The National Park Service is seeking a new operator for City Tavern, the colonial-themed restaurant in Old City thatannounced Wednesday, the park service said it seeks a restaurant “compatible with a national historical park setting. ... The operation should have character, attract diverse visitors, and serve the surrounding community as well as visitors to the park.”a more preliminary solicitation, to which eight restaurant operators responded, a spokesperson said.
City Tavern, with costumed staff and heavy uses of pewter and candles, rocked a ye olde theme from its opening at 138 S. Second St. in 1976, which coincided with the Bicentennial. The site’s original tavern, built in 1773 for the First Continental Congress, was partially destroyed by fire on March 22, 1834. The structure was demolished in 1854.City Tavern’s last operator, chef Walter Staib, took over in 1994.
The facility can accommodate 250 people on five levels, including three dining levels, three kitchens, multiple offices, and storage space. A large outdoor dining patio and courtyard are included. Deadline for the RFO is March 27, making it is unlikely that it’s unlikely to be ready for visitors this summer.
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