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Restaurant Connection: Matt Zagorski

Posted: March 01, 2012

Bio: 32; from Norristown, now in the Brewerytown section of Philly with his wife of three years, Leila.

Training: Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh.

Local restaurant connections: Neil Stein's Striped Bass and Rouge, with a stint at Lacroix in between.

What's new? His recent addition to Fairmount's restaurant scene, the BYOB Hickory Lane (2025 Fairmount Ave., 215-769-2420, hickorylanebistro.com), combines a casual setting with Zagorski's love of fine French cuisine. "It's a little more upscale but nothing too complicated. Just good food and good dining."

In other words: "I'm still working at the same level, but I'm trying to provide a laid-back, approachable atmosphere. I love classic French food and high-end dining, but it's not what people are looking for these days."

Three meals a day: Hickory Lane serves breakfast, lunch/brunch and dinner. So does Zagorski. "I work most of them. I've been doing this a long time and know that to get the quality I want, I have to be here all the time."

Favorite ingredient: "Grand ole butter."

In mom's kitchen: "I didn't learn much. My mom's side of the family is Pennsylvania Dutch almost, so [there's] a lot of home cooking, but that never sparked my interest. I started working in a restaurant when I was 13, and that sparked my interest."

Tattoos: Two Alex Grey paintings on his left forearm.

His favorite snack? "Right now, I'd have to go with peanut butter Snickers."

- Alexandra Olivier

Learn more about Philly-area restaurants and chefs at The Restaurant Connection, philly.com/restaurantconnect.