Bryn Mawr’s BYOB Steakhouse Is Closing

Cerise Craft Steakhouse | Photo by Casey Robinson for RSC Visuals

The owners of Cerise Craft Steakhouse have announced that the Bryn Mawr BYO will close its doors at the end of this week.

Chef-owner Ben Thomas, an alum of concepts like Lacroix and Le Bec-Fin, opened the restaurant as Cerise with his wife Elena five years ago. He said that he made the decision to close in order to spend more time with his young children.

In fact, the concept’s pivot from French-inspired BYO to the sustainable steakhouse model in August of last year was designed to give Thomas the chance to more time with his kids, but he still found himself unable to step away from the business.

The chef said he made the decision after a chat with his four-year-old son about what he wanted to do when he grew up. “He answered, ‘I’d like to cook and be with Daddy, because I don’t get to be with him too much,'” Thomas said. “So after a fantastic five years, it is time to switch my attention.”

Cerise Craft Steakhouse will end regular hours after service this Saturday, January 12th, with a few Saturday night tasting menu dinners focusing on regional cuisines scheduled for later in the month. Thomas still plans to cook for private clients and events after the closure as well.

Check out what’s in store for the special tasting menu dinners on January 19th and 26th below and make your reservations here.

Tastes of Italy
January 19th

A5 Wagyu carpaccio
Grapefruit, tarragon, caper
Sunchoke soup
Sunflower seed, artichoke, fennel
House-made spaghetti
Cherry stone clams, guanciale, gremolata
Bronzino filet
Pommes Sarladaises, basil pesto, Calabrian chili
Olive oil cake
Black currant, pistachio, Amaretto chantilly

German Feast
January 26th

Potato latkes
Creme fraiche, caramelized apple, fines herbes
Herb spaetzle
Rabbit confit, lemon zest, pickled red onion
Bitter lettuces
Buttermilk, cucumber, dill, house-cured Arctic char
Roast pork
Red cabbage, creamed potatoes, caraway, whole grain mustard
Black Forest cake
Dark chocolate, cherry schnapps, almond brittle 

Kale salad, steak frites, daily dessert also available for $75
Vegetarian options available