Chestnut Hill's Mica Temporarily Closes, Will Reopen Under New Ownership

Mica, chef Chip Roman's modernist Chestnut Hill darling, is sold. According to a report by Philly.com, Roman sold the restaurant to his current chef de cuisine at Blackfish, Yianni Arhontoulis, in lieu of a better standard of living. "I don't need multiple restaurants," said Roman.

There was a time in Philly's recent dining history when Chip Roman's name was everywhere. After working under Georges Perrier and Marc Vetri, Roman opened his first solo-act, Blackfish. In 2011, Philadelphia magazine named the Conshy BYOB the city's best restaurant (though, last week's re-review sang a different tune). He followed up Blackfish with the critically acclaimed, GQ-beloved Mica, then, with Jason Cichonski, opened Ela in Queen Village. He partnered up with Fred Ortega to launch a gourmet chocolate company, Tradestone Confections, and even tried his hand at owning and operating a restaurant in Center City, The Treemont.

The Treemont closed, he sold his share in Ela, and now Mica is no longer his — Blackfish and Tradestone are all that remain under the Chip Roman umbrella.

As for Mica under Arhontoulis's command, almost nothing about the restaurant will change. It'll strut the same name, the same staff, the same modern American cooking, only now, it'll be a BYOB since Roman held onto his liquor license in the sale. The restaurant is set to reopen on Tuesday, September 6.