Blackbird, Fly: Capasso Takes Restaurant to Philly

Fans of Chef Alex Capasso's Blackbird restaurant will soon have to travel a little bit farther for its signature dishes.

Citing a desire to "really get the menu back to where it was originally," which includes wine and spirit pairings, Capasso has decided that the best way to do that is to take Blackbird into Philadelphia. 

He'll be unifying the concept of the Haddon Ave. location, which Blackbird split with West Side Gravy, as "Benny's Burger Joint," a deluxe hamburger shop named for his son.

"I've never had a problem doing business here in town," Capasso said. "But in order for Blackbird specifically to really reach the point where it used to be, we need to be in more of a city setting."

Asked whether the ability to serve alcohol would have offered a more significant improvement to his bottom line, Capasso said, "There's no denying that a restaurant really does well with a liquor license.

"The sale of even just wine, beer or champagne is incredibly significant," he said.

Nonetheless, Capasso said Collingswood is still a great restaurant town, and one that has supported Blackbird since it was located on Collings Ave., in the space now occupied by IndeBlue (which also opened a second Philadelphia location this year).

"That's why I'm not leaving," he said. "Blackbird's going to be going someplace else, but we'll still be here."

Capassio expects to transition to Benny's Burger Joint "maybe by the end of the month," and promises that the menu will serve "everything from simple to serious" hamburgers.

"We've been experimenting a little with them lately," Capasso said, "and they're interesting."

By example, he offered a description of the "Big Fat Pig" burger, which includes bacon, prosciutto, cheddar and Black Forest ham. 

"Veggie burgers, turkey burgers, beef or chicken...this is going to be a real burger-focused concept," he said.

To send off Blackbird in style, Capasso will offer a special, $35 prix fixe menu from Tuesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 14.

"We wanted to bring back some of the special dishes that we've always done at Blackbird," Capasso said.

"I want it to be a little bit of a surprise."

Blackbird is located at 714 Haddon Ave. in Collingswood. For reservations, call 856-854-3444.