Osteria 2 Almost Ended Up at the Revel Casino

Marc Vetri is venturing out into the world of mom jeans and big hair with the opening of Osteria in the Moorestown Mall later this year. For those who roll their eyes or sneer at the idea, let's be honest about what Osteria is: a pizza and pasta joint. And that's in the wheelhouse of those monuments to consumerism we all frequent from time to time. Granted, it's the greatest pizza and pasta in the city, but it certainly sells to everyone.

Vetri said he had been planning on trying to open something over the bridge for quite some time, as his partner in crime, Jeff Benjamin, is a Cherry Hill native, and he's seen one of his former lieutenants, Joey Baldino, have huge success away from Philly. Originally, Vetri was working out a deal to open up Osteria in the Revel Casino, but it didn't pan out. The restaurant is 5,000 square feet, and will feature a massive bar. He added that the menu will be almost a "carbon copy" of the menu here in Philly.

Before second guessing Vetri's instincts, remember how much flak he got about opening Osteria in North Philly, and how that turned out. Vetri added, "The standard practice is location, location, location.' My theory is, make something that people want to go to and they will come."

· Chef Marc Vetri Chats About Plan for Moorestown Osteria [Moorestown Patch]
· All Marc Vetri Coverage [~EPHI~]