Tyler Akin to Reimagine 100-Year-Old Hotel Restaurant in Wilmington

Courtesy of the Hotel Du Pont

Wilmington (basically a Philly suburb, right?) is getting a new destination dining spot. Tyler Akin, chef-owner of Stock restaurants and Res Ipsa, announced today that he will be leading up a project to renovate and reimagine The Green Room, the beloved, special occasion restaurant in the historic Hotel Du Pont. The Green Room will close on January 1st, with a projected reopening sometime in spring 2020. The renovation is the first the restaurant has seen since it opened in 1913.

The new restaurant, which doesn’t yet have a name, will be a modern French brasserie, open daily  for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Akin plans to incorporate influences from Provence and North Africa, alongside the foodways of Delaware – think roasted chicken, braised veal shoulder and a bouillabaisse with scallops, octopus, monkfish and head-on shrimp with handmade Moroccan couscous. The bar will serve locally roasted coffee, natural wine and craft cocktails.

Akin’s braised veal shoulder | Photo by Neal Santos

Akin grew up in Wilmington, eating at the Green Room for special occasions, and aims to preserve several classics from the restaurant, including their almond macaroons and the high tea service offered three days a week. Historic elements of the space will be preserved, including the oak paneling and gilded chandeliers. The bar and banquette seating will receive new upholstering in leather and velvet.

Roasted chicken | Photo by Neal Santos

Akin is partnering with the PM Hotel Group and the Buccini/Pollin Group, who bought the hotel in 2017. They have completed a $400,000 renovation on the bar and lobby, all part of a $130 million project based in Wilmington’s business district.

Photo by Neal Santos