Philadelphia’s newest restaurant by Alexandra Holt, Roxanne BYOB opened its doors today at 912 Christian Street. In addition to operating for dinner service, Roxanne will be open sporadically during the day for pastry service.
The 872-square foot restaurant, which formerly housed Sabrina’s Cafe, features 26 seats including two at a chef’s counter. Holt, who began working on the restaurant’s interior back in March, designed much of the restaurant herself, constructing all of the chairs herself, while also completing all of the painting and interior finishes.
While there is no set menu, Holt said that dinner will begin with five small bites, one of them being a togarashi cannelé with pimento cheese. In the fall, beef tongue with grilled cabbage will be featured on the menu, as will a raclette ice cream cake with caviar. The opening menu will feature a vanilla bean croissant grilled over charcoal with Portuguese egg tart filling and lacto-fermented stone fruit. A course of five different bites of potatoes done with different techniques will also be featured on the tasting menu, as Holt said potatoes are her favorite food.
“I’m going to make whatever I feel like making every week,” said Holt in a statement. “There is no specific focus or cuisine, and the menu will change regularly. Dinner will feature a tasting menu which will likely be eight courses, and I plan on making the menu very approachable and affordable.”
Holt says she plans to have Roxanne open for dinner Monday to Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m., with reservations only to start, but days of operation will change over time as the restaurant opens. While last seating will be around 8:30 p.m., Holt said she may stay open late on various nights for guests. As for the pastry program, hours will run from noon until sellout on various weekdays. With no set schedule, customers can keep an eye on Instagram for when Roxanne is open during the daytime.
Roxanne, which was named after Holt’s mother, will feature pastries such as cannelé, donuts, “weird” croissants, mille-feuille, and other various baked goods, including political satire-themed pastries.
The restaurant will have no phone, and reservations will be available on Tock.
