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Helm: Two chefs, BYOB, off Girard Ave.

Up-and-coming chefs Kevin D’Egidio and Michael Griffiths are planning to strike out on their own with helm, a locally focused BYO, at 1303 N. Fifth St.

Two up-and-coming chefs are planning to strike out on their own with helm, a locally focused BYO, at 1303 N. Fifth St. It's the former Philly Food Factory next door to Taco Riendo at FIfth and Thompson Streets (a block above Girard Avenue).

Kevin D'Egidio started cooking at the old Tangerine, followed by a term at Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, a spell as opening sous chef at Will, and the executive chef's job at Stateside. Michael Griffiths worked at a country club through culinary school and moved on to Lacroix, where he rose to sous chef. Next stop was Ela, then Rittenhouse Tavern under Nicholas Elmi, and most recently Fork, where he was a sous chef.

They're going for casual ("this is not like fine dining," Griffiths says), with a blackboard menu whose dishes will be dictated by that day's availability of vegetables. Figure on low- to mid-$20s for entrees.

Dining room seats 32, and there will be room for 8 to 10 on its sweet patio out back.

They are shooting for a mid-March opening.