PHILADELPHIA - The husband and wife team of Yasser and Kate Aiq, owners of Renata's Kitchen, have built a loyal following with its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired menu and brunch favorites such as shakshuka and lemon poppy pancakes, are celebrating ten years in business by throwing an open house for the neighborhood on Wednesday, May 10th from 5 to 8 p.m. The party is free and open to everyone in the community. It will be held on Renata’s expansive outdoor patio. Revivalist Spirits will provide lite bites, butlered hors-d'oeuvres, carving stations, and welcome cocktails.
Chef/Owner Yasser Aiq (pronounced IKE) said, "We wanted this party to thank the community for their support over the past decade." "We wouldn't have survived without the support of our friends, neighbors, and our incredibly loyal clients who stood by us during some tough times."
The Aiqs' journey in University City has been a challenging one. The Aiqs opened as Cafe Renata in 2013 at 43rd & Locust, only to have it destroyed by fire in March 2015. The Aiqs reopened as Renata's Kitchen in September 2015 at 45th and Baltimore Avenue. They will move into their 5,000-square-foot bi-level location in the Trolley Portal Gardens project in February 2020. Three months later, they were hit by the Coronavirus pandemic and all its challenges. "The community has always rallied behind us -- whether donating to our fundraiser after a fire or ordering regularly from us throughout the pandemic. Our customers have inspired us, and we are forever thankful."
The Aiqs' sense of community inspired them to donate the proceeds from alcohol sales at the open house (which included specialty cocktails and Mediterranean wine) to the Workshop School. This West Philly high school builds a curriculum focusing on project-based learning, internships, and real-life experiences preparing students for postsecondary success.
