When in Rome, Mark Grika was hit with an idea.
Grika, chef and owner of the former Flannel cafe on East Passyunk Avenue, was visiting Italy in August when he experienced an Asian restaurant with some Italian influences. The flavor combinations caused a major epiphany and Grika couldn’t wait to get back home stateside.
“I am not sure I slept,” Grika said. “My mind was blown wide open. I could not stop thinking about that meal and that one dish that changed it all for me. It was black cod in a Taleggio cream sauce. I remember being more and more excited with every bite. Some dishes weren’t actually the best things I ever ate, but it was more about the possibilities each course presented.”
Six months later Grika decided on a new concept for the former space occupied by Flannel at 1819 E. Passyunk Ave. DaVinci & Yu is now in its place. But the change didn’t happen overnight. An intensive makeover of the interior of the building was all part of the plans. And the clock was ticking on Grika, who wanted to make sure he didn’t miss out on one of South Philly’s most important events.
“We faced two challenges with DaVinci’s timeline,” Grika said. “We needed to be open for the dining event of the year in South Philadelphia, East Passyunk Restaurant Week. But we also faced my mind that is always working, always evolving, always trying out new things and changing my mind. I would find things I like for the dining room and then want to add or tweak something. It is how I have been my whole life – and DaVinci & Yu is definitely a work in progress. While I am happy how it turned out, I also like to continuously evolve and never like to be still.”
DaVinci & Yu is open, but Grika plans on still making some minor changes, on and off the menu.
“I walk in and always think to myself, ‘How can it be better, how do we do better?’ ” he said. “So the restaurant will continue to do likewise. Don’t be surprised to see new additions and small changes as we get past our opening weeks. Nothing is ever perfect, but I will work tirelessly to get it as close as I can. Plus, our customers are our neighbors and friends. Everyone has feedback and I love to incorporate that in our operations.”
In his defense, there’s not much to compare it to. DaVinci & Yu is Philadelphia’s first restaurant serving Italian Asian fusion cuisine, and he says it’s one of only about a dozen or so restaurants in the country serving the unique pairing.
“It’s a thrill to bring this menu home back to Philadelphia and East Passyunk,” said Grika.
DaVinci & Yu will be open Wednesday through Sunday, opening at 4:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays will be open until 10 p.m. while the restaurant will close an hour earlier on all other days. Plans to include lunch and brunch are in the works.
It has seating for 57 people and is the only official city-approved streetery on East Passyunk Avenue, with outdoor seating both on the sidewalk and deck. Inside, guests will enjoy spectacular artwork inspired by the menu as DaVinci & Yu aims to present some of the Avenue’s most unique restaurant vibes with bold colors and custom artwork. New Asian lanterns line the ceiling.
Each wall has thoughtful display as Grika commissioned local artists to bring together elements from both Italian and Asian cultures, most notably a sweeping mural on the dining room back wall of the Leaning Tower of Pisa next to custom rendering of an Asian woman. Grika’s niece Maya Driessen also created a piece for her uncle of an Asian tiger with technique meant to resemble tattoo art. Grika himself created the giant art by the entrance and host stand, which is a mixture of mid-century Asian and Italian influences, done on rice paper to add texture.
“It’s the same as how we did the design of Flannel,” Grika said. “I have a vision and see things I like and start painting a picture in my mind. I bring colors, textures and pieces together and hope that others like what I have created. I personally searched for the right lamp fixtures, light bulbs, pillows, glassware, plates, cloth napkins, garnishes, flowers, plants and more to create a place new and different from everywhere else in Philadelphia.”
