An intimate, immersive dining experience is set to open in Philadelphia later this year.
Jean, from Emmett’s team Julian van der Tak and chef Evan Synder, will debut on the second floor of Emmett’s at 161 W. Girard Ave.
The name Jean pays homage to several generations of van der Tak’s family.
“It’s my son’s middle name, my maternal grandfather’s first name, and my paternal grandmother’s middle name so it felt like the perfect way to continue the tradition we started with Emmett, which is named after Evan’s son. Jean is about carrying our family’s legacy forward through a restaurant that feels incredibly meaningful and close to home,” van der Tak told Whatnow Philadelphia.
The space will be designed to evoke the comfort of home, with a dining room set inside a converted living room centered around a 7-foot live-fire hearth.
Bold colors inspired by Moroccan architecture, along with custom ceramics and glassware from local artists, will create a “warm, approachable” fire parlor atmosphere.
The experience will feature a 12-course tasting menu highlighting Southern French and North African flavors, including a seasonal tagine. Most dishes will be cooked over an open fire.
“While Emmett celebrates the broad, macro-Mediterranean region, Jean allows us to tell a much more zoomed-in story. The live-fire hearth coupled with a capacity of only 15 guests, creates a slightly more intimate and connected atmosphere. Our menu upstairs at Jean is also tasting menu-only, whereas you have the option of partaking in Emmett’s tasting menu or opting for à la carte,” van der Tak said.
Van der Tak looks forward to introducing Jean to the community.
“The most rewarding part of opening Jean is finally bringing to life the restaurant Evan and I originally dreamed of creating years ago. Jean gives us the opportunity to complete our original vision in a way that’s deeply personal while allowing us to stay rooted in the community that embraced us from day one,” he said.
An official opening date has not yet been announced, but the team is targeting late fall 2026. Follow Jean along on Instagram for the latest updates. Stay tuned!
