Change Ups: Meet the Guys Taking Over Resurrection Ale House
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Meet the new boss.
A couple weeks ago we told you that Leigh Maida and Brendan Hartranft were selling Resurrection Ale House, their Grays Ferry sour beer-and-fried chicken taproom across from Naval Square, to a mysterious industry duo. Today we've got word of the gents taking the place over: chef Andrew Wagner, a 12-year Starr veteran (Jones, Continental Midtown), and Marcus Versace, not a fashion heir but longtime bartender at Las Vegas Lounge and Coco's.
"Andy and I became friends back in about 2003," says Versace, who bonded with Wagner over a shared love of downhill skiing, food and David Lee Roth. "Not to worry. [At the new bar], the David Lee Roth tracks will be kept to a minimum."
The plan is to "create a friendly, neighborhood bar/restaurant with value, high energy, a fun atmosphere and great food and drink," Versace says. "We're planning on making the food and drink selections a little more accessible to the neighborhood, while maintaining the high standard which Brendan & Leigh created. It's a good spot now. We're going to make it a great spot. We're going to give the space some teeth."
Dental work begins end of September.
