Changing of the guard at Marigold Kitchen
Rob Halpern's last night will be Saturday, June 28. But his young guns are taking over.
In its five years under Rob Halpern, Marigold Kitchen in West Philadelphia has been one of Philly's edgiest (and praised) BYOBs - a veritable culinary lab where liquid nitro factors into some of the 15 or 16 courses that make up the prix-fixe menus.
Halpern, preparing to get married and move west, is bowing out Saturday, June 28.
But he did not go far to find buyers for Marigold:
They are his chefs de cuisine, Tim Lanza and Andrew Kochan, who met as students at the Art Institute in Philadelphia.
Halpern's executive chef, the Culinary Institute of America-trained Keith Krajewski, will remain.
"We're excited to carry the torch," said Lanza.
They say that the restaurant game is for the young, and this kitchen will prove it.
Lanza and Kochan are 26, and Krajewski is 24.
Lanza said the restaurant will close after Saturday's dinner service, and will reopen around Sept. 1 after some kitchen work is done and new equipment is brought in.