Stephen Starr's next restaurant
The restaurateur books a spot near Rittenhouse Square.
Stephen Starr needs help.
By that, I mean he's gone and rented the former Midtown IV at 2013 Chestnut St., across from the soon-to-open Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar and around the corner from his former chef Jose Garces' Tinto and Village Whiskey.
It's a storefront-wide former diner. Long room. Plus a back room, which had a bar.
Starr said he's looking for a concept. One idea is Mexican, he said, but "not like El Vez." He intends to keep the 35-seat bar in the back, using the private entrance onto Ranstead Street. Classic cocktails.
He shot down the idea that it would become a second Stella (though he's made no secret that he wants to do more pizza).
He also rejected the idea of playing off the old diner's "Midtown" name, as Continental Mid-town is two blocks away.