It’s an unusual pairing: one of Pennsylvania’s largest workers’ compensation law firms is now also a restaurant investor, writes Emma Dooling for The Philadelphia Business Journal.
Pond Lehocky Giordano is making its first move into the hospitality industry, investing just under $1 million in Alessandro’s Ventures, the suburban restaurant group led by 29-year-old chef Alex Fiorello.
A New Bryn Mawr Location
The investment will help fund Alessandro’s Enoteca, a new Bryn Mawr restaurant planned for 915 Lancaster Ave., the former home of Il Fiore.
The Main Line project is expected to open in September and marks the next step in Fiorello’s fast-growing portfolio, which already includes Alessandro’s Wood Fired Italian Grill & Bar in Wayne and Alessandro’s Pizzeria in West Chester.
Why a Law Firm Is Backing a Restaurant
Pond Lehocky Managing Partner Sam Pond described the chef as a rare talent, citing both his passion for cooking and his ambitions to build a larger restaurant company, a combination he said made the investment an easy call even outside the firm’s usual lane.
Fiorello said that the backing helps establish Alessandro’s Ventures as a serious player in the region’s hospitality industry.
Inside the New Concept
The new Bryn Mawr concept is expected to be the group’s most upscale restaurant yet, occupying a 6,000-square-foot space with seating for 150 to 175 guests, a bar, two private rooms, a cocktail lounge and a raw bar.
Fiorello said the menu will include some Japanese influence, including sushi options.
Sales Surge and a PGA Championship Boost
The project comes as Alessandro’s Ventures reports strong momentum. Fiorello said sales across the group’s two existing restaurants are up 30 percent from 2025.
That surge got an extra jolt this spring when the 2026 PGA Championship rolled into nearby Aronimink Golf Club.
The Wayne location turned into a magnet for the tournament crowd, drawing high-profile guests including country star Luke Bryan and several competing golfers.
What’s Next
While a fourth restaurant is not yet in development, Fiorello said the group could eventually look toward the Jersey Shore, with Avalon among the locations of interest.
To learn more about Pond Lehocky’s foray into the restaurant business and what’s next for Alessandro’s in The Philadelphia Business Journal.
