MidAtlantic to close

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.