Take A Bite Out of This, Collingswood

The Knight surname is one steeped in Collingswood history.

Descended from the Collings family—after which the borough was named—the Knight family is preserved via famous sites and buildings around town, all bearing tribute to these historic monikers.

It is fitting, then, that the town’s newest restaurant proposal, an American-style bistro, will be named in the family's honor, said Collingswood Zoning Officer Mary Ellen Ries.

“The Abbate Brothers, the proposed restaurant’s owners, did some research on Collingswood, and saw that much was written about the Knight family, especially with the Collings-Knight House and featured so prominently in our town,” said Ries. “They thought the name would be appropriate for the town—a nice Collingswood twist.”

The Abbate family came before Collingswood Planning Board at this month, to discuss updated plans for the bistro, which will occupy the old Kenmac Flowers building at 700 Haddon Ave.—a building they have owned for the past year. 

The men previously appeared before the planning board on March 28 of this year, to discuss their bistro concept.

Initially, the plan held for a counter-style restaurant, similar to those found in a fast food establishment. The absence of wait service, however, proved problematic to the board.

As a result, approval of a use variance application that the Abbate's sought was beyond the board's jurisdiction. At that meeting, board members voted unanimously for the concept to be presented to the borough's zoning board.

At the time, the Abbate family abandoned their restaurant concept and decided to instead rent out the property.

They rented the space to Randy Nedalmein, who moved forward with the proposal of . But in August, approval was granted by the zoning board for a bistro concept.

Despite board approval, the business deal with the Monte Bella Salon & Spa ultimately fell through, leaving the Abbate brothers back at the chopping block with their bistro. 

A new plan, which was presented at the December planning board meeting, will combine the brothers' previously-proposed counter-style approach, with an option for sit-down service.

The board approved the tweaked concept, and owners will move forward with the plan, pending further approval of building signage.

The Knight Bistro will combine traditions old and new, as the historic significance of the Knight family joins the town’s newly-minted reputation for fine dining on Haddon Ave.