Fall Restaurant Opening Preview

Heavy hitters are opening a new crop of restaurants this autumn. 

Lo Spiedo
Maria Pouchnikova

Fall openings are boasting big names, with a long-awaited debut from George Sabatino, sophomore efforts from the Le Virtu and Vedge crews, an ’80s flashback from Kevin Sbraga and a deep South Philly outpost from the Vetri family. Here’s what you have to look forward to this autumn season. 

Brigantessa Chef Joe Cicala and the owners of Le Virtu have taken over a stunning corner of Passyunk Avenue overlooking the fountain and transformed it into a bi-level forneria, a restaurant specializing in wood-fired fare coming from a custom-made oven. Sure there’s pizza, made in the classic Neapolitan style, but Cicala’s also using the imported oven and grill to fire dishes like lamb sirloin with smoked cauliflower puree, cippolini onions and a pistachio gremolata, as well as calamari stuffed with late-season heirloom tomatoes, bread crumbs, parsley and garlic. At the bar, Brigantessa has handcrafted cocktails, 16 beers on draft, eight wines on tap (including a sparkling white), as well as a Cruvinet system for some serious by-the-glass pours. Desserts from Cicala’s wife, Angela Ranalli, are making good use of their shiny new gelato machine. Now open. 1520 E. Passyunk Ave., 267-318-7341, brigantessaphila.com

Lo Spiedo Marc Vetri is heading to the Navy Yard with his latest venture, Lo Spiedo. Italian for “the spit,” the new spot will feature wood-fired fare from executive chef Scott Calhoun with an emphasis on rotisserie meats. You’ll find whole spit roasted lamb, chicken and goat along with vegetables getting the same fiery treatment. Given the limited lunchtime options at the Navy Yard, Lo Spiedo will be open for both lunch and dinner in the two-floor dining room as well as al fresco on the patio. Open late October. 6301 S. Broad St.

Juniper Commons Kevin Sbraga’s third restaurant is taking a trip in the way-back machine to a time when Lionel Richie ruled the airwaves and raspberry vinaigrette was de rigeur on all mixed greens. Taking inspiration from classic throwback restaurants like The Pub steak house in Jersey, Sbraga and chef de cuisine Greg Garbacz are reimagining everything from the salad bar (served table side, no sneeze guards here) to prime rib roasted on a shiny new Grillworks grill. No word yet on whether Juniper Commons will be decorated with ferns, but the bar is planning on mixing up its own take on Bartles & Jaymes wine coolers along with an extensive selection of gin-based cocktails. Open late November. 521 S. Broad St., sbragadining.com

Aldine The eagerly awaited solo venture from chef George Sabatino and his wife, Jennifer, has found a home on the sunny second-floor corner of 19th and Chestnut. Aldine will be offering two nightly four-course tasting menus. Both seasonally inspired, there will be a vegetable-centric herbivore prix fixe menu as well as an omnivore option. A la carte plates will be available for walk-ins and at the bar.  Beverage pairings are coming from Jennifer, and Sara May is heading up the pastry kitchen with desserts inspired by her family’s recipes, including a very good-looking coffee brittle. Open late October. 1901 Chestnut St., second floor

V Street Vedge’s Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby are taking on street food in their new Rittenhouse digs with a menu of internationally influenced vegan plates. The Caribbean gets a nod with jerk trumpet mushrooms with green papaya, cashew and sweet potato aioli. There’s also a duo of cold-weather hot pots with kimchi and congee with mushroom pho jus. Jacoby has put together an intriguing bar menu with a fascinating selection of wines by the glass and cocktails that mirror the jet-setting nature of the menu (the Lima Mist incorporates popcorn and pisco). Open late October. 126 S. 19th St., 215-320-7500, vstreetfood.com

Looking forward There’s plenty more to look forward to a little later in the season, including even more wood-fired fare. Pizzeria Vetri is opening a second location on Chancellor Street in Rittenhouse sometime early 2015. Ben Puchowitz and Shawn Darragh of Cheu Noodle Bar are heading south with Bing Bing Dim Sum (1648 E. Passyunk Ave.), a Passyunk spot specializing in Southern Chinese-inspired dumplings and buns, before the end of the year. And Kensington Quarters (1310-12 Frankford Ave.), the combination restaurant-bar-butcher shop-classroom is getting ready to open its doors in November with chef Damon Menapace, formerly of Alla Spina.