Platinum Dining Acquires Hearth Kitchen
Platinum Dining Group (Capers & Lemons, Eclipse, Taverna, among others) is making its first venture into Pennsylvania with the purchase of Hearth Kitchen in the Shoppes of Longwood Village in Kennett Square. Hearth will be closed through the month of February and reopen in March sporting a fresh look and a new Mediterranean-inspired menu that includes wood-fired pizzas and pastas. Hearth will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and plans to introduce a brunch with live music on Sundays.
— Visit PlatinumDiningGroup.com
Cozy Café in Cool Springs
Wilmington’s Cool Springs neighborhood has a new spot to grab a bite. Coterie Café + Kitchen, located at 1139 W 7th St, has transformed the space previously occupied by Books & Bagels into an intimate setting with an open kitchen. Opening in late December (at press time), the café seats 16, with additional outdoor seating available during the warmer months. The kitchen, led by Chef Joshua Santiago, will feature a menu of budget-friendly breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch options, including such signature items as Pasteis De Nata, a traditional Portuguese sweet pastry. While you’re encouraged to sit and enjoy a meal, to-go and delivery options are also available.
— Visit CoterieCK.com
Introducing Hayworth + Finch
Created by the same minds that brought us El Diablo Burrito, Hayworth & Finch opened last month in Trolley Square, just a few doors down from the original El Diablo Burrito. Described by owners as a “Philly interpretation of a French bistro,” Hayworth & Finch offers casual fare with cosmopolitan flair. Guests can choose from a variety of made-to-order dishes they otherwise would be hard-pressed to find in one place locally — items such as the mushroom Gruyère smashburger, shawarma spiced chicken bowl and green-pea falafel sandwich.
—Visit HayworthAndFinch.com
Three New Spots Spice Up Middletown Dining Scene
Middletown’s culinary scene has received a boost, with a trio of new restaurants opening within the past few months. Pithari, which offers a contemporary spin on Mediterranean cuisine, has taken over the space formerly occupied by La Banca at 1 West Main St.
— Visit Pitharimc.com
The historic building at 1919 Augustine Beach Rd., which dates to the early 1800s, has been renovated and reopened by Philadelphia-area restaurateurs Phillip and Kate Ferro as the Augustine Tavern. The couple also owns the Chadds Ford Tavern. Augustine Tavern’s menu focuses on steak and seafood.
— Visit AugustineTavern.com
Jackson House in Middletown has opened at 17 Wood Street, the former site of Metro Pub and Grill. Owners Hope and Jose Lopez ran the popular 1857 Jackson House in Dover but had a chance to double their restaurant’s size with the move and took it. The menu is vast, offering everything from salmon nuggets to rack of lamb.
— Visit BlueMezcalGroup.com
Dining Deals at Newark Restaurant Week
Nothing like a restaurant deal to get you out of the house in January. Once again, The Newark Partnership is presenting Newark Restaurant Week at some of the city’s best-known eateries. From Jan. 16-22, guests can enjoy three-course dinners for $40. The current roster includes Blue Crab Grill, Caffe Gelato, Deer Park Tavern, Del Pez, Home Grown Café, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Klondike Kate’s, Santa Fe, Skipjack and Taverna but check the website for additional participants. You can make reservations directly with the restaurants.
— Visit TheNewarkPartnership.org
Bardea Group on the Grow
Bardea Restaurant Group, known for Bardea Food & Drink, Bardea Steak, and The Garden at Bardea on Market Street, is expanding its footprint in Wilmington with two major projects. First, it will manage DE.CO Food Hall at 10th and Orange streets, where it currently operates Pizzeria Bardea and Taqueria El Chingon. In early 2025, they will open Casa Nonna, a 70-seat restaurant and bar, designed by Stokes Architecture + Design, also inside DE.CO. It will be distinct from the other kiosks, with adjustments to the space planned after its opening (Al Chu’s Sushi will remain).
Also in early 2025, the team will open the Roost Pub & Kitchen, a rebrand of the former Stitch House Brewery at 829 N. Market Street, which they acquired in August. The new concept will offer a more casual dining experience, with items such as flatbreads, burgers, and wings. While the brewery equipment remains, they will initially serve beers from local and international breweries, while looking to produce its own beer for each of its ventures down the road.
— Visit CasaNonnaDe.com and RoostWilmington.com
City Restaurant Week 2025
Mark your calendar: 20th Anniversary, March 31 – April 5.
— Visit CityRestaurantWeek.com
