Corio, a modern Italian restaurant, opened its first location in University City last May.
The restaurant — located at 3675 Market St. — offers dine-in and takeout options for lunch and dinner. Corio’s menu features Italian food, including salads, sandwiches, pizza, and pasta, and meat dishes.
Corio’s three managing partners — David Feola, James Smith, and Ryan Mulholland — all previously worked at Vernick Food & Drink, an upscale American restaurant in Philadelphia.
General manager and beverage director Smith described the restaurant’s atmosphere as “casual” and “bright and airy” as a result of the high ceilings, white, polished concrete, and large windows in an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian.
“Just because it's a casual atmosphere doesn’t mean that the food and service can't be great,” Smith said, noting the restaurant’s goal to “over-deliver on the food.”
Smith emphasized the diversity of skills among members of Corio’s team.
“Chef Dave brings a lot of cooking expertise from Jean-Georges in New York and then multiple restaurants here in Philadelphia,” Smith said. “Our other partner is a director of operations, so he’s got the business end of it.”
Smith classified beverages as his “forte,” adding that he is “level three [Wine & Spirit Education Trust] sommelier.”
“It’s always been a great area, and we think there’s great food here already,” Smith said. “We’re just trying to bring our version of it. “[University City] seemed like a space that we could fill properly — not just be another restaurant on the block.”
He continued that the restaurant’s “long-term vision” is to become a “staple of the neighborhood” by serving all types of University City residents, including students, faculty, and businesses.
“Whether you want to sit down for dinner, whether you need a quick lunch, whether you want to sit at the bar, just have some wings and watch TV, whether you order online and just come in and pick up — there’s a lot of different ways to access it,” Smith said.
However, Smith characterized the restaurant as more than a local gem.
“The more things that are here in University City, the more people who are already here have reasons to stay,” he said, noting his excitement about joining a community of restaurants, including Liberty Kitchen and Two Locals Brewing.
