What started as a word-of-mouth dinner series inside a Drexel University dorm room is officially stepping into one of Philadelphia’s most prestigious dining rooms. Ocho Supper Club, the viral Afro-Caribbean fine dining concept led by young culinary talent Chef RJ Smith, is announcing a six-month residency at The Rittenhouse Hotel, beginning February, 1, 2026.
Held every other Sunday inside the hotel’s private dining salon overlooking Rittenhouse Square, the residency will feel less like a restaurant reservation and more like an invitation to an intimate dinner party. Each seating is capped at just 26 guests, with two services per night at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The best Afro-Caribbean food in Philly arrives at Rittenhouse Square
For the first time ever, Ocho’s experience expands beyond a traditional tasting menu. Guests can begin their evening with à la carte cocktails and refined small plates. From there, they can ease into the full eight-course journey. It’s Ocho like you’ve never experienced it before!
🌴 Menu highlights include:
- 🇯🇲 Jamaican Festival – pillowy cornmeal dough stuffed with slow-cooked, warmly spiced duck, finished in curry-infused honey
- 🧆 Elevated Afro-Caribbean small plates inspired by diaspora traditions
- 🍫 Pitch-Black Cocoa Tart layered with silky chocolate ganache, coconut cream, raspberry gelée, and coquito cream
The cocktail program is developed in collaboration with James Beard Award-winning mixologist Danny Childs. Fermentation, preservation, and Caribbean techniques shape every glass.
🍹 Standouts include:
- 🍋 Ocho & Ting – a highball-style cocktail inspired by Jamaica’s Wray & Ting
- 🥥 Kingston Provisions – a tropical riff on an Old Fashioned with coconut0washed rum and plantain amazake
Ocho Supper Club: From dorm room to destination dining
Chef RJ Smith, still a Drexel culinary student, has built Ocho Supper Club into one of Philly’s most buzzed-about dining experiences through storytelling, heritage, and precision cooking.
Now, his journey comes full circle inside The Rittenhouse Hotel, a Michelin Guide One Key-rated and Forbes Four Star property known for culinary excellence.
The residency runs February 1 through July 26, 2026, with reservations released 30 days in advance via OpenTable. Tasting menus start at $130 per person, with optional cocktail or wine pairings available.
Indeed, this isn’t just a pop-up. It’s a major moment for Philadelphia’s dining scene and an inspiring signal to young chefs everywhere that big dreams can become extraordinary realities.
