Harper's Garden And Morgan's Pier Opens Reservations In Anticipation Of Outdoor Dining

Two of Philadelphia's most celebrated outdoor restaurants will be the first in the region to take reservations for outdoor dining. In anticipation of news allowing outdoor dining in Philadelphia from the state of Pennsylvania, FCM Hospitality announces that Harper's Garden and Morgan's Pier will return this summer and open for seating on Friday, June 5th. Both restaurants have opened up reservations for that day and beyond, which coincides with when Philadelphia county will enter the yellow phase of the state's reopening plans. Harper's Garden will also update the layout and nearly double in size for outdoor seating in preparation for social distancing protocols that will be put into place. Morgan's Pier will also increase the footprint of outdoor dining and add side-walk seating on Columbus Boulevard.  Harper's Garden (31 S 18th St.) reservations are now available on Opentable. Morgan's Pier (221 N Christopher Columbus Blvd.) reservations are now available on Resy. 

"Harper's Garden and Morgan's Pier are back for the summer," said FCM Hospitality Owner Avram Hornik. "In anticipation of news anticipated soon from the state of Pennsylvania, we are full steam ahead to take reservations for Harper's Garden and Morgan's Pier for outdoor dining parties on June 5th and beyond. We have been making preparations for months and working with officials on a state and local level to ensure the highest standards of safety are in place for the health and well being of our staff and patrons. After the state-wide launch of legal cocktails-to-go last week, outdoor dining is the next step on the road to recovery for our region's restaurants. While we safely wait and see what indoor dining looks like, it will be such an important development to let restaurants begin to serve again and take advantage of their outdoor space and the beautiful summer weather. Outdoor dining is a bright spot as the region comes out of staying at home and residents seek safe options to get back outside." 

Starting immediately, FCM Hospitality has opened up the reservation systems for Harper's Garden on Opentable and Morgan's Pier on Resy. 

For Harper's Garden, the all-season, open-air restaurant will nearly double the outdoor seating capacity to be able to offer more seating while ensuring customers will safely social distance. Look for a new dining area - with Harper's signature lush and colorful stylings - directly South of the current dining area. The anticipated opening for Harper's Garden is Friday, June 5, 2020 at 12 Noon. 

For Morgan's Pier, look for Philadelphia's largest and most expansive outdoor dining venue to open its doors immediately for take-out and delivery, seven days a week, from 12 Noon to 8:00pm daily. Starting immediately, Morgan's Pier will offer one of the largest cocktail-to-go menus in the entire city with Morgan's Pier signature summer favorite cocktails and frozen drinks, like Rocket Pop, boozy Cherry Italian Ice, Ecto Cooler, Shark Bite, Spiked Lemonade and more. Selections also will include a robust list of spirits and bar standards. Additionally, Morgan's Pier will offer about 16 beer options for drafts and cans, including exclusive Mainstay Independent Brewing Mainstay Pier Beer on draft. The food menu will include just under two dozen menus items that include a selection of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free snacks, salads, fatbreads and sandwiches. Award-winning baker Alex Bois of Lost Bread Co. will again provide the dough for Fatbreads, plus his award-winning breads. Food delivery for Morgan's is available courtesy of Grubhub to start. With reservations, Morgan's Pier enters new territory as it will offer reservations for the first-time. Morgan's also will reconfigure the layout to fit with new health standards and it will expand sidewalk seating on Columbus Boulevard.

"The wait is over for Morgan's Pier," added Hornik. "We are back open with our signature summer-time food and drinks. While we prepare for the return of outdoor dining, you can enjoy your Morgan's Pier favorites by ordering ahead on our website, or order for delivery." Hornik added, "FCM Hospitality has a long history of championing outdoor dining concepts and experiences. We look forward to bringing back our teams and to be part of the summer season with our beloved patrons. By preparing to open outdoor dining, we are looking forward and embracing that better days are ahead. We all still need to act responsibly and stay safe. But now, as we emerge from our homes, there will be two familiar destinations to return to as we adjust to what the new normal is." "We have been working since the start of this crisis with state and city-wide organizations and officials to figure out what safe outdoor dining could look like for restaurants, our staff and our patrons. We want to create the same enjoyable and memorable experience for our patrons, but to do so in a safe manner that follows new protocols that will be coming out." As background, FCM owner Avram Hornik has been working with state and city officials and organizations, as well as with other restaurants, hospitality groups and business districts to explore ways to bring back safe outdoor dining, and additionally to expand outdoor dining options. Phase one for outdoor dining - and the recovery of local restaurants - is to activate establishments already set-up for outdoor dining, like Morgan's and Harper's. Phase two would include creative, out-of-the-box options for expanded outdoor dining like restaurants utilizing nearby parking lots, public/private spaces and adjacent properties to expand their seat counts; the development of additional parklets in parking spots; the closing of streets for cafe and outdoor seating; and other ideas that would fill the gap while indoor dining is still not a viable  safe option in Philadelphia and surrounding counties entering the yellow phase. 

ABOUT RESERVATIONS 

Reservations for Harper's Garden and Morgan's PIer are subject to the final determination of policy from the state and the city. Reservations for both establishments hold the table for a 15 minute grace period before offering the reservation to any waitlist. Reservations grant patrons dining access during a window of time that begins at the initial reservation start time. Tables of 1-6 guests will be allotted a 90 minute window of time to enjoy. Tables of 7+ guests will be scheduled for a 120 minute time slot. This time window will be implemented to assure each restaurant is able to offer the best experience for the optimum number of guests, while still assuring to practice the highest level of safety and social distancing procedures. As with any outdoor venue, both restaurants are subject to the mercy of the weather. If the weather does not permit, both may have to cancel the reservation. 

Hornik concluded with, "The teams at Morgan's Pier and Harper's Garden will be in close touch with our patrons as June 5th approaches and update them on any changes. Navigating through this Covid Crisis is new for all of us and we appreciate your patience and all the support you have sent our way. We look forward to spending the summer with you again." 

WHAT'S NEXT 

FCM Hospitality is working closely with officials and partners on what Parks on Tap looks like for the summer of 2020. Please stay tuned for an announcement coming soon. Additionally, please stay tuned for new projects from FCM Hospitality anticipated to open this year - again, please stay tuned. 

ABOUT HARPER'S GARDEN

Located at the corner of South 18th & Ludlow, Harper's Garden is a contemporary bar and restaurant tucked away in Rittenhouse Square. Our rotating menu focuses on simple, seasonal dishes using local ingredients and unique signature cocktails. The open-air veranda shades guests in our vibrant garden, offering a unique escape from the hustle and bustle of Center City.

Harper’s Garden is named after James Harper, a prominent figure in the Rittenhouse Square society in the 1800s. The space reflects the feel of the neighborhood with a vintage touch, providing a social place to enjoy great food and drinks that are elevated but still accessible.

ABOUT MORGAN'S GARDEN

Morgan’s Pier is one of the city’s most popular summer hotspots, offering an outdoor seating deck with stunning views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Delaware River. The menu features backyard barbecue classics and refreshing summertime drinks. 

Morgan’s Pier is named after George C. Morgan, a construction worker on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in the 1920s, who is credited as being the first person to cross the bridge. He defied his boss’s orders and shimmied across the wires before the deck was completed.

ABOUT FCM HOSPITALITY

FCM Hospitality is a Philadelphia-based hospitality and entertainment company, managing bars, restaurants and seasonal pop-ups throughout the region.  The company is owned by Avram Hornik, a leader with more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, who has created some of the area’s most popular permanent and temporary venues in the city. Previous venues Hornik developed include the Drinker’s Bars, Union Transfer, Boot & Saddle, Winterfest and the 2013 PHS Pop-up Garden. Several new projects are in the works for 2020 and 2021 — stay tuned for more information!