SoWe to replace Divan
It's a bistro, honoring Southwest Center City.
Say it, "So Wee," as in, "So we are going out for dinner."
Entrepreneurs/business partners Nancy Law and Troy Barton have attached the name SoWe Bar & Kitchen - as in "SOuthWEst Center City" - to their new restaurant, now taking shape at 22d and Carpenter Streets. It was Divan Turkish Kitchen until last week.
SoWe's concept: modern bistro cuisine, craft beers, artisan wines, cocktails. Opening: April.
The look: earth-tone walls, reclaimed wood floor, and bar crafted from weathered oak, mood lighting, cool soundtrack.
Hours: dinner/late night nightly, plus weekend brunch.
Prices: $7 to $15 for apps, mid-teens to mid-twenties for entrees.
Background: Law grew up in South Jersey and spent her career in marketing (special events for a collegiate marketing company and for Guest Informant and Where magazine globally before she and the Orlando-raised Barton started Essential Media Partners, which creates visitors guides, builds mobile websites and develops marketing tools for hotels, restaurants and attractions.
The churn continues for Turkish restaurants. Besides Divan (whose owner still owns the bricks at 918 S. 22d St,), we've lost Konak (228 Vine St.) but recently picked up Leyla Turkish Cuisine at 113 Chestnut St. in Old City.