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Aldine: opens in Rittenhouse

George Sabatino has unlocked the door of Aldine: - his long-in-the-works restaurant/bar on the northwest corner of 19th and Chestnut Streets.

George Sabatino is out there with Aldine: - his long-in-the-works restaurant/bar on the northwest corner of 19th and Chestnut Streets (215-454-6529).

There is minimal signage outside. Use the brown door on Chestnut Street, to the left of ground-floor occupant Burger.org, and walk upstairs.

In the high-ceilinged dining room, Boxwood Architects went spare: dark oak wooden floors, plum and gray wall accents, lots of old photos, an 8-seat, granite-topped bar lit under enormous globes, silver tin ceiling and open kitchen. The corner space overlooks the intersection, and street lighting creates a lovely glow.

Aldine: - say it "al-DEEN" (the colon is silent) - will offer, in the early going, only an a la carte menu (beautifully plated dishes of halibut, hanger steak, duck breast, rabbit, raw beef, for $10 to $22). After a while, two tasting menus - one omnivore, one herbivore and each $55 per person - will be available by reservation only. Walk-ins and bar patrons can order a la carte.

Sabatino worked at Fork, Monk's Cafe and Ansill before joining the Marcie Turney/Valerie Safran partnership on 13th Street at Lolita, Bindi and Barbuzzo. His first executive chef's role was at Stateside before he opened Morgan's Pier for Avram Hornik during its first summer, in 2013. His wife, Jennifer, will run the bar.

Aldine: - named after the Aldine Theatre that later was Sam's Place (and is now the CVS on the opposite corner) - formerly was Hornik's Noche Lounge.

Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The a la carte menu will be available beginning at 4 p.m.