Resorts Partners with Atlantic City Icons for New Restaurant

Resorts Casino Hotel will close one iconic restaurant, Gallagher’s Steak House and open a new one designed by two iconic fixtures, Dock’s Oyster House and the legendary Knife & Fork Inn (l.). The restaurant will open in the spring. Meanwhile, Governor Murphy signed a revised bill that lets charitable organizations to sell certain raffles online during the pandemic.

Resorts Partners with Atlantic City Icons for New Restaurant

Come the New Year, Gallagher’s Steak House and its companion burger bar will end a long stay at Resorts Casino Hotel. In its place will be a new restaurant created by the owners of the iconic Knife & Fork Inn and Dock’s Oyster House, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

“This concept will provide a dining experience to our valued guests that is very unique from what we currently offer, and will be a perfect addition to Resorts’ winning amenities,” said Mark Giannantonio, president and CEO of Resorts.

The yet-to-be-named restaurant will feature a classic steakhouse, raw bar and live entertainment, according to a news release.

“We are excited to embark on this project with Resorts,” said Frank Dougherty, owner of both restaurants. “Resorts shares our commitment to preserving the history and ensuring the success of Atlantic City, and we are looking forward to a successful partnership on this new dining concept.”

Frank’s great-grandfather, Harry, opened Dock’s in 1897. The Knife & Fork opened as a men’s club in 1912 and was a speakeasy during Prohibition. In 1927, it became a restaurant when the Latz family purchased the building. The family managed the Knife & Fork until 2005 when they sold it to the Dougherty’s.

In other New Jersey news, Governor Phil Murphy signed a law expanding charitable groups’ ability to sell raffle tickets online based around sporting events. The bill was designed to help fundraising efforts during the pandemic.

Murphy conditionally vetoed the bill last month voicing concerns the bill would permit online sales after the pandemic ended. Legislators addressed Murphy’s concerns on November 16 and sent it back to the Governor’s desk, according to the Associated Press. Changes included limiting the ability to sell tickets online only during periods of a declared health emergency.

Because the coronavirus pandemic has eliminated in-person attendance at large sporting events in the state, some legislators proposed expanding the law to let people buy tickets to such raffles over the internet, regardless of whether they were in a stadium or not.

Other changes required the same sort of geolocation technology that New Jersey’s casinos and racetracks use to ensure that a person making an online casino or sports wager is physically located within the state’s boundaries.

Another change requires winners of remote contests pick up their prizes at the stadium or at the headquarters of the charitable group that sponsored the raffle.