East Passyunk Avenue is home to a bevy of classy joints, outdoor seating and adorable boutiques. At Flavors of the Avenue, the East Passyunk food festival, press releases unveiled plans for new projects. Gordon Dinerman (of City Tap House) plans to make his mark on the popular South Philly street. 1700 East Passyunk Avenue used to house the Doggie Style animal daycare center (the retail portion of Doggie Style remains open).  Now the Liquor Control Board has approved Dinerman’s new operation, Birra, for the location.

Dinerman, Barclay Prime manager and ex-Stephen Starr employee, plans to have all of his items at Birra cooked in wood-burning ovens, including pizza and rustic Italian small plates. Birra, Italian for beer, means that, yes, beer will be served here, with an emphasis on worldwide craft beers. Plans also include serving wine and cocktails.

Birra has plans for a outdoor seating, with estimates to seat between 30 to 40 people. Neighbors have been concerned about the limited sidewalk space outside both Passyunk and Morris. Dinerman calmed concerns at an East Passyunk Crossing civic meeting by promising to stop outdoor seating at 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends. These compromises, including planting trees to create an architectural boundary for his neighbors, and reducing seating, have eased the neighborhood for his anticipated opening. —Suzy Grimberg