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Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) United, the national restaurant workers’ organization that works to improve wages and working conditions for the millions in this country who work in the colossal hospitality trade, has released its second annual consumer guide National Diners’ Guide to Ethical Eating 2013. It’s the latest update to the organization’s dining out compendium, but unlike similar volumes published by others, this one rates and ranks restaurants on how they treat their employees. Like earlier editions, it assesses working conditions at some of the highest revenue-grossing restaurants and national chains in America based on worker pay, provisions for paid sick days, and equal opportunity for advancement. In this one, some local restaurants get high marks, but overall, as an industry-wide snapshot, it’s far from flattering. It’s particularly critical of the practices at chain restaurants. This year’s release also comes with a new smartphone app that can be downloaded for free.

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard of any progress on Crumbs Bake Shop’s entry into the Philly market with a location at 18th and Moravian streets. The New York-based cupcake purveyor’s navigated some troubled waters since first announcing plans to bring its baked goods to the Rittenhouse neighborhood more than a year and a half ago. Shakeups at the very top of the organization set the project back. So far in fact that it was presumed dead last summer. Now with a new CEO steering the sweets ship, that local outpost is on track to open today. But with so many cupcake merchants, both mobile and stationary, already established here, we can’t help but wonder if Crumbs can compete in such a crowded field? Only time will tell. [Insider]

Crumbs Bake Shop, 133 S. 18th Street, (215) 523-9800