Pearl opens on Rittenhouse Square.

Recently, restaurateurs David, Scott and Sean Stein with Brett Perloff (well-known for the popular Red Sky in Old City) opened Pearl, 1904 Chestnut St., in fashionable Rittenhouse Square. The two-story restaurant and lounge, the space that formerly housed Little Pete’s, has been redesigned, all 8,000 square feet of it, by David Ashen, of New York’s D-Ash Design, in a collaboration with DAS that created such dynamic environments as Le Bec Fin, Rae and Morimoto.

On the first floor, according to Sean Stein, the restaurant features pan-Asian cuisine, created by rising star 29-year-old executive chef Ari Weiswasser. On the second floor is an energetic lounge featuring the latest hot trend–European bottle service.

Weiswasser, who has mastered the techniques of French cooking, has fused dishes with his own culinary departure from the ordinary pan-Asian menus around the city.

Pearl offers an Asian-inspired raw bar, soups and salads for diners with lighter appetizers, from Menu Peking duck noodle soup to King prawns with kaffer lime, coconut rice and Asian bouillabaisse. Pearl’s wine list will include more than 100 different vintage of wine by the bottle and 17 unique wines by the glass, 25 sakes available by the glass, carafe or by the bottle. For information, call (215) 564-9090; web site: www.pearlphilly.com

Happy Anniversary to Beau Monde

Happy Anniversary to Beau Monde, 624 South 6th., that recently marked its 10th year in business. The popular authentic Breton creperie that features the sweet and savory crepes of Northwestern France. Co-owner/executive chef David Salama and co-owner Jim Caiola have been pleasing area foodies at thecity’s popular authentic Breton creperie that features the sweet and savory crepes of Northwestern France for a decade.

“I’ve loved watching Beau Monde grow over the years,” said Caiola. “It has just flourished, getting better every year for 10 years. I feel like we created a place filled with vibrant good energy and wonderful food.” The team of Salama and Caiola have embraced classic French culinary techniques at Beau Monde from the beginning, featuring a selection of sweet and savory crepes available on the menu, but always expanding the offerings, ultimately becoming morre multi-cultural, incorporating Latin and Mediterranean influences. Beau Monde’s menu highlights include Salama’s award-winning menu include savory crepes like Cajun Gumbo with jasmine rice and Gulf shrimp and Smoked Trout with leeks and chive butter, and sweet crepes such as Sauteed Apples with brown sugar, caramel, almonds and vanilla ice cream and Lemon Curd and Mixed Berries with lemon sorbet.

In addition to Beau Monde, five years ago Caiola and Salama expanded their space and their concept with the opening of L’Etage, a cabaret francais located above the restaurant on the second floor, with live performances of all kinds throuhgout the year.

“We always envisioned growing Beau Monde into a dining and entertainment destination,” explained Caiola. “When we opened L’Etage, we expanded the reach of our creperie to include a variety of entertainment – the kind that makes people want to stick around after dinner to see what will happen next.” For information, call (215) 592-0656: web site: www.creperie-beaumonde.com

Stella Blu offers late night option.

Stella Blu, 101 Ford St., in West Conshohocken, is now offering a late night option in the suburbs weekly, beginning at 10 p. m., on Friday nights.

Owners of the popular suburban dining destination wanted to create an after-dinner experience. Patrons can dance to the sounds of DJ Gino, spinning Classic Disco, Motown and favorites from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

No longer can urbanites mock the suburbs for lack of late-night options as Stella Blu’s lounge will become the perfect place for a nightcap, where a mature after-dinner crowd can sip a martini or a nice glass of wine and dance the night away! For information, call (610) 825-7060; web site: www.stellablurestaurant.com

(Editor’s Note: Thom’s Table appears weekly, on Fridays, in QT: QUEERtimes, an online e-newsletter serving the queer community with news, features, columns and entertainment.)