Joe Grasso talks American Oak

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Joe Grasso talks American Oak

POSTED: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 6:42 PM

Filed Under: Food News | Openings

Photo | Michael T. Regan

Walnut Street Capital CEO Joe Grasso (pictured) likes to keep his hands in his properties. His Union Trust (717 Chestnut St.) is experiencing what he calls its finest season due to an influx in business from the Convention Center; by March, his takeover the 15th/Sansom corner property (the old Roy's) that he has with brother David will find him with both another new restaurant, American Oak, as well as a vault/basement club, Rumor. With that, Grasso's going to need some help. As he has in the past, Grasso has turned to UT beverage director Xavier Mariezcurrena, who is now the creative director of both restaurants. Before UT, Mariezcurrena had a tequila bar/restaurant in Texas (Agave) and worked at Barclay Prime and the Chop House before coming to Grasso's attention. "I think he's brought a certain hip cachet to the steakhouse,â says Grasso. The 28-year-old Mariezcurrena hopes to bring the same vibe to American Oak. "It'll be much more of a relaxed atmosphere than Union Trust,â he says of the lower price points and chilled-out vibe.â The food, though billed as "comfort" and "American," isn't quite ready to be defined. âIt will be cleaner and lighter than what people know as comfort, and more open than what people think of as American,â says Mariezcurrena. As Meal Ticket previously reported, the food component of American Oak will come from Tony Aiazzi. The former Auerole chef spent a lot of time with the Charlie Palmer Restaurant Group, is readying a restaurant of his own in the near future and has spent more time next to Al Roker on the NBC morning show than Meredith Vieira has. Soon after the Oak opens, he will become the culinary director of both Grasso's restaurants. "I'm about to give it an umbrella title," says Grasso of the organization running both spaces. "But each restaurant will stand on its own. The only thing that'll unite them is good food."

Ticket Stubs: Meal Ticket Weekly Recap, Jan. 31-Feb. 4 :: Meal Ticket :: Philadelphia City Paper

Posted 2011-02-07 11:13:57

[...] A.D. Amorosi chats up developer/restaurant owner Joe Grasso about his still-to-come American Oak. [...]

James McManaman

Posted 2011-02-05 17:20:21

I can't wait to see what Joe does with this great space. I already see the improvements on the way with the full length windows. This is sure to be a huge hit!

avbeast

Posted 2011-02-10 14:20:38

Not only is Tony Aiazzi a culinary wizard nonpareil, but he's a generous lover as well.

Foobooz » Quick Bites

Posted 2011-02-03 17:16:54

[...] Details on American Oak, Joe Grasso’s bar and restaurant set for 15th and Sansom. [Meal Ticket] [...]

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