Closer to the road is Iron Abbey (215-956-0600), which with its stone walls and exposed ceiling beams has a medieval look. Eight TVs play mainly soccer. There are 24 beers on tap plus 200 in bottle, as well as barley wines and specialty drinks. Chef John DaSilva, an alum of Manayunk's Bella Trattoria and Sapphire and Center City's former Caffe Monticello, turns out a moderate-price, eclectic menu. It's open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Next door at naBraza (215-956-9600), chef Abilio Medeiros, who grew up in the south of Brazil, oversees the rodizio/churrascaira concept, which includes a large salad bar and has staff patrolling the dining room with meats and poultry on skewers to serve at the table. Portuguese and Spanish wines dominate the wine list, which includes 18 by the glass. Dinner is $29.95 on weekdays, $34.95 on weekends, free for ages 6 and under; the restaurant is open daily.
What's coming
The Commonwealth is the name of a long-in-the-works project by Premiere Marketing Group's Justin Fine and Michael Steinberg and real estate developer Anthony Sembello at 1320 Chestnut St. They're calling it an intimate, refined cocktail and small-plate concept that will present an "adaptable social environment" combining "the welcoming nature of a boutique hotel lobby bar with the classic look and feel of a grand residence." As such, they emphasize, it will not be a lounge. Ryan Margolis, a Starr Restaurant alum who previously owned 707 restaurant, is consulting. Fall/winter opening is expected.
