Rouge Reopens on Rittenhouse Square After a Total Makeover | Eater Philly

"Reopened this week after an extensive revamp, Rouge — the bar and restaurant on Rittenhouse Square that first opened 21 years ago — is located at 205 S. 18th Street facing the square; it helped start the sidewalk-seating trend in Philly when then-owner Neil Stein convinced the city to make outdoor dining easier, and a sidewalk table there remains one of the hottest see-and-be-seen spots for people-watching in the park. Inside, the bar has been moved to the back wall to open up space for tables, and Marguerite Rodgers retained a European look and some original elements like the chandelier. New chef Sean McPaul discarded most of the old menu except the ever-popular cheeseburger, favoring more small plates with lots of seafood, while Hop Sing Laundromat owner Lê created a new cocktail menu (Lê is also in the process of opening a banh mi shop). Dinner service is already underway; lunch begins Thursday, March 21, with brunch following Saturday, March 30; it’s walk-ins only for now but the restaurant plans to resume taking reservations very soon. Stein’s daughter and son-in-law, Maggie and Rob Wasserman, have owned Rouge since 2006 and bought two other Rittenhouse restaurants, Audrey Claire and Twenty Manning Grill, last year." - Rachel Vigoda