Along with Frankford Avenue, East Girard is slowly redefining Fishtown as a go-to locale for eats. In the past few years, numerous restaurants have opened on East Girard, and the aptly named Girard, a BYO French brasserie, will be the next one to get in on the fun. Before they've even opened, owners Christian Mora and chef Brian Oliveira have created a wave of press with their plans for a no-tipping policy at their establishment. Oh, and they'll be doing some pop-ups at Honest Tom's this month too.
The Fishtown Neighbors Association supported plans in July for the restaurant at 300 E. Girard Ave. which will be the first French eatery in this part of town. Earlier this summer, we first brought the property to your attention after a hole appeared in the ground at this site which has long been a vacant lot. It's located just a few doors down from the excellent Stock, the Pho place we told you about last December and opened in June.
This project will include apartments on the second- and third-floors, and marks the second mixed-use building to come to this side of Girard in as many years. At Shackamaxon & Girard, a mixed-use building with a ground-floor deli at 114-120 E Girard was originally approved in 2008, but didn't actually get built until last year. But Girard (the restaurant) will bring a certain flair that the building at Shackamaxon lacks thanks to the creative efforts of Otto Architects. Remember, these are the same guys that did the architecture work for Little Spoon Cafe at 15th & South. And they were James Beard finalists for their work at Tria Taproom.
Compound the good stuff happening on East Girard with the consistent retail and residential happenings taking place all along Frankford Avenue and the redevelopment of the nearby waterfront, and you see a continuing positive trajectory for Fishtown. It kind of makes you wonder what's coming next.