Connoisseur: Sydney Grims’ Favorite Things

A peek into the life of the rising Philly dining-scene star.


sydney grims fearless restaurants

Director of business development for Fearless Restaurants, managing partner of Louie Louie, and overall rising Philly dining-scene star, Sydney Grims. | Photography by Jauhien Sasnou

As director of business development for her family’s Fearless Restaurants, Sydney Grims is a rising Philly dining-scene star — the one behind the pop-y rebrand of the Deck Philly and the opening of much-anticipated bistro Louie Louie.

Here, all the stuff she can’t live without:

Favorite Things

Jewelry: Custom rings from Eastern Lapidary in Newtown Square. “They were made from my great-grandfather’s diamond tuxedo buttons.”
Makeup essential: Rouge Coco lipstick by Chanel. “It’s my work staple. I love a classic red lip. It has a way of elevating a look instantly.”

sydney grims chanel rouge coco lipstick art of gathering priya parker

L: Rouge Coco lipstick by Chanel | R: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

Currently reading: The Art of Gathering, by Priya Parker.
On my playlist: The Talking Heads. “Every time I play them, I picture myself at the Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel, dancing until 4 a.m.”
Biggest obsession: Louie Louie in University City. “Our team has done a tremendous job with everything. I want to make sure that we stay consistent and every guest is happy.”

At Home

Hair salon: Artur Kirsch in Manayunk. “I don’t trust anyone else with my hair.”
On my shopping list: Oatly, at Wegmans. “It’s this amazing non-dairy oat milk that I serve at all of our restaurants.”
Collectible: Helen Levi ceramics. “I have one of her vases on my desk, and I’ve used her for votive candles in the new restaurant. Her work is so colorful and unique.”

sydney grims helen levi ceramics five guys

Ceramics photo courtesy of Batterby House

Favorite indulgence: Five Guys in Wayne. “I get a double cheeseburger with extra pickles.”
People I admire: “My dad has an insane vision and ambition to succeed. He’s the most resilient person I know. My mom taught me how to work hard every day.”

On The Go

Mode of transportation: 1969 Wisteria Pink Cadillac. “It was my Mom Mom’s car that she left to me. In high school, I would throw on her fluffy white fox coat and head to Nifty Fifty’s on Friday nights.”
Best way to work out: SoulCycle in Ardmore. “Nick Turk’s class is my go-to every Monday.”

sydney grims kin boutique

Kin in Washington Square West

Beloved boutique: Kin in Washington Square West. “You could go to Zara and buy something cheaper, or you could support a local shop that has great energy and stunning clothes.”
Place for gifts: The Little House Shop in Wayne. “I give Simon Pearce glassware as gifts. My mom always collected it, and now I do, too.”

sydney grims napa california

Napa, California | Photograph courtesy of iStock

Next vacation: Napa, California. “I’m heading up the coast to Napa for my best friend’s wedding and a trip to the French Laundry restaurant.”

Published as “Sydney Grims” in the September 2018 issue of Philadelphia magazine.