Familiar Face to Launch Diner at Familiar Location

In many ways, Daiva Pilinkaite never left the area.

Starting April 1, the once-and-future diner owner will return to Roxborough with a new restaurant on Ridge Avenue.

Previously with Umbria Street's Domino Diner, Pilinkaite will launch Daiva's Diner and Grille at the former Ridge Diner location.

Global Background

Born in Lithuania, Pilinkaite brings a unique pedigree to owning a business. She studied history and architecture in Europe, before moving to the United States to work on her Master's from Drexel University.

She entered the service industry and quickly began to operate the Domino Diner. However, a fire squashed many of those dreams.

"That fire there was so painful. We never recovered. I missed socializing with the people here so much," she said.

A Fresh Start

For the past several years, Pilinkaite worked at Andy's Diner further up Ridge Pike in Conshohocken. However, she always kept her eye on Roxborough.

"I've talked to the Ridge Diner people for many years. They wanted me to take it over," she said.

Ultimately, she agreed to lease the property, but wanted to make her own mark. So far, Pilinkaite has ripped up the interior and plans to reimage it with a European style. Other than the trademark brick walls, Pilinkaite said the experience would be different.

"I want this to be more upscale for a diner and grille. A high-class place. I think the locals deserve a better place with good service, and I'm going to provide that," she said.

She promises a better quality of food, and says it will be BYOB.

The April 1 date is still the target, and she encourages those with a background to contact her for a job. Her phone number is 484-636-6811.