Barbuzzo Opens in Midtown Village Wednesday

Courtesy Barbuzzo

South 13th Street, that little ally of great home shops and food establishments snuggled in between Market and Walnut streets, is growing yet again. Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, the dynamic duo behind many of the Midtown Village drag’s best bets, is back at it. With Open House, Verde, Grocery, Bindi and Lolita all under their belts, Wednesday will mark the opening of Mediterranean-influenced Barbuzzo.

The farmhouse feel is appropriate, as Turney is a known supporter of local farms and produce. A massive barn door from nearby Lancaster County serves as the artistic centerpiece of the dining room, paired with distressed brick and found chairs and even a few church pews for seating. In addition to the traditional tables, there will be outdoor, kitchen counter and bar seating available.

Dishes will include starters like roasted marrow bones and “piggy popcorn” — a gourmet take on pork rinds. Crispy pizzas, house-made pasta and a take on fideua (with smoked chourico sausage, calamari, shrimp, mussels, roasted shrimp noodles and aioli) also are on the menu. Turney is doing all the smoking in-house, so be prepared for melt-in-your-mouth smoked bacon, sausages and other charcuterie items. All pork is coming from Green Meadow Farms in Gap, Pa.

Barbuzzo will be the first restaurant by Turney and Safran to have a liquor licence, and they are stocking up on draft, bottled and canned beers, including Peroni from the boot, and a wine list.

Barbuzzo is located at 110 South 13th Street, 215.546.9300, www.barbuzzo.com