Openings / Rittenhouse Square

Approachable Tavern Fare Awaits at New Rittenhouse Restaurant

KEEN is a bi-level restaurant will open formally on Tuesday, November 28th at 5pm at 1708 Lombard Street in Rittenhouse Square. It will be serving casual tavern fare in a carefully curated art space that once housed the whimsical Astral Plane.

Owners Chris and Caitlin Rorer have brought on Chef Antonella Biundo and Sous Chef Liam Keeney (Caitlin’s younger brother) to oversee the kitchen. Bar Manager is Tom Danks.

KEEN Rittenhouse Pig Candy

Pig Candy [Credit: KEEN]


The casual American menu will feature appetizers such as such as Pig Candy ($10) thick cut brined and candied bacon with spicy maple syrup served with an optional 1oz pour of Old Grandad Bourbon for $5; House-baked soft pretzels ($10) with spiked caesar; and a Triple Dip ($15) whipped beets, carrot hummus, and lemon squash with Baker Street Ficelle and house pickles for dipping.

The Mains section features familiar fare combining the chef teams’ unique spin on family recipes. The Big A** Sexy Salad ($16) is Caitlin’s expertly prepared “simple salad for people who hate salads” and the Fall Noodles ($15) is a Keen family classic – handmade linguini with mushrooms, squash, leeks, lemon garlic sauce. The Bonesless Short Rib ($27) is braised for 8 hours and a sure cold weather favorite – it’s accompanied by brussels sprouts and mashed squash. The Vegetable Board ($30) boasting salt & vinegar beets, glazed carrots, maple glazed brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, balsamic mushrooms and root vegetable bread pudding will be the envy of even your most carnivorous friend. Casual fare such as the Spicy Chicken Sandwich ($14) pulled chicken patty, buffalo demi, pickled cucumber, and kale on a Baker Street onion poppy roll is a kitchen favorite and will be featured on the late night menu.

KEEN Rittenhouse Chicken Sandwich

Spicy Chicken Sandwich [Credit: KEEN]

On the desert menu, don’t skip Chef Antonello Biundo’s Sicilian Aunt’s rainbow cookies served alongside an expertly pulled La Colombe espresso for $7.

Danks’ direction for the cocktail program is “fast craft” with five or less ingredients. The six rotating tap lines will feature exclusively Pennsylvania brews, plus two draft wines that will include an organic Italian rosé for $7 — all day. The restaurant will also take advantage of recent legislation allowing select local restaurants to sell wine to go.

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