Privé, the Mediterranean tapas/lounge coming together at 246 Market St. in Old City, is expected to open any day, pending the liquor license. This is the former Bluezette near Third and Market.
Partners Nick and Bill Lavdas - Bill owns the Corner Bistro in Haddonfield, while cousin Nick owns Victory Lane Bar & Grill in Berlin - have brought in chef Peter Karapanagiotis, who started cooking five years ago at his family's George's Place in Cape May and at the nearby Pier House. He spent a brief stint as a saute/saucier at Buddakan, followed by two years at Brasserie Perrier, most recently at its cafe at Boyds.
I only got a look at the lounge just inside the front door, which looks remarkably as it did as Bluezette.
Among dishes on the not-quite-final menu are:
Karpouzi: Watermelon & Feta Salad…Lavender Honey Drizzle…$11
Beet Salata: Walnut-Crusted Feta…Micro Arugula…Pear Emulsion…$11
Calamari 2 Ways: Flash Fried…Char Grilled…Lemon-Oregano Olive Oil…$12
Gyro Flatbread: Braised Short Rib…Tzatziki…Mint…Tomato Dust…$13
Cheese Boureki: Baked Goat Cheese…Fillo…Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant Salad…Wild Berry Balsamic Glaze…$10
Lollipop Lamb Chops: Fresh Oregano Crust…Tomato Confit…White Asparagus…Feta…Black Olive Lamb Thyme Jus…$14
Saganaki: Pan-Fried Kefalograviera Cheese…Flamed in Ouzo…$11
** 6/27/08: This entry has been edited; the concept has been expanded beyond Greek to encompass the Mediterranean. **
Comments (8)
I love Greek cuisine, but that name's a little to close to "privvy." Not a great decision there.
Posted by Chris | June 25, 2008 7:25 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 07:25
Unfortunately it has no relation to Prive in Miami and Las Vegas which came first. Should cause the same confusion the old Mansion on 19th Street did before it became O.N.E. Oh wait, there's a ONE In NYC too. Let's just become a complete knockoff city..anybody want to open a Butter? 1Oak?
Posted by ND | June 25, 2008 9:45 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 09:45
Gyro Flatbread: Braised Short Rib…Tzatziki…Mint…Tomato Dust…$13
"Tomato Dust"-that may be the most pretentious thing I have ever heard in my life.. this menu feels very Old City 1997....
Posted by ryan | June 25, 2008 3:58 PM
Posted on June 25, 2008 15:58
It sounds like two south jersey dudes who think they can make a quick buck in Philly by presenting a menu of clichés, faux pretention, and amateurish pairings. And they are presenting their menu in a space that is not only poorly thought out, but wasn’t thought about at all. They’re in for a rude awakening. At best, it could turn out to be a learning experience for these guys.
Posted by Fante | June 25, 2008 6:03 PM
Posted on June 25, 2008 18:03
"'Tomato Dust'-that may be the most pretentious thing I have ever heard in my life.."
More so than Lollipop Lamb Chops?
And isn't bourek Turkish?
Posted by Chris | June 26, 2008 2:25 PM
Posted on June 26, 2008 14:25
Interesting menu. I don't know what South Jersey has to do with anything, and correction for the previous comment, Boureki is from Crete, which is part of Greece, and nowhere does is say it's a Greek restaurant, it says Mediterranian restaurant.
Posted by Kostas | June 27, 2008 12:24 PM
Posted on June 27, 2008 12:24
I lived in Crete for two years and never saw Boureki, but I did eat tons of Bourek in Turkey. Interesting. I guess 250 years of occupation tends to lend itself to "cultural borrowing."
Correction, the article call Prive a "Greek Tapas/lounge"
Posted by Chris | June 27, 2008 1:01 PM
Posted on June 27, 2008 13:01
I was able to get a tour of this place and all I can say is WOW. As for the food, I will have to wait and see to judge.
Posted by Mark | June 27, 2008 2:48 PM
Posted on June 27, 2008 14:48