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Darling’s Cheesecakes team opening restaurant in Northern Liberties
posted by Drew Lazor
This weekend, brothers Harry and John Arnold, who own the Darling’s Cheesecake shops at 20th and Pine and 21st and Spring, signed a deal to open a 132-seat restaurant — called Darling’s — in the ground floor of what’s known as “The Egg,” the seven-story structure that’s part of developer Bart Blatstein’s upcoming Piazza at Schmidt’s at Second and Girard.
Located just up Second Street from Bar Ferdinand and El Camino Real, the concept will be “a diner influence … just all the good stuff you [go] to a diner for without the bad stuff,” says Harry,who adds that there will be a liquor license and outdoor seating. No chef just yet to helm the comfort-food-with-a-twist menu. They’re aiming for a mid- to late-May opening, which is more or less in tune with the May 15 Piazza at Schmidt’s opening date that was announced in January.
You might’ve also heard murmurs about the Arnolds’ plans to take over Colleen’s, the defunct reception venue in Park Towne Place (2200 Ben Franklin Parkway), and convert that into a restaurant. The recession has thrown a wrench into that project for the time being, says Harry, but he vows that they “will see it through” — it’s probably about two years down the line.
Very exciting, though isn’t Blatstein’s development at Second and Germantown?
Either way, glad to see more yummy food in NoLibs.
Erica:
Germantown Avenue is the western border of the site, while Second and Girard is its northwest corner, basically. You’re right though — the brunt of the Piazza complex will be situated at the brewery site’s southern end, closer to Germantown than Girard. Brad Maule at Philly Skyline has some awesome aerial shots of the site that are way, way better than Google Maps/me attempting to explain directionality.
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GREAT JOB JOHN AND HARRY…
-Martin
Harry,(and John). I’m sure if my sister says this place is gonna be an awesome restaurant I tend to believe her. Expect my wife and myself to come and enjoy for ourselves… Good Luck guys!!!
Can’t wait
[...] building in the Piazza, Darling’s is a mod-looking diner with room for around 130. (We first told you about it in March.) They’ll be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, but Harry says the plan is to stay open [...]
Darlings is great. It’s a different kind of restaurant, mixes good food with a more up scale diner feel. The food is very good, especially their calamari. The service was great too, no problems, and the manager made it a point to personally ask how everything was during the meal. Check this place out!