INSIDE THE GROUND, THE NEW PLANT-CENTRIC CAFé IN RITTENHOUSE
As spring continues to awaken, another new café begins to sprout in Philly.
Next Monday, April 22nd, The Ground will officially open its new location to the public in Rittenhouse Square (120 S. 18th Street). This 1,500 square feet coffee, bubble tea, plant, and gift shop can fit roughly 20 customers as it serves as both a café and retail hotspot in the heart of Center City.
For the first time, owners Michelle Miller and Molly Kiriacoulacosy are expanding their successful café and retail shop beyond its original Olde Kensington beginnings — in a new area of the city they believe “represents the true hustle and bustle of Center City.”
“We’ve been looking to expand to a second location for a while and it’s a dream come true to find a space that feels like it suits our vibe so perfectly,” says Kiriacoulacos on expanding The Ground. “I can’t wait to welcome both familiar and new faces to our little jungle oasis on the square.”
“We feel our little concept can bring not only a lot of happiness to residents and visitors, but it can bring a nice balance to the area,” Miller adds. “We are honored to have the opportunity to create a space that is cozy and warm — and will offer joy that only hundreds of living plants can bring.”
The plant-centric vibe, designed by co-owner Miller herself, is felt all throughout the shop as the various green spaces, vibrant wall color, and earthy decor brightens up the cozy café. Sustainability drives The Ground’s overall aesthetic and business model as they source locally grown plants, offer compostable coffee packaging and eco-friendly gift wrapping options for customers.
The easy grab-and-go, yet flavorful cuisine at The Ground is a mix of breakfast/lunch favorites made with a Korean-American twist. Diners can expect to try the “croffle” (a South Korean dish that’s a French croissant cooked as a Belgian waffle and topped with whipped cream and syrup, the “Oh Daddy” sandwich (made with two turkey sausage patties and topped with arugula, strawberry Gochujang sauce and American cheese on a croissant, with the option to add a Korean egg to make it a “Mega Daddy”), and the TBAT sandwich (a turkey, bacon, arugula, and tomato sandwich served on a toasted croissant with mayo and balsamic glaze). They will also serve other seasonal sandwiches, chia pudding, French pastries, and sweet and savory bites from Au Fournil, a bakery in Narberth, Pennsylvania.
The Ground has an expansive coffee and bubble tea program that features inspiration from Miller’s Korean lineage.
Here, they serve coffee beverages (espresso, macchiato, cortado, latte, cappuccino, Americano, mocha and cold brew) from beans that’s roasted locally, including their new house roast called “The Botanist.” Bubble tea wise, they have more than two dozen flavored options (that include coconut custard pie, rose pistachio, chocolate cake mocha, and buzzy boba) that seasonally rotate. They also will serve iced tea, hot chocolate, matcha tea lattes, Italian sodas and more.
“We will also be mixing in some of our favorite and unique specials, like our Dr. Diaz, a Dulce de Leche bubble tea made with fresh cinnamon and whole milk, or the Kimberly which is a Korean yogurt inspired base flavor — think pink berry — with a strawberry preserve,” says Miller on including new beverages to the menu. “Such an incredible array of interesting takes unique to our little shop.”
The Ground’s grand opening in Rittenhouse is next Monday, April 22nd, with regular service weekdays at 7 am to 2 pm, and weekends at 8 am to 6 pm. No reservations are necessary. Their breakfast and lunch menu is available all day, with plans to expand hours later in the spring. Delivery will be available in late spring/early summer. For more information, additional details can be found on their website.
2024-04-19T08:57:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd