Michael Solomonov Might Be Opening an Israeli Restaurant in Kensington

There’s a restaurant opening in a former warehouse in Kensington, and it’s looking like Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook of Zahav might be behind it. Philly.com reports a liquor license transfer notice is up on the building, at 1301 N. Howard Street. Solomonov and Cook, who also have Federal Donuts, Dizengoff, Goldie, Abe Fisher, and The Rooster, may have told community members during a South Kensington Community Partners meeting that the restaurant will be similar to Zahav. The CookNSolo team is not confirming or denying anything to Eater just yet.

As Philly.com lays out, the motion to allow a zoning variance — to use the space as a restaurant instead of homes — passed at the South Kensington Community Partners meeting in mid-July. According to minutes from the meeting, the proposal was “to create a sit-down restaurant in existing structure. Seeking permission for commercial space in an area designated for residential.” The lot is 3,771 square feet, according to real estate site Redfin. A real estate blog run by OCF Realty says the space has been used to store everything from trucks to paper to Philadelphia Weekly honor boxes.

The OCF Realty blog also hints at a Solomonov and Cook venture, writing, “a little birdie tells us to expect a new CookNSolo spot.”

A commenter on the blog says the restaurateurs gave a presentation at the South Kensington Community Partners meeting last month, describing their new project as “a less formal Zahav.”

The liquor license transfer is from “Elwolf LLC” — Philly.com reports the applicant is a business associate of Solomonov and Cook.

Eater national critic Bill Addison has named Zahav to his list of the 38 essential restaurants in the country several years in a row. Solomonov and Cook have had less luck outside of Philly: Dizengoff and Federal Donuts in Miami closed after just six months. Dizengoff in New York’ Chelsea Market food hall will close August 29.

Alexandra Hawkins/Zahav

• Unexpectedly, a Restaurant is Planned at Howard & Thompson [OCF Realty]
• Zahav duo planning to open a restaurant in Kensington [Philly.com]