Patrick Merriman, BS ’15

Elevating the Classics

At The Boardroom Restaurant and Bottle Shop in downtown Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, owner Patrick Merriman, BS ’15, tries to blend crowd favorites with adventurous options. Some dishes, like the Boardroom Burger, might be “simple,” but are “executed with attention to detail,” according to Merriman. Other dishes on the menu have a few more moving parts, like the Pan Seared Barramundi or the Miso Crusted Verlasso Salmon over chilled soba noodles. Pair that with some oysters from the raw bar and a signature cocktail and you have all the makings of a night for the books on Bridge Street. 

Inspiration for going into the food biz?

I've worked in restaurants since I was a kid and I have always loved the work. It's a privilege to do what we do. We provide great food, drinks, service and kinship and, in return, our customers help us make our vision a reality. Everybody wins.

Most memorable moment as a restaurateur? 

About a year and a half in, we paid our final loan payment, and that morning our first sale was really the first dollar we ever profited from. That might sound kind of shallow but it was a really important moment for me. There was a period in the beginning that I was not sure we were going to make it. Getting to that point took a lot of sacrifice and commitment from myself and from my friends. I proposed to my wife that night. 12/22/23. Best day of my life.

Biggest challenge as a business owner?

Balancing the needs of the staff, the business and my family. It's a constant challenge. I am fortunate to have a really wonderful team and a lot of support from our community and at home.

Favorite guest you’ve served?

My parents. Everything I have, every opportunity I have been afforded, every second, third and fourth chance I needed; my parents were always there for me and never gave up on me. When they are able to come in and enjoy a meal at the place that they helped me to build, that always feels pretty special.

Secret to a good meal?

Good company.

Can’t-miss menu item?

The Boardroom Burger. We use a blend of chuck, brisket and short rib. Two patties are placed on the grill, smashed thin and topped with Cooper Sharp. Simple toppings are thinly sliced, then we add on the minced onions and fry sauce. Our burger is served with a side of crispy shoestring fries that we fry in beef tallow. Simple but executed with attention to detail.

SJU-themed meal or dish?

We actually already have one, our St. Joe’s Crimson Crush Lemonade! It’s a refreshingly juicy vodka lemonade that is crimson red from a real hibiscus flower infusion. The Hawk Will Never Die!


 

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