Restaurant Connection: Al Paris
AL PARIS Bio: 54; Philadelphia native; married 25 years, with a son, 23, and a daughter, 21. Philadelphia restaurant connections: Pomodoro, Marabella's, Circa, Rococo, Oberon, Guru, City Grill, Zanzibar Blue, Mantra, Pat Bombino's, City Tap House.
Bio: 54; Philadelphia native; married 25 years, with a son, 23, and a daughter, 21.
Philadelphia restaurant connections: Pomodoro, Marabella's, Circa, Rococo, Oberon, Guru, City Grill, Zanzibar Blue, Mantra, Pat Bombino's, City Tap House.
First Philly chef gig: Lily's in New Market, 1976.
What's new? He's executive chef and partner in the just-opened Heirloom (8705 Germantown Ave., 215-242-2700, www.heirloomdining.com), which specializes in new American regional cuisine - hearty meals in an intimate Chestnut Hill setting, he said. "It's a wonderful space and has a great, informed clientele."
The other partner: Is Robert Bynum, restaurateur behind Warmdaddy's, Green Soul and Relish. They also worked together with Bynum's brother, Ben, at Zanzibar Blue. "We've been friends for about 20 years now."
Why a BYOB? "We wanted to put the total focus on the food."
Farm-to-table: Paris is big on local produce and wants to grow his own. "We plan to partner with Maple Acres for a patch this spring."
Favorite ingredient: "Right now, it would be Berkshire pork belly. It's so flavorful, full of texture."
Prized kitchen skill: "Being able to forecast the work for the day."
TV chef fave: Emeril.
Heroes: Inside the kitchen, legendary French chef Paul Bocuse; outside, "it would have to be Alan Watts," the Zen Buddhist philosopher and writer.
- Alexandra Olivier