 as soon as the Italian patio furniture arrives. Bite This: Around 80 percent of the café's light fare comes from neighborhood producers like Isgro Pasticceria.

Jim Piano, who spent years at Bridget Foy's as both chef and GM, is one of the faces behind this new Euro-fied wine and small plate bar. Piano says he was careful to leave touches from the original Chick's Cafe intact: The tin walls, stained glass and etched-wood bar got polished, not demolished. The wine list, which spans Italy, Spain and France, features 40 choices by the glass and 60 by the bottle. Bite This: Piano's braised shortribs are served over polenta with mountain gorgonzola.

>> CHECK, PLEASE

Calm down. Let's start off by saying this: Dahlak as you know it is closing, but that doesn't mean it's going the way of the megalodon. The owners of Desi Village (145 S. Gulph Road, King of Prussia) recently confirmed that they've purchased the Dahlak on Germantown, but stressed that they're keeping the current menu intact. But, they're tossing Desi's menu into the fold, which means the spot will quite possibly be the world's first � wait for it � Ethiopian/Eritrean/Indian restaurant. Should be officially open by this weekend. No, I am not shitting you.

 

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