Aldo Lamberti Unveils New POSITANO COAST With Stunning Renovations

Aldo Lamberti and family unveil a complete overhaul and redesign of Positano Coast, located at 212 Walnut Street, in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia. One of Philadelphia's award-winning Italian and seafood restaurants and the Old City staple has now been renovated from top to bottom inside, with a renovation that spanned an entire pandemic and an ocean away in partnership with a world-renowned designer and the custom materials from Italy. Positano Coast opened 2005 with a fully immersive experience that took diners on a journey through the streets of a vacation tour through the streets of Positano, Italy. In 2019, Lamberti brought back world-renowned designer Pietro Del Vaglio Studio to change the concept to that of a local looking out from an Italian Villa to the best of everyday life in Positano. The designer and Italian carpenters came to America in 2019 and returned to Italy to get to work when the pandemic then hit. The gorgeous custom woods, designs and art pieces left the shores of Italy over a year and a half ago and wouldn't see the light of day in Old City until 2021. The renovations then were placed on hold as travel restrictions prevented the work from moving forward and the custom wood-workers and designers from returning to the United States. Now, in 2022, Aldo Lamberti and his family are proud to introduce one of their most stunning and ambitious projects ever with the new Positano Coast. Everything inside was thoughtfully and strategically redone from top to bottom from new ceilings and floors, custom art pieces, colorful new Italian furniture, custom woodwork framing out the look and authentic feel of an Italian villa, decorative new lighting, Italian sculptures, new room configurations, and new exhibits that pay homage to some of the early signature art and tiles that Positano was known for - now framed and preserved. Positano Coast over the pandemic saw thousands of new patrons of all ages and backgrounds flock to the Old City staple for some of the best vibe, brunch and outdoor dining in the region. The renovations take things to an all new level inside. For the outside, work will begin shortly on phase two for painting, building work and more. Positano Coast's extensive and well-done outdoor decks and sideway cafes will also open in coming weeks, to complement the work inside. Along with the renovations and new designs, look for new spring dishes to start to appear this week for both dinner and brunch, along with anentirely new spring cocktail menu. Positano Coast is also back as one of the city's top spots for large group dining, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and more - where they do over 300-400 wedding related private events per year. For more about the new menu and the history, visit https://www.positanocoast.net/. For reservations visit Open Table or call 215-238-0499.

HISTORY

Aldo Lamberti and family originally opened at 2nd and Walnut with Pizza Blitz by Lamberti in 1991, which then became Lamberti's Cucina in 1997. In 2005, Aldo and his family changed the name and concept for the final time and opened Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti.

For the new restaurant, the family tapped the creative talents of Pietro Del Vaglio Studio. Together, Aldo and Pietro would create a new immersive experience with five elements, including art, ground-breaking photography, unique interior design, Italian cuisine and, of course, wine and spirits.

As the 15th anniversary of Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti approached, Lamberti again reached out to Pietro for a refresh and update that expand on the idea of a vacation tour through Positano, Italy, but take it to a brand new level.

REINVENTION

Pietro travelled to the United States from Italy in 2019, and brought with him Paolo Sesti and his woodworkers from MobilSesti of Pozzuoli. Together, they would design a new Positano Coast, take measurements and prepare for the major renovations. By late 2019 and into 2020, handmade wood designs, lighting and other elements were ordered and packed on a ship set sail for America. Those items would leave the shores of Italy and not see the light of day inside the actual restaurant until almost a year and a half later. Just as the final preparations to renovate began, the pandemic swept across the globe. The restaurant was forced to shut-down, and all work had to cease. The craftsman from Italy would be stuck in their country and not be able to return to Philadelphia until fall of 2021.

In the meantime, the Lamberti family focused on surviving the pandemic. Their story is one of reinvention and innovation. For Caffe Aldo, they got creative and expanded their elaborate outdoor dining space. They also were the first restaurant to employ thermal body technology to take body temperatures of guests as they walked through the front doors. They created a small marketplace at the front of the restaurant and they began to offer take-out and heat/serve packages. Over at Positano Coast, they built two stunning outdoor streeteries and they leveraged their already beautiful outdoor cafe and patio space. They created an oasis in the city with lush greens, blooming plants, Italian furniture, state of the art heating lamps, beer garden lighting and other embellishments. Positano also began to offer take out and heat/serve options. Aldo and family also opened Lamberti Pizza and Market, which blended together the family's vision for a fast casual pizza place with a unique and quality grab and go marketplace.

As travel and other restrictions began to lift, the time had come for renovations to get back on track in fall of 2021. The craftsman and carpenters from Italy would get clearance to return to the United States, and renovations would continue through the present day. Interior renovations are approximately 95% complete, and work will soon begin on the outdoor space with new paint, new signage and a new logo. Come spring, 2nd and Walnut will again transport guests to the Amalfi Coast, but in new and different ways!

REDESIGN

The original idea for Positano Coast was to bring guests on a vacation tour of Italy with décor, pictures and artwork that paired with the food and drink menus. For the new design, Pietro built upon his original idea but he has changed up the vantage point from the internal to the external, with a play on the idea of someone looking from their villa out to the streets of Positano.

Look for warmer tones, beautiful wood designs, gorgeous chandeliers, colorful new furniture, new wallpaper and tilework, new photography and artwork, the addition of sculptures, new floors, a new entrance lounge, and other exciting changes. The colors of the chairs were chosen for a different aspect to represent the fruits and colors of the Positano region. The black and white photos of Ravello are vintage to create a sense of nostalgia that someone brings with them after a vacation. Interior design went through a minimalist period, and now after the pandemic, things have changed from chromatic rigidity to color, rightness and more form. Some classic tiles were kept and set in glass as a reminder of Positano Coast's storied history. New tiles were chosen (handmade in Vietri) and designed in a more contemporary fashion. The addition of new chandeliers would bring a vintage 1950s vibe but with contemporary materials. Stay tuned for a full rundown of details and design notes in the final press release, coming the week of the event.

According to Pietro, the design was created from a different point of view, from the internal to the external. It is like someone in a villa in Positano looking out. An example of such a villa would be Villa Cimbroni in Ravello (where the ideas of the statues came from). Warmer materials were added, like the wood paneling (reminds one of the wooden beams in a house), wallpaper, and the black and white photos - that give a sense of a dining rooms of Mediterranean houses The colors of the chairs were chosen for a different aspect to represent the fruits and colors of the positano region (the chairs and tables are also Italian). The chairs are reminiscent of grapes, lemons, colors of typical fruits that are edible. The black and white photos are vintage and create a sense of nostalgia that someone brings with them after a vacation - a memory that eventually starts to fade - becomes a long lost memory. The photos displayed are vintage photos of Ravello. The re-design is definitely warmer in tone and creates a bit of a more intimate vibe in the restaurant.

VENUE NOTES

* 9,400 square feet in total
* Sit down events inside can be 250 people
* Standing room/buy out inside up to 300-325
* Square footage by room:
Meridiana Room = 815 sq ft
Sirenuse: 430 sq ft
Sopra room: 1150 sq ft
* Seat count by area -Sirenuse - 40 people, Positano Room 60 people, Meridiana - 60 people
Lounge - 50 people, Hallway - 16 people, Veranda - 30 people
* Square footage outside - and breakdown by sidewalk and each deck and seat count for each area
Dock street Deck - 2000 sq ft- 110 seats
Walnut Street Deck 900 sqft - 50 seats
* Any A/V for private events? We have a microphone and speaker available

NEW MENU ITEMS

Positano Coast is proud to introduce new spring dishes to time with their grand unveiling, including dishes like below (with others to come):

PERUVIAN SCALLOPS AU GRATIN 21
crab imperial, lemon butter

CHILLED LOBSTER 20
avocado, mango, mustard vinaigrette

GNOCCHI 24
potato dumplings, cream of zucchini, lemon zest

LOBSTER RAVIOLI 28
vodka sauce

FREGOLA 14
carrots, zucchini, squash, corn, lemon

GRILLED CALAMARI 18
frisée, tomato, lemon

PROSCIUTTO FLATBREAD 19
buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto, roasted tomatoes, pesto

CRISPY SKIN ORATA 27
carrots, leeks, caper berry-tomato vinaigrette

VEAL CHOP PARMIGIANA 46
fresh mozzarella, marinara

CHICKEN MILANESE 25
herb-crusted, frisée, arugula, tomatoes, lemon

NEW COCKTAILS

Positano Coast also debuts this week a brand new colorful and inventive cocktail menu with selections that are well-balanced, colorful and Instagram worthy all at the same time, with something for experienced and serious drinkers, to those that love something lighter.

NO, I'M JUST THE POSTMAN
st. george california shochu, cachaça, lychee, finocchietto, falernum, lemon

GAZILLIONAIRE
sagamore rye, limoncello, absinthe, pomegranate molasses, lemon, peychaud's

CLEVER GIRL
angel's envy bourbon, pineapple cordial, cerasum aperitivo, creme de banane

BRADSELL
ford's gin, blueberry/mint compote, fino sherry, citric acid

TATUAJE DE PRISIÓN
banhez mezcal, peach aqua fresca, prickly pear liquor, amaro alta verde, obsidian salt

SUGAR HIGH
tequila, watermelon juice, aqua perfecta basil eau de vie, cardamom, lime

BECOME UNGOVERNABLE
don q anejo xo rum, pistachio/almond liqueur, apricot, lime

NEW MOCKTAILS

Positano introduces its first mocktail and zero-proof cocktail menu, including:

Sober Sour
House-made Barley "Whisky", Egg White, Lemon, Demerara Sugar, Cherry Bitters, Orange Blossom

Matcha-do About Nothing
Matcha Green Tea, Coconut Cream, Lime, Lemon Essence, Pellegrino, Mint Garnish

El Vagon
Chai Syrup, Lemon, Lavender Water, Grapefruit Soda, Anise, Sea Salt

OUTDOOR PATIOS

Positano Coast announces the grand return of Tramonti, the Positano Coast outdoor space on Walnut and Dock Streets. Weather permitting, the hope is to open the outdoor dining downstairs the final weekend of April. The sprawling and well-designed set-up will be the elevated wooden deck, which we called a parklette last year, on both Dock Street and Walnut street. There are a plentiful number of umbrellas to create shade and Marianna Coppola, of Creations by Coppola, will once again be outfitting the space with beautiful flowers and tropical plants. We hope to once again be able to purchase palm trees that will create a lush and inviting atmosphere. We can seat approximately 100 guests on the Dock Street side and 60 on the Walnut Street Side. Next week, we will be getting new furniture for the upstairs patios. The front patio is now called "Veranda" and our back patio is now called "Terrazza". On Friday nights and Saturday/Sunday brunch, Positano Coast will feature Philly DJ's playing lounge music to add more of an exciting feel to the outdoor dining space.

Reservations for outdoor dining are weather permitting and in case of inclement weather we will do our best to move reservations inside but that may not always be possible.

Tramonti is one of the top outdoor spots in the city and is a contender for most well-done, well-executed and most beautiful streetery not just in the city but the region.

Lamberti's goal was simple: Just because we are all dining outside doesn't mean the experience can't be top notch and transformational. He strongly believes outdoor dining should be at the same level as indoor dining, not just a tables, chairs and coverings in front of a restaurant. He said, "Guest satisfaction has also been one of our greatest achievements and we are not going to spare any resource to ensure this continues. We also want to replicate the same top-notch service, excellent food and look/feel of our lovely spaces so that our outdoor dining experience is the next best thing to dining inside. We additionally, want to create secluded spaces that are an oasis and transport you out of the city and away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Life is complicated and hard right now and for guests that honor us by choosing to dine with us, they deserve the very best."

Tramonti is reminiscent of an Italian seaside getaway. This picturesque outdoor space is the perfect spot to enjoy lunch, dinner or brunch. Make your reservations by calling
215-238-0499 or visit OpenTable.

BEST HAPPY HOUR IN PHILLY

Positano Coast has one of the city's best happy hours, with great boozy and seafood specials from Tuesday to Friday 4-6pm.

POSITANO FRIES garlic, aioli
CRAB TACO cucumber, avocado
LAMB SLIDER goat cheese, rosemary pesto
HUMMUS pita, pesto
OLIVES mediterranean

$6 BITES
ZUCCHINI FRITTI parmigiano
ARANCINI peas, meat ragú
ARTICHOKE FRIES mustard aioli
MEATBALLS (2) aldo's sauce, ricotta
OYSTERS (6) tarragon mignonette

$8 BITES
BRUSCHETTA mozzarella, pesto
SMOKED SALMON FOCACCIA arugula, capers, tomato, hummus
LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE cavatelli, cheese
HEAD-ON SHRIMP grilled

BEER $4
YUENGLING LAGER
MILLER LITE
PERONI

WINE $5
BY THE GLASS
FEATURED RED
FEATURED WHITE

COCKTAILS $6
POSITANO LEMON DROP
FIERO SPRITZ
RED SANGRIA

SPRING HOURS

Tuesday - 11:30am to 3:00pm lunch, 3:00pm to 9:00pm dinner, bar continues
Wednesday - 11:30am to 3:00pm lunch, 3:00pm to 9:00pm dinner, bar continues
Thursday - 11:30am to 3:00pm lunch, 3:00pm to 9:00pm dinner, bar continues
Friday - 11:30am to 3:00pm lunch, 3:00pm to 10:00pm dinner, bar continues
Saturday - 11:30am to 3:00pm brunch, 3:00pm to 10:00pm dinner, bar continues
Sunday -11:30am to 3:00pm brunch, 3:00pm to 10:00pm dinner, bar continues

As nice weather arrives hours will expand to later. Bar service continues after kitchen closes.

CONTACT FOR EVENTS:

Carolina Ditomaso
Events Coordinator
856-430-5562
carolinaditomaso@gmail.com

ABOUT PIETRO DEL VAGLIO - DESIGNER

Pietro Del Vaglio - New Design 2022
Positano Coast - new design February 2022 by Pietro Del Vaglio Studio

Pietro Del Vaglio is from the same home town in Italy as the Lamberti family and their relationship began in 2005 when Aldo Lamberti hired Pietro to remodel several of the Aldo Lamberti Family of Restaurants. He is a renowned interior designer not only in Italy, with studios in both Monte di Procida and Florence, but also in other European countries. He has won many awards, most recently names in Architectural Digest for designing one of the top 100 houses in Italy. Most recently, he designed a chair for Pope Francis as gift, "il trono dell'accoglenza".

He recently created a special piece for Pope Francis in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican. The "Throne of welcome", a symbol of peace, is the gift received yesterday by Pope Francis in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican from the hands of the Neapolitan designer Pietro Del Vaglio who created it for the 85th birthday of His Holiness. "A sculpture evocative of Bergoglio's pivotal theme, that of hospitality, to which he drew the attention of the faithful several times in his speeches", explains Del Vaglio. To summarize this concept, he started from one of the fundamental moments of Christian doctrine: the cross.

For more, visit: https://www.pietrodelvaglio.com/

Photo Credit: Adriano Martino

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