First Look: Juniper Commons

Kevin Sbraga’s third restaurant, Juniper Commons is now open at Broad and South Streets. The restaurant is heavily influenced by the 1980s and Sbraga intends to make that a good thing. There are table-side Caesar salads, baked potatoes, house-made wine coolers, prime rib and so much more.

But this is more than just kitsch, the restaurant is Sbraga’s biggest yet, and the 1980s vibe is just a jumping off point. To any child (or adult) of the 80s, the soundtrack will be hard to resist. And that music selection goes a long well in setting the mood. So does the bar program which is aiming to stock over 150 gins and offer a cocktail menu exclusively of gin-based cocktails. That isn’t to say there isn’t a full bar selection available but the bar is definitely obsessed with gin. And what’s gin without tonic? Juniper Commons is stocking 24 tonics, including six that are made in house.

A large open kitchen is anchored by a wood-fired grill that will produce roasted chicken, prime rib and other dishes. Other plates (Sbraga is still tweaking things and isn’t releasing a menu to the press) include lemon ricotta manicotti, eggplant parmesan and stuffed flounder. For more food teases, check out our post about Juniper Commons menu.

In addition to the bar, Juniper Commons offers a lounge area, main dining room, kitchen bar where you can get a closeup view of that grill and a private dining room that doubles as a bakery by day.

The restaurant reflects Sbraga’s personality but make no mistake, this has the makings of a restaurant that is serious about food, drink and service. Check out the photos of the space, food and drinks.

Juniper Commons

Juniper Commons Bar

Juniper Commons has a bar with over 150 different gins.

Juniper Commons Bar

All that gin requires a lot of tonic. JC stocks 24.

Juniper Commons Bar

Including 16 of the off the shelf variety and ...

Juniper Commons Bar

... six house-made tonics round out the bar.

Juniper Commons Bar

A signature gin and tonic.

Juniper Commons Bar

The Flying Caucasian - A take on the White Russian, but with gin and a line of coffee grounds (it is the 80s after all.)

Juniper Commons Bar

Check out those old school bar chairs.

Juniper Commons Wallpaper

A couple of walls at Juniper Commons are covered in reproductions of Philadelphia newspapers.

Juniper Commons Wallpaper

"Nearly everyone reads the Bulletin."

Juniper Commons Dining Room

The amber glasses are just one detail that screams 1980s.

Juniper Commons Lounge

Juniper Commons is a big restaurant with four distinctive areas (bar, lounge, dining room and kitchen).

Juniper Commons Lounge

It's worth thumbing through the old cooking magazines. Sbraga and his team based a lot of their research on the old recipes.

Juniper Commons Lounge

Throw pillows add to the vibe as does the music. Oh, the music.

Juniper Commons Food

Rack of ribs cooking over a wood fire.

Juniper Commons Food

Eggplant Parmesan

Juniper Commons Food

Layers of fried eggplant, marinara sauce, and a three cheese mixture (locatelli, ricotta, and mozzarella with roasted garlic, red pepper flake, and olive oil).

Juniper Commons Food

Oysters on the half-shell with mignonette.

Juniper Commons [Foobooz]