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Ecco Qui, the Italian restaurant on 32nd and Chestnut streets, closed and a new restaurant, Yardhouse American Grill and Sports Bar, will open during the week of Oct. 16 and have a grand opening Oct. 24.

Yardhouse Grill, replacing Ecco Qui will feature plasma TV's, an outdoor seating area and will accept Dragon Dollars (formerly Ultima Funds).

Sports bar to replace Ecco Qui

By: Ashley Peskoe

Posted: 9/18/08

Ecco Qui has closed and renovations have started for a new restaurant, Yardhouse American Grill and Sports Bar.

Owner Joe Scarpa said he is closing Ecco Qui, because he is moving out of the area. Scarpa said the lease has already been transferred to the new owners.

The space will be closed for approximately four weeks, and the interior will be completely gutted, according to Matthew Ray, publicist for Yardhouse. The official grand opening will be Oct. 24, but the restaurant plans to open for business the week of Oct.16.

Plans call for over 1800 square feet of bar and restaurant space, eight to 10 high-definition plasma TVs and an oversized chalkboard for game schedules, scoreboards and competition results, architect Andrew Pletcher wrote in an e-mail.

The plans also include a private lounge, a 55-seat bar area and a 65-seat restaurant area. The outdoor seating area will include a landscaped patio, according to Pletcher. A Nintendo Wii will also be set up in the lounge area, according to Ray.

"The space will have a fun, warm and inviting atmosphere with a sophisticated, chic edge by using industrial materials that include exposed brick, polished concrete floors, with wood & steel accents," Pletcher wrote.

Yardhouse will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. for lunch until midnight or 2 a.m. depending on the night, according to Jeffrey Sotland, co-owner of Yardhouse. They will serve American faire and maintain the pizza oven. The food prices will range from about $7.95 to around $16-$17.

Dragon Dollars (formerly Ultima Funds) will be accepted at Yardhouse, according to Ray.

"Having Dragon Dollars accepted by Yardhouse will enhance the selection of on and off-campus restaurants for Drexel students and staff as well as stimulate a great relationship between Drexel and local businesses," Patti White, associate director for Drexel Business Services, wrote in an e-mail.

University policy prohibits Dragon Dollars to be used to purchase alcohol or tobacco products, according to White.

"[Yardhouse] gives something to University City that we don't think it has - a sports bar," Sotland said.

There will also be happy hour and specials for sports games. "There is always going to be something going on," Sotland said.