Stephen Starr Eyes Italian Restaurant Across from Rittenhouse Square

Renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr is preparing to introduce a new Italian dining establishment across from the iconic Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.

The proposed Italian restaurant, tentatively named Borromini, is set to occupy the space once occupied by a Barnes & Noble bookstore on the Walnut Street side of Rittenhouse Square.

Plans for the façade of the upcoming Italian restaurant are currently under review by the city’s Historical Commission. The commission’s staff has raised concerns regarding some of the proposed alterations to the building.

Starr’s vision for the restaurant involves transforming the three-story historic Allison building into a classic trattoria that will offer three meals a day. The property, which will be twice the size of Starr’s existing French-inspired restaurant Parc situated on the east side of the square, is expected to open its doors to patrons as early as January 2025.

If realized, the forthcoming Italian eatery will provide a substantial sidewalk dining area, promising an elegant and vibrant ambiance reminiscent of traditional trattorias.

Stephen Starr clarified that the new restaurant will bear some similarity to Parc in its concept but with its own unique Italian flair. Positioned strategically opposite some of Starr’s other notable eateries such as Barclay Prime, The Love, Continental Mid-town, and the Dandelion, the new establishment aims to enrich the culinary landscape of the area.