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Greg Vernick, named the best chef in the mid-Atlantic region in the 2017 James Beard Awards, just opened Vernick Coffee Bar, part of the Four Seasons Hotel in the Comcast Technology Center, the new skyscraper at 18th and Arch. This is Vernick’s second eatery, after the acclaimed Vernick Food & Drink in Rittenhouse. A third, Vernick Fish, will open in the Comcast Center early next year.
The Four Seasons was on the Ben Franklin Parkway. It closed in 2015 in anticipation of its relocation. Along with Vernick’s restaurants, star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is opening his first Philadelphia restaurants as part of the hotel, also early next year. Like Vernick, Vongerichten will set up both a higher-end eatery and a more casual spot in the building. Vernick, originally from Cherry Hill, worked for Vongerichten for several years before opening his own place.
Vernick Coffee Bar is on the second floor. Vernick Fish will on the ground floor. Vongerichten’s restaurant will be on the 59th floor and his lounge will be on the 60th.
But “coffee bar” is misleading here. There is a coffee counter, yes, with baked goods, sandwiches, salads, cold-pressed juices, and other items for takeout. But there’s also a spacious sit-down cafe serving dishes like eggs with English pea hummus, cherry tomato salad, and crispy pita for breakfast and a shaved porchetta sandwich for lunch.
It’s open during the week only, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Take a look at the dishes and the full food menus:
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