Harper’s Garden is the First Restaurant in the State to Offer Private, Heated, Outdoor Dining!
Harper’s Garden is the First Restaurant in the State to Offer Private, Heated, Outdoor Dining!
FCM Hospitality and owner Avram Hornik announce the debut of The Greenhouses at Harper’s Garden starting this weekend. Starting Friday, and continuing through the end of October, look for private, heated individual greenhouses to change the entire landscape and visuals on 18th Street in Philadelphia’s Center City and Rittenhouse Row neighborhood. The Greenhouses at Harper’s Garden will feature at least ten private greenhouse dining rooms that feature a door, glass walls, tables and chairs, decor, twinkling lights and even heat on the cold days. They will be offered and available in two sizes, to either seat four to seven guests, or six to nine guests. They will be available to book for no additional fee by, and they are first come, first serve. Inquiries can be submitted online at www.harpersgardenphilly.com
“Restaurants are fighting for their very survival right now and we have worked with our teams for months to find safe, healthy and socially-distanced ways to continue to offer outdoor dining experiences for our 
community,” said FCM Hospitality and Harper’s Garden Owner Avram Hornik. “Harper’s Garden has always been a year-round, four-season celebration of nature and outdoor elements – including a rotating selection of food and drink by our team using local and farm-fresh ingredients. We have taken inspiration from our open-air veranda and created a brand-new way to enjoy a full outdoor dining experience that literally puts you inside your very own dining room where you can enjoy the stars shining overhead, while you enjoy and share in a great seasonal meal with your family and friends. Health and safety is at the forefront of our minds in everything we have done this year. We also take our responsibility very seriously in terms of being innovators in safe and healthy dining – and in offering the greater community experiences that bring some levity and specialness during these very challenging and mentally stressful times. We hope you enjoy The Greenhouses at Harper’s Garden. Our team at Harper’s Garden has worked for months to bring you a dining experience unlike any other in the state of Pennsylvania – and we look forward to opening their doors this weekend.”
The Greenhouses at Harper’s Garden will begin to debut this weekend with the opening of the first seven greenhouses, with additional greenhouses opening each week through October 31, 2020. The smaller greenhouses seat a party of four to seven, whereas the larger greenhouses seat from six to nine guests. They are all individual mini-dining rooms with ventilation, heat, decor, plants and flowers, tables and chairs, and a working door. Each greenhouse will be disinfected in between each party- as part of the new normal process that includes disinfected and sanitizing all tables and chairs.
The new greenhouses will offer a heated way to enjoy sweater weather and fall temperatures moving in – but they will also provide a chance to dine outside in the elements. The greenhouses will keep you warm and dry in rain, wind and snow.
Hornik said, “Rain is never a friend of an outdoor venue like the ones we are operating. The hardest obstacles this summer and early fall were rainy days we could not plan for, such as miscellaneous sun showers. We couldn’t operate outdoor dining in these cases for our tables and venues that didn’t have a covering. If any scheduled shifts are cancelled due to weather, employees (including tipped employees) are compensated an hourly rate. However, this means a loss of revenue and a challenge in terms of any restaurant’s survival with a reliance on outdoor dining. Navigating the pandemic, as whole, while keeping the priority of our employees and guests has been challenging.”
NEW DINING ROOM FOR EXPANDING INDOOR DINING
Harper’s Garden expansion was an idea in the works for some time – and recently the grand opening of the new dining room moved up ahead of schedule to allow for additional, socially distanced, indoor seating. The first floor space contains lofted ceilings, intimate dark walls and decor and design that echoes Harper’s Garden upper area. These sweeping walls are adorned with contrasting shapes and sized frameworks and mirrors that offer a sense of sophisticated, whimsy. Currently, the expanded area offers an additional 30 seats.
NEW FALL FARE FOR GREENHOUSE DINING
Harper’s Garden new fall menu truly embraces the flavors and produce of the season. Patrons can expect nothing but the freshest produce and herbs. In-demand favorites such as the Murray’s NYC cheese board, oysters with seasonal mignonettes, and the double stacked brisket blended ‘Merica Burger will remain on the menu. New additions include the Fall endive salad (grilled spigariello kale, apple, winter radish, blue cheese, dried apricot and cider-rosemary vinaigrette) and beef pho glazed brussel sprouts. The roasted kabocha squash toast with herbed maple glaze, pomegranate reduction and house made ricotta fully encompass the taste of fall.
NEW COCKTAIL MENU
Beverage Director, Matt Deustch, gets personal in the newest cocktail menu that was designed specially to pair with the new greenhouse experience and the new fall menu. After losing his mother during this past quarantine period, he was determined to “share my memories the best way I know how,” says Deutsch. “If there is one thing I hope we take away from this past year is that it is the small moments that make the biggest impact on our memories. I hope my touch of home can help our guests make some of their own.” Cocktails include Bonita Apple Butter, which Deutsch describes as “the all encompassing taste of my fall childhood”, inspired by countless family trips to local orchards as a child. Other cocktails include A Date with a Butterfly (butterfly pea infused gin, sherry, cardamom, lemon, egg white) and PB&J (Dad’s Hat Rye, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Creme de Cassis).
TEAM
Harper’s Garden Chef Benjamin Moore has crafted a menu built around seasonal, fresh, and vibrant ingredients that have bold and unique expressions of flavor. In 2010, Chef Moore began his career working his way through the line brigade at ABC Kitchen in New York City where they received a coveted James Beard Award for the ‘Best New Restaurant in America’. He then moved closer to his hometown of Lancaster Pennsylvania to immerse himself in the Philly Dining scene. Working at acclaimed restaurants like Le Bec Fin and Lacroix, he build upon his foundation of skills and passion for the craft. Moore opened Harper’s Garden in 2018 and his inspired menu of sophisticated yet approachable fair has welcomed Best of Philly honors each year.
FCM Beverage Director Matt Deutsch: Deutsch brings Harper’s uniquely crafted cocktails and an extensive knowledge of spirits. His menus include a perfect blend classic but innovative.
Deutsch started his career with FCM as the Beverage Manager at Harper’s Garden. After countless uniquely crafted cocktails,and proven extensive knowledge of spirits, he was promoted to the company’s Beverage Director. This still leaves a special admiration for the venue among Deustch’s substantial projects and venues. His menus always include the perfect blend of classic but innovative.
HOURS
Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 10:30pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am to 10:30pm
Weekday lunch and dinner, weekend brunch and dinner
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
For the health and safety of all patrons, vendors and employees, Harper’s Garden will operate around the following set of safety and operational guidelines:
* Harper’s Garden follows all local and state guidelines and offers last seating at 10:30pm
* All patrons must wear a mask unless they are seated at a table which is 6-feet from any other patron.
* All patrons will be asked about possible exposure to COVID and will go through a temperature check prior to entry.
* All staff will be in N95 masks, with daily temperature checks. Face shields are worn for staff working inside with indoor dining.
* Staff, including tipped employees, will be paid for any missed shifts as a result of illness or possible COVID exposure.
* All staff will receive ride-share credit for those who don’t want to take public transport.
* Free telemedicine for all employees at any FCM Hospitality property.
* All bars at Harper’s Garden will remain closed. Only table service will be offered.
* Six foot social distance rules will be strictly enforced from entering the front doors to the exit.
* Reservations are encouraged and strongly recommended.
* To accommodate the most number of guests, there are time limits for reservations. reservations for up to 4 guests receive 90 minutes, tables of 5+ receive 2 hours.
