Starr to open Frankford Hall in Fishtown

[eldondre]

Phoodie is reporting that Stephen Starr is looking to open a German biergarten in Fishtown. The project is called Bier Garten would run along Frankford Avenue opposite of Johnny Brenda’s and adjacent to the Acropolis Diner.

Foobooz Starr Going German With Bier Garten

looks to be a huge upgrade and an interesting reuse of this space.

In traditional German style, it would be a true bier garten, with about 250 seats, both indoor and outdoor. However, as our tipster points out, “the drawings look like you might expect of a Stephen Starr restaurant.”
· Kitchen would be open until 11PM; bar would stay open until 2AM. No exact details on cuisine just yet, but damned if we can’t smell mock-ironic kielbasa on the wind already.

Phoodie Exclusive: The Who And The What Of Stephen Starr’s Fishtown Bier Garten at Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia

[Pitt]

A clear barometer for Fishtown's arrival. I have a feeling I will regret not buying there.

[Malloy]

A clear barometer for Fishtown's arrival. I have a feeling I will regret not buying there.

Houlihans is next!

[dr_gingivitis]

Houlihans is next!

Nice

[Pitt]

Never understood the hate for Starr.

[Malloy]

Never understood the hate for Starr.

I think most folks here on PS are supportive of Starr. I like most of his places. Actually, I'm becoming a Stella groupie.

[Seanibus]

I think most folks here on PS are supportive of Starr. I like most of his places. Actually, I'm becoming a Stella groupie.

My problem with him is that he tends to value style over substance. His places are good enough, but they are never quite as good as they think they are. I probably wouldn't be as sensitive to it if I hadn't lived in Los Angeles before coming here. He is aiming for Hollywood-hip in most of his places, but he can't quite pull it off.

[eldondre]

My problem with him is that he tends to value style over substance. His places are good enough, but they are never quite as good as they think they are. I probably wouldn't be as sensitive to it if I hadn't lived in Los Angeles before coming here. He is aiming for Hollywood-hip in most of his places, but he can't quite pull it off.

maybe it's not hollywood, but certainly it's something that was missing from the Philly scene. stella was surprisingly good. Parc, just a good restaurant with a great atmosphere. I doubt even Hollywood could have built a better Parisian bistro. In many respects, a beer garden is an excellent choice for the former promoter. the food side should be relatively straightforward while the important thing is actually the design and upkeep. that's what made stella so surprising. that said, over the years, alma de cuba was actually quite good (haven't been in a while, but garces did get his start here). while he's not singlehandedly going to make Philadelphia NY, he does add something positive to the nightlife here.

[Seanibus]

maybe it's not hollywood, but certainly it's something that was missing from the Philly scene. stella was surprisingly good. Parc, just a good restaurant with a great atmosphere. I doubt even Hollywood could have built a better Parisian bistro. In many respects, a beer garden is an excellent choice for the former promoter. the food side should be relatively straightforward while the important thing is actually the design and upkeep. that's what made stella so surprising. that said, over the years, alma de cuba was actually quite good (haven't been in a while, but garces did get his start here). while he's not singlehandedly going to make Philadelphia NY, he does add something positive to the nightlife here.

I admire his ambition, so I wouldn't say I am one of the dreaded haters, but there is something missing at the core of his restaurants.

[Malloy]

Good food = good food. I think for the $ most of the Starr places serve good food. His food dosen't have to be the 'best' in all of Philly...the 'experience' often equals good/great night out.

My problem with him is that he tends to value style over substance. His places are good enough, but they are never quite as good as they think they are. I probably wouldn't be as sensitive to it if I hadn't lived in Los Angeles before coming here. He is aiming for Hollywood-hip in most of his places, but he can't quite pull it off.

[Seanibus]

Good food = good food. I think for the $ most of the Starr places serve good food. His food dosen't have to be the 'best' in all of Philly...the 'experience' often equals good/great night out.

That's where I fall down on him. I think his food is OK. I give him a B in most cases.

[eldondre]

That's where I fall down on him. I think his food is OK. I give him a B in most cases.

While I don't personally go to most of his restaurants, I don't see any reason to hate him. He obviously gives people something they want. In rare cases, i's actually quite good (as is the case with Stella) but in many cases it's good and makes for a pleasant night out (PArc-though I actually like breakfast here, quiet, overlooking the park). some are hit or miss (jones food quality was up and down like a yoyo over the years). I never have made it to tangerine or buddakan and felt that el vez was at its best with enchiladas, guacamole, and fresh margaritas. I don't see much reason to be a hater, it's not like he has a monopoly. overall he's good for the food scene. I suppose I can understand, comgin from LA where purportedly style is always more important than substance, I'd say, on the whole, he gives you a nice balance of both. he also took a young garces under his wing and I'm sure has taught other chefs the business side of a restaurant, for better and for worse.

[Brooke]

Ah I knew about this because of my job but hadn't heard it more confirmed than that. This will be an avenue/game changer. Pitt...maybe it's time to buy a house here (nudge, nudge). Ha ha.

Something else pretty major may be going in on Frankford soon...and since I'm the agent for this transaction, I have to keep my mouth shut.

As for Starr, usually like his places a lot. Now I want something to replace the goddawful brown spray paint of a KFC/Long John Silver Shell Fishtown side of the El.

[The Count]

That's where I fall down on him. I think his food is OK. I give him a B in most cases.

I agree with you - though Buddakan and B-Prime get an "A" from me.

But were it not for Starr, the Philadelphia restaurant scene would not be nearly as dynamic as it is today. And he's still quite relevant even though it seems Garces may be taking the "Starr Model" to another level.

[eldondre]

on the topic of a stopped watch is right twice a day, it appears that my prediction that Girard would one day be the "front door" of northern liberties is finally coming to fruition. with the piazza and development along girard in fishtown it's finally happening. thankfully, never did like the spring garden el stop.any word on when the rest of blatstein's project will be built?

[Pitt]

Looks like I fall in line with the status quo here. Some places suck at what they try to do, but Starr places are very good at what they try to do: good (not terrific) food with a fun atmosphere. I take groups of friends to El Vez a couple times a year and they always have a blast.

[3rd&Brown]

any word on when the rest of blatstein's project will be built?

i think the retail space on 2nd & girard is just getting underway. for the past week or so...i've noticed what appear to be pile driving type machines on-site which appear to be drilling large holes for footings. could be wrong though.

i like starr. sure...he's isn't a chef...but many of his places are quite good. and they almost all fill a nice niche. barclay prime is awesome. i've also always enjoyed buddakan and el vez. i've now added stella and parc to that list.

as a single person...there aren't a lot of places where you can eat alone comfortably (though i've managed to compile quite a list). i love the balance that parc strikes in this respect...between sophistication and neighborhood bistro. i've eaten there a number of times simply because it is so easy to do so if alone.

[3rd&Brown]

btw. this will do for fishtown what the original continental did for old city. i predict a good number of eating and drinking establishments will follow suit. plus...i love that the location can have a ripple effect in south kensington as well. in fact...i'd argue it's closer to the core of s kensington than it is to the core of fishtown.

awesome news. hopefully the nimbys won't bat it down.

[Philco]

Where exactly will this restaurant be? The former A.A.A welding property or the abandoned Kensington Brewery building. It looks like work has begun at A.A.A. but it was mentioned that it was next to Acropolis.

[eldondre]

btw. this will do for fishtown what the original continental did for old city. i predict a good number of eating and drinking establishments will follow suit. plus...i love that the location can have a ripple effect in south kensington as well. in fact...i'd argue it's closer to the core of s kensington than it is to the core of fishtown.

awesome news. hopefully the nimbys won't bat it down.

I don't know about turning it into old city but certainly it's third in a wave of new interest (jumbo, sidecar two, now this). the city is far different today than it was in 95. hell, the field house was a PACKED club last night...market east? they need to boot hard rock out NOW. nonetheless, I think it will bring some more interest, though methinks the piazza is bring a lot more attention to the area as well. it's already a selling point for places in south kensington. it's just a matter of time, I don't see this is a risky or bold move at all by starr, not that there's anything wrong with that. a good beer garden is always welcome.