Stephen Starr's Newest Dazzler

Have you heard about Stephen Starr's newest restaurant?
No, it's not in center city Philadelphia.
And it's not in New York.
And it's not in Atlantic City or anywhere at the Jersey shore.
But it does have breathtaking views and an open air atmosphere. And it features Starr's fresh, innovative food and welcoming ambiance with favorite dishes from many of Starr's other popular dining spots.
It's called Crescendo and it's a joint venture of Starr Events, Ovations Food Service and Philadelphia's Mann Center for the Performing Arts.
We enjoyed an exclusive preview of Crescendo earlier this week and we can report that it is the perfect place for dining when you're at the Mann Center. The view of the Philadelphia skyline is absolutely overwhelming and the food and drink are top notch.
Scheduled to open for The Mann’s first concert of the season on June 5th, Crescendo will feature a daily menu of culinary vignettes as well as picnic basket packages to be enjoyed by ticketholders.
“We are thrilled to be working with Stephen STARR Events,” said President and CEO of The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Catherine Cahill. “Stephen Starr’s name is synonymous with culinary excellence, and when combined with The Mann Center’s long and legendary history of artistic excellence, you have the recipe for the perfect marriage!”
Crescendo at the Mann offers the perfect complement to the stellar performances and breathtaking atmosphere of Philadelphia’s most beloved outdoor arena.
With seating for approximately 180 guests, Crescendo’s dining room will exude summer fun with its bright lime green color palette and rattan and raffia accents.
“As we looked at ways to enhance the guest experience this year, our focus centered on fresh innovative food and exceptional service.” said Linda Recke, General Manager of Ovations. “Partnering with Stephen Starr Events, a highly recognized name in culinary experiences, will help take our focus to the next level.”
The menu at Crescendo will change regularly as inspired by the performers yet consistently feature delectable salad and antipasto selections from Executive Chef Shane Cash in addition to a sauté station featuring entrees, small plates and carved meats and fish. Fresh house-baked breads from Parc restaurant and a delicious selection of dessert tapas will be the perfect start and end of every meal.
While we were at Crescendo we enjoyed sushi, crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms, sausage and peppers, fresh salads, gazpacho soup and other treats. We also spotted many Philly notables including attorneys Ralph Wellington and Frederic R. Mann, II, Bobbi Booker of the Philadelphia Tribune and Clyde Allen of the National Alliance of Market Developers. We also chatted with Mann CEO Catherine Cahill.
A full-service bar and lounge area featuring unique signature Crescendo cocktails and small plates will provide guests an additional opportunity to enhance their dining experience. The full three-course dining experience at Crescendo can be enjoyed for 45 bucks (including tax) per person.
In addition, Stephen Starr Events will also offer picnic dinner boxes for pre-order for those guests wanting to spread out their blankets and dine underneath the stars.
Crescendo will be open for the June thru September concert season and for private events. For reservations and additional information, call (215) 879-4871 or visit www.manncenter.org.