Philadelphia

• Smokin'. Tony Clark, who recently left his eponymous restaurant, is now executive chef at the new Sheraton Rittenhouse Square, an entirely "no smoking" hotel. Former South Streeter Alex Cormier is backing up Clark.

• Marc Vetri (Bella Blue, NYC) is scheduled to open Vetri in the space once occupied by Chanterelle, the site of the original Le Bec Fin, at the end of September.

• Stephen Starr (Continental) is wowing the crowds again, this time at Buddakan, another Old City spot, featuring a pan-Asian menu and a 23-seat "community table".

• Jeffrey Jacobs is the new food and beverage director at The Ritz-Carlton, joining fellow newcomer pastry chef Sebastien Thieffine from Le Meridien in Boston.

• Will McCormick is doing double duty as a pastry chef for Neil Stein's Striped Bass and the new Rouge.

• Cibo's newest chef is Robert Schaffer, whose menu is inventive but not strange.

• Chef Joseph Shilling has recently moved uptown from Serrano to Rembrandt's, where he has instituted some dramatic changes at the Art Museum- area restaurant while keeping certain menu favorites.

• Meiji-En has resumed its Friday evening all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.

• The 8th and Christian Street location of the now-closed ground-breaking Vietnamese restaurant Hoa Viet has reopened as Nam Phong--brighter, lighter, and with an extensive menu. Savvy Huong Van Nguyen is the new owner.

• Gerald Dougherty has returned to the Eli Karetny fold from his stint at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue to become head chef of Samuels in Wayne.

• Diner on the Square has metamorphosed into Marathon, with chef Scott Larsen dishing up a global menu.

• The Plough & the Stars is breaking out yet another Irish tradition, after-noon tea, served Monday through Friday. Any excuse for a break!.

• Oldies music spot and restaurant The Five Spot in Old City has installed a new menu in the spirit of the times, offering beef Wellington, veal Oscar, and flaming desserts served tableside. David Heydt, formerly of Rock Lobster and St. Jack's, is the chef.

• Katmandu, the Columbus Boulevard waterfront restaurant-club, is building a two-story addition for year-round operation.

• Also new to Old City is Helena's Restaurant and Tiki Bar on Front Street.