Food and Drinq

American? ... Italian? ... American? ... American? ... Italian?

Here comes another restaurant change in the Jenkintown train station.

After three years, Jonathan's American Grille went el foldo over the weekend. Owners are retooling it into Pomodoro.

The space came into prominence as a restaurant in 1986 as Greenwood Grille. When that went cold three years later, it became Stazi Milano. Despite the bizarre interior, it rolled though the 1990s. By 2003, it was back to American under the name Station Grill. That lasted two years.

So now the owners are trying Italian. No matter that midpriced Italian food is everywhere in Eastern Montco, including the months-old Primo Bacio in the Towers at Wyncote down the road. And no matter that "Pomodoro" is one of the most hackneyed Italian restaurant names in existence.

Jose Garces -- fresh from opening Distrito and victory over Bobby Flay in "Iron Chef America" -- has another restaurant coming up. And it's not Chifa, his Peruvian-Chinese melange that he has up for 707 Chestnut St. next year.

Cast your eyes to the northwest corner of 20th and Sansom Streets, next door to the expansion of Tinto. It's the former Crimson Moon coffeehouse.

Garces tells me that he'll take it over next year for what he calls a very casual concept, to be determined.

You may have heard rumors last year that Garces wanted to do a casual Latin spot at what was Mandoline, the tiny corner spot next to Amada at Chestnut and Strawberry Streets in Old City. That plan fell through. The space is now Meju, a Korean BYO.

Paxia, which rolled out in July at Eighth and Christian Streets in Bella Vista, is finally getting around to its grand opening. Brothers-in-law/owners Ismael Torres and Dionicio Jimenez (he's chef at Xochitl) and manager Kimberly Funderburk are making an evening of it on Monday, Sept. 15 from 6 p.m. They're doing a $25 three-course fixed-price dinner, accompanied by strolling mariachi. It's BYO, and they have house-made margarita mixes. Reservations at 215-413-0171.

Big round of restaurant opening and reconceptualizations, amid what many feel is the worst economic climate for dining in decades.

El Azteca II at 714 Chestnut St. is looking to reopen the week of Sept. 7 after a redo. The cantina, which had its share of infamy last year thanks to tequila-toting college kids, is applying to the state to transfer its liquor license into the space from its second location in Northeast Philadelphia. Owner Agustin Mata says he wants to close the Northeast branch, which is on Grant Avenue. El Azteca is on the same block as Jones, Las Vegas Lounge, Aqua, Morimoto, the forthcoming Chifa from Jose Garces, and the forthcoming Union Trust steakhouse. There was a recent tempest in a teapot over Union Trust's liquor application (one opponent, who it turns up ended up filing too late); an LCB spokeswoman tells me that the board has not heard from any opponents about El Azteca's posting. So far, that is. The application was received in Harrisburg on Aug. 8.

Also on the cantina side: Adobe Cafe's South Philly branch is to open Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1919 E. Passyunk Ave.

Melograno, which had to vacate its space at 22d and Spruce to make way for Mémé, is targeting Sept. 16 for its new spot at 2010 Sansom St.

Minar Palace at 1304 Walnut St. is just awaiting a health inspection, which was supposed to happen Sept. 3, but didn't.

Alison Barshak had promised us that we'd be able to wear white shoes to the opening of Alison two in Fort Washington. Still no opening date, alas.

Caffe Casta Diva at 227 S. 20th St. is looking at Sept. 13 for a reopening after a dramatic renovation that's updated the early 20th century opera house imagery and doubled the seating.

Alisa Cafe in Cherry Hill has called it a career. The BYOB started 24 years ago in Upper Darby and moved to Cherry Hill in 2004. Chef/owner Tony Kanjanakorn is unsure of his next steps.

... for sure ... without a doubt ... bet your bottom rupee.. Wednesday, Sept 10. That's according to an email blast Saturday night from manager Daz Singh. Minar was forced from its longtime home on Sansom Street near 16th two years ago. .

The new location:
1304 Walnut St
215.546.9443

The email adds that hours will be Monday - Friday: 11:30 am to 9:00 pm
Saturdays : 11:30 am to 7:00 pm
Sundays closed

Visa/MasterCard will be accepted with a $15 mininum, and there will be delivery with a $15 minimum

It's BYO.

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