Cafe called Dante opening in Metro Men’s former home at 1615 E. Passyunk Ave.
The former home of Metro Men’s shop at 1615 E. Passyunk Ave. was snapped up just after the clothing store moved to a bigger location just up the block in September. Because of city permits, we knew it was going to be some sort of “prepared foods” place, but almost six months later, we’ve finally figured out what’s happening there.
A cafe called Dante, named after owner Pasquale DiGiulio’s son, is shooting to open in mid April, opening early for coffee (6:30 a.m., La Colombe) and serving a breakfast and lunch menu for most of the day. The menu will change midday, and food will be served until probably around 10 p.m., DiGiulio said.
They will also offer delivery. There are no plans for alcohol at this point. They plan a soft-opening preview on April 5 with a limited menu.
Here’s an early version of the full menu, which is subject to change:
OMELETS~ 3 farm, fresh eggs served with roasted potatoes & choice of toast
-Omelet of the Day $11
-Vegetable: with fresh, seasonal vegetables $10
-Meat Lovers: prosciutto, sausage & bacon $12
-Cheese: mozzarella & provolone $9EGGS
Daily Special: 2 eggs any style, your choice of toast & breakfast meat with a side of roasted potatoes $9
Eggs Benedict: 2 poached eggs over Canadian bacon on an English muffin, topped with Hollandaise sauce $10
Steak & Eggs: any style eggs(2) with grilled NY strip and a side of roasted potatoes $14
PA Ham and Potato Hash: topped with 2 over-easy eggs $9
Huevos Rancheros: corn tortillas, refried beans, 2 sunny-side eggs, topped with a homemade
salsa & cilantro cream $10
Belgian Waffle: traditional or buckwheat served with a fresh berry compote or bananas foster
sauce $11
Chicken & Waffles: 2 sunny-side up eggs, southern fried chicken, maple syrup, sriracha sauce
over waffles $11
Crunchy French Toast: hand-dipped, cornflake, french toast with vanilla whipped cream $11
Stuffed French Toast: filled with nutella, walnuts, bananas $12
Buttermilk Pancakes: short stack or tall stack, served plain or with fresh berry compote $9
Red Velvet Pancakes: candied pecans, maple whipped cream $11
Crepes: strawberries and whipped cream drizzled with honey $9
Italian Grits: vanilla polenta, golden raisins, orange preserve, crisp apple-smoked bacon
Nutella Panini: garnished with fresh berries $9
Kitchen Sink Breakfast Burrito: bacon, eggs, roasted potatoes, mozzarella, sausage, sauteed
spinach $9
The Ultimate Biscuit: southern fried chicken, sausage gravy, apple-smoked bacon, sunny-side
egg $10
Low Country Shrimp & Grits: cherry tomatoes, Andouille sausage, scallions, aged cheddar $12SIDES
Pork Roll $2, Canadian Bacon $2, Apple-Smoked Bacon $2, Turkey Bacon $3, Andouille Sausage $3, Pork Sausage $3, Scrapple $3, Mixed Fruit $3, Mixed Berries $3, Grits $3SALADS
-Caesar: romaine lettuce, grated parmigiano and croutons (add chicken $3) $7
-Pear and Walnut: mixed greens, crisp pancetta, pears, honey lavender dressing, blue cheese,
dried cranberries $11
-Wedge: maytag blue, grape tomatoes, blue cheese dressing $9
-Greek: red onion, hard-boiled egg, olives, feta cheese, diced tomato, red wine vinaigrette $10
-Spinach: goat cheese, roasted beets, balsamic vinaigrette $10
-Beet Stack: goat cheese, candied pecans, citrus vinaigrette $10SMALL PLATES
Cheesesteak Eggroll: with chipotle ketchup $9
Truffle Fries: shaved parmigiano, bacon-thousand island dressing $9
Mac & Cheese: creamy, baked with bread crumbs, parmigiano $10
Wings: Chipotle BBQ, Thai Chili, Traditional…served by the lb. $12SANDWICHES (All sandwiches served with fries)
Breakfast Burger: apple-smoked bacon, American cheese, over easy-egg on a brioche bun $10
Italian Burger: vine-ripe tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil mayo on a ciabatta roll $10
Philly Cheesesteak: fresh, sliced, choice rib-eye, aged provolone on an Italian roll $9
Pizza Steak: with tomato sauce $10
Crisp Grilled Cheese: 4 cheeses melted to perfection on brioche bread $7
Turkey Club: apple-smoked bacon, romaine lettuce, avocado, honey mayo on multigrain bread $10
Chicken Cutlet: pan fried or grilled, with aged provolone, long hot peppers $9
Prosciutto and Mozzarella: eggplant caponatta $10
The Green: broccoli rabe, spinach, long hot peppers, sun-dried tomato pesto, mozzarella $9
Portabello: warm goat cheese, red onion, cucumber, chili mayo on multigrain bread $9
Italian Tuna: diced tomato, olives, roasted peppers, olive oil on an Italian roll $10
BLT: with avocado and fried egg $10
Tuna Salad Sandwich: your choice of bread $7COFFEE & DRINKS
Expresso Shots $1.50
Single Expresso $2
Cappucino $3
12 oz. Coffee
16 oz. Coffee
Coke, Diet Coke & Sprite
Fresh Orange Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Pineapple Juice
Apple Juice
Cranberry Juice
Bottled Water (Fiji, San Pellegrino)(Sm & Lg)
We’ll check back in when they’re about to open for the complete details.
Great idea.
Love it.
Diner style; nice. It’ll fill a good spot that’s been missing.
Is any other coffee company selling to restaurants in South Philly besides La Colombe?
besides a fruit or berry cup, there’s really NOTHING vegan on this menu?! Really, bc its 2014 guys and this is Philadelphias most progressive avenue! I’m just saying, I’m not mad but it does seem a little ignorant at this point to completely bypass a group of consumers, and I feel sorry for a business that forgets that I, amongst a growing percentage of compassionate eaters, would like to support it! I hope the owners see this and maybe add a tofu scramble, something. I work on the avenue and eat down here most days of the week, so I’m actually a consumer worthy of targeting.
I completely agree Taryn! I feel it just makes sense to have at least one or two good vegan options on a menu. As a fellow vegan who owns a house in the neighborbood, I would definitely visit this cafe if there was a food option for me. Instead they will lose my business to Black and Brew or B2.
Q: How do you know if someone is a vegan?
A: Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.
Serious, there’s nothing Kosher on the menu, where are those complaints? The answer is simple, go where they have vegan food. Not everyone wants to be bothered with the extra prep requirements.
Can’t a wait to get some Steak & Eggs!!! The Melrose has been slacking lately… I hope their cheesesteaks are good too. Nice to enjoy a quality steak shop caliber cheesesteak inside in the heat on a cold winter day… In nice weather I’m a pretty big fan of Phil’s Steaks on 24th & Passyunk..
Lovely.. wouldn’t you know the bar-brawler opening up a spot.. FYI people try not to make any eye contact with the husband or the wife may throw you through a window and if you’re lucky they may put on a good show for you if a disagreement spark between owner and wife. Good luck.
The owners are a lovely couple with hearts of gold, they were friendly personable and welcoming. The whole experience was so amazing as was the staff, the food was so tasteful and came out in a thinly manor and presented beautifully, really nice varied menu for there soft opening the environment was comfortable, I heard there also adding vegan to the menu within the next few weeks. Yeay!
The manager however, was harsh and looked upset the whole time. Hopefully the owners will rethink that decision.
I will defiantly eat here again I’m looking forward to there grand opening and the big menu.!!!
I think this actually sounds pretty tasty. I can’t wait to check it out. While I lament the lack of vegan options, I’m sure if people ask for vegan options, the proprietors will surely consider adding some.