An Inner Harbor staple for more than 30 years, Phillips Seafood Restaurant celebrated its grand opening at the Power Plant on Tuesday, November 29.  On hand to kickoff the festivities with a ceremonial ribbon cutting was Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; Steve Phillips, President and CEO of Phillips Foods & Seafood Restaurants; and David Cordish, Chairman and CEO of Cordish Cos and Congressman C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a loyal "family member" of Phillips where he frequented all his life starting with a stint as a lifeguard in OCean City.. 

The ceremony was followed by a VIP reception where distinguished guests, political and civic leaders, and loyal fans of the seafood chain had a chance to tour the gorgeous new restaurant space and sample items from the new menu. Items like tuna sashimi, Maryland crabcakes, oyster shooters were on display under the direction of Executive Chef Todd Weisz (seen below) and General Manager Brian Fountain. Might I say, the service was spectacular.

Phillips Seafood at the Power Plant officially opened for business on November 11 and has since enjoyed tremendous crowds and has been extremely well received.  The restaurant accommodates 400 people with a variety of dining options.  In addition to the main dining room, there is a patio promenade, a raw bar, and a piano bar.  In warm weather, starting Spring 2012, a 200-seat outdoor crab deck will serve a “crab house” style menu focused on steamed seafood offerings.

“We’re thrilled that Phillips Seafood has been so warmly received on this side of the Harbor,” said David Cordish.  Steve Phillips echoed, “It was with great anticipation that we opened at the Power Plant and our reception has been outstanding.  Phillips is sure to thrive at its new home for decades to come.”

In addition to the grand opening festivities, Steve Phillips and David Cordish surprised guests with a major new announcement, a plan that had been kept under wraps until the event.  In yet another collaboration by the two family-owned, Baltimore-based companies, Phillips Seafood will be opening a new location at the Cordish-owned Maryland Live! Casino at Arundel Mills.  The $500 million casino will be one of the largest gaming, retail and entertainment destinations in the country with 4,750 slot machines and electronic table games, nationally-acclaimed restaurants, designer name brand shopping, and a state-of-the-art, live entertainment venue.  Phillips Seafood will open as part of the “Live! Market” featuring a delectable array of Phillips’ crab cakes and seafood specialties.  Maryland Live! Casino broke ground on January 27, 2011 and its opening is anticipated in Summer 2012.

“When you have such a great working relationship with a company, it only made sense to expand and build on that relationship,” continued Cordish.  “Just as Phillips has become a tremendous new addition to the Power Plant, it is sure to become a favorite at Maryland Live! Casino.”