This week’s Foobooz food news brings both exciting and saddening updates from the Philadelphia restaurant scene.
In recent developments, Cantina La Martina, a favorite Mexican restaurant in Kensington, announced its closure effective November 2nd.
Chef Dionicio Jiménez shared on social media that the restaurant would not renew its lease and invited patrons to join for a final Celebration of Life event.
Though this marks the end of the Kensington location, the Cantina empire is not over.
Dionicio emphasized that they are searching for a new home for Cantina La Martina and will continue catering and pop-up events.
In another unexpected turn, Iron Hill, a regional restaurant chain with a nearly 30-year history, announced the closure of all its locations last Thursday.
With no prior warning, Iron Hill has left many employees and patrons in shock.
Gift card holders, in particular, found themselves in a tricky situation as the chain’s abrupt end leaves them with unusable cards.
Despite this setback, Stove & Co. has offered a small consolation by accepting Iron Hill gift cards and exchanging them for a $25 gift card at any Stove & Co. location for a limited time.
In more uplifting news, Peter Chang is opening a new restaurant, Mama Chang, in Colmar on October 10th.
This new establishment, named in honor of female influences in Chang’s life, will feature a menu focused on family recipes and comfort food from China’s Hubei province.
The grand opening will also serve as a fundraiser for Manna on Main and promises a community-focused celebration with lion dances and complimentary snacks.
Additionally, the highly anticipated restaurant dancerobot is set to open today, bringing local food enthusiasts a unique dining experience.
The restaurant, focused on Japanese comfort food, celebrates small plates and nostalgic flavors influenced by 1980s Japanese culture.
The Buttery, known for its baked goods and coffee, is opening its third location in Ardmore on October 4th.
To celebrate, they’ll be giving away free sable cookies to the first 100 customers during the grand opening weekend.
There’s also a buzzing excitement for the upcoming Easton Garlic Festival this weekend, showcasing more than 100 vendors including a garlic-eating contest for adventurous foodies.
In a celebration of global flavors, Little Walter’s will host a wine-paired pierogi dinner on October 8th, combining fine dining with traditional cuisine.
Oyster House will also introduce a limited-time lobster roll in collaboration with Paffuto, benefitting Philabundance, emphasizing community engagement.
Lastly, fans eager for Taylor Swift’s new album can enjoy a special Cold Brew drink at Loretta’s, available this weekend in celebration of the singer’s release.
With new openings and community events dominating the news, it’s clear that Philadelphia’s culinary scene is as vibrant as ever, even amidst the challenges faced.
Stay tuned for more updates as these exciting changes unfold across the city.
image source from：phillymag
