Rosewood Bar

A Milestone Year

by John Nacchio photos by Andrew Andreozzi

It all began back in 1973 when Temple grads Robert and Donna Kubicky bought a bar from another family of proprietors, making them the fourth owners of the corner tavern at Rosewood and Shunk Streets. Today, Rosewood Bar is among the top 10 oldest bars in Philadelphia of the 20th and 21st centuries. The bar business began booming shortly after the Federal Law of Liquor Prohibition ended in 1933. Owners point out that one of the bar’s names prior to their purchase was The Friendly Tavern, which sums up its character to this day.

“Opening at 7 am for years, we welcomed customers who were just finishing a night shift and also those who are retired. This is more than a place to get drinks. It’s a second home for many,” Robert Kubicky says.

“The camaraderie you will experience is like no other. You will feel comfortable the second you step into the Rosewood Bar. Our morning group is known as The Breakfast Club, but you will see a friendly family face any time of the day. We have the best bartenders and drinks in town. You only have to follow one rule, which is our motto - Be Nice or Leave!”

In the ‘70s, Rosewood offered treasured highlights that included access to PRISM, a cable TV premier service with limited availability in Philly. Everyone got to watch the Flyers games. Most nights, there was standing-room-only as patrons on the east side of Broad Street – which didn’t have PRISM - crossed over to Rosewood Bar on the west side to watch the games.

“Saturday nights were jumping in the seventies,” Robert says. “Live music, waitress service, dancing. It allowed for a perfect night out. Pope John Paul II visited Philly in October of 1979. We have a picture of everyone in the neighborhood watching the motorcade go by. You can see me in the middle of the crowd standing on the top of a ladder!”

Lori Kubicky, MBA/CFO, Robert’s daughter, adds her skillful talents and expertise as business and creative coordinator for the bar. “Over the 50 years, our family had an integral role in the success and daily operations. My dad’s parents helped on weekends. My mom’s father Joe was the Monday night bartender for many years – also the lunchtime bartender.” Robert’s daughter Rita Ann, MD, helps as needed for big events.

“The kitchen was open for dinners, but it was in the ‘80s when we started a nice size lunch menu,” Robert fondly remembers. “My wife Donna and her parents were there every day with me to take care of business. Everything was delicious, from the corned beef specials to the cheesesteaks, but other popular requests were Rita’s roast beef and homemade soups.”

In the 2000s, the classic Rosewood Bar went Hollywood. The interior remained authentic to an era with little change from the 1970s, so the bar was perfect for filming scenes for movies like Emmet’s Mark, Equity and most notably, Invincible with Mark Wahlberg More exciting was establishing a dear friendship with Eagles’ player and now motivational speaker Vince Papale. His jersey hangs on the wall along with other cherished photos and memorabilia.

All of this came to a complete halt when the world shut down at the height of the Covid pandemic. Strict operation guidelines allowed them to eventually reopen at 25 percent capacity and outdoor tents. “We made it and our customers were great during it all,” the family says.

Rosewood Bar invites you to enjoy daily socializing, karaoke, Bingo and Quizzo. Currently, the kitchen is only opened on very special occasions like Taco Tuesday, catered events from off-site parties, and a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings every Thanksgiving. You will find a lot of fun, charm, and love at the Rosewood50 years and counting. PRH

Ablock away from Philadelphia’s famed Fabric Row, tucked neatly into the corner of a quaint intersection of rowhomes and local businesses, lies Philly’s newest culinary destination. To be clear, you’re not walking into a neighborhood spot that just happens to make sandwiches, either.

Shortly after the new year, Farina Di Vita quietly sprung onto the local food scene. Childhood friends and now business partners, Jason Okdeh and Brandyn Ortiz, have turned the sleek storefront at 250 Catharine Street into every foodie’s newest bookmark.

Literally translated, Farina Di Vita is Italian for Flour of Life. For the man behind the flour, his passion for pasta started as a toddler, watching, waiting, and eventually getting his hands messy, many times over, in family kitchens with his Aunt Michelina and Grandmom Mary (Marie). Along the way, he perfected his craft and eventually, his own pasta dough.

While working for a popular Italian deli in South Philadelphia, Okdeh also was able to learn about deli operations and most especially, customer service – all while growing as a man. “I needed to mature quickly,” he says, alluding to becoming a new father. Without the support and guidance of the family and staff of that business, “I don’t know if we would even be having this conversation” he says with sincerity.

After 13 years and another child in tow, Okdeh joined corporate America with successive stints at Coca Cola, Comcast, and Subaru. While rounding out his business skills, he never lost the desire to learn and create in the kitchen.

Working his way back to the kitchen full-time wouldn’t be easy, though. Enter childhood friend Brandyn Ortiz. Like his partner before him, Ortiz kicked around many regional food and beverage haunts from the shore to the ‘burbs. Front of the house positions mostly, all the while garnering an acute operations and business finance IQ along the way. He was the perfect ingredient to Farina Di Vita’s recipe, and the ultimate roadmap for success. Unlike Okdeh, who holds down the daily operations, Ortiz is in house as much as possible when not on duty as an EMT with the Philadelphia Fire Department or helping raise his three youngsters at home.

BY MARK CASASANTO