Jack himself was also at the front welcoming guests, visiting tables to make sure everything was going smoothly, and settling back on a stool in the bar surrounded by friends.
General Manager David Knouse and Dining Room Manager Vincent McGrath showed no sign of weariness, despite the day of non-stop greeting guests like beloved relatives and apologizing for not having their favorite table available Johnny-on-the-spot.
they had run out of CP’s signature Baked Artichoke.Īs the scent of garlic and the sound of convivial chatter wafted through the place last evening, the white-tablecloth restaurant was filled with the likes of Chris Turner, Lynn and Allan McBee and Doris and Jack Jacobs with Lee Bailey. Bouillabaisse under $11 Caesar salad for $2.95, etc. The celebration started with a Monday night email in which Jack sent word to loyal CP friends that, on Tuesday, he was turning the clock and the menu back to opening day, August 27, 1980, complete with 1980 prices. Today Jack is the first to admit that Mel was right.īut Tuesday night, the man who knew nothing about restaurants was celebrating 33 years of CP’s being the go-to-place for boldface names to celebrate holidays, hold tête-à-têtes, and enjoy pristine service that makes “Gosford Park” seem like a Dairy Queen drive-thru. But the partnership soured after 18 months, when Mel “handed over” the front-door keys to Jack saying that Knox knew “nothing about running a restaurant.” There was an empty space in Highland Park Village just across the street from the S&S Tearoom.
Back in 1980, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton’s buddy Mel Harris convinced businessman/lawyer Jack Knox to partner with him on a restaurant.
Tuesday was a long day for the Café Pacific staff.
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