We have compiled some exciting news and updates from local restaurants and coffee shops.

Renata’s Kitchen Now Offers Catering

Renata’s Kitchen

Renata’s Kitchen has been serving brunch and dinner at 46th and Baltimore since Fall 2015, and this fall, the popular restaurant has released a new, “organized” catering menu. The restaurant has done some catering in the past, but the new menu serves the purpose of bringing this additional service to the front, especially around the holiday time.

“… our catering menu is just the start, we’re happy to accommodate special requests, or themed parties,” writes Renata’s co-owner Katie Aiq. “We did an order recently for a client specializing in Chilean food – possibly my favorite day at work ever. Don’t be shy, even if you’ve never seen us do anything like it before, we can probably work something out.”  Continue Reading

Mill Creek Farm has been providing affordable produce to Mill Creek residents for the past ten years. Now, it faces a budgets shortfall that it hopes to fill in the next few weeks.

A web post by the farm explained that the shortfall had been created in part by a continued effort to employ local residents in key roles at the farm.

“We are challenging oppressive power dynamics and designing ones that put those most affected in leadership positions,” the statement reads. “Planning these changes created a short-fall in our finances and we need your help finish[ing] out the rest of the season.”

The farm hopes to raise $5,000, and an anonymous donor has promised to match funds up to that amount, meaning the farm could raise $10,000 in total.

Mill Creek Farm was created after the organization was granted 1.5 acres of vacant land along the former Mill Creek. The farm now grows vegetables, fruits, and herbs and then sells them to the public twice a week, including at the 52nd & Haverford farmers market. In addition, it educates the surrounding community about environmental and civic issues.

You can donate on the campaign’s web site.

– Eduard Saakashvili

After more than a year’s wait amidst a saturated coffee market in West Philly, a Kensington coffee shop, ReAnimator Coffee, is indeed expanding into Garden Court on the 4700 block of Pine Street. With a planned opening in mid-November, ReAnimator will join the ranks of independent coffee shops like The Satellite Cafe, Coffee Market, Green Line Cafe, Milk and Honey, United by Blue and others. ReAnimator Coffee’s new location will be based out of Garden Court Plaza apartments, a complex that was recently acquired by the Post Brothers.

ReAnimator co-founder Mark Capriotti and his business partner Mark Corpus both believe that the area calls for a brick and mortar shop because bulk coffee bean sales have been doing well at ReAnimator supplier Mariposa Food Co-op; they both also believe they have something new to introduce to the area.  Continue Reading

Just Salad Facebook photo.

A new casual, healthy dining option is coming soon to the 3700 block of Spruce Street. A “fast casual” restaurant, Just Salad, has signed a lease for 3728 Spruce Street, a 1,600 square feet of space on a popular retail block, according to a recent announcement by Penn Facilities & Real Estate Services. Renovations to the space are currently underway, and the restaurant is expected to open in early 2018.

The new restaurant will offer seasonal salads, wraps, grain bowls, and smoothies and will include a seating area with a couple dozen chairs and café tables, a bar counter, a pickup station, and a tea station.  Continue Reading

West Philly just got another Asian fusion restaurant, Daleng, and this one is family-owned and operated. The restaurant opened last weekend at 47th and Walnut, down the street from West Lofts. It serves classic and new dishes from across the continent with protein options of beef, chicken, pork, and fish, along with vegetarian choices.

The menu features Thai dishes such as spicy Tom Yum chicken and Pad Thai, Korean Tang Tang chicken, Cambodian beef Kroeung Stir Fry, Singaporean Mei Fun, and Vietnamese Banh Mi. Vegetarian offerings include eggplant veggie curry, pad thai with tofu, and an assortment of fried rices.

Beverage offerings currently stand at bubble tea, Vietnamese iced tea, Hong Kong milk tea and a variety of fruit smoothies. According to a sign posted in the window, the restaurant has applied for a permit to serve alcoholic beverages such as liquor, beer, and wine.  Continue Reading

Photos via Capogiro’s Facebook page.

The popular Italian frozen treat shop, Capogiro Gelato, is closing its location on the 3900 block of Walnut Street after eight years of operation. Philly Mag broke the news early Thursday afternoon and a few hours later, Capogiro posted the following message on their Facebook page:

“It is sad but true – this Saturday is the last night the neon will be all lit up. It has been a wonderful 8 years scooping for the University City community and we want to thank you for your support!”

So, hurry up and get a scoop or two before the Penn’s campus location at 3925 Walnut St. closes on Saturday, Sept. 30, at midnight. Or check out Capogiro’s other locations in the city.