December is usually the busiest month of the year for openings. 2007 is no exception.
The latest -- which opened last night (12/26) -- is The Field House, a sports bar filling the space that was Independence Brewing Co. on Filbert Street across from Reading Terminal Market. It's operated by the crew from the Public House and Mission Grill.
Two other bars rolled out this month:
The Irish Times presents yet another attempt at something at Second and Bainbridge, the corner spot that last housed the Black Door after a series including Pyrenees, Allie's Jazz Bistro, Las Cazuelas Tan-Bien, and Terra Nostra. (Suggested best use for this odd, bilevel space: A swim club-slash-lounge. That's right. Just flood the lower level. Swimsuit optional.)
Up the street, at Second and South, is the days-old Paddy Whacks, filling the former Monte Carlo Living Room.
Other December openings:
Peppercorns: An American with bar, is new at 1401 E. Moyamensing Ave. in the Pennsport section of South Philly.
Kaizan: Sexy Japanese in the Academy House (1420 Locust St.), specializing in the multicourse dining style called kaiseki.
Bindi: Upscale, modern Indian BYOB from the Lolita team.
Javier . A continental BYO in Haddonfield from the Sanabrias, who also own Collingswood's' Word of Mouth.
David's on Main: A 22-year-old's third restaurant operation: a continental, "supper club-style" BYO in Moorestown.
If you lump lounges into the restaurant category, there's G Lounge beneath the Rite Aid and Davio's at 17th and Chestnut; food is dumbwaitered down from Davio's.
I'll post a look at 2008's openings next week.