Philadelphia’s dining scene is about to get a little smokier with the opening of Corte Oven & Bar in East Market.
Set to start service with wood-fired cooking, handmade pasta and Italian-inspired cocktails, the latest concept from the Corio Group is set to open on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and marks the second venture from Executive Chef David Feola, along with Managing Partners Ryan Mulholland and James Smith.
Following the debut of their modern Italian restaurant Corio in University City in 2025, the trio is now bringing its approach to Italian dining downtown with a specific focus on wood-fired cuisine. At Corte, the flame is “more than a cooking method”— it ties the menu together. Philadelphians will be able to sink their teeth into a variety of charred small plates, vegetables, salads (with smoky flavors even packed into the dressings), housemade pastas, wood-fired entrées and sandwiches.
Opening highlights include wood-fired roasted leeks with vichyssoise purée and lemon aioli; bucatini with blistered tomatoes, anchovies, and garlic breadcrumbs; and squid ink risotto with black trumpet mushrooms and Maryland crab. The restaurant will also bring a familiar favorite from its sister restaurant Corio to the table — a chicory salad with arancini, bitter radicchio and creamy Parmesan dressing.
As Feola puts it, he’s looking forward to finding “unexpected ways to incorporate the flame into every dish.”
Behind the bar, Beverage Manager Chris Gueye has developed a cocktail program under Mulholland’s direction, drawing on Italian spirits, bitters and vermouth. The lineup will feature spritzes, herb-infused Negronis and martinis, clarified cocktails and seasonal creations designed to complement the menu’s flavors along with a curated wine list.
The design of the space balances the warmth of an open kitchen with saddle-leather banquettes, mosaic tile floors, soapstone tabletops, brass pendant lights and antiqued mirrors. Outside, a wraparound patio has been set beneath an awning offering a space for al fresco dining in the warmer months as well.
For the Corio Group, Corte is ultimately more than what’s on the plate or in the glass — it’s about creating a space where the community can come together.
Corte Oven + Bar (1175 Ludlow St.) will open with dinner service seven days a week, with lunch planned for the coming weeks. Reservations will be available through OpenTable. For more information, visit cortephilly.com
MORE: Cookbooks & Convos serves up two weeks of food events in Philly
