• Craig LaBan feels out of place at El Camino Real in Northern Liberties, where the crowd seems more South Street and the atmosphere has the "mass appeal of a hopping Cancun beach party." Some things, like "the beef ribs, brontosaurus big and clinging to a twisty char of spice-crusted flesh and fat," but overall, "culinary ambitions were too often sacrificed to sloppy execution," which boils down to a one-bell review.
• Joy Manning's experience at Chifa is another experience all together. No need to fear that Jose Garces is spreading himself too thin — "Chifa manages to be a very novel addition to the scene while adhering strictly to Garces’s formula for success, starting with the food, which is a cross-cultural thrill ride." Not to miss are the pork belly buns, rack of lamb, and grilled Spanish octopus plate, which Manning deems a "revelation."
