Renata’s Kitchen owners Kate and Yasser Aiq at their new location at 40th and Baltimore.

Renata’s Kitchen is ready to welcome customers at their new location at 40th and Baltimore, in the two-story building formerly occupied by Trolley Car Station Diner. The new Renata’s Kitchen & Bar is officially opening to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Restaurateurs Kate and Yasser Aiq, the masterminds behind Renata’s Kitchen on Baltimore Avenue, are bringing their brunch menu to the space, which is roughly six times larger than the current location. Customers can expect familiar items such as lemon pancakes, an eclectic selection of espresso beverages and an expanded meze (small plates) menu with fan favorites like shakshukas, a Middle Eastern stew with eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers and garlic. 

“Diners can expect our expansive brunch menu to stay the same,” said Kate. “Don’t worry, we are not changing any recipes. We also hope to have room for some new inventive specials in the future.”

The new eatery is conveniently located near the 40th Street trolley hub. With 250 seats, the new spot will provide much-needed space to respond to the growing demand the Renata’s team has cultivated since it opened for service in 2015 at 46th and Baltimore Ave.

“As frequent diners will note, there is often a long wait to brunch with Renata’s on the weekend – we were turning away as many guests as we were serving,” says Kate. “We want to breathe some life into this new space and share it with our community of students and residents – without having to turn away as many guests.”

Starting this Wednesday, Renata’s Kitchen will be serving brunch and light fare daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. And come spring, the Renata’s team will also begin serving dinner and drinks, featuring Middle Eastern specialties plus spirits from local distilleries, Mediterranean wines and an inventive cocktail menu.

“We want the new Renata’s to showcase the cuisine from the Middle East where Yasser is from,” said Katie. “We’ll feature lots of meze and small shared plates to have over cocktails and shared family style meals that emphasize the community and warmth that we like to share with our guests.”

As for their original location at 46th and Baltimore, it will be closed for about two weeks starting this Tuesday while the Renata’s team is readjusting at the new space. Then it will reopen as a cafe with light cafe fare.

For more information and to make reservations, go here.

Photos by West Philly Local