Il Rimedio (4443 Spruce Street) adds something new to the West Philly scene. The menu offers luxe flavors and a slightly more sophisticated approach to brunch. The food is delicious and carefully prepared, and although the dark wood and white tablecloths bring a more formal feel to the room, the service is friendly and not pretentious in the least.

Two friends and I (with a two-year-old in tow) visited Il Rimedio last week for the Saturday brunch. We each ordered an item from one of three menu categories: Benedicts, Crepes, and Grains. The house smoked trout, grilled asparagus, and wild mushroom hollandaise sauce Benedict ($10) featured perfectly poached eggs anchored by a generous portion of firm, subtly smoked yet fresh-tasting fish. The wild mushroom hollandaise sauce was smooth and infused with flavor. The same sauce accompanied the crepes with egg whites, sauteed spinach, pecorino cheese and turkey bacon. The Parisian among us noted the authenticity of the crepes, which, like the poached eggs, require a close eye and a deft touch.

Although the mascarpone polenta ($6) looked good, from the Grains section we ordered the stuffed Italian bread French toast with whipped molasses cream cheese filling, black currant maple syrup, and honey walnut compound butter ($10). Being skeptical of the concept of “stuffed” french toast, and not a big fan of a sugary breakfast, I expected something beyond my control. Instead I was happy to find that the sweetness of the syrup and molasses was nicely balanced by the salty nut butter and the tangy sesame/sourdough flavor of the seeded Italian bread. Each of the dishes came with a side of herbed new potato hash, which was fine but not remarkable. The side of pork belly ($4) was a disappointment, because I expected something crispier. On this point I defer to those more familiar with the preparation of pork bellies. Next time I’ll opt for bacon ($4) instead.

Il Rimedio is a grown-up place featuring adult tastes, although children might appreciate the crepes with Nutella, fresh strawberries, mascarpone, vanilla bean anglaise, and mint coulis ($8), or the Greek yogurt, berries, and honey ($6). While the staff was certainly pleasant and family-friendly, the acoustics and the set-up are not. Chef Dan Freeman is happy to adapt dishes to meet different dietary requirements, and encourages you to make a request if something doesn’t meet your needs. At this early stage of the business — only a month in — some changes may occur, but the quality of the food and the skill of the chef will no doubt establish Il Rimedio as a strong option for a festive morning meal. We have yet to try dinner, but based on the brunch, our hopes are high.

– Jen

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The owners of Han Dynasty, a popular Chinese restaurant with four locations in Philadelphia and the burbs, have reportedly just closed a deal on a West Philly location at 3711 Market Street, the space previously occupied by MidAtlantic Restaurant. We’ll keep you posted on the opening schedule.

The restaurant has recently made the list of the 50 best Chinese restaurants in the U.S., which is no surprise to anyone who has eaten there. “You won’t find General Tso’s in the house, and that’s a good thing,” Eater Philly says.

Rimedio, a Northern Italian cuisine restaurant, is officially opening on Saturday, March 24 in Rx’s former space at 45th and Spruce and will serve its first brunch from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dinner will be served from 5 – 10 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

The brunch menu features three varieties of crepes, all served with a side of herbed new potato hash ($8-$11), grains including stuffed Italian bread French toast ($10), and benedicts ($8-$11).

The dinner menu includes risotto ($15-$18), antipasto ($9-$15), house-made pasta ($17-$20) and fish, chicken, lamb and steak entrees ($24-$29). See the complete menu here.

For more information, call 215-222-9590.

Another gourmet food cart is coming to West Philly. If you happen to be in Clark Park and vicinity tomorrow, check out Kung Fu Hoagies, a vegetarian sandwich and noodle bowl cart, which is launching there this Saturday (March 10) at 10 a.m.

Kung Fu Hoagies is a product of partnership between two guys – Paul Davis and Steve Renzi – and was inspired by Davis’ love of kung fu (he’s a martial arts practitioner), as City Paper reports.

The starting menu is all vegan, including a traditional banh mi ($4), an orange BBQ vegan beef hoagie ($5), and coconut lemongrass beef and sesame peanut chicken noodles (both $5). For the complete menu and other information, visit the Kung Fu Hoagies Facebook page.
 

Il Rimedio, a restaurant that will offer “modern northern Italian cuisine,” will replace the once popular Rx at 45th and Spruce, where the brunch used to be worth waiting in line for on a Sunday. After about four weeks of displaying the sign “Closed tonight due to technical difficulties,” a new notice appeared on Rx restaurant’s door today (see below). As many locals suspected, the restaurant is changing hands. The Rx name, which opened under new ownership in 2010, played off the pharmacy that was previously located in the space. For those whose Italian is a little rusty, Il Rimedio translates as “the remedy.” Let’s hope so.

Stay tuned for more information on the new restaurant and its owners.

Neighborhood Foods, West Philadelphia’s first urban farm-based CSA, is accepting members for the 2012 season.

Members of the Neighborhood Foods CSA will receive weekly shares of vegetables from West Philly gardens and fruit from farms in the greater Philadelphia area. The 22-week CSA runs from mid-May to October, and offers add-on options of locally-produced seasonal jam, local honey, and bread from Four Worlds Bakery.

All profits from this CSA are re-invested into the Haddington and Walnut Hill neighborhoods where the produce is grown, supporting urban employment and youth leadership development.

To become a member, fill out the application form here.

Pick up sites in West Philly are:

– Walnut Hill Community Farm at 46th & Market Streets, Friday afternoon
– Four Worlds Bakery at 47th & Woodland Streets, Friday evening or Saturday morning

The Neighborhood Foods CSA is a collaboration between West Philadelphia nonprofits Urban Tree Connection and Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation.