Loading ...Cornering the Market
Posted by Kirsten Henri on September 23rd, 2008
*Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC
It’s a new week and that means a new version of Restaurant Yenta! Since you were all so eager to share your thoughts last week on the Not-So-Jolly Latham Situation, we’ve got another corner conundrum we’re considering. This time we’re heading deep into the heart of the Italian Market to consider the mysterious case of the former Butcher’s Cafe at the corner of 9th and Christian Streets.
Here’s a little history on the spot, courtesy of Rick Nichols. It’s from 1999, so it doesn’t mention the most recent chef-owner Todd Bergman. For commentary on that, you’ll have to delve into the blatherings of the phillyblog crew. Butcher’s closed back in late 2007 and has remained vacant ever since. Which is hard to fathom considering the crowds at Sabrina’s across the street and it’s primo location in the heart of Bella Vista. The people are hungry… what would they want to eat there? Our suggestions, after the jump.
How about reaching back to the neighborhood’s roots and opening a casual Italian wine bar that serves cured meats made on site? Where the wines are served in carafes and you can grab a bruschetta or a panino or graze on antipasti? Sort of like this jawn. There would, of course, also be brunch. With prosecco.
Also a possibility, a BYOB where the owners have a proven track record. Something Pif-ish or Cochon-ish. It would have to have a hearty feel to it. The delicate and twee cannot survive the rough and tumble atmosphere of the Italian Market. There would, of course, also be brunch here as well. You would bring your own prosecco.
A dark horse: how about an Italian Market Market? It would sell the greatest hits of the market so you wouldn’t have to actually slog from store to store. Because, let’s be honest, on some days the grossness of the market outweighs its charms and you want to unearth its treasures as quickly and painlessly as possible. There would be no prosecco here because of our asinine liquor laws, but you could drink some at home afterwards.
Related Tags: Butchers-Cafe, Italian-Market, restaurant-yenta
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:54 am
id like to see a true-blu italian cafe. it would have panini and tramezzini and serve coffee drinks. also it would have one or two beers on draft (sly fox pils and/or oreilly stout) and a small bottle selection (both beer and wine)…like the cafes of italy and france. oh, and it would be open 24 hours.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
going to agree with start. a real italian cafe would be nice. don’t know about 24 hours but something open reasonably late.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
yea, the 24 hrs thing is a stretch. a guy can dream though!
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
skee-ball bar.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Last I heard from someone who looked at the place, the landlord wants over 4 stacks a month to rent it out. BYOB would have to do a lot of covers to make good on that rent. Good idea with the Italian wine bar. On site meats would be great, With Sonny D down the street, it would be hard to turn down the opportunity to sell his wild boar prosciutto and some other offerings.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Thanks for enjoying the beer startfunkel.
If I ever see you around-=-= You’re next pint’s on Sly Fox;)
Sampling tonight at the Foodery No libs 5-7.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Tonyjive’s gotta a point, the owners gotta raise the limbo bar ‘cuz unless yer starr/vetri/garces, that rent is a hard dance to shake, especially for the independent restaurnteur in this economy.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:45 am
damn! i work til 7:30 tonight. next time.
ps: i went to the khyber in search of the elusive pork roll hot dog but alas they were out.
September 24th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Mr. Starr and his posse checked the location recently.