SOMO Hospitality Group just named a new executive chef for both the Manayunk and South Philadelphia SOMO locations. Chef Waldemar (Val) Stryjewski will be taking over the lead position in the kitchens and putting his 15 years of culinary talents in the spotlight at the James Morrissey eateries.
Most recently, Chef Val was the executive chef at Prohibition Taproom and, before that time, he led the kitchen staff in the same role at Lloyd Whiskey Bar from 2014–2016. In addition, Chef Val has also played an integral role in several high-profile Philadelphia restaurant openings, including a.kitchen + a.bar and Le Cheri. As if this culinary resume wasn’t already impressive enough, he can also point to his time in the hallowed kitchen of Le Bec Fin working under iconic Chef Georges Perrier as a premier point in his culinary background, along with the fact that he is an alum of Lacroix, Brasserie Perrier and Django.
“All of these experiences have given me a wealth of knowledge, especially in executing fine dining and mastering charcuterie, which I intend to implement at both SOMO Manayunk and SOMO SoPhi, when it opens this spring,” said Val. “My goal is to serve the highest quality food which maintains fine-dining standards, but still serve dishes that are approachable.”
Val says he combines his classic French culinary background with a modernist approach.
“I’m all about ‘what’s fun to eat’ and how can I meld ingredients to produce unique flavor combinations,” he states. “I’m excited to open our diners’ minds about eating a little differently.”
Val’s new menu additions at SOMO include the following offerings:
- The Big Stryjewski, a half-pound grass fed burger with bacon, roasted wild mushrooms, pickled onions and cheddar
- Steak tartare with pickled vegetables, sunny egg and toast
- Braised octopus with burnt orange puree, fried tomatillo, chili oil and radish salad
- Warm buratta with pea puree, fennel and beet salad
- Rare albacore tuna and buratta sandwich with curry mayo, roasted peppers and pickled onions
- Roasted Long Island duck breast with apricot puree, farro, sprouts and vanilla chili jus
- Goat cheese gnocchi with wild mushroom ragout
- Roasted grouper with red wine lentils, cauliflower puree, romanesco and burgundy lobster sauce
- Wild mushroom gratin
Reserve a table at SOMO Manayunk today to taste Chef Val’s delectable culinary items, and be sure to stop into SOMO SoPhi, the upcoming South Philly restaurant, when it opens later this spring.
Find SOMO Manayunk at 4311 Main St. in Manayunk; phone: (267) 297-6668; Find SOMO SoPhi, later this spring, at 3101 S. 13th St. in Philadelphia.
- Photo: SOMO
