A new restaurant and live music venue brings a Center City landmark back from the dead

In honor of Chef Jose Garces’ reopening of the Old Original Bookbinder’s at Second and Walnut Streets last week, Harry K serves us up this history on a half shell. From its humble beginnings as a 19th century dockside oyster saloon to becoming Philadelphia’s most famous restaurant, Bookie’s reputation still endures

Myth or history? In 1755, John Penn, grandson of the founder, deeded a lot near Second and Walnut into perpetuity for the use of Native Americans when they came to Philadelphia. Harry K digs deep into his Encyclopedia for the story that lies adjacent to Jose Garces’ new restaurant