That's It for Serafina in Rittenhouse Square

After five long years on the corner of 18th and Sansom Streets, Philly's Serafina location has closed as building owner Allan Domb makes way for another Stephen Starr concept, which is still yet-to-be-named.

Like it just did in West Hollywood, the New York-based Italian restaurant opened in Rittenhouse in 2011 with high hopes of hosting big-name personalities (investors of the restaurant include Scary Spice (Mel B) and husband Stephen Belafonte). But Philadelphia's Italian scene is a force to be reckoned with, what with chefs like Marc Vetri, Joe Cicala, Peter McAndrews, and Chris Painter making Italian magic in their kitchens. Serafina, with a menu priced to compete, did nothing of the sort — Inky critic Craig LaBan called the food "dull, relatively expensive, and soullessly mass-produced."

Alas, Rittenhouse's Italian-lovers need not worry: Scarpetta, another NY-based restaurant with multiple locations around the country, will open in just five days (September 28) on Rittenhouse Square. Check out the menu here, and take a peek inside here.