Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

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Published: Feb 19, 2008

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John McNamee, who owns Washington Square's perpetually packed El Fuego (723 Walnut St.), will open a second shop in the space that formerly housed Palumbo's Grill this May. The new location will be able to accommodate 50 inside, with long communal tables and a wraparound bar similar to the original's setup; outdoor seating will boost the capacity to about 75. A liquor license means they'll be pouring frozen 'ritas, draught brew and a small selection of mixed drinks. Also, if you've dined at the Fuegz before, you know that the burrito architects have excellent taste in music — that's why we're pleased to share that No. 2 will feature a jukebox and DJs spinning weekly. Bite This: New menu items will include white bean and ham soup (to accompany their popular lime ginger chicken soup), nachos and pork carnitas as a filler for burritos and tacos. A Web site for the soon-to-be-mini-chain — elfuegoburritos.com — will go live in the next two weeks or so.

Oklahoma native Vicki Woodard, who runs bread* wholesale bakery out of her Green Street apartment, says she's shooting for April to open a retail space on Fairmount Avenue. Though it'll primarily be a takeaway storefront, it'll also feature between 10 and 12 seats inside and out front. They'll offer their well-loved fresh-baked breads and pastries in addition to sandwiches, soups and salads. ("If we wouldn't pig out on it, we wouldn't sell it," says Woodard.) Bite This: Woodard adds they'll offer a "build a boule" option so patrons can order a fully customized loaf (type of flour, kosher, gluten-free, add-in ingredients like olives and anchovies, etc.) and pick it up the next morning.

Main Street Manayunk's Ben & Jerry's outpost has fallen into the hands of another ambitious duo — brothers and Drexel alums Nick and Antonio Ballias, who will open their self-founded Cavo Crepe Café by mid-March. The "fast casual" concept, which has its flagship location in Atlantic City, is based around the nice and flat French specialty, though the menu expands to offer salads, panini, frozen lattes and more. The brothers caught the crêpe bug after being introduced to them in Greece years back. Bite This: Crêpe options include the Philly Steak (steak, onions, tomato, American cheese) and the Augustus (Nutella with banana and strawberry).

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