With a weekend of so many choices to consider and so little time to do them all, one local hotspot is now offering two experiences in one new place—1225 Raw and Leda’s Cocktail Lounge.
When Tony Rim opened Raw Sushi & Sake at 1225 Sansom Street over 20 years ago this spring, Rim’s narrow corridor was a dimly-lit, red and black-decorated, romantic hot spot—the perfect hideaway where you could sip warm sake and dine on cool slivers of sashimi in the dark during the initial stages of MidTown Village’s build-up.
Then there was Leda & The Swan, an intoxicating cocktail salon on 12th and Chestnut streets – Raw’s backdoor neighbor – that opened right before the pandemic as another entry into MidTown Village’s race to romanticism and chill hangouts.
Time passed. Everything Raw could use a little heat. Leda’s Swan? She shed her wings. And now, with a light, bright, garden-patio between them, 1225 Raw and Leda’s Cocktail Lounge have merged and emerged anew with GLU Hospitality taking over management of 1225 Raw in conjunction with their operation at Leda’s Cocktail Lounge (Tony Rim is still involved, too).
“Our goal was to always manage the entire space and have both spaces work together,” said GLU Partner and COO Derek Gibbons.
“We’re expanding Raw’s menu into Leda’s and Leda’s vibe into Raw with the addition of new menu items and design elements,” said Amanda Bunting, a GLU Hospitality general manager. “We’re psyched.”
Starting now, the new merging of 1225 Raw and Leda’s Cocktail Lounge means fresher menus – now including cooked fare – from Glu Hospitality Executive Chef Hee “Chino” Chang and Jr Executive Chef Insong Kim. While Chang’s classic cooked dishes such as Wonchos & Edamame Dumplings, his gently spicy Rock Shrimp with Kaiwari, and generously portioned sticky rice with short ribs are all on the Raw/Leda’s menu this weekend, you can look for sushi menu changes (beyond his Dark Horse Special roll) at the beginning of May with the launch of the new outdoor, renovated courtyard space.
“We are modernizing all of our offerings and updating Raw’s classic menu items,” noted Gibbons in regard to Raw’s menu of sushi, sashimi and cooked fare being available at Leda’s, for the first time, in a full dinner option along with Leda’s famous cocktails, DJs and special live events bookings.
As for the look of the Raw and Leda’s partnership, while the next stage comes with a new entrance with neon flower designs, expect bright new furniture and flowers to line Leda’s indoor and co-joined outdoor courtyard space – an industrial and wood-lined courtyard currently flourishing with a DJ and a packed crowd on a nightly basis.
“We are very excited to finally have the opportunity to update and activate such a great outdoor space in Midtown Village,” said Gibbons.
“Long term fans of Leda’s get a revamped full food offering of raw and cooked menu items, which helps elevate the experience. Long term fans of Raw still get a great happy hour offering along with their classic favorites, like bao buns, specialty wings and a revamped ramen offering. Drinks will be elevated to offer high quality drinks on both the Raw and Leda’s side – to say nothing of having installed a Haku Highball machine on the Raw side, currently the only one in Philadelphia. The meeting of the minds, designs and tastes of 1225 Raw and Leda’s Cocktail Lounge is going to be fun.”
