Photo by Kim Crawford:
Last night, Stephen Starr gave Philadelphia a first taste of his latest blockbuster: Borromini, a $20 million Italian trattoria that now occupies the former Rittenhouse Barnes & Noble. The preview party drew a packed crowd ahead of the official public opening on Monday, August 25, 2025—a date that feels destined for Philly dining history, much like 07/07/07 was for the start of my blog.
The space itself is a showstopper: two stories and more than 15,000 square feet, with multiple first-floor dining rooms, fun nooks and crannies for see and be seen, or I don’t want to be seen, a massive bar overlooking Walnut Street, upstairs seating, and a patio that peers out over leafy Rittenhouse Square.
Designed by Keith McNally, Ian McPheely, and Stokes Architecture & Design, the restaurant was crafted to feel like it had already lived on the square for a century—right down to its custom chandeliers, mosaics and old world charm.
“Borromini is a restaurant I have long dreamed of bringing to life,” Starr, the founder of STARR Restaurant Group, said in a news release to CBSPhiladelphia. “It’s timeless, grounded in authenticity, and thoughtfully crafted. The dishes are comforting and familiar, yet refined with subtle nuance. Borromini will become a place guests return to for everything from special occasions to weekly family dinners.”
The Starr team traveled through Italy to curate a menu that balances classics with star power, which was created in partnership with award-winning chef Mark Ladner, also features fish and meat dishes, including branzino, lamb scottadito and bistecca alla fiorentina. Executive Chef Julian Baker, whose career spans Michelin-starred restaurants, hotel kitchens, and Italian dining institutions will lead Borromini.
Borromini isn’t just another Starr restaurant—it’s his grand return to Philly, especially Rittenhouse Square after years of expanding his empire from Miami to New York. With more than 40 restaurants up and down the East Coast and a 2017 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur, Starr has defined Philadelphia’s dining identity more than anyone in the past three decades.
The foundation was laid in the early ’90s by Neil Stein—the cool, sunglasses-at-the-café visionary who fought for sidewalk dining and gave Rittenhouse its chic, European flair. Stein’s early venture into the Philadelphia restaurant scene moved the needle, and Starr built on it, transforming Philadelphia into a world-class dining city with themed concepts, consistent execution, and one of the most loyal hospitality teams in the business.
Collin Shotwell and Dylan Fassari grab a bite from the plentiful dishes clam pizzetta,, Foccaccia di Recco, house pastas, and for dessert chocolate olive cake and ice cream in a cone
Anthony “Tony” Sorrentino as its new Chief Executive Officer of Fairmount Park, with Angela Val, of Visit Philly. Tony has been a long time board member of Visit Philly.
I’ve always been a big fan of Shannon St. Clair as a person, and as a great content creator and when she asked me to photographer her and beau Kyle Maylish, making it official, I can see she gets me. Thanks for letting me be the first to officially announce why your posts have put that smile on your face!!
Catch me with Drew Anderson on Fox20 live stream, Sunday at 10AM where I will be talking about the Borromino opening night, as well as Diner En Blanc and what’s happening this week that you should know about…I just had my 13th anniversary as a contributor to Fox29 and will also be reminiscing on my favorite stories, I’ve captured many great star sightings at STARR Restaurants, as you know.
When the stars come to town, they dine at Starr. I’ve captured more than my share, in June I photographed Former President Biden goint to breakfast while Amazon Prime was shooting Reacher. That was fun.
Matthew Ray, CHATTERBLAST and Ray Smerglio. Big news for both of them on the horizon. Matt and I have a project coming up, a long time in the coming. Ray who I see many early mornings at the Sporting Club is looking to get back into teaching spin classed before he heads to his full time job. So if you are looking for a spin class teacher, he’s looking. I took one of his charity classes benefiting AACR a few years back, and it was refreshing and he is invigorating.
The bar’s a showstopper — towering amaro list, a tomato gin martini already gunning for “drink of the season,” and the kind of perch where I can see myself lingering over more than a few dinners.
Have a fabulous weekend. Make your reservations for Borromini ASAP. Check out CBSPhiladelphia online for more photos from last nights spectacular party, tonight, and in Philadelphia Style Magazine’s October issue, and next week at Philadelphia Style Magazine online.
Socially yours, xoxo HughE
