Dolce Italian and The W Hotel are pleased to announce the appointment of a talented new Executive Chef, Gerron Douglas, who now spearheads all food operations within both the W Hotel and Dolce Italian restaurant. Additionally, under Chef Gerron, Dolce Italian has launched a new Aperitivo Hour (Italian style happy hour) menu.

As Executive Chef, Douglas oversees all food operations within the complex, including the hotel’s signature restaurant Dolce Italian Philadelphia, W Hotel’s living room lobby bar, wet deck, in-room dining, and all banquet functions.

Chef Douglas boasts over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Dolce and the W, he served as Director of Culinary ar Backal Hospitality. He has also served as the Executive Chef at TWA Hotel at JFK, overseeing the start-up, launch and ongoing operations for all outlets. Additional hotel tenure includes Executive Chef at Conrad New York, and earlier career development as sous chef at Waldorf Astoria New York. Along the way, Chef Douglas developed his expertise in scaled banquet operations as Executive Banquet Chef at restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events, where he managed all aspects of the hotel’s catering to ensure customer satisfaction and business profitability.

The Aperitivo Hour at Dolce Italian features special prices on select food and beverage Tuesday through Friday between 4:00 and 6:00 at the bar.

Guests can enjoy half off Pizzas: Margherita ($8), Primo Amore – burrata, cherry tomatoes, arugula, parmigiano ($9), Zingara – spicy sopressata, roasted peppers, san Marzano tomato, mozzarella ($9.50), as well as small plates of Big Eye Tuna Crudo and Dolce Meatballs.

Beverage specials include select cocktails ($8), select wine by the glass ($7) and select beers ($5).