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Vincent Whittacre and Roger Harman, who've hopped around to various West Philly restaurant locations for close to three decades, are saying late March for the opening of their Gold Standard Caf� (4800 Baltimore Ave.). The concept is actually a same-name modern redo of the restaurant Harman and his late partner Duane Ball ran at 47th and Chester until moving their operation to the Palladium at UPenn in 1984; they eventually left there to found the long-running Abbraccio, which they sold to Vietnam Caf� owner Benny Lai a few months back.
The original Gold Standard offered a five-course fine-dining tasting menu for $12. The concept with be a little different at the new one: The 1,500-square-foot space is divided into two distinct rooms � one side for La Colombe coffee and breakfast/lunch fare, and the other a 30-to-35-seat dining area (open Wednesday to Sunday) where chef Joey Balaaldia will offer a small comfort food menu. Proposed hours: Mon.-Tue., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wed.-Fri., 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Brunch will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meal Ticket got a peek at a draft of the menu, which will be built around products from the Mariposa Food Co-Op, one block away at 47th and Baltimore. A by-the-meal few highlights after the jump.
- Breakfast (served until 11 a.m. seven days a week): Croissants, scones, fresh-baked doughnuts; bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon, etc.; whole wheat tortillas with various vegetables, breakfast meats and sauces; yogurt/granola parfait
- Lunch (available 11 a.m.-close seven days a week): Various soups and salads; parmesan chicken wings; regular/turkey/veggie burgers; selection of cold sandwiches (hummus and avocado, turkey waldorf, Chinese roast pork hoagie, etc.); selection of hot sandwiches (marinated flank steak with caramelized onions and Cabernet sauce, Mexican chicken wrap, falafel, etc.)
- Dinner (available 5-9 p.m. Wed.-Sun.): Spanikopita; stuffed mushrooms; country-style meatloaf; osso buco; flounder with salsa verde; fettucine alfredo; eggplant stew
I have a longtime crush on their soon-to-be barista. if my info is on. Cant wait to have her steam my milk. whole.
Will miss Abbraccio and can't wait to see the new digs. congratulations!
[...] posted some menu highlights on Meal Ticket back in March, and Harman says the sneak peek is still an accurate representation of what they’ll be [...]
We, in the neighborhood, have been waiting for a new restaurant to open to compete with Dock Street, Vietnam, Laos Cafe and now the new Indian Place Desi Cafe. Unfortunately the food is lack luster at the new Gold Standard Cafe. The pasta was less than satisfying. This goes back to Abbraccios, by the same owners. The latest pasta dish tasted like the noodles had been cooled with philadlephia tap water and the black olives came right out of a can. There was really hardly any sauce. It would also be nice to have fresher bread and serving it warm would be a nice touch. The chicken was OK. The apple crisp was very good. I will vist again to try and find the better dishes. Typically the chicken wings, calimari and cesar salad were good (at Abbraccios). The decor and atmosphere at the Gold Standard is excellent. The outdoor seating area will be lovely as the weather becomes nice....just a few tweaks are needed in the kitchen to really make the Gold.
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