Helm Is Now Open in Rittenhouse, Complete With Cocktails

Helm, the farm-to-table BYOB in Kensington that earned a spot on the list of Eater Philly’s 38 essential restaurants, now has a location in Rittenhouse — and this one has booze. Owners Kevin D’Egidio and Michael Griffiths relocated their South Helm from its Pennsport spot to the second floor of 1901 Chestnut Street, in what was until recently Aldine. After a limited opening over the weekend, Helm Rittenhouse is now in full swing.

FCM Hospitality, the group behind Morgan’s Pier, Harper’s Garden, and the upcoming Craft Hall, is a partner in the new venue.

Chefs D’Egidio and Griffiths met while working at Lacroix, the upscale eatery inside the Rittenhouse hotel. They set out on their own to open Helm in 2015, and last year added breakfast, lunch, and brunch spot Tierce. South Helm at 100 Morris Street just closed in anticipation of the move to Rittenhouse; they’re still on the lease for that address but haven’t decided what to do with it.

Helm [official photo]

The new Helm on 19th and Chestnut seats 65, with tables, a chef’s counter, a bar, and a lounge area. For the food, the chefs are sticking with a recipe that’s already brought them success: rotating seasonal dishes made with local ingredients. For now, offerings include the likes of caramelized corn agnolotti and hazelnut-fried soft shell crab. Executing the dishes is executive chef Jon Adair, who opened South Helm.

Unlike their other locations, Helm Rittenhouse has a liquor license, so expect cocktails along the lines of the Green Thumb: gin, mezcal, muddled English peas, and egg white.

The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Helm [official photo]