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Russet, Serious About Farm to Table

Posted by Foobooz on November 14th, 2011

Russet, like the apples

Russet will be the name of Andrew and Kristin Wood’s Spruce Street BYOB. The couple is taking over the former Ernesto’s for a true farm-to-table restaurant, not just a spot cashing in on a buzz phrase.

Andrew, who’s first Philadelphia restaurant job was in Georges Perrier’s Le Bec-Fin more than a decade a go, has traveled west to California (with stops in Boston and Chicago) as he has become a disciple of ingredient-driven cuisine. In California, Andrew worked as a sous chef at Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani’s Terra in the Napa Valley. After that he went to Michael and Lindsay Tusk’s Quince in San Francisco. Quince’s philosophy serves as the backbone of Russet, daily changing menus and food supplied directly from farmers.

After returning to Philadelphia Andrew opened Maia and James. Last year, after following Terence Feury to Fork, he won a Best of Philly award for charcuterie.

While in Boston, Andrew met his wife Kristin, an accomplished pastry chef who accompanied Andrew westward, working with Chef Grant Achatz (Alinea) at Trio in Evanston, Illinois and with Andrew at Quince. After returning to the East Coast Kristin was the pastry chef at James. Along the way she also worked as a cheesemonger, another skill she’ll bring to bare at Russet.

The menu at Russet will change frequently, with as much as half the menu swapping out daily. The lease has been signed and Andrew and Kristin are pushing towards a February opening.

Russet
1521 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA

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    • Tex

      At least there’s no “farm” or “farmer” in the name.

    • rory

      “Andrew opened Maia and James.”

      No, Andrew was on staff when Maia and James opened. James, obviously, was opened by James Burke.

      That said, I really enjoyed Terra when I ate there years ago, so I’m excited for the addition in Philly.

    • LittleA

      “The Best Chef in Philly without a restaurant” opens his own place. I’m in.

    • GoodFoodGoodTime

      Sounds great! Good local food is what this world needs. Looking forward to checking it out in Feb. I’ve eaten at Fork and this guy kills it.

    • http://www.bellybuttonboutique.com Karla T

      I am so excited about this restaurant. I have never been excited about any restaurant. Can’t wait for it to open.

    • Karen Loeb

      I live in Amherst and have eaten Kristen and Andrew’s food. This will be a trip to Philly worth taking.

    • http://madamefromage.blogspot.com/ Madame Fromage

      Anything involving cheese, charcuterie, and pastry makes me shiver. I can’t wait to have a field day.