Federal Donuts Center City | South Philly’s house of chicken-and-doughnut worship has expanded north with a second location. The simple concept is the same; the new digs bring a whole new array of not-so-simple flavors. Hot, fresh doughnuts come rolled in flavored sugars like strawberry-fennel or Turkish mocha, while prêt-à-manger fancies include spicy PB&J, maple bacon and green-tea sesame. The fried chicken is good enough to eat plain — but why, when you can order it tumbled in dill-pickle glaze? If you go, get there early to avoid disappointment; chickens start frying at 11 a.m., and doors close whenever they sell out. Open daily, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 1632 Sansom St., federaldonuts.com.
The Saint James | To date, chef Michael Schulson (pictured left, with partner Rob Wasserman) has been known mostly for Asian cooking (Sampan, Izakaya), but his new Main Line project is unabashedly American. Find steaks, chops and a full raw bar alongside red-sauce classics like spaghetti and meatballs and a slate of sweets that reads like a description of the Thanksgiving dessert table. Starters take inspiration from everything from Super Bowl Sunday (pigs in a blanket) to Jewish deli (smoked-trout dip with everything-bagel chips) to classic bistro (filet tartare). For $25 per person, you can opt for a family-style service of the nightly special, which rotates through homey choices like chicken parm and a taco-night spread. Open Sun.-Tue., 4-10 p.m.; Wed.-Thu., 4 -11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 4 p.m.-midnight, 30 Parking Plaza, Suburban Square, Ardmore, 610-649-6200, saintjamesphilly.com.
Ultimo Coffee Graduate Hospital | With a brand-new shop in G-Ho, Ultimo looks to expand the devoted following they’ve built at their original Newbold location. They’re brewing beans from Durham, N.C., roaster Counter Culture, using milk from Lancaster County’s Maplehofe Dairy, and selling baked goods and other treats from local producers like Betty’s Speakeasy, Coco Love and Four Worlds Bakery. Head upstairs for some intensive training at the on-site Counter Intelligence training center, dropping knowledge on coffee pros and amateur enthusiasts alike. Open Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m.-9 p.m., 2149 Catharine St., 215-545-3565, ultimocoffee.wordpress.com
