Huge twin restaurants headed to Chestnut St.
Branches of the New Jersey restaurants Porta and Brick Wall Tavern received zoning approval.
The east side of Center City, bubbling with development, is poised to get two large restaurants at 1214-16 Chestnut St.
The city's Zoning Board of Adjustment has approved an application for a branch of the Asbury Park/Jersey City Italian restaurant Porta, which will occupy the northern half of the property and would have an entrance off of Chestnut Street (and a cheese cave in the basement), and for Asbury Park/Burlington's Brickwall Tavern, which would occupy the southern half and would front off of Sansom Street, across from Fergie's Pub. Both have the same owner.
The two restaurants, totaling about 20,000 square feet, will seat about 275 people and employ about 120 people.
The timeline is unknown beyond "fall." A furniture store is operating in the current storefronts.
The restaurants will join newcomers including a branch of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, which recently signed a lease at East Market, at 12th and Market Streets.