Harry and John Darling are in their frenzied final tune-ups before Saturday's grand opening of Darling's, a retro diner that will be a major part of the new Piazza at Schmidts in Northern Liberties. It occupies much of the ground floor of the building known as "The Egg," at the corner of Second Street and Germantown Avenue, a block south of Girard.
Darling's, an offshoot of Darling's Cafe, will serve coffee and its signature cheesecake inside on Saturday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), while cooks serve a limited menu outside. Sunday's hours will also be 10 a.m. to 8 a.m. On Monday, the diner aims for its normal schedule -- 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. (!) Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. Harry Darling says he wants to attract bar workers after their weekend shifts. The menu will be small at first and expand in time.
The diner looks out on the piazza, whose centerpiece is a big, honkin' video screen. Friday night, you'll hear all sorts of commotion there as developer Bart Blatstein throws himself a birthday party. Darlings's will help cater.
Darling has brought in Kevin Keyes (Le Bec-Fin, 211 York) to manage.
Also on tap for the Piazza this weekend are The Swift Half, a bar from the owners of Good Dog, and Vino, a wine bar from entrepreneur Michael Maglio. P.Y.T., the lounge from promoter Tommy Up, is several weeks away.
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