A Night to Remember: Rockwell & Rose’s Friends & Family Preview
Last night, friends, family, and a few lucky Philadelphians gathered inside the Curtis Center to toast the city’s newest dining destination — Rockwell & Rose, the stunning new steakhouse and seafood concept from the team behind P.J. Clarke’s. The mood was celebratory and intimate — the kind of night that reminds you how exciting it feels when something truly fresh lands in Center City.
The day began with an official ribbon cutting, with business leaders, politicians: Tim Killeen, General Manager of Rockwell & Rose (c) ; Councilman Mark Squilla 2nd on the right); Jessica Calter, Senior Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs at Visit Philadelphia; Darryl Irizarry (l), Director of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Giavana Suraci Pruiti (2nd from left), Senior Manager of Retail Marketing and Events at Center City District — all celebrating the debut of what’s sure to become one of the city’s most talked-about restaurants.
Guests were treated to a first look at the softly lit interiors — an elegant yet comfortable space that blends the nostalgia of an old-school steakhouse with the ease of modern hospitality. Plush booths, marble accents, and glowing candles (including the instantly-viral maître d’ butter candles) set the tone for an evening of discovery.
Cocktails circulated as servers passed plates of prime steak, fresh oysters, and signature seafood dishes, each served with the confident charm the Clarke’s group is known for. The energy felt familiar but new — more relaxed, more Philly, more now.
The name Rockwell & Rose is a nod to the Curtis Building’s storied past. The building — owned by Conshohocken-based real estate firm Keystone — once housed some of America’s most beloved publications, including Ladies’ Home Journal, The Country Gentleman, and The Saturday Evening Post, where the legendary Norman Rockwell created some of his most iconic illustrations.
Today marks the official grand opening, welcoming everyone to experience what last night’s insiders already know — that Rockwell & Rose is poised to be Philadelphia’s next great steakhouse, right in the heart of historic Independence Square, just steps from Jeweler’s Row and Washington West.
Fresh off their win of the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield, Philadelphia Union players, Mikael Uhre, and Alejandro Bedoxa along with their wives enjoyed dinner last night. Tim Killeen, General Manager of Rockwell & Rose stopped by to say hi.
Nearby Raymond Smeriglio and his future husband Miguel Martinez-Valle – NBC10 Philadelphia dined with Andrew Kozak, CBS Philly. I wonder if they chatted about the Nor’Easter which might hit this weekend, which would be a darn shame cause I am looking forward to the free Patti LaBelle concert in honor of the Navy’s 250 Anniversary.
I enjoyed lamb chops, the most delicious Brussels sprouts and Baked Alaska last night, with my friend Michelle Miller, who had the steak, steak tartar, and the smores cheesecake. So good. Make a Resy and enjoy your new favorite steak house Rockwell & Rose.