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Thursday, May 7, 2009
Union Trust lightens up

Union Trust (717 Chestnut St.) has had its share of drama of late, what with the departure of chef-partner Terry White and last week's installation of Jose Garces/Stephen Starr alum Kevin Sbraga to straighten out the kitchen with partner Ed Doherty.

Sbraga was there only three days -- as a consultant, he says -- and now he's gone, on his way to Solea, the Mediterranean attached to the new W Hotel in South Beach. He'll be exec chef when it opens June 3.

But what a productive three days.

He and Doherty went over White's bill of fare line by line and reorganized it. It goes on line Friday 5/8.

First thing you'll notice is that the "vertical steak tasting for four" has been bowdlerized. While its $500-for-four price tag set a shocking tone atop the previous dinner menu, it has been related to a sidebar on Page 2 and it now reads "$100 per person."

Sbraga contributed an herb-crusted halibut with tomato confit, capers and olives, and Doherty -- who set up the kitchens at Philly's Capital Grille and Water Works previously -- put on a pan-seared salmon with baby artichoke ragout and lemon oil. Overall, some prices have come down, such as the prime bone-in filet mignon, which was $60 on the previous menu and now sells for $55.

Side dishes no longer are larded with creams and fats. No more caviar.

They've added charcuterie -- a choice of three or five meats and cheeses. They've added a chicken dish; one of the mysteries of the previous menu was why there was none. And get this: UT no longer will charge for sauce, though there's a $2 charge for extra.


Posted by Michael Klein @ 4:03 PM  Permalink | File Under: TableTalk | 6 comments
Comments   
Posted 11:29 AM, 05/08/2009
iamnotTHATking
sounds like someone has realized a 12 MILLION dollar restaurant charging outrageous prices may not survive in this difficult economic time. First sign a place is failing is top end turnover......shows drastic decisions are being made. KING~out
Posted 12:54 PM, 05/08/2009
MichaelZoe
this place will be closed in 2 months.
Posted 11:19 PM, 05/10/2009
JoeMays
Today is May 10, Mother Day and the new and improved menu is not on-line, so where is it? I cannot belive that they fired Terry TW White? Why doesn't someone like you ask questions, or is Ed unavailable for comment. Your first article about TW leaving, didn't mention whether TW left or was fired, it also indicated that Kevin Sbraga, was hired to work there, now he is leaving, what is up with that. My feeling is that they are having more problems, then you want to point out. Not blaming you, I know you need you connection to keep up with the beat.
Posted 11:34 PM, 05/10/2009
JoeMays
Michael Klien was told that the new menu would be posted by May 8th. Today is May 10th "Mothers Day" where is the new menu?
Posted 11:45 PM, 05/10/2009
JoeMays
One more thing Mike, I have and I am sure you have the info that TW was fired. I was just hoping you could did a little deeper? These two guys worked for almost 2 years to put this restaurant together and less then 3 months after opening, the managing partner fires his own partner. Sounds to me like an act of desperation?
Posted 10:11 PM, 05/17/2009
Natasha W.
Who are they kidding? A "consultant" that only lasted 3 days? LaBan's review will either make or break them. I am curious as to whether LaBan will delay his review given their current situation. Definitely something fishy going on with this restaurant. Maybe Ed will become the "Chef" again like he did at Waterworks. I would be surprised if they make it to Christmas.
6 comments
About Michael Klein
Michael Klein chronicles local people, places and things (in easy-to-digest portions) three days a week in his Inquirer column "INQlings." He also covers the restaurant scene in his Thursday Food column, "Table Talk." See his work at http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/michael_klein.
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