Question: Do you think Stephen Starr doesn’t know about high-end, darkly-lit cocktail havens in Philly like The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., Village Whiskey or Southwark? Or is it more that he just doesn’t think that you do? In any case, Starr let loose of some details on his new cocktail concept, The Ranstead Room, which will adjoin his new Mexican spot, El Rey, at 2013 Chestnut. Both are set to open Sunday. “We wanted to bring Philadelphia something the city has never seen before,” said Starr, while unveiling The Ranstead’s secret weapon, acclaimed NYC mixologist Sasha Petraske. “And,” he went on to say, “combining Sasha’s considerable talents behind the bar and Shawn’s aesthetics for setting a mood ensures we’re doing just that.” But hold up a second: Bringing in the big guns from NYC’s speakeasy/mixology scene is not exactly a novel concept — The Franklin hired Death & Co. to consult, long before Starr rolled out Petraske, of the like-minded Milk And Honey. Nor is the high-end mixology bit, even when propped up by a “hidden” speakeasy-type spot (again, The Franklin) or “hand-cut ice, house-made mixers and fresh-squeezed juices.” That said, Petraske’s cocktail menu looks like it’s worth a sip:

“The Boulevardier, bourbon, campari, sweet vermouth; Williams Fizz, cognac, Poire William, lemon juice, sugar, egg white; and The Sands Cocktail, gin, grapefruit and lemon juices, maraschino liqueur.”

Still, this is not far off from something you might be able to order at APO or even from our man Anders. And while we don’t begrudge Starr his entry into the Speakeasy Sweepstakes, we do find the idea that this is “something the city has never seen before” kind of galling. We’re sure plenty of other old-school, know-their-chops barmen will agree.