South Street West is in the midst of a renaissance. The once quiet block of 15th and South is turning into quite the destination, thanks in part to Evan Malone and Jill Weber’s latest venture, Rex 1516. The husband and wife team put down their roots more than two years ago, just across the street, at Jet Wine Bar. Its travel-inspired wine- and snacks-focused motif continues to be a successful pit stop for those traversing Center City’s dining scene. Now, the couple’s brought a little bit of charm and a whole lot of southern hospitality to the neighborhood, giving residents one more reason to stay local and a chance to escape the hustle of the city with a glimpse into the past. Long wooden pews run the length of the exposed brick dining room, allowing flexibility for seating parties of different sizes. Though the tables are enticing, the highlight of the space is the bar, hidden away in the rear of the restaurant. Topped in white marble and adorned with ornate columns, the bar at Rex is made of reclaimed wood from the Rittenhouse Club, which was designed by Frank Furness, one of the city’s architectural icons. Votive candles and low lighting create a warm and inviting space where customers can sip a Sazerak and nosh on some of Chef Regis Jansen’s Southern-inspired cuisine. The menu is heavy on starters, but also offers a nice variety of salads and entrees with a special focus on vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Chef Jansen’s Crawfish Pot Pie has become the signature dish at Rex, and for good reason. The slightly spicy, creamy crawfish filling is packed into a layer of piecrust. Its flavors are then sealed in with a thick pastry and baked until golden brown crust resembles something of a muffin, exploding from its base and resulting in one of the most grandiose pot pie preparations in the city.