"Tipsy Bistro, from Anh Vongbandith and Tory Keomanivong, opens March 9 in University City. The restaurant is taking over the former Fat Ham space at 3131 Walnut Street in the Left Bank building. Keomanivong was formerly general manager and partner at East Passyunk Avenue’s Fond, which he opened with Lee Styer. Chef Vongbandith is the co-owner and founder of catering company Das Good Inc. For Tipsy Bistro, they’re going for a comfortable sports bar vibe, though the food is a departure from typical pub grub. A few standouts, Vongbandith says, are the slow-roasted duck poutine, the shrimp BLT, the buttermilk fried chicken with sweet potato Belgium waffles, and Tipsy’s Big Blue Burger with blue cheese, fried eggplant, and balsamic caramelized onions on brioche. On the sweet side, look for brunch items like red velvet pancakes and Confetti French Toast: thick-cut toast soaked in vanilla-cinnamon batter and rolled in fruit cereal, topped with whipped cream. The full menu will be served right away — minus alcohol. Due to this week’s snowstorm, the closing on Tipsy’s liquor license had to be pushed back. It should happen next week. The restaurant starts with full hours on Friday. It’s open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, with the kitchen serving until 1 a.m. Brunch is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Happy hour (when the liquor license is secured) is every day from 5 to 7 p.m. Look for late-night specials from 10 p.m. to midnight." - Rachel Vigoda
