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Helm crew to take over Aldine space in Rittenhouse

The move not only will boost seating and overall visibility at the two-year-old small-plater. It will give them a liquor license and a bar.

Aldine Restaurant, upstairs at 1901 Chestnut St., will become South Helm.
Aldine Restaurant, upstairs at 1901 Chestnut St., will become South Helm. Read moreALDINE

Kevin D'Egidio and Michael Griffiths say they will move their Pennsport BYOB, South Helm, into the second-floor space at 1901 Chestnut St. that last housed Aldine, which closed in April over tax issues.

The move not only will boost seating and overall visibility at the two-year-old small-plater.

Helm Rittenhouse will have a liquor license and a bar.

Griffiths said the plan is to build a low wall to bisect the room, creating not only a bar area but a three-person chef's counter. Jon Adair, chef at South Helm, will run this kitchen, Griffiths told me.

South Helm at Front and Morris Streets — a Craig LaBan two-beller — is expected to close July 21, with Helm Rittenhouse reopening on July 30. They have an unspecified plan for the Pennsport space, which previously was First Ward Sandwich after many years as Langostini.

D'Edigio and Griffiths — who met at Lacroix in the Rittenhouse — burst onto the scene in 2015 with Helm, on Fifth Street in Kensington, which they started with $10,000 in their pockets. D'Egidio started cooking at the old Tangerine, followed by Lacroix at the Rittenhouse, Will, and Stateside. Griffiths also worked at Ela, Rittenhouse Tavern, and Fork.

Last fall, they also opened Tierce, a breakfast-and-luncher in Fishtown.

This post has been updated.