Greg Vernick, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Center City's beloved Vernick Food & Drink, is branching out with his latest venture, Emilia. Located in East Kensington at 2406 Frankford Ave., this cozy Italian restaurant marks a new chapter for Vernick and co-owner Henry Siebert.
After six years of absence from the culinary scene, Emilia brings the authentic tastes of Italy to a warm neighborhood space that Vernick has come to love. The menu, crafted by chef de cuisine Meredith Medoway, is inspired by her own Italian heritage and food tours in Emilia-Romagna. Handmade pasta dishes take center stage at this welcoming restaurant.
Emilia's design choices are intentionally minimalist, allowing the food to be the star of the show. The 60-seat dining room offers a unique atmosphere, while an additional 31 seats at the bar provide space for walk-in customers. To make reservations, diners can book up to 30 days in advance through Resy.
Vernick and Siebert aim to create a neighborhood destination where great food and beautiful spaces bring people together. "We look forward to creating a welcoming atmosphere," Siebert said in a statement.
As for Medoway, her passion for Italian cuisine was sparked by her mother's cooking style and inspired her culinary journey abroad in Emilia-Romagna. She believes that the essence of good food lies in its comfort and elegance, making diners feel at home even when they're not. With Emilia, Vernick has expanded his offerings, offering a fresh perspective on classic Italian dishes.
Emilia's hours of operation include Sundays to Wednesdays from 5-9:30 pm, Thursdays to Saturdays from 5-10 pm, and reservations can be booked up to 30 days in advance.
After six years of absence from the culinary scene, Emilia brings the authentic tastes of Italy to a warm neighborhood space that Vernick has come to love. The menu, crafted by chef de cuisine Meredith Medoway, is inspired by her own Italian heritage and food tours in Emilia-Romagna. Handmade pasta dishes take center stage at this welcoming restaurant.
Emilia's design choices are intentionally minimalist, allowing the food to be the star of the show. The 60-seat dining room offers a unique atmosphere, while an additional 31 seats at the bar provide space for walk-in customers. To make reservations, diners can book up to 30 days in advance through Resy.
Vernick and Siebert aim to create a neighborhood destination where great food and beautiful spaces bring people together. "We look forward to creating a welcoming atmosphere," Siebert said in a statement.
As for Medoway, her passion for Italian cuisine was sparked by her mother's cooking style and inspired her culinary journey abroad in Emilia-Romagna. She believes that the essence of good food lies in its comfort and elegance, making diners feel at home even when they're not. With Emilia, Vernick has expanded his offerings, offering a fresh perspective on classic Italian dishes.
Emilia's hours of operation include Sundays to Wednesdays from 5-9:30 pm, Thursdays to Saturdays from 5-10 pm, and reservations can be booked up to 30 days in advance.
. Meredith Medoway's menu sounds like a total game-changer - handmade pasta, food tours in Italy... can't wait to try it out! And the minimalist design is so on point - less is more, you know? 
The 60-seat dining room and bar area sound cozy too. It's gonna be that one spot everyone wants to hang out at. And I love how Vernick & Siebert are all about creating a welcoming atmosphere 
. Anyone else as excited as me for Emilia to open?! 
The Italian menu is looking promising, handmade pasta dishes always a winner for me! I love how they're keeping it cozy and minimalist, not too fancy for this vibe. Meredith Medoway's background is so cool, food tours in Italy? That's like, the ultimate culinary dream come true! 
I'm all about that comfort food and elegance, can't wait to try Emilia out... 60 seats at the bar sounds perfect for a chill dinner spot 
! i've been hearing about vernick food & drink for ages and now he's opening another spot? that's amazing! i love italian food and handmade pasta is literally my fave thing ever 
can't wait to taste all the authentic flavors! 
. And can we talk about how chill the atmosphere is? 60 seats, minimal decor... I love that they're letting the food be the star of the show 
. I'm low-key obsessed with trying that pasta, and Meredith Medoway's story is so inspiring - her mom's cooking style had a major impact on her journey 
! Anyone else as hyped about Emilia as I am?
I'm kinda stoked about Emilia opening its doors, but also a bit skeptical 
. Vernick's got some big shoes to fill after being away for six years, and it'll be interesting to see if he can maintain the same level of quality at his new spot. The Italian food scene is always evolving, so I hope they're able to bring something unique to the table 
. I love how Vernick and Siebert are going for a minimalist vibe - sometimes less is more, you know? 
It sounds like they've really put thought into creating a cozy atmosphere where people can come together to enjoy some amazing food. And Meredith Medoway's menu? 
. Can't wait to try it out and see what all the fuss is about 
. The fact that Meredith Medoway's menu is inspired by her own heritage and travels in Italy makes me wanna try everything ASAP 
and Meredith Medoway's pasta dishes are to die for 
, it allows the food to be the real star of the show. I loved how they incorporated personal touches through the decor, like family photos and vintage Italian posters 
. It feels like you're dining in your Nonna's kitchen but with way better pasta 
! Can't wait to come back for more reservations are already booked for my next visit 
. Have you seen the reviews from other food bloggers? Are they raving about it or is it still a work in progress?