Zahav’s Michael Solomonov Might Be Opening a Bakery

The construction on the 1200 block of Sansom Street is finished, access to Fergie’s Pub without weaving around fences has been restored, and now it’s looking like Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook may be moving in next door. Philly.com reports the duo signed a lease for a space in the new high-rise building that fronts 1213 Walnut. The “back” of the building, facing Sansom, includes a one-story, glass-enclosed annex directly next to Fergie’s. That’s where Solomonov and Cook are making plans, possibly for a bakery/cafe.

The new venture is just a few blocks down Sansom Street from several of Solomonov and Cook’s other eateries, including Goldie, Dizengoff, The Rooster, Abe Fisher, and one of the Federal Donuts locations.

Another Federal Donuts is in the works nearby as part of the massive East Market Development, which includes a Wawa (at 12th and Market; the signs are up now), a Little Baby’s Ice Cream, already open, and an Iron Hill Brewery, also newly open.

Yet another Federal Donuts debuts on 6th and South streets on Friday, October 5, at 7 a.m. Solomonov and Cook are also planning an Israeli restaurant for Kensington. If that’s not enough, they have a brand-new cookbook, Israeli Soul: Easy, Essential, Delicious, too.

Solomonov won the James Beard Award for best chef in 2017. This year, Zahav’s pastry chef, Camille Cogswell, took home the James Beard Award for rising star chef of the year. Maybe Cogswell, with her pastry expertise, will be involved in the new project. Stay tuned for more details.

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• Another Federal Donuts Location Is on Its Way to Philly
• Federal Donuts Is Coming to South Street
• Michael Solomonov Might Be Opening an Israeli Restaurant in Kensington
• Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook getting into bakery biz? [Philly.com]
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