Restaurateurs Michael Sloane and Jay Rosenthal are rolling out two new dining concepts next year, broadening their lineup with venues designed to feel both welcoming and refined.
The two are behind Fine Line Fort Washington, which operates Jasper’s Backyard in Conshohocken and The Fort in Fort Washington.
Concept One
The first concept will open at 424 S. Bethlehem Pike, taking over the former Cantina Feliz space in Fort Washington. While the name is still under wraps, Rosenthal told What Now Philadelphia the restaurant will be positioned as a fine dining concept.
“We’re going to give you a very fine dining experience. That is the plan. If I described it 10 years ago, I’d say it’s going to be white tablecloths,” Rosenthal said. “It’s all about the experience. Your time in our space, I want every time to be special.”
Rosenthal explained the space will be approachable, blending a posh feel with a cozy atmosphere.
“We have a small dining room and a bar area. My intention is to give them a different vibe. The dining room is going to give you a feel of the classic restaurant—softer touches, softer floors, softer seating. The bar will have a social club vibe with high top tables and darker tones with lighting,” he said.
The restaurant is set to serve seafood, steak and pasta.
“We’ll make all of the pasta in-house from scratch every day and serve a selection of dry-aged steaks and limited versions. The seafood will depend on whatever happens to be fresh that week. We’re not focusing on any particular style of fish, but if I had to lean into anything, I’d lean toward the Italian side while still keeping it non-geographical,” he said.
The drink menu is still taking shape, but the team plans to highlight unique fermented and distilled cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. They also expect to offer a smaller, high-end wine list.
Rosenthal said he’s eager to bring this concept to the community he and his business partner call home.
“My partner and I live here. This is our world. We are so excited to bring what we find special to our neighbors and the community,” he said.
Concept Two
The second concept, still in its early stages and yet to be named, will be a Mediterranean restaurant.
The restaurant will occupy the space previously home to Dettera Restaurant and Wine Bar at 129 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler.
“The building has this very unique outdoor alley. That’s kind of the secret in Ambler. When the weather is nice people clamor toward it. We’re going to be expanding that space,” Rosenthal said.
The decor will feature fire-inspired elements, brought to life with lanterns and lamps.
The restaurant plans to highlight diverse Mediterranean cuisine from across the region, cooked in a wood-fired oven.
“Mediterranean cuisine is extremely seasonally appropriate, meaning it’s easy to change things quickly,” Rosenthal said. “There’s always going to be something with cabbage. There’s always going to be something with artichokes, but it’s going to be different. What goes with artichokes? Is it nuts in the fall? Is it figs in the spring? I’m so excited about the cuisine.”
Opening dates for both restaurants have not been announced, but the first concept aims to debut in February, with the second expected to follow several months later.
