Stephen Starr
With more than 20 years in the hospitality and entertainment industries, Stephen Is the owner of Starr Restaurant Organization. He opened the Ripley Music Hall, which showcased new talent such as U2, The Eurythmics, and Bruce Springsteen, who were still very small at the time. Starr likens the experience of dining out to that of attending a theater production, where the players, props, backdrops, lighting and rapport are integral components of an overall dramatic effect. When this atmospheric drama is paired with edgy, delicious cuisine, dining out at an SRO restaurant becomes entertainment for all of the senses.
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Stephen Starr, owner of Starr Restaurant Organization, began working in the restaurant industry at the age of 21 when he opened his first club in an Old City diner, Grand Mom Minnie's, which served food during the day and comedy at night. Next he opened Stars, a cabaret/restaurant that featured acts who were just starting out such as Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Belzer and Pat Benetar.
Continuing to promote live entertainment, Starr opened a larger venue, the Ripley Music Hall, which showcased new talent such as U2, The Eurythmics, Cyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen, who were still very small at the time. Eventually he began The Concert Company to bring large-scale stadium acts to Philadelphia. Starr was responsible for memorable shows including: Madonna, Lionel Ritchie, George Michael and others. In 1990, when Electric Factory Concerts bought him out, he used the profit to open several new venues including: Shake, Burger and Roll, a kitschy diner; The Bank, a trendy dance club which later became District Nightclub; and Cafe Republic, a Russian-themed caviar and vodka bar.
The SRO family of restaurants began in 1995 with the opening of Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar. Following Continental's success, SRO began to build an extraordinary group of restaurants. These include: the smash Asian hit Buddakan; Tangerine, a breathtaking restaurant with unrivaled Mediterranean cuisine; Pod, a futuristic Asian restaurant; Alma de Cuba, a modern Cuban creation; Morimoto, contemporary Japanese cuisine; Jones, American style comfort food; Angelina, Italian cuisine; El Vez, modern Mexican cuisine and Striped Bass, contemporary American seafood.
With more than 20 years in the hospitality and entertainment industries, Starr likens the experience of dining out to that of attending a theater production, where the players, props, backdrops, lighting and rapport are integral components of an overall dramatic effect. When this atmospheric drama is paired with edgy, delicious cuisine, dining out at an SRO restaurant becomes entertainment for all of the senses.
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