Photo by Mike Prince.
Chef Liz Grothe, a Filipina chef from Oklahoma with a passion for Italian cuisine, has opened her first restaurant, Scampi, in Philadelphia’s Queen Village neighborhood. Located at 617 South 3rd Street, Scampi operates as a modern supper club, offering a rotating menu that highlights specific regions of Italy along with influences from Grothe’s upbringing in Oklahoma.
The restaurant’s five-course dinners will change monthly, incorporating seasonal ingredients and dishes inspired by Grothe’s personal journey. Optional menu supplements will be available, with dishes in the opening month including Caesar toast, smoked trout culurgiones, beef cutlet, and tiramisu.
Scampi will serve dinner Wednesday through Saturday, with two seatings each night starting at 5:30 p.m. The intimate 26-seat space also includes a four-seat counter for walk-ins and an outdoor patio for private dinners and special events.
Grothe describes Scampi as a “scrapbook” of her life, blending her love of Italian food with her personal history, personality, and creative spirit. She designed the space herself, incorporating a wooden counter in the front window and a grill and smoker on the back patio.
Grothe’s culinary journey began in 2021 at Jason Peabody's Oloroso, followed by roles at Chef Marc Vetri's Fiorella, where she rose to Sous Chef. She later launched her own pop-up dinner series, Couch Café, offering intimate, Italian-themed dining experiences in her Northern Liberties home. After successful residencies at Forîn and Wim Cafe, Grothe took the leap to open a permanent space with Scampi.With its blend of regional Italian cuisine, personal storytelling, and a supper club ambiance, Scampi is poised to offer diners a uniquely intimate and ever-evolving culinary experience in Philadelphia.
