Fans of New England clambake-style dining might be sad to know that the short-lived Union Boil Co. concept in Pennington has closed.
Seafood restaurants traditionally struggle this far inland, and Union Boil proved to be no different. Its eponymous dish — originally, a tableful of shellfish (but no lobster), corn, potatoes and sausage for $250 and meant to serve eight people — might have been a bridge too far even for the area’s most conspicuous consumers.
By the time the restaurant shut down, the Union Boil platter was down to $80, and served “up to three.”
Never ones to sit idly by, Gretalia Hospitality Group — co-creators of the Union Boil concept in partnership with the Martin Food Group — have already converted the space into two new restaurants. PJ’s Pancake House is one. The long-time Nassau Street haunt is familiar to most these days, having expanded to Ewing, Lawrence, Robbinsville and West Windsor in recent years.
The other is Pennytown Pub, a new concept described on Instagram as a “watering hole serving classic pub fare, great beer and strong cocktails.”
Both restaurants are already open and located in the former TJ’s Trattoria space in Pennington Shopping Center. Aperitivo Bar, an upscale Italian restaurant that opened alongside Union Boil in early 2024, remains open.
Because all three are technically a single restaurant with three concepts, they can share a single liquor license, meaning that all three feature bar service.
In other restaurant news, WPST.com’s Chris Rollins reports that Gretalia has shelved long-standing plans to open a PJ’s Pancake House in Hamilton. PJ’s was expected to open in the location of the old Fame restaurant.
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