Michael Klein: Nomad Pizza rolls into Philadelphia
What a long, strange trip it's been for Nomad Pizza Co. The onetime wood-fired mobile pizzeria - run from a 1949 REO Speed Wagon that co-owner Stalin Bedon won on eBay - put down roots nearly three years ago with its first shop in Hopewell, N.J. All sorts of awards followed.
What a long, strange trip it's been for Nomad Pizza Co.
The onetime wood-fired mobile pizzeria - run from a 1949 REO Speed Wagon that co-owner Stalin Bedon won on eBay - put down roots nearly three years ago with its first shop in Hopewell, N.J. All sorts of awards followed.
Then came a call from Philadelphia. You need to open a Nomad here.
And so Friday, just off South Street, Bedon and business partner Tom Grim mark the debut of Nomad Pizza Co. (611 S. Seventh St., 215-238-0900). The oven, on the ground floor, is a replica of the one on the back of the Speed Wagon. Seating on the second floor is communal. Figure on a dozen craft beers on tap, plus a mostly Italian wine list.
Hours will be 5 to 10 p.m., later on weekends.
What's new
Terry Berch McNally and chef Michael McNally, whose London Grill has been at 23d Street and Fairmount Avenue for going on 21 years, are launching the French-inspired Paris Wine Bar next door, in the space previously used as a takeout shop and insurance office. The Euro setting showcases Pennsylvania-produced wines that will be offered on draft from makers such as Allegro, Pinnacle Ridge, Galen Glen, and Manatawny. Great pricing: $7 to $9.50 per glass, with some at $4 during the 5 to 7 p.m. happy hour. London and Paris now share a menu; see it at www.philly.com/pariswine.
Briefly noted
Divan, dispensing Turkish delights at 22d and Carpenter Streets since spring 2006, will close after dinner service Feb. 20. Owner Ilker Ugur says he has found buyers for the business, and he will be the landlord. The new operators, based out of town, will do a gastropub, he said.
Sticks & Stones, which opened at 1909 E. Passyunk Ave. in November 2010, has closed. Evicted.
The Trestle Inn (11th and Callowhill Streets) has added Saturday brunch with classic cartoons projected onto the walls.
Jane G's, a pan-Asian, is shooting for a spring opening at 1930 Chestnut St., the art-deco building on the 20th Street corner. Owner Jane Guo owned the late Noodle Heaven (where Bliss is now on Broad Street). Jane G's will be a 125-seater with cocktail bar, open dining counter, display kitchen, and dining room.
Buzz has Jose Garces in line to take over the catering operation at the Kimmel Center, and those spoils also would include operating a small restaurant under construction on the Spruce Street side of the performing-arts venue. I hear that the Kimmel has not been happy with its yearlong association with Wolfgang Puck. The timetable would put Garces in the venue in June.