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The City of Brotherly Love offers an abundance of prime dining real estate, but when Luke Palladino was looking for a spot to mark his arrival, he wasted little time proclaiming the vacant space at 1934 E. Passyunk Ave. as the future home for Palladino’s on Passyunk. The gateway project, which opened to the avenue’s nationally acclaimed dining scene, is making a quick and tasty impression with Readers’ Choice voters since its mid-December opening, as they have crowned the establishment with a best new restaurant distinction.
“It feels really great,” Palladino said. “I am so honored. I am obsessed that we are doing things right. It shows that our hard work is paying off.”
The Italian steakhouse concept offers a menu featuring wood-grilled steaks and chops, handcrafted pasta dishes, fine wines and cocktails. Call it a small sampling of the diverse options. The building was previously home to Columbo’s, which an August 2012 fire destroyed.
“I think people are just excited about this building that sat for so long,” Palladino said. “It’s such an important, iconic corner.”
The chef/owner, who also operates a catering business and Luke Palladino Seasonal Italian Cooking in Linwood, N.J., has quickly taken a liking to his East Passyunk Crossing community where he maintains a residence.
“It’s nice to be on the avenue,” he said. “It’s a great community to be a part of.”
The Palladino welcoming party will be expanding over the next several months as he plans to roll out an “amazing” brunch program March 29 followed by outdoor dining —with an additional 40 seats — in April.
It seems the avenue is the hot place to enjoy fresh dining concepts, as Brigantessa cooked up second-place recognition while Townsend plated a third-place award.
Contact Editor Bill Gelman at bgelman@southphillyreview.com or ext. 121.
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