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In another surprising move, the two former head chefs at Aleksandar restaurant told Eater Philly that they will now be heading up the kitchens at The Avery, a complete revamp of the now-defunct Eleven Social concept in Old City.
Montana Houston, 28, will be executive chef at The Avery and Ja’mir Wimberly-Cole, 24, executive chef. The major rebranding comes after former co-owner and Phillies legend Jimmy Rollins dropped out of the project while other backers remained interested in making the deal happen.
Located at 117 Chestnut Street (formerly 2nd Story Brewing Company), Eleven Social focused on contemporary new American cuisine with the atmosphere of an upscale sports bar.
Now, The Avery plans to become more ambitious in terms of cuisine and vision at the same location.
“We are focused on seasonal American cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients and expert techniques,” Houston says of the new direction. “Our menu features both a la carte and a hyper-seasonal tasting menu, all served with genuine, warm hospitality. We are committed to a blend of outstanding service and culinary excellence to create a dining experience that is unique, timeless and exceptional, in keeping with the mission of the Avery Restaurant Group.”
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“A visit to the late James Kent’s Crown Shy in NYC showed that it was possible to offer this level of excellence on a larger scale,” says Wimberly-Cole of his inspiration in opening this new restaurant. “My goal is to bring this fine dining experience to Philadelphia.”
Beyond the bold culinary ambitions, AnnaLisa McDonald, The Avery’s bar manager, is excited about the impact the new restaurant will have on the city as a whole.
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“We are a collective of young professionals committed to redefining the culinary experience by combining daring, innovative gastronomic and artisanal cocktail creations with the elegance of traditional fine dining,” says McDonald. “Rooted in the city where my journey began, I want to reignite the enthusiasm for adventurous flavors and daring combinations.”
The opening of Avery at 117 Chestnut Street is planned for late September/early October.
