Corio Opening This Spring in University City

The new restaurant and takeaway, led by Vernick alums Chef David Feola, James Smith, and Ryan Mulholland, will serve dine-in and to-go pizzas and plates alongside craft cocktails and a thoughtfully selected wine list.

Corio, located in uCity Square, at 3675 Market St., with the entrance on North 37th St., is a contemporary neighborhood restaurant and takeaway opening this spring, bringing an Italian Modernism-inspired space for inventive pizzas, homemade pastas, signature dishes like chef’s nostalgic pasta dish “Chicken Riggies,” curated wines, craft cocktails, and more to University City. The new uCity Square endeavor is a collaboration between three Vernick Food & Drink alumni: co-owners Chef David Feola, former Chef and Partner of Ember & Ash; General Manager and Beverage Director, James Smith; and Ryan Mulholland, who is also currently the Director of Operations at CookNSolo. Beginning this spring, Corio will serve lunch and dinner daily, plus offer a full bar program and takeaway bottles of wine.

The restaurant name is a nod to where Mulholland and his wife Dani met early in their restaurant careers. The “Corio Lounge” was the nickname of the small but consistently lively reception area of Eastern Standard restaurant that housed a few tables and featured a large image of Anne Corio, a famous burlesque dancer from the 30’s and 40’s. “We’re excited to bring that same dynamic energy to Corio in Philadelphia. We chose to open the restaurant in uCity Square to welcome folks grabbing dinner on the way home from work, ordering takeout on a Tuesday night, celebrating a special occasion in our private dining room, enjoying a fun weekend out, or cheering on Philly sports at the bar with an elevated menu. We hope Corio becomes a go-to spot for every kind of night,” says Mulholland.

Corio’s menu features creative twists on Italian cuisine with regional American specialties. It will include a variety of small plates, salads, pizzas, and pastas. Lunch will have an addition of sandwiches and dinner will have several entrees.

A native of Rome, New York, Feola’s culinary curiosity was sparked early on by the regional flavors of Upstate. His passion led him to New York City, where he honed his craft in esteemed kitchens, ultimately becoming a leader at renowned establishments like Tocqueville and Jean-Georges. In 2012, Feola moved to Philadelphia to help open the James Beard Award-winning Vernick Food & Drink. He later became a partner at Ember & Ash in South Philadelphia. Most recently, Feola has been perfecting his pasta-making skills at Hearthside in Collingswood, New Jersey, working alongside Dominick Piperno, a fellow Vernick Food & Drink alum.

“I’ve always loved making pasta—it’s something I’ve done for years and continue to enjoy,” says Feola. “With Corio, I’m excited to bring that same passion into a new space and add pizza into the mix. There’s something really satisfying about working with dough in different ways, and I love the idea of creating a place where people can swing by for a quick bite, or take home something fresh for lunch or dinner. I want Corio to feel like part of the neighborhood—comfortable, welcoming, and full of good food.”

For the cocktail and wine programs, General Manager and Beverage Director James Smith will focus on creating an approachable, yet high-quality experience for guests. A seasonal and classic cocktail menu will include flavors that complement the food menu with inspirations from Italy. Opening menu items may include:

●      Bitter Guiseppe: Cynar, sweet vermouth, lemon, and orange bitters
●      Two Kirks, A Khan, and a Pizza Place: mezcal and oregano tincture

The cocktail list will be focused on well-sourced spirits and a focused amaro selection. “I’ve always appreciated well-made spirits across the board that stand alone as well as in cocktails. Look for a stirred amaro drink, and a chance to discover a spirit you may not have heard of yet. My favorite part about beverage is just discovering something new that somebody put their hard work into,” says Smith.

Smith’s wine menu will include selections from well-known staples to unique varietals.
“I want our neighbors to feel comfortable with their favorites and also be able to explore and discover,” says Smith.

The restaurant interior, by Eimer Design, is sleek and contemporary with a modern white, red, and black color scheme. As guests enter Corio from North 37th St., they will be greeted with the option to dine in or take out, which will allow for counter ordering and mobile pickup. For those dining in, beyond the to-go area is the 42-seat dining room, with high-top and low-top seating, and a 14-seat bar with televisions for game-watching. A private dining room provides guests a space to book for special celebrations or team-building events. Artwork on the walls adds another personal touch as it was created by Mulholland’s mother, Yvonne Gordon-Moser.

Corio is located at 3675 Market St. with the entrance on N. 37th St. It joins the uCity Square community, the thriving mixed-use district developed by Wexford Science & Technology, Ventas, Inc., and the University City Science Center.

It will be open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, please visit coriophilly.com and follow on Instagram at @corio.philly. Reservations will be available via Resy for seatings soon.