We were invited to a preview of a new dining concept by the people behind the 6 Tiffin properties scattered all around Philadelphia in the swanky new 777 S Broad building [by Dranoff Properties].
The space was bare bones with exposed ducting, virgin concrete, work lights diffused by sheets and fireproofed I-beams. Glossy artist renderings and a slideshow showing the concept in final design stages were displayed on the walls. But the food was delicious as usual. A full buffet was laid out in the southeast corner of the space (where the offices will be once completed) with a dozen bins full of delicious treats and a side of familiar accompaniments.
But this being an unveiling of the space to be, this event wasn't simply about the food. Architect and principal at the high profile firm Archi-Tectonics [warning, full on flash pop up site], Winka Dubbeldam, was on hand to talk about the space to be. That's Dubbeldam on the left and the man behind Tiffin, Munish Narula [and his son], on the right. Dubbeldam presided over a quick slideshow of the highlights of the space. Her favorite feature is the unisex bathroom which will have a large sink where people will not be separated by a mirror, but instead, will face each other before heading back to their tables.
Back to the line of food…
Picky went down the line and picked up a little of almost everything: mustard chicken tikki masala, chicken mali kebob, chicken corn tikki, haryali chicken kebab (it was green!), shaslik chicken grill tikka and lamb chops. Messy went with the veggie options: Manchurian vegetables, bhinai masala and a bunch of the accompaniments. We stuffed our faces while thumbing through some of the Tiffin press materials laid out in neat binders on a table by the door leading to Broad & Catherine Sts.
Here's a shot [1200px wide shot here] of the final-ish drawings which will fit 110. Note the nice, big lounge, which will seat an additional 30, in the southwest corner next to the central bar. Yep, they'll have a liquor license. They'll even have one of those fancy wine walls people dig. There's also a sectioned off private dining room where you can enjoy dinner with your family with a little privacy. We're excited about the big open kitchen which will have big clay tandoori ovens, a sigri (a char broiler) and a tawa (a cast-iron griddle) for authentic South Indian cooking styles.
So who will be the new chef? Well, all was not revealed last night. Narula said that he [he revealed that much] has worked in top restaurants around the country and has never worked in an Indian kitchen before. Narula was confident that the Tiffin team knew Indian techniques and went outside to get a different area of expertise to infuse new flavors for this to-be trendy spot on South Broad St.
While we weren't able to try the new menu – no new chef present, hence no new menu yet – we did enjoy some of the tried and true dishes we've enjoyed since Tiffin opened up shop in 2006. We, along with the almost 100 people there last night, are very much looking forward to the new space which will hopefully open in February 2011. Narula said there will be another event in November where the new Executive Chef will be present and hopefully serving up new dishes.
[new dining concept by Tiffin]
777 South Broad St
