A celebration Thursday night attracted an overflowing crowd of well wishers who were serenaded as they entered the party, along with people on stilts and the Mummers. The waitstaff served passed hors d'oeuvres of treats which reflected menu items including their signature burger, from the kitchen helmed by Ned Maddock. A chef originally from Havertown, Maddock's recent credits include Brigantessa, where he worked as chef de cuisine.
P.J. Clarke's owner Phil Scotti, who is a native of Norristown, welcomed guests including former Gov. Ed Rendell, who also spoke of his love for the original P.J. Clarke's in Manhattan. He claimed he helped convince Scotti to open one in Philadelphia.
HughE Dillon/for PhillyVoiceGuests were serenaded as they entered the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018.
HUGHE DILLON/for PhillyVoiceJoe Pathickal, Erica Bonaparte and Eric Lawson at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018. HUGHE_DILLON/for PhillyVoiceEd Rendell, Jesse Rendell and Thea Scotti at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018. HUGHE DILLON/for PhillyVoiceP.J. Clarke's Oyster Happy Hour Specials at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018.
HughE Dillon/for PhillyVoiceJim Gatch, Kathi Smith, Allisa and Dave Yeager at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018. HughE Dillon/for PhillyVoiceThea Scotti, Mike Gillespie, Aimee Cicero with the Mummers and The Lombardi Trophy at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018. HughE Dillon/for PhillyVoiceGuests celebrate under the “Eagles” infamous Superbowl scoreboard at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018. HughE Dillon/for PhillyVoiceMeryl Levitz and Laura Burkhardt at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018. HughE Dillon/for PhillyVoiceNancy Baxter, Jim Baxter, Paul Weitzel and Jamie Weitzel at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018. HughE Dillon/for PhillyVoiceMichelle Curtis, Tara Fay and Dan Rodriguez at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018. HughE Dillon/for PhillyVoiceKevin Konopi, Steve Schaffer and Francis Giknis at the P.J. Clarke's opening party on Sept. 20, 2018.