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Molly Malloy's takes over the old Beer Garden space at Reading Terminal, bringing a exciting new dining destination to the market with delicious sandwiches, farm-sourced pub fare, tons a local craft beers, hand crafted cocktails and more. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

Reading Terminal Market welcomed its latest merchant yesterday with the official opening of Molly Malloy’s, the Iovine Bros. Produce-backed locally sourced gastropub replacing the beer garden at the rear of the market.

Molly Malloy’s has transformed a dark, oft-empty space with a light-filled, inviting bar and restaurant without walls. Bonus: it’s the only spot with a liquor license in Reading Terminal.

The beer and cocktails are far from the only feature that’s unprecedented about the place; check out some highlights of Molly Malloy’s, below, for a first look at this highly-anticipated newcomer.

The Background

Jimmie and Vinny Iovine, brothers born and raised in Philly as two of 10 siblings, launched the super popular Iovine Bros. Produce in the southeast corner of Reading Terminal some 22 years ago. They played a huge part in helping the other merchants and working to improve the market’s pedigree at a time when it wasn’t quite as vibrant as it is today.

The Iovines have dabbled in catering before, but this is their first full-blown restaurant venture. And it’s completely awesome. As Vinny puts it, “I love coming to work.” Molly Malloy’s is named after the brothers’ mother’s maiden name, and it’s a family affair through and through. Jimmie’s two sons work there, his niece is one of the bartenders — the list goes on.

The Set-Up

Molly Malloy’s seats 79, including ample bar space and tables alike. There are four flat-screen TVs which will air local sports games and TV. The place will be open for business only during Reading Terminal’s operating hours (Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) but the rest of the time it will be available for private catered events.

The restaurant is located directly across the aisle from the soon-to-be Rick Nichols Room, a lecture space for the new market test kitchen, named in honor of the legendary Inquirer food writer who retired recently after 15 years. The room will seat 60, so events at Molly Malloy’s will be able to accommodate a total of 140 or so in a conjoined space. The Iovines will be partnering with other Reading Terminal merchants, like their next door neighbor Flying Monkey Patisserie, so that people can commission food orders from various places around the terminal for their private events.

Molly Malloy’s also offers take-out, with a glassed-in food display and a digital menu that changes at 11 a.m. from breakfast to lunch/dinner.

Below, check out all the details on the food, the local craft beer list, sustainable elements of the restaurant and more.

Molly Malloy's, which sources almost exclusively locally, serves creative homemade comfort food with an Irish influence.
(Left photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC, right photo courtesy Molly Malloy's)

The Food

Molly Malloy’s food has already been on the Philadelphia map; they won the 2011 Scrapplefest this past spring with their Brioche and Sunnyside Egg Scrapple Sandwich, dished up by Chef Bobby Fisher.

Fisher, who worked with the Iovines when they ran the catering at the Lombard Swim Club, likes to be kept on his toes. At his Lombard post, he was charged with changing up the menu three nights a week, so he’ll be implementing seasonal menu changes according to customers’ tastes and what produce is fresh.

Speaking of which, the restaurant will source locally as much as possible. And it doesn’t get more proximate than 22 feet away, the distance between Molly Malloy’s and Iovine Produce. The brothers get their supplies, which they call “the best produce in the world,” from three main farms — Jim DeLuca Farms in Bloomsburg, PA; Shady Brook Farms in Newtown, PA; and Flame Farms in New Jersey — and the Molly Malloy’s kitchens will be supplied directly from Iovine Produce.

The menu has the Irish flair hinted at in the Molly Malloy’s name, with dishes like Fish & Chips, Irish Beef Stew and Chicken Pot Pie. But it goes well beyond the basics. Some of the dishes currently on the menu, all homemade, include:

• “Not Your Mama’s Grilled Cheese” ($7): Brioche bread, whipped tart goat cheese, black pepper fennel and onion jam, sauteed leaf spinach

• Roasted Fall Veggie Salad ($4): Parsnip, carrot, butternut squash, rutabaga, yams, golden beets, cider vinaigrette

• Braised Oxtail hot sammie ($9): Ciabatta roll, carrot ketchup, grilled thick-sliced sweet onions

• Pumpkin Pancakes with Fresh Cheese ($9): Served with bacon, sausage, scrapple, pork roll or smoked ham

The homemade condiments are a menu unto themselves, with options including Apple Onion Compote, Whipped Avocado, Tomato Jam, Fall Spiced Pear Butter and more, all available as add-ons for sandwiches and salads at $1/apiece.

Molly Malloy’s may consider offering brunch down the line (that was Chef Fisher’s forte at the Lombard Swim Club), as well as partnering with other merchants to collaborate on food items, such as a dessert with Flying Monkey.

Molly Malloy's stays true to its beer garden predecessor, with 24 drafts and 25 bottles, including 16 or so local selections that will rotate. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

The Drinks

Jimmie was a bartender for years, so the beer garden is living up to its calling. There are 24 drafts (ranging from $3-$6.50) and 25 bottles (ranging from $4-$7.50), with 16 or so local selections on draft that will rotate.

Local brews on the opening menu include Philadelphia Brewing Company’s Walt Wit, Sly Fox Royal Weisse, Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale, Stoudt’s Scarlet Lady, Lancaster Brewing Company’s Shoo-Fly Poerter and Weyerbacher’s Blithering Idiot.

There are also fives wines by the glass, and four specialty cocktails. Think French Apple Cobbler (house-made French apple vodka, Apple Schnapps, apple cider, ginger ale and fresh apple) and Juicy Pear (Blue Coat Gin, pear nectar, ginger ale and lemon).

Molly Malloy's is adjacent to the soon-to-be Rick Nichols Room, a lecture space for Reading Terminal's new market test kitchen, named in honor of the legendary Inquirer food writer who retired recently after 15 years. He's pictured on the right with co-owner Vinny Iovine. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

The Green Factor

Jimmie’s pet project is a 57-acre solar farm out in Franklinville, New Jersey, so the brothers were sure to infuse Molly Malloy’s with as much sustainability as possible. They are stalwart recyclers, and all to-go items are wrapped in recyclable craft paper. There is no styrofoam used, and glass is used instead of plastic (except for to-go cups, obviously). The tables were crafted from natural solid cherry wood.

In short, the latest addition to Reading Terminal brings a very exciting stay-and-eat, gastropub vibe to an underused corner of the market; a new spot to watch the Phillies and Eagles; a much-needed place to grab a beer or glass of wine with your farm-fresh food; and the cache to make everyone that visits Reading Terminal that much more appreciative of one of the country’s most incredible dining halls.

Check out the food menus in full, below.

Molly Malloy’s
Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street
www.mollymalloysphilly.com