ILU Bringing Tapas to Kensington

A popular Philadelphia hospitality group will breathe new life into an old bar this year. Vintage Syndicate will be opening ILU in Kensington by the end of 2024, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer .

The concept will be taking over the space at 2118 Dauphin Street, a building which formerly housed Old Philadelphia Bar. ILU will be a tapas restaurant and cocktail bar.

A veritable who’s who of Philadelphia’s hospitality giants is coming together to launch the restaurant. Vintage Syndicate founder Jason Evenchik is joined by partners Patrick Iselin, Scott Coudriet, and Sal D’Amato in the project.

Future patrons would be forgiven for assuming “ILU” is a reference to the modern abbreviation for “I love you”, however the name is in fact a reference to Iselin’s grandmother, Iluminada’s, nickname. The partner’s Spanish heritage provided the inspiration behind the concept.

A precise date is not yet available for ILU’s opening, however Philadelphia residents can look forward to the eatery opening its doors before 2025.

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