- Friday, October 21st: Happy Hour from 6 – 8 p.m. with free passed appetizers and cash bar.
- Saturday, October 22nd: Brunch from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. with free small plates (reservations recommended).
Bar One is the newest restaurant opening up at 9th and Catherine (home of the former The Wishing Well). Ryan Rubino, the 5th generation manager of Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, America’s oldest Italian restaurant, made the move and finalized the lease for the Rubino family’s new venture. The restaurant’s name is “bar-forward” and inspired by an event announcer’s butchery of opening chef (and Rubino’s father’s second cousin) Anthony Barone’s name.
Ralph’s successfully opened a second location with a full bar in King of Prussia and now the family will continue to expand with their new concept just across street from Ralph’s original location. However, Bar One will be much different than Ralph’s, expect a great happy hour, craft cocktails, small plates of bar food and brunch which Rubino describes as, “if not obviously, then subtly Italian.”
The menu will feature fare that is “loosely Italian or South Philly.” Think mussels with a cheesesteak twist, homemade pasta and more. We sampled some of their pasta dishes, Fried Calamari, Roast Pork Spring rolls, and Buffalo Chicken Spring rolls. We also tried the Tiramisu French Toast and Cannoli Pancakes from the brunch menu.
Bar One began as an idea four years ago; the location was always rotating with different concepts, Rubino said. There’s no “bar scene” at Ralph’s, so Bar One was the answer to fill that void. Bar One will also aim for a “neighborhood bar vibe” and a younger crowd.
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