ABOUT WILDER
OUR STORY
In 2022, husband-and-wife Brett Naylor and Nicole Barrick combined their love of hospitality, community and design to open their first restaurant – Wilder. Ever since, the three-story space has become a go-to spot in Philadelphia's dynamic Rittenhouse neighborhood, hosting everything from brunch dates to birthday parties to full-scale weddings. The name "Wilder" is a nod to the bold, signature style that Brett's kitchen team brings to the menu and that Nicole, a musician and artist, adds to the aesthetic. Over two decades ago, the couple actually met in a restaurant – Nicole was dining with a friend and Brett was the chef who, when he saw her in the dining room, made an excuse to deliver her food to her table just to meet her.
Today, their personal touches can be found throughout Wilder, including hand-painted murals by Nicole and Wilder's curated music selection and playlists. The dining rooms boast eclectic decor, combining patterned Turkish rugs, cheetah print and brass accents across plush teal banquettes, all imagined and designed by Nicole. To unite the team before service, she established a ritual of burning incense and setting intentions.
Brett, a 20-year industry veteran who worked his way from dishwasher to head chef, guides operations at Wilder, including overseeing the menu direction, staffing, catering and events programming.
Together, they have created a warm, inviting space for team members and guests to cultivate community, support the arts, and enjoy a great meal. They are active members of their community, and bring that dedication to Wilder by regularly hosting programming such as book dinners with featured authors and an inspired prix fixe dinner, cocktail classes, and chef pop-ups. Proceeds from the events, as well as monthly charitable happy hours, directly benefit local non-profit organizations.