Chef Christopher Kearse is teaming up with PS & Daughters to launch a new dining concept this spring.
Known Associates, a cocktail bar, is set to open at 941 Spruce St. in Philadelphia’s Washington West neighborhood, according to a press release.
“That idea really clicked for us in Milan on my honeymoon–seeing how naturally great drinks and serious, satisfying food can live together,” Chef Kearse said in a statement.
PS & Daughters creative director aims to craft a space rich in detail. The new spot will bring an elevated neighborhood bar vibe, featuring a “layered, tactile” interior full of “whim and intrigue.”
“Nothing here is minimal; the design embraces well-worn opulence, intentionally saturated and shaped by time. We want to create a room built for lingering–where layers, atmosphere, and a sense of memory reward a closer look, and support the depth and creativity of Chris’s cocktails,” Phoebe Schuh said in a statement.
The menu will feature European-inspired dishes and play a more central role than in a typical American cocktail bar.
Chef Kearse and Schuh previously collaborated in 2019 on the design of Chef Kearse’s Forsythia, which recently earned a Michelin Guide recommendation.
The team hasn’t announced an official opening date yet, but fans of chef Kearse should stay tuned!
Who is Christopher Kearse?
A Pennsylvania native, Chef Kearse grew up in Levittown on Forsythia Drive–a name he later honored with his Old City restaurant, according to the restaurant’s website.
He graduated from Philadelphia’s Walnut Hill College in 2005 and moved to Chicago, where he worked as a stage, saucier, line cook and poissonnier in top kitchens across the U.S. and U.K. before returning to Philadelphia.
After returning, he opened Will BYOB in 2012. The restaurant earned him multiple accolades, including James Beard Award semifinalist recognition in 2013 and 2014.
Known Associates adds to his expanding portfolio of restaurants.
