A new eatery has hit the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood: Keen Philadelphia. Already operating with a limited menu and hours, Keen will formally open on Tuesday, November 28, at 5 p.m. Owners Chris and Caitlin Rorer are pleased to present a restaurant which balances the ambiance of approachable neighborhood tavern with the vibe of a carefully curated art space.
The restaurateur duo have a culinary background, having met at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, and selected chef Antonella Biundo, sous chef Liam Keeney and bar manager Tom Danks to help put their vision into motion.
Keen will offer a casual American menu featuring tempting appetizers, such as the Pig Candy, thick-cut, brined and candied bacon with spicy maple syrup served with an optional 10-ounce pour of Old Grandad Bourbon for $5; house-baked soft pretzels with spiked Caesar; and a Triple Dip, consisting of whipped beets, carrot hummus and lemon squash with Baker Street ficelle and house pickles for dipping.
The main dishes include unique spins on family recipes. Some of the must-try entrees include:
- The Big A** Sexy Salad: Caitlin’s expertly prepared “simple salad for people who hate salads”
- Fall Noodles: A Keen-family classic offering handmade linguini with mushrooms, squash, leeks and lemon garlic sauce
- Boneless short rib: Braised for 8 hours and accompanied by brussels sprouts and mashed squash
- The Vegetable Board: Boasting salt and vinegar beets, glazed carrots, maple glazed brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, balsamic mushrooms and root vegetable bread pudding
- The Spicy Chicken Sandwich: Featuring a pulled chicken patty, buffalo demi, pickled cucumber and kale on a Baker Street onion poppy roll
For the sweets seekers, Chef Biundo’s Sicilian Aunt’s rainbow cookies served alongside a shot of La Colombe espresso for $7 is a great option.
The libations menu features a cocktail program with drinks that require five or less ingredients. Six rotating tap lines will feature exclusively Pennsylvania brews and two taps are dedicated to draft wines, including an organic Italian rosé for $7 (all day, every day). The restaurant will also take advantage of recent legislation allowing select local restaurants to sell wine to go.
The bi-level restaurant boasts a downstairs seven-seat bar with exquisite hand-laid glass bar tops and rich navy velvet barstools. The custom staircase is made from a unique reclaimed Chinese Sumac and the 40-seat dining room is centered by a jaw-dropping Pio Diaz chandelier from Norway.
On the second level sits an upstairs bar which seats 12 and will be open nightly serving guests in the Living Room, a space offering a more casual place to socialize, catch a game or compete in a friendly board game. The upstairs area has 20 seats but can serve as a private event space for up to 60 patrons.
Keen is now accepting reservations through OpenTable and walk-ins are welcome. Once the soft opening stage has passed, Keen will be open 5 p.m.–2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon–2 a.m. on Sundays.
Find Keen Philadelphia at 1708 Lombard St. in Philadelphia; phone: (215) 515-5336.
- Photos: Keen
