Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

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Published: Jun 25, 2008

NOW SEATING

Cosimo Tricarico, who owns Valentino on the Square, Caffe Valentino and Paolo Pizzeria, has a new partner for his O.G. restaurant on the corner of Pine and Juniper: Nicholas Maldonado, who was the opening general manager at Bar Ferdinand and also put in time at Amada, Gayle, Mercato, Rouge and more. The space is now revamped, with a butcher-block bar and tables, exposed brick and fresh paint; it's BYOB for the moment, but expect them to post their liquor license any day now. Chef Alberto Lorenzo (Tinto, Alma de Cuba) is cooking up rustic specialties like littleneck clams with spicy Italian sausage and the can't-go-wrong veal chop served with white beans, leeks and bacon in a veal demi-glace.

O'Neal's owner "Spoonie" Rand tended bar at the homey off-South sports bar for more than a decade before buying into Tom and John Mooney's space. They recently sunk $20,000 into massive upgrades for the watering hole's outdoor patio. Open for a few weeks now, the space carries a relaxed, beer garden-y feel, with ceiling fans, halogen recessed lighting, flower boxes and a warm earth-tone color scheme. They are in the process of adding a TV to the space for open-air drinkers. Outdoor patrons are treated to specials on beer buckets and Heineken mini kegs; summer menu specials and seafood nights are on the agenda, as well.

LITTLE VITTLES

>> Wasabi House has completed its move from 1240 Pine St. to the old Taco House/Café Centraal space at 1218 Pine St.

>> The M-Room (15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com) will introduce a dinner menu in the coming weeks. (They've only done brunch, serving painfully well-named platters like the "Hungry Hipster" special, up till now.) Expect items like a 10-ounce mesquite-grilled ribeye; a Texas BBQ pulled pork po' boy; Dublin fish and chips; and an egg-dipped flounder francaise served piccata-style with capers, white wine, lemon and artichoke hearts. Check out the full menu on the M-Room site.

 

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