Mona, A 12,000 sq. ft. “néos-Mediterranean” Restaurant & Bar is Opening in Midtown Village Offering Multi-Level Dining
Who doesn’t love trying new restaurants? Well, for those that enjoy a tasty Mediterranean dish, get ready for a new concept coming to Midtown Village.
Mona, a néos-Mediterranean, island-inspired restaurant and bar will be opening at 1308 Chestnut Street in the heart of Midtown Village, Center City on Friday, December 6. The four-story 12,000 square foot restaurant is the brainchild of Teddy Sourias, President of Craft Concepts Group (101 Speakeasy, Memories in Margate, Uptown Beer Garden, BRU Craft & Wurst, Tradesman’s, Tinsel, etc).
Initially designed by Vanessa Deleon of award-winning New York City design firm VVA Designs in 2021, acclaimed architect Oscar Soto joined the team in 2023 to execute and enhance the space you see today. Mona’s interiors draw more Mediterranean flair with floor-to-ceiling olive trees, florals, contemporary chandeliers, European-influenced textiles lining the floors.
“Mona has been a passion project of mine for quite some time and really became a reality and goal to work towards pre-pandemic,” said Teddy Sourias, President of Craft Concepts Group. “It’s important for me to honor my roots and family heritage, while integrating new, fun, and intentional elements to every aspect of the restaurant, its design, and of course, the food. Mona is set to be unlike any other concept we’ve created in our tenure as CCG (Craft Concepts Group), and we cannot wait to welcome both locals and visitors into the venue to hopefully feel as if they’ve been transported to the islands while still in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia.”
Mona’s culinary direction draws inspiration from Sourias’ Grecian heritage, therefore paying homage to Greece and other coastal Mediterranean locales. The opening menu features salads and soups; spreads such as Hummus, Tabbouleh, Tirokafteri Feta Dip and Baba Ghanoush; small plates including Falafel, Hallounmi Fries, and Kibbeh; an assortment of souvlaki (or “kebabs”) including Filet, Kafta, and Chicken; gyros including Lamb, Chicken, and Kafta; seasonal pastas such as Shrimp Orecchiette and Pasta Primavera; and entrées including Bronzino with sautéed spinach, pommes purée, and Provençal sauce, and Herb Crusted Lamb Chops with dijon, pommes purée and seasonal veggies.
The sweeping 24-seat bar boasts a highly-curated and competitive craft cocktail program with both seasonal and classic Mediterranean tipples as well as an extensive wine by the bottle and glass selection. Highlights from the debut cocktail menu include Baklava Old Fashioned with Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey, honey-cinnamon syrup, and walnut bitters; Mona Martini crafted with dill-infused Glendalough Gin and housemade brine; Masticafe Martini comprised of Verino Mastiha Liqueur, Kahlua, and espresso; Passion Fruit Margarita prepared with Codigo Blanco Tequila, Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur, and lime; and Olympian Lemondrop composed of Metaxa Ouzo, simple syrup, triple sec, lemon, and olive oil drops.
The multi-level restaurant and bar will open with the dining room and bar on the first floor, located atop a dimly-lit and sexy lounge and bar housed in the bottom level. Mona will expand operations and capabilities in the following months to add on a third and fourth level for imbibing, dancing, and so on, as well as adding weekend brunch into the mix.
