Stephen Starr has had enough of Philly
After his next two restaurants open here, he says he will take a break.
Stephen Starr has had enough of Philly
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Looks like 21 is Stephen Starr’s lucky number.
Right now, Starr owns 19 restaurants in Philadelphia, if you include the seasonal Square Burger on Franklin Square and his management of Granite Hill at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He also manages the posh Rat's in Hamilton Township, N.J. (See map of his city holdings here.)
Starr says that after the October opening of Il Pittore with chef-partner Chris Painter at 2025 Sansom St. and November’s planned opening of a seafood restaurant at 600 N. Broad St. (names are narrowed down to Little Neck or Route 6), he’ll take a breather from Philadelphia "for a while."
He's not closing any. He's just looking elsewhere for growth.
"We're looking in New York more, and in Washington," he said. "Philadelphia is my favorite city, but I do believe that the city needs to work on some of its established neighborhoods, like South Street. I think the city government, in the last few administrations, has ignored it. Left it like an orphan. It has more potential for restaurants and retail, but the city fathers have not spent time trying to make it work."
His third New York restaurant – at the New-York Historical Society on Central Park West and fronted by former James frontman Jim Burke – is on the way. There's also a project rumored for Washington, D.C.
Starr's out-of-town holdings are a Japanese restaurant (Makoto) and a steakhouse (Steak 954) in South Florida, a Buddakan and Continental in Atlantic City, and a Morimoto and Buddakan in New York City.
MEH— cuso20- Good riddance, says I.— mike 1717
- As noted, Starr is staying in Philadelphia, but stating "good riddance" is basically rejecting commerical development in Philadelphia and praising our narrow-minded, ignorant leaders who are still living in the 1950's — StevenG
- Um, he's not really going anywhere. (21 restaurants, not closing.)— azzuri
- Maybe moron public officials will listen when someone who brings a lot to the city laments the current state of South Street.— Capsulef
- Meh, he's about over-saturated the city and unless he is willing to go to the NE and NW there isn't more for him to tap. It's less about the Street than it is how many restaurants he already has.— anon
- starr should open a place in west chester. he can make tons of money there with all the McMansion-yuppies there— Howie FelterSnatch
- Overpriced and overrated.— 1972bline
- An yet, wildly successful, so he's obviously doing something right. — guzzijason
- Not a big Starr fan, but he nailed it about South Street. South Street has so much potential, is primed for a comeback, but just needs a push. Maybe once the economy starts to grow it will have it's day? I know there is a history of high rents pushing out indie shops, but the corridor still has lots of pedestrian traffic. I really hope it can turn around, and maintain its uniqueness with minimal chain stores. Rent control for stores?— buca
- South Street will never become civilized as it was in the 60s and 70s. It's a hoodlum magnet and no way to clean it up unless its all raised and barbed wire fences with entry cards are installed. — petergou
- It really depends on the section of South Street of which you're referring. The portion east of Broad has gone stagnant, but still has a ton of potential, but the portion of South Street from about 20th Street to the South Street Bridge is actually doing quite well. It's dotted with cafe's, restaurants, galleries, bike shops and other locally owned business, and multiple new business are about to open on the 2200 block, as well. There are still some frustrating gaps between Broad to 20th, but many thriving businesses have also opened along that section over the last few years. So, again...I would say South Street is far from a disaster. — The Pack Leader
- Square Burger: the overhyped, overrated, way over priced grease burgers that aren't as good as White Castle. great idea. Take it to NYC with you too.— Tyrone Biggums
- South Street needs help? Its beyond help. Its heading in the direction it was in the 80's. Full of crime, thugs, and filth. No thanks.— Bruno Sammartino
- Wholeheartedly agreed, and I won't even arm wrestle you about it ;-) — petergou
