Zahav owners to open oyster bar in old Philadelphia firehouse

The successful duo behind James Beard-winning Zahav is opening an Israeli-inspired oyster bar in Olde Kensington this fall.

Why it matters: CookNSolo's Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook are hitmakers in the Philly food scene — think Goldie, Federal Donuts, Laser Wolf , K'Far and more — and they tell the Inquirer their latest venture promises more of a cozy, neighborhood bar feel.

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Driving the news: Jaffa Bar, named after the Israeli coastal city known for its fruit orchards, will seat 120 people and span two stories inside a shuttered 19th-century firehouse on North Howard Street.

• The menu will include a mix of seafood dishes and bar classics, such as yellowtail pastrami, scallops, fried chicken thighs and a Jaffa Burger.

The second floor. Rendering: Courtesy of CookNSolo/Boxwood Architects

Zoom in: The restaurant will have three bar areas: a 10-seat oyster bar, 15-seat first floor bar and 11-seat second floor bar.

The intrigue: Its cocktail program, designed by bar manager Sean Byrne, will feature citrus-rich drinks including the Jaffa Orange, similar to an Orange Julius.

• The restaurant will accept walk-ups or online reservations.

A bar on the first floor. Rendering: Courtesy of CookNSolo/Boxwood Architects

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