Vino Restaurant Lounge

We received word Zot closed last weekend, we didn’t remember till Michael Klein posted about it last night. Next door neighbor Madam Saito of Le Champignon de Tokio says she will be take over. [The Insider]

Also buried on our iPhone, Benny the Bums at the Holiday Inn Stadium has closed. Evidently a scene in Always Sunny in Philadelphia wasn’t enough to save the sports bar.

Bart Blatstein has taken the reigns of Vino at the Piazza at Schmidt’s from Michael Maglio. [Phoodie via Grub Street]

Champps King of Prussia was hit by fire early Friday morning. [6ABC]

Former Khyber Pass owner David Coleman Headley has been charged with planning terrorist attacks overseas. [The Insider]

Meal Ticket has posted a run down of The Swift Half, P.Y.T., Darling’s and Vino. Lots of good details of what’s at the Piazza and what’s coming soon.

Everything you need to know about the restaurants at the Piazza at Schmidts [Meal Ticket]

Tomorrow is the grand opening of the Piazza at Schmidt’s, the center piece of Bart Blatstein’s development in Northern Liberties.

Foobooz breaks down what there is to see at the ambitious new complex.

The Piazza

In today’s Inquirer, Architecture critic Inga Saffron calls the place “pretty wonderful.” Modeled after the Piazza Navona in Rome it’s most awkward feature may be its name, an amalgamation of Italian and German. Anyway, We do appreciate the shout out to Philadelphia’s German and brewing heritages and if you want to see a further homage to the Schmidt’s name, peek in the offices of Tower Investments on 2nd Street to see the large stainless steel letters that once hung over the huge brewery.

More than 8-years and $100 million went into making the Piazza. The site combines apartments, offices, shops and of course restaurants on a single acre.

The piazza contains a 16ft x 26 ft Daktronics HD LED projection screen where Phillies games and classic movies will be shown. Below the screen is a  40 by 20 ft stage that will host concerts and other events.

Ringing the piazza are offices, shops and restaurants. We’ll focus on what’s going on in those restaurants after the jump.

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Bart Blatstein’s Piazza project will be bringing several new spots to Northern Liberties. There’s a diner named Darling’s, a wine bar named Vino Restaurant Lounge, and as yet an unnamed pub and a lounge. [The Insider]

Fish & Company’s last night will be Saturday. April 13th it’ll be reborn Q BBQ & Tequila Bar. [The Insider]

Bibou on 8th near Washington should open within a week. [Ice Pack, City Paper]

On Friday and Saturday nights above Il Portico you can now find Club Adesso.  [Thrillist]

Amici Noi in Old City has been redone and opens tonight as Bocca. [The Insider]

Table Talk has more on Ladder 15 which opened last week. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

North by Northwest was shut down by L&I last weekend, they plan to reopen April 15th. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]