If you think of culinary hotspot neighborhoods around the city, Point Breeze probably wouldn’t be at the top of your list when thinking of where to go to eat. But recently, the South Philly neighborhood has undergone some changes in the restaurant scene, and yet another new spot will be opening its doors come September down south past Washington Avenue.
Community, a new gastropub and artisan hotspot, will be taking over the building where Burg’s Hideaway Lounge once stood. Burgs was a tiny neighborhood spot that served up beers, a small selection of cocktails and a few interesting menu items for both dinner and brunch. Community, however, will feature a vast menu of not only made-to-order food for dinner, but provisions as well.
Husband and wife team Chef Michael Sultan and his wife Angela Sultan, who also started the popular catering company 33rd Street Hospitality are behind the new Point Breeze eatery. The couple is tentatively planning to open Community on Monday, September 14th, the couple’s one year wedding anniversary.
“We are super excited to introduce our food to the neighborhood and hope that the community will enjoy what we have to offer. We put a huge emphasis on variety and worked hard to create a menu that we would want to enjoy at a neighborhood bar” Angie said in a statement. Michael added, “We are industry vets. With the added experience of operating our catering company, we have the ability to offer a wide variety of dishes while also offering an assortment of scratch-made provisions. Community will be a one-stop-shop for our Point Breeze neighbors.”
The opening menu will feature an array of evening-time options including a dry-aged bacon double cheeseburger, tacos, po’ boys, pot pie, chicken fried rabbit legs, wings, and a variety of sandwiches, salads and different entrees as well. Vegan and vegetarian options will also be available, and guests can also look for a slew of seasonal items to rotate through when the weather gets cold, including; matzoh ball and French onion soups, flatbreads, homemade pastas and prime rib specials. On the sweeter side, desserts will include a French-style cheesecake, plus an assortment of house-made ice creams.
Price-wise the eatery is aiming in a range from $12-$15 for sandwiches, and $20 and below for entrees. This definitely helps secure the notion that Community will be a neighborhood spot—those who live in or know the area know that although new housing and rent might be popping up on the expensive side, Point Breeze is still very much a diverse neighborhood with residents who have been there their whole lives, and a stream of young adult and family newcomers.
On the artisanal side, Point Breezers and Philadelphians who wish to head south can pick up Michael’s smoked salmon, house-cured bacon, dry-aged burgers, hand-cut steaks, soups, dressings and hot sauce, as well as Rival Bros. Coffee, farm fresh eggs and a variety of items from Nello’s Specialty Meats and more.
In addition, after opening, the Sultans are also planning alfresco grilling on the sidewalk every Wednesday night. This weekly event will include collaborations with local chefs and area food and beverage producers. Takeout and delivery will be offered for the new spot and weekend brunch will also begin at some point after opening.
Inside, the space is completely getting re-done. Where a quaint bar once stood will now be transformed into an eatery that can hold 30 guests in a half dozen booths, as well as wraparound bar seating, plus 40 more seats outdoor for outdoor dining.
According to the release, Angie, who started out in hospitality bartending at Rittenhouse hotspot Rouge, Loco Pez and Underground Arts, will manage the front of the house. Her beverage program will feature a number of local and non-local draft beers and ciders. “We’re going to serve the best beers, wines, ciders and spirits that we can source,” she said in a statement.
Guests can expect West Coast IPAs, stouts, sours, and ciders along with draft wines and prosecco, which will be available by the glass or carafe. There will also be a slushie machine for different frozen cocktails, as well as a focus on locally-produced craft spirits.
Community is the next step in Point Breeze becoming another hotspot in Philly’s food scene. Being just a nice walk from the Italian Market and East Passyunk, this up and coming part of Philly is often overlooked. But now with additions like Porcos and Small Oven, Chick’s and the second location of Dock Street Brewery, Community will fit right in with this new culinary-conscious part of the city.
The release also states that while operating the new restaurant, Michael and Angie said they will continue to do off-site catering through 33rd Street Hospitality, which also operates the 33rd Street Taco Shop within Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
At this time, Community does not have a website up but to learn more information on 33rd Street Hospitality visit 33rdstreethospitality.com
