one of the public galleries that can be used as event
spaces at the National
Constitution
Center.This interactive institu- tion, dedicated to our country’s story of lib- erty, is a modern showcase for America’s struggle toward independence. It also hap- pens to be blessed with aesthetics that make it one of the most sought-after event venues in Philadelphia, as it was designed specifically - like that nation-birthing Convention of 1787 - as a gathering place of great import.
Other event possibilities include the Grand Hall with soaring 60-foot high ceilings;con- vening in senatorial style in the Grand Hall lobby, alfresco on the Rooftop Terrace, or, like a mogul within the state-of-the-art con- fines of the John C. Bogle Chairman’s Room. The National Constitution Center makes it easy to embrace the nation’s past while making history of one’s own.
What’ s Olde is New Again – Philly’ s foodies lapped it up - literally.
Long before Philly had become a foodie mecca, its only nationally-recognized claim-to-fame was a restaurant called Old Original Bookbinder’
s.This swank seafood- ery was the place to act like a- somebody; a sprawling Society Hill section landmark of white tablecloth dining. I remember watching the 1944Alfred Hitchcock classic film, Lifeboat, and hearing actor Hume Cronyn’s character rave on screen about Bookbinder’s serving the best meal of his life.
Like old lifeboats,aging restaurants tend to sink,as well.“Bookie’s”(as the locals called it) departed the scene several years ago. Now,Philly’s super-restaurateur,Jose Garces (Garces Group Restaurants) has just unveiled The Olde Bar, transforming the historic property into a bar/restaurant and a playground full of private event spaces.
Naturally,seafood classics are the mainstay here, as is an inventive cocktail program. The redesigned venue offers modern updates to the fish/lobster house motif. Although I’m visiting pre-opening,by press time, I’ve been assured, The Olde Bar will be ready to host groups from 25-200 in its variety of spaces. It’s true – Old restaurants never die. They simply become“Olde!”
If Jose Garces is one of the preeminent pur- veyors of dining experiences in the city, then his former boss, Stephen Starr (Starr Restaurant Group), holds the mantle for being the progenitor of Philadelphia’s new restaurant renaissance. The man’s empire keeps expanding - New York City, Atlantic City,Washington,DC, and Miami - but it all began with his Philly hipster diner called The Continental.
With its retro and vinyl early-1960s Rat Pack diner-after-dark vibe, and its iconic giant toothpicked olives speared and suspended by its front window facade, Starr succeed- ed in creating something the city had never had before - a place to go for run-the- gamut cuisine:how about shrimp pad Thai and a Tang-laced martini? A short rib burg- er and a craft beer? Meatloaf and an Old Fashioned?
The Birth of a [Cocktail] Nation -
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www.georgetownsuites.com 1-800-348-7203 Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 67
Choice
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