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Saturday, January 21, 2012

MidAtlantic to close
MidAtlantic’s dining room, a rustic-modern update, has a counter-seating area with lots of contemporary glass. The room also features barnlike planks and stamped-tin doors.

Employees at MidAtlantic - Daniel Stern's regional American restaurant at the Science Center in University City - were told Friday night that Feb. 24 would be the finale. It opened in October 2009. Here's Craig LaBan's review from February 2010.

Stern, who also owns R2L, confirmed the impending closing, and referred me to his publicist, who offered two statements - one from Wexford, the building's operator, and another from Stern.

Wexford's said, in part: "We want to thank Daniel Stern Restaurants for their leadership and partnership. We applaud their forward-thinking approach to bringing a superior dining experience to this vibrant corridor of Market Street known as the Avenue of Technology. We are actively marketing the space and look forward to continuing to provide a quality dining experience."

Stern's: "While MidAtlantic Restaurant & Tap Room will close on February 24, our investment in and commitment to the city and its vibrant restaurant scene remains and continues.  We wish Wexford and the Science Center the best of luck in the future and are very happy to have worked with them on developing this project.  We are actively helping them seek a replacement operator for the project and are thankful for all of the support of our guests and clients.  Daniel Stern Restaurants looks forward to serving you at R2L, one of the city's most spectacular restaurants and premier dining destinations."

Stern said guests with MidAtlantic gift cards can continue to redeem them through Feb. 24 or contact the restaurant at 215-386-3711 for a full refund.

I have heard that other chefs, including a Stephen Starr employee, have toured the space.

Stern, whose culinary chops have never been called into question, has had a curious history of opening and closing restaurants. Gayle opened in 2005 in Queen Village, followed by Rae at the Circa Centre in 2006. Rae bowed out at the end of 2008, followed by Gayle's demise in 2009. He opened R2L in late 2009.

Post updated
Posted by Michael Klein @ 1:29 PM  Permalink | File Under: TableTalk | 13 comments
13
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:21 PM, 01/21/2012
    No big deal it was lousy, overpriced and maybe he'll figure patrons don't want dressed up spam.
    — Markitup
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:21 PM, 01/21/2012
    No big deal it was lousy, overpriced and maybe he'll figure patrons don't want dressed up spam.
    — Markitup
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:52 PM, 01/21/2012
    This place was a gem. The food and the service were terrific. We are so disappointed.
    — hpj
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:07 PM, 01/21/2012
    The menu was the problem. Atmosphere was great. Beer selection was great. The menu was over priced and featured few if any basic items. Have all the fancy specialty items you want, but also have a basic burger, nachos, grilled cheese, cheese steaks, fries, etc. We would go there for beers but there was no reasonable "bar food." Check out Landmarks menu, that placed is full every single night of the week.
    — warrentheape
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:10 PM, 01/21/2012
    I've never heard of the place.
    — Anne Arkey
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:25 PM, 01/21/2012
    Never heard of it before this article. It most of been a great place to last this long.
    — zippy1346
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:26 PM, 01/21/2012
    Who, what, where???? If they had given a few free meals to the press and they'd still be open.
    — Wilhelm Von Humboldt
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:51 PM, 01/21/2012
    I assumed it had already closed. Also, Steven Starr is not a chef.
    — BarryG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:52 PM, 01/21/2012
    Oops, it was a Starr employee.
    — BarryG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:19 PM, 01/21/2012
    You mean to tell me a place that only hires cute, dippy college girls that allow you to sit at a bar for ten minutes without so much as a hello is closing?? No way!
    — malish
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:41 PM, 01/21/2012
    This is a shame to hear. Mid Atlantic had become a great restaurant. I am surprised because the place used to always be so dead when I would walk by on my way home from work. Lately, it seemed like it was always packed and hopping.

    It must be the location.
    — dothedouggie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:28 PM, 01/21/2012
    lol the Stern shills are even posting on the closings
    — BarryG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:09 PM, 01/25/2012
    Bring back Gayle! Hoof and Fin closed so the space is available again too ...
    — Surfinglbi23


13 comments
About Michael Klein
Michael Klein, the editor/producer of philly.com/Food, writes about the local restaurant scene in his Inquirer column "Table Talk." Have a question? Email it! See his Inquirer work here.
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