P.J. Clarke’s Opens Its Doors in Philadelphia

“We’re starting a new chapter in the city that we call home, and we invite Philadelphians to come to be a part of our story,” said Mary Moon, General Manager of P.J. Clarke’s Philadelphia. “For us, it’s all about hospitality – making guests truly feel at home with our food, drinks and personal service. We always say, ‘Come in once, we’ll know your name. Come in twice; we’ll know your drink. Come in three times, and you’re our family.’”

While guests can expect to see classic P.J. Clarke’s favorites like a sprawling raw bar and the Cadillac Burger – famously dubbed by Nat King Cole in the late 1950s – the menu mirrors the tastes of Philadelphia, with particular thought given to ingredients and liquors. Lunch and dinner menus will feature locally-inspired dishes, including Pennsylvania Dutch chicken and dumplings, soft pretzel pigs in a blanket served with Yard’s Brawler mustard, and a roasted porchetta sandwich with broccoli rabe, long hots and sharp provolone. Pending liquor license approval, beverages will include a range of classic and contemporary hand-crafted cocktails featuring Stateside Urbancraft Vodka, Dad’s Hat Rye and other liquors – as well as an array of wine and craft beer from local breweries, including Dock Street, Yard’s, and Victory and then there’s a whole lot more…

“It is important to all of us that the overall experience – including the menus – is unique to the vibrant and growing food and alcohol scene in the region,” said Ned Maddock, Head Chef of P.J. Clarke’s Philadelphia. “We’ve crafted a restaurant experience for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a burger and a beer, oysters, and champagne, or a steak and a glass of wine, P.J. Clarke’s is the place for you. There’s nothing like it in the neighborhood.”

In addition to the menu, P.J. Clarke’s is honoring the history and traditions of Philadelphia through the design and the overall atmosphere is the restaurant. The team collaborated with collectors and archivists – including Evan Blum of Demolition Depot; Kim Nathanson of Kim Nathanson Design; and Vincent Celano – to capture the essence of the city as well as reflect its brand history throughout the restaurant’s decor. The well-curated mix of vintage furniture, accent pieces, and historical Philadelphian archives craft a deep, timeless style throughout the restaurant. Highlights include:

• An old scoreboard from Mitchell & Ness, displaying the winning score of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory.
• Chandeliers, light fixtures and archival imagery – including sports teams, local maps, and political figures – dating back to the late 19th century to the present day
• Wood accents from the original office of Cyrus Curtis

The P.J. Clarke’s Philadelphia family is genuinely rooted in the city; including the owner, Philip Scotti who grew up in Norristown. The core management team is homegrown with years of experience in the Philadelphia restaurant scene. In addition to Ned Maddock as head chef and Mary Moon as General Manager, Michael Gillespie serves as Assistant General Manager, overseeing the beverage menu alongside Frank Kinyon.