Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Chef George Sabatino joins Rooster Soup Co.

The new job is four blocks and, in some respects, a world away from Aldine.

Chef George Sabatino in the red neon glow of Rooster Soup Co., 1516 Sansom St.
Chef George Sabatino in the red neon glow of Rooster Soup Co., 1516 Sansom St.Read moreMICHAEL KLEIN / Staff

Chef George Sabatino — who last month left Aldine, the edgy Rittenhouse Square restaurant he founded with his now-estranged wife, Jennifer — has a new job four blocks and, in some respects, a world away.

Last night, Sabatino was introduced to staff at Rooster Soup Co. as its new chef. Rooster, which opened a year ago at 1526 Sansom St. with the mission of donating 100 percent of profits to charity, features diner-style cuisine and a bar. He will start work Thursday.

The idea, said co-owner Steve Cook, is for Sabatino to kick up the cuisine. "We're lucky to have him," he said.

Sabatino's varied cooking background includes time at Fork, Monk's Cafe, and Ansill before he joined Marcie Turney's team at Lolita and then at Bindi and Barbuzzo. It was at Stateside, on East Passyunk Avenue, where he held his first executive chef's position, turning out small plates at a bar.

Sabatino left in early 2013 to run the kitchen at the seasonal Morgan's Pier on Penn's Landing. In 2014, the Sabatinos opened Aldine. He left her the restaurant under terms of their split.