2020 has been a year full of pivots due to the ongoing pandemic, so why not capitalize on doing just that?
Sticking true to the theme of this year, one team of local restauranteurs is opening up Pivot Coffee, Soupery and Wine shop this week in South Philly (38 S. 11th St.) Owners Chris Fetfatzes and Heather Annechiarico— the team behind Hawthornes, Wine Dive, Tio Flores, Quick Sip and The Cambridge— have decided to offer a one-stop-shop for all things comfort in the edible form.
Pivot Coffee and Soupery will offer Philadelphians the chance to indulge in a full-service coffee and espresso shop, soupery, bakeshop and wine shop all rolled into one. The venue will also feature creations from a pastry chef, an expanded streetery, Igloo bubble outdoor dining, and a full special menu for Christmas and the holidays.
“Pivot Coffee and Soupery is designed as the ultimate pivot for our family and all of our employees,” said Fetfatzes in a statement. “We spent months looking ahead, seeing where the trends are going, watching the data and talking to our team about what we could do to keep everyone employed and things operating through next summer at the very least. Pivot involved the installation and construction on the front of the building and a major shift inside as well. The all-encompassing take-out window is inviting and we hope will make everyone feel safe and comfortable.”
The direction Fetfatzes decided to go in mirrors the creativity that many establishments have been taking on since Philly once again shut down indoor dining. It’s no secret that the restaurant industry is being hit hard, in fact there are roughly 11 million jobs on the line now, and counting. This latest venture into unchartered culinary ventures is just one of the ways that eateries have been surviving and trying to figure out ways around closing down for good. Without too much financial stability from the government, these efforts have been life or death for some.
Now, on to the fun stuff that’s being served up at this new concept.
Fetfatzes added to his statement, “We designed Pivot to create the ultimate coffee shop and cafe experience that sets ourselves apart from others – and combines many things that we have to work with. Pivot brings together the best of Hawthornes’ kitchen, and marries it with baked goods from one of Philly’s best bakers and pastry chefs. Our liquor license and access to expansive inventory through Quick Sip allows us to offer boozy hot drinks, holiday cocktails, and of course, 150+ well-priced bottles of wine to go.”
To elaborate, Pivot will offer a one-stop shop for coffee and espresso drinks, loaded hot drinks, signature cocktails, teas and lemonades, spiked summertime favorites, espresso tonics, wine by the bottle, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, grab and go, muffins, breads, baked goods, cookies, macarons, sweets and more.
The coffee is specifically an exclusive blend of One Village coffee that Fetfatzes and Annechiarico personally helped create and can only be found at the new storefront concept. However, soon their brew will be available at other properties owned by the couple, including Grace and Proper when it opens in 2021. Pivot is also serving up some options that can be considered a bit stronger. Guests can also look out for Bloody Marys, Mimosas, draft beer, Hawthornes seasonal cocktails, special Christmas cocktails (both warm and cold), Natalie’s Juices, an assortment of sodas and plenty more.
Food-wise, Pivot features baked goods and pastries from Dan Tang, of Sugar Philly. According to the release, Tang is currently baking up banana bread, apple cider donuts, blueberry crumb muffins, gluten free almond muffins, buttermilk biscuits with raspberry preserves, chocolate chip biscuits, with holiday and daily/weekly specials to rotate. For the soupery, look for Pivot Coffee to feature at least six types of soup to rotate during the week and month – with the starting line-up to include Roasted corn and crab chowder, roasted cauliflower bisque, tomato basil bisque, beef chili, spicy Fishtown chowder and French onion. The kitchen is also set to serve up an assortment of breakfast specials including a frittata sandwich with spinach, roasted red peppers, sharp cheddar, poblano aioli and garlic bagel; bagel and lox with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, red onion, cucumber, tomato and fresh dill; a hummus bagel sandwich with garlic hummus, cucumber, feta, red onion, sesame bagel; and a chicken and biscuit with buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken, hot maple drizzle.
“You can literally get a spiked hot chocolate, bottle of wine, loaded egg sandwich, a chowder, a griddled and buttered corn muffin and a Bloody Mary for take away all at the same time,” Fetfatzes said in his statement. “I really haven’t seen any coffee shop do or have the range we can offer. We are pretty excited and can’t wait to share our vision with everyone.”
Wine lovers can also sip on a massive amount of wines. Right now, Pivot is boasting about 150 different options—one of the most robust lists of wine for a shop of its size in the entire city.
Philadelphians can also get into the holiday spirit with Pivot by ordering specialty boxes, or by attending their brunch with Santa this weekend. The first Santa Brunch in Hawthornes’ Christmas Garden is this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and diners can expect hot cocoa, games, and toys included in your reservation. Pivot Coffee and Hawthornes will also team up for the holidays with a special menu of sweets and treats for ordering for Christmas. All items are available for pre-order currently through the website hawthornecafe.com while the Pivot website is finished. Orders can also be placed by phone at 215-627-3012. Deadline for pre-orders will be Dec. 20 or until sold out and all items will be available for pickup at Pivot Coffee on Dec. 22, 23 and 24.
Pivot Coffee and Soupery will open this Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7 a.m. Pivot Coffee and Soupery offerings are available for take-out, pick-up and outdoor dining with the window and take-out counter open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Delivery for most menu items will be offered through Door Dash starting Monday, Dec. 20.
