As the owner of the Cornucopia Restaurant and Lounge, David Smith’s goal is to turn the West Philadelphia-based venue into a premier dining and entertainment destination.

“What I’m trying to do is to make it a one-stop shop,” says Smith, who opened the restaurant at 4942 Parkside Avenue on Sept. 6.

The restaurant, located on the building’s fourth floor, offers a view of Fairmount Park and will feature general food choices such as burgers, steaks, salads, seafood, pasta and soups. Soul food may be featured on some nights.

Smith plans to utilize rooms on the venue’s third floor so that diners can enjoy a meal as well as a comedy show, karaoke, a party or line dance and salsa lessons under one roof.

“We’re just trying to bring a nice, mixed crowd and do something different — that’s the main objective,” says Smith.

Cornucopia will feature party nights on Fridays and Saturdays; brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays; Monday night football on Mondays; line dancing on Wednesdays and a ladies’ night on Thursdays.

“Each night we’d like to have a different theme,” says Smith, who has been operating Men at Work catering since 1991.

The first two floors of the venue house the Park Avenue Banquet Hall. which is frequently used to host community meetings, baby showers, wedding receptions, fundraisers and sweet sixteen parties.

After five years of operating the banquet hall, Smith opted to bring what was formerly known as The Cornucopia back with a new flair.

“Everybody has known the Cornucopia for so many years and it’s so well established so I thought it would be good to keep the name,” he added.

Smith wanted to bring a new dining experience to the Parkside community and offer an alternative to having to go to Center City to enjoy an evening out.

Smith marked the Cornucopia’s grand opening on September 6 with a wine and cheese reception. Hosted by WDAS’ Mimi Brown, the event featured music and performances by comedians Buck Wild, Chase and Tommy Smooth.