The Little Lion coming to Old City
The Little Lion is under construction at Third and Chestnut Streets, where Haru was.
The long-vacant spot at Third and Chestnut Streets that until May 2011 housed Haru (241 Chestnut St.) will get new life this summer as a casual but upscale American bar/restaurant.
The Little Lion - the pride of former Devil's Alley manager Chris Younge and entrepreneur Jason Dills - carries the nickname of Alexander Hamilton, the nation's first Treasury secretary. (Significance: The location is across from the forthcoming Museum of the American Revolution.)
With 25-foot ceilings and 8-foot windows, the property is sprawling, with three working fireplaces, assorted bars, and five spaces available for corporate, family and private events (including a chef's counter/raw bar where Haru's sushi bar used to be) plus 135 seats for a la carte dining and 30 seats on the sidewalk.
Sealed windows will be made to open out. Parts of the building date to 1847, and most the architectural details will be preserved.
American cuisine will include small plates plus full-size entrees, including seafood, steak, comfort-food favorites, sandwiches, salads, house-made pasta and desserts.
There will be a full bar program with six local draft lines and 30-plus craft bottles.
It will be open daily for lunch and dinner, and weekend brunch will be a specialty.
They're aiming to open in July or August.