Kermit's Bake Shoppe at 2204 Washington Avenue is no more, but the space won't be vacant much longer. Later this fall, a specialty pastry shop and porchetteria will open side-by-side there.
Pastry chef Chad Durkin, who was most recently director of research and product development for celebrity chef Buddy Valastro of Carlo's Bakery, and a 2004 graduate of West Philadelphia's The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, is opening the new dual-concept operation in Graduate Hospital.
RELATED: Spread Bagelry's Bryn Mawr location officially opens
For his pastry shop and cafe, named Small Oven, Durkin will create bite-sized pastries daily. Think eclairs, cream puffs, mousse cakes, tarts, galettes and cookie sandwiches. They'll be available individually or by the baker's dozen.
At his porchetteria and speciality sandwich shop, Porcos, he'll serve traditional, Italian-style roast pork sandwiches. Other sandwiches (all on house-baked ciabatta), vegetarian options and salads will be available, too. Guests can sit in and enjoy BYOB, or order from a walk-up to-go window.
An exact opening date has not been announced yet, but check back for updates.
Follow Sinéad & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @sineadpatrice | @thePhillyVoice
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice
Add Sinéad's RSS feed to your feed reader
Have a news tip? Let us know.