9 Prime steakhouse to open in West Chester in February 2024

WEST CHESTER — Diners will soon have another choice and be able to enjoy a new 300-seat classic Italian steakhouse.

Illinois Chef Fabio Viviani will offer Italian steaks, fresh Mediterranean seafood and handmade pasta dishes at 9 Prime.

The restaurant with more than 10,000 square feet of dining space is targeted to open in early February at the historic 1st National Bank Building.

The restaurant will sit at 9 N. High St. The former 1st National Bank opened during the Civil War in 1863. The four Ionic marble columns out front, resting on a base of marble granite quarried in Vermont, are visible from the historic court house, across High Street.

“They used to cut checks, now we’re going to cut steaks,” quipped Viviani.

The two-story eatery will feature a large bar, event space and Johnny O’s, a speakeasy with 70 seats.

The “very unique, gorgeous and luxurious” décor will include a lot of leather, booths, wood and steel beams.

9 Prime partners include Viviani, Charlie Walsh and John O’Connell.

Viviani moved from Italy in 2005 and owns and manages more than 50 restaurants nationwide.

He compared opening a restaurant to getting married.

“It feels like a brand new wife,” Viviani said. “You love everything about it, but you have to get used to it.

“You have to figure out the kinks. Restaurants come with different challenges.”

Octopus ($23), bone marrow ($17) and truffle crostino ($18) will be offered, along with lobster bisque ($13) and beet salad ($17).

Pastas include Wagyu short rib ($34) and scallop fra diavolo ($36).

Entrees at 9 Prime will include, lamb shank ($33), cowboy ribeye steak ($75), delmonico 14 oz. steak ($55) and filet 10 oz. ($45).

lobster tails ($40) and scallops ($16) will come from the sea.

The restaurant will hire between 60 and 100 employees, with 30 to 50 staffers on a busy Saturday night.

At first, the restaurant will be open just for dinner and then brunch and possibly then lunch.

The 1st National Bank opened in 1863. According to historian and commercial Realtor Tom Walsh, and the 1999 West Chester Bicentennial Souvenir Book, the bank was established in a bid to bolster currency during the Civil War and was the first national bank chartered to do business in Chester County.

It was “organized by civic leaders who wanted to help the financial crisis of our nation in order to win the Civil War,” reads the souvenir book.

In 1998, the 1st National Bank was the 12th oldest national bank operating in the United States. In 1973, Charles Swope, at age 41, was elected as the youngest president in bank history.

The current bank was designed in 1900 and built in 1912, with a Thomas U. Walter theme. Walter earlier designed the Washington Capitol dome, the historic courthouse and a portion of the Chester County History Center.