It’s that time again — when we prepare to ring in the new by celebrating the best of the past year. So this week, we give you some of our favorite stories from 2006.

Originally published on 07/14/06

Ferdinands in History:

Archduke Ferdinand: gets assassinated. Starts war.

Franz Ferdinand: skinny ties and disco punk.

Now? A third Ferdinand rolls onto the scene.

Fashion designer-turned-interior decorator Owen Kamihira’s first solo culinary venture, Bar Ferdinand, is a NoLibs tapas restaurant and wine bar modeled in the spirit of old-world España.

Blake Joffe (Alma de Cuba, El Vez) is in the kitchen; Philly artist Joe Brenman’s mosaics of famous matadors and pastoral Spain line the walls. Even the vaulted ceiling — painted gold with a candlelit chandelier — is a throwback to Moorish times.

Plates, which range in price from $3 to $9, include crab-and-white-asparagus flan; charred watermelon with Serrano ham and tarragon; and smoked trout with potato, chives, piquillo peppers, and shallots.

Showin’ love for cash-poor party animals: The place is open seven days til 2 a.m. and offers $2 wine-of-the-week specials and $1 draft beer, including Alhambra, a Spanish lager exclusive to Ferdie’s.

Now that’s one for the history books.

Bar Ferdinand, 1030 North Second Street (215-923-1313 or barferdinand.com).