Everything You Need to Know About Nick Elmi's New Bar on East Passyunk Avenue

What was originally supposed to be an extension of Laurel, will soon be its own entity come Fourth of July weekend: a wine bar named ITV — Top Chef winner Nick Elmi's newest addition to the East Passyunk scene.

"We thought Laurel is fine the way it is," said Elmi, "It's got a small bottle list we started six months ago—it works as a BYOB, or guests can order bottles and opt for the wine pairing. So why mess with it? Now I can say I own two restaurants, even though they're right next to each other."

Eimer Design built out a sleek space for Elmi and company, the walls a deep gray, accented with a gold-piped shelving, a marble bar, and rolled-wood wallpaper etched with floral patterns. "We wanted it to be dark. Quiet and sexy."

It being a wine bar, expect an impressive bottle and by-the-glass list put together by Laurel's Level II certified sommelier, Heather Sharp. The list will lean heavily French with a good helping of Austrian varieties—primarily old-world with a focus on bio-dynamic and organic options. The wine will, of course, match whatever Elmi and his crew are cooking in the back. Bottles will range from $50-$250, with seven specialty cocktails, six beer taps (one dedicated to cider) and a craft bottle and can list for the beer drinkers. Laurel's general manager, Melody Lauletta, will be pulling double duty, managing both restaurants' front-of-house. The third prong of Elmi's managing staff is Jordan Stalsworth, the bar manager, who's been with the team for the past year.

Food will be small plates only, ranging from $6-$22 — the same outstanding French-American food Elmi's built his career upon. The chef is especially excited about his kitchen team, "It's the best crew I've had in a long time."

ITV won't be taking reservations, and tasting menus are reserved for next door only (Laurel's $85 prix fixe). The kitchen will stay open till 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with the bar open till 2 a.m.

The name, by the way, comes from the Lenape translation of "Passyunk", meaning "in the valley."

Stay tuned for updates‚ and keep in mind, Elmi's got a third project coming soon to the PHL International Airport.