The Owners of Amina are Opening “BlackHen” a new BYOB Fried Chicken-Centric Concept in Old City
It’s been almost two years since restauranteur Felicia Wilson opened the doors to Amina in Old City. Now along with Chef/Partner Darryl Harmon the duo is poised to open their latest concept BlackHen just a few doors down.
BlackHen will be a BYOB fried chicken-centric establishment at 120 Chestnut Street in Old City which will also offer takeout, on Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m. Chef Issaka Fofana, who has spent time in kitchens such as Twenty Manning and the Water Works, will oversee Harmon’s menu.
“Issaka and I worked together for six years at the Water Works, and we ‘ve been working shoulder to shoulder throughout the past two years at Amina, and I couldn’t be more excited to have him step in as the Executive Chef of this new concept,” said Harmon. “Watching him grow into the chef he is today has been incredible, and neither one of us can wait to launch this menu, which feels like a taste of home.”
The menu, which will feature locally sourced organic chicken and eggs and other locally produced products, will feature appetizers including Buffalo Chicken Dip; Deviled Eggs with fried chicken skins; Fried Green Tomatoes; Fried Pickles; Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders; and Chicken Wings. Sandwiches, which are all served on charcoal black rolls, include The Fried Chicken Stack; Smoked Pulled Chicken; and Crispy Vegan Hen of the Woods ALT (avocado, lettuce, tomato). Entrees include ‘Our Soon-To-Be-Famous Fried Chicken’ – all-natural, organic chicken seasoned with Harmon’s signature spices, which comes served with two sides; and Chicken & Waffles with PA maple syrup. Sides include Hand-Cut Fries; Mac n’ Cheese; Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey; Green Beans; Candied Sweet Potato Hash; Fried Apples; and Soul Slaw. Desserts include Black Hen Fried Oreos; Tin Can Banana Pudding; Crispy Seasonal Hand Pies; Soft Serve Ice Cream served in black vanilla cones; and a DIY ice cream float that’s served inside a small cabinet which includes a variety of flavored sodas and vanilla ice cream. The restaurant will also offer a handful of creative mocktails.
BlackHen’s fried chicken recipe is inspired by Chef Harmon’s family and comes served with his own line of signature barbecue sauces. Appetizer prices range from $9 to $14, while entrees are priced from $14 to $25.
“Old City was a superb place to open Amina, and BlackHen feels like the perfect complement to the neighborhood, where our neighbors can enjoy what we feel is some of the best fried chicken in the region in our dining room or in the comfort of their homes several times per month,” said Wilson. “While I’ve learned that owning a restaurant can be stressful, I have honestly had some truly amazing experiences at Amina, and I’m very excited to introduce BlackHen to Philadelphia-area fried chicken lovers.”
Wilson, who lives in Cheltenham with her four children, opened her first childcare center in 2008. She now has three, including two in Philadelphia and one in Willow Grove. Harmon, who hails from Gouldtown, NJ in Cumberland County, which is considered the oldest black community in the U.S., is an award-winning chef who splits his time between Philadelphia and New York City. He previously served as the Executive Chef at the Water Works Restaurant in Philadelphia between 2007 and 2012.
BlackHen will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, with a Fried Chicken Brunch offered between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Learn more at http://blackhenphilly.com.
