IN THE NEWS: San Antonio-based Church’s Chicken, operator and franchiser of more than 1,600 fast-food chicken restaurants in 18 countries, announced a new partnership with a business brokerage outfit that will accelerate its new store opening program through strategic franchisee-recruitment methods, CoStar.com reports. Markets targeted for growth include Jacksonville, Orlando, Alanta, Indianapolis, Detroit, Raleigh/Durham, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Nashville. … The Philadelphia Weekly’s Brian McManus philadelphiaweekly.com reviews Ryan Margolis’ 707 Restaurant & Bar (707 Chestnut St.), while Steve Volk writes at length about the threat to the dining anonymity of influential Inquirer critic Craig LaBan because of LaBan’s required videotaped testimony in a lawsuit, as well as the pains that many restaurants go — sometimes several pages worth — toward identifying the critic and taking extra specail care of him if and when he ever visits … Speaking of LaBan, he awards three bells in his review of Basque restaurant Tinto (114 S. 20th St., Philadelphia; www.tintorestaurant.com), while Rick Nichols stops by The Water Works Restaurant and Lounge (640 Water Works Dr., www.thewaterworksrestaurant.com). … The Inquirer’s Jeff Gammage reports on the last day of dining at the Wynnewood Pharmacy luncheonette, which closed June 25. … Dianna Marder reviews the eateries at Mann Center for the Performing Arts and rounds up the influx of outdoor dining spots. … The Discreet Diner visits Cinderella Sabbaba (4860 Route 42 North, Turnersville, N.J.), while The Daily News‘ The Chain Gang reviews Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. … The Inquirer’s Michael Klein reports on the openings of Joe and Amy McAtee’s restaurant Honey (42 Shewell Ave.), Salento (2216 Walnut St.), St. Stephens Green (1701 Green St.), and Franco’s Trattoria (4116 Ridge Ave.), and the closing of The Table (223 South St.) after less than six months. … The Daily News‘ Beth D’Addono asks area chefs to name their favorite brunches. Eateries mentioned: Royal Tavern, Morning Glory, Sabrina’s Cafe, Fitzwater Cafe, Lakeside Chinese Deli, Standard Tap, Tierra Colombiana, Prospectors Grill, Pho 75, Hank’s Place. philly.com … City Paper’s citypaper.net Trey Popp reviews Chick’s Café & Wine Bar (614 S. Seventh St.), while Elisa Ludwig stops by Smith’s Restaurant and Lounge (39-41 S. 19th St.), and Drew Lazor notes the opening of Vidalia Marketplace (561 S. Broad St., Lansdale).

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