HISTORY

July 21, 2003: Abbraccio Opens!

A new Italian restaurant has opened in University City. Quality food and beverages, reasonable prices and free parking are now available.

Although the name and location are new, owners Duane Ball, Roger Harman and Vincent Whittacre are well known locally, having operated The Palladium Restaurant in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus since 1983, and The Gold Standard at 47th and Chester Avenue some years before. The Palladium and The Gold Standard have received critical acclaim from all of the major Philadelphia publications and five "Best of Philly" awards.

The Back Beat: How it all began...
Vincent had been looking for a location for a new venture since Penn announced its intention not to renew their lease on campus. In 2000, he cast his eye upon a vacant lot at 47th and Warrington. Although accumulated weeds and trash made it something of an eyesore, the property was surrounded by a rapidly improving residential neighborhood and was adjacent to a free, city-owned parking lot.

Thanks, neighbor - We wouldn't be here without you!
Thanks to the strong neighborhood support, Vincent, Roger and Duane were able to purchase the vacant lot. Particular thanks must be extended to the immediate neighbors on Warrington Avenue, 47th Street, 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue. Additional support came from Cedar Park Neighbors, Squirrel Hill Neighbors, City Council-woman Jannie Blackwell, State Representative Jim Roebuck, State Senator Anthony Williams, and the University City District and Baltimore Avenue Corridor Improvement Project.

Italian 101: What does Abbraccio mean?
The name Abbraccio, the Italian word for "hug" or "embrace," was chosen to reflect the partners' fondness for the neighborhood in which they have lived for more than 25 years. The name also ensures that Abbraccio will be found towards the beginning of the restaurant listings in the Yellow Pages!