Richard Chen Pan Asian Cuisine, a new upscale restaurant with a high profile name is opening soon in Eastside, adding an unmistakable cachet to an already vibrant dining scene in the East Liberty neighborhood. Richard Chen will launch a soft opening on August 1st with a grand opening scheduled for August 12th. This is a private venture for Chen who is the noted executive chef for Wing Lei at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Simon Lewis, who works with Chen, moved to Pittsburgh from the U.K. a month ago to assume his position as executive chef. “There are very good chefs here,” he says. “We want to be part of Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene.”
Richard Chen will bring a different flavor to that scene that includes Pan Asian dishes such as five-spice duck (salt-cured for 10 hours minimum), Berkshire pork imported from England, and rib eye steak with soy garlic glaze--along with plenty of options for vegetarians. Pan Asian, says Lewis, combines western and Asian style ingredients and techniques.
Jen Bee, AIA and Amada Bass of
Edge Studio designed the 120 seat, 4600 square foot restaurant that features warm wood, plentiful natural light and three distinct spaces including a bar/lounge area. A large backlit wine wall becomes sculpture in the modern space that is beautifully designed.
The high-end restaurant is at 5996 Penn Circle in Eastside, built by Mosites and located adjacent to Whole Foods. Richard Chen's joins neighboring dining spots including the
Red Room Cafe,
Abay, Pizza Solo and Kelly’s Bar and Lounge that, along with Whole Foods and Eastside, are credited with revitalizing the area.
Writer: Tracy Certo
Source: Simon Lewis, Richard Chen's Pan Asian Cuisine, Anne Chen of Edge Studio
Image courtesy EDGE Studio