Three new restaurants to try
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Philadelphia's first vegan bar, an izakaya concept comes to West Philly and more.
Rival Bros. Coffee/via <a target="blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/RivalBrosCoffee/photos/pb.274767569206826.-2207520000.1401294028./845754235441487/?type=3&theater">Facebook</a>
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CoZara | Chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka’s U City outpost is open but there’s not a single roll on the menu. Instead of sushi, Tanaka has opted for an izakaya concept for his second restaurant. CoZara is focusing on drinking-friendly fare with a menu of bar bites ranging from classics like tsukune (chicken meat-balls) and yakitori to Sichuan-marinated lamb chops and edamame hummus with lotus chips. The daytime menu is looking good with lunch sets, ramen and rice bowls. The bar is pouring an impressive selection of Japanese imports like Hitachino Nest Nipponia, an ancient barley ale and house-brewed white and tan. Open Mon.-Thu., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat., 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sun, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 3200 Chestnut St., 267-233-7488, cozaraphilly.com.
Charlie was a sinner. | Say hello to Philadelphia’s first vegan bar, Charlie was a sinner. Nicole Marquis of vegan favorite Hip City Veg tapped The Mildred’s chef Mike Santoro to oversee the menu at this newly opened 13th Street cafe-by-day, bar-by-night. The three-part menu begins with a sizable cocktail list (wheatgrass with a shot of Chartreuse?), 11 wines by the glass, a short and sweet collection of beers and a handful of good-looking mocktails. Santoro has drafted an all-over-the-board menu of sharable vegan plates like beet-root dumplings, chargrilled young leeks with romesco and a selection of toasts. Open Sun.-Thu., 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 a.m.-midnight. 131 S. 13th St., 267-758-5372, charliewasasinner.com.
Rival Bros. | The coffee forecast in Fitler Square just got a whole lot sunnier. Jonathan Adam’s and Damien Pileggi’s Rival Bros. flagship is open for business. Along with single origin and custom blend coffees from a shiny new La Marzocco espresso machine and Fetco Extractor brewer, Rival Bros. is serving pastries and toast from High Street on Market with butter from Trickling Springs and jams from neighboring Green Aisle. Open daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 2400 Lombard St., rivalbros.com.
