Philadelphia, PA - Simons, Frank & Co., the restaurant group responsible for concepts such as Royal Tavern, Cantina Los Caballitos, Cantina Dos Segundos, Khyber Pass Pub, Triangle Tavern, Royal Boucherie, and Royal Sushi & Izakaya, has hired a new chef.
About Chef Brian Lofink
The restaurant group is pleased to announce Chef Brian Lofink has joined the team as Culinary Director, Lofink will oversee culinary operations of the kitchens at five of the company’s diverse restaurants, as well as the PHS Pop Up Gardens managed by the company on South Street and in Manayunk.
“Brian brings a very diverse skillset and experience to the company that will benefit many of our concepts,” said Suzanne O’Brien, CEO of Simons, Frank & Co. “We’re thrilled to have Brian join our team.”
French-Alsatian on his father’s side and Mauritian on his mother’s, Lofink grew up in a unique commingling of cultures and cuisine. Which ultimately led to laying the foundation for an impressive and varied career.
After high school, Lofink enrolled in the culinary program at Drexel University while completing an internship at the lauded Brasserie Perrier.
Proving his mettle in the high-pressure kitchen, Lofink stayed on under chef Chris Scarduzio for several years after graduation, leaving as a lead line cook.
In 2005, he was hired at Matyson, Matt, and Sonjia Spector’s pioneering Rittenhouse BYOB. Lofink took up the Sidecar Bar & Grille reins in 2009, applying a fine-dining eye to ambitious yet accessible gastropub fare.
His cooking attracted a loyal following and the attention of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, which featured the bar in 2013.
Lofink would run the kitchens at Kraftwork, Kermit’s Bake Shoppe, Tria Taproom, and Terrain and his role as director of operations for Linfield’s Railroad Street Bar & Grill.