West Philadelphia is on its way to becoming a battleground for area residents' palettes - but not without a few delays.
Chilango, a high-end Jose Garces restaurant that will be located in the Hub at 40th and Chestnut Streets, has delayed its planned spring opening until June.
No reasons for the delay were provided by Garces' spokeswoman.
Chilango, which will seat nearly 300 people, is Garces' third Philadelphia restaurant. In a prepared statement, Garces said that Chilango's menu "will run the gamut of the city's rich gastronomical landscape with dishes reminiscent of Mexico's casual street food as well as refined restaurant fare."
This fall, tenuous plans for a Mexican-themed restaurant in West Philadelphia by renowned local restaurateur Stephen Starr were also reported. To date, no definite details about a University City Starr restaurant have been announced.
"Nothing is confirmed," said a Starr spokeswoman, who did not deny that plans for such a restaurant were still a possibility.
Despite the delay, neighborhood leaders say Garces' restaurant is a plus for University City.
The Spruce Hill Community Association "was hoping the Hub would attract a quality restaurateur," said Barry Grossbach, a SPHC board member.
Garces is "one of the year's leading entrepreneurs," Grossbach added, and is creating "what should make for a rather stunning dining spot" in Chilango.
Lewis Wendell, executive director of the University City District, agreed that Chilango - and other new area restaurants - would bring benefits to the district.
"The openings of Rae, Dock Street, Vietnam Café and soon Chilango are all testaments to the fact that there is a demand for good food in University City not only from students, but also from people who live and work here," he said in an e-mail. "It is our hope that the success of these new restaurants will encourage others to follow."
Chilango will be noticeably larger than Garces' other two Philadelphia restaurants. Tinto seats about 60 and Amada seats about 138.
Chilango occupies just over 9,000 square feet and will have one floor of casual cantina-style dining, with a more sophisticated atmosphere upstairs.
Garces is also planning a fourth restaurant, this one in Chicago. Mercat a la Planxa, a Catalan-themed restaurant, is slated to open early this year.
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