Fall awakening

September traditionally means restaurant openings, and 2010 will be no exception, as some of the most anticipated restaurants of the year are slated to swing open their doors.

The first fall opening happened yesterday when Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran opened Barbuzzo (110 S. 13th St.), a Mediterranean restaurant specializing in house-made pasta, charcuterie and wood-fired dishes. It’s the pair’s sixth business on 13th Street, and the promise of pork rinds topped with apple cider vinegar powder, espelette chili and horseradish aioli makes it a must-try right out of the gate.

Philadelphia’s “Iron Chef” Jose Garces is getting set to open his latest, JG Domestic (2929 Arch St.) at the Cira Centre next to 30th Street Station. As its name implies, JG Domestic will be putting the spotlight on artisanal farmers and producers from across the United States who are at the top of their game.

Shola Olunloyo has been called Philadelphia’s best chef without a restaurant for a while now. But if all goes according to plan, he will be in need of a new moniker when Speck Food + Wine (1050 N. Hancock St.) opens before the month is out on the Piazza at Schmidt’s. The most buzzed about aspect of the restaurant is StudioKitchen, the chef’s counter where diners book online to eat a $120 multi-course tasting that is prepared at the kitchen’s discretion.

Arthur Etchells is a local food blogger. Read more at www.foobooz.com.

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