The former Lobster Trap in Cooper River Park will reopen in 2016 as Cooper House Restaurant.
The former Lobster Trap Restaurant in Cooper River Park in Pennsauken has a new name, thanks to Cherry Hill's Amber Staffa.
KTMK Group led by restaurateur Kevin Meeker held a contest to name the new eatery and Staffa's simple suggestion, Cooper House Restaurant, was chosen by a committee of county officials, restaurant operators and the project's architect, as the new moniker.
Not only does she have the honor of seeing her idea as the name of this new establishment, but she will receive dinner for two at Cooper House Restaurant once a month for an entire year.
Chef Tony Clark, a graduate of Culinary Institute of America and featured chef on Comcast's "Rock Star Kitchen," is at at helm of the new eatery.
Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash said establishing this signature restaurant as a destination is part of a bigger project.
"We are currently transforming Cooper River Park to create an even better version of this signature green space where Camden County comes to meet," said Nash, liaison to the Camden County Parks Department. "To complete this vision we knew we needed a signature restaurant that would be a destination itself within the park."
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The current 6,572-square-foot space is being redesigned to enhance the view of Cooper River from the dining room.
Meeker said the new venture will provide a new, cutting edge restaurant in one of the most desirable locations in South Jersey.
"The concept and forthcoming construction will create an ideal space for patrons to enjoy the natural beauty of the Cooper River and the 374-acre park that surrounds it," he said.
Nash agreed.
"This will be the perfect place to enjoy a meal along the river, or to have a relaxing dinner with an incredible sunset as a backdrop," Nash said. "We are excited to have Kevin Meeker and Tony Clark associated with this project. Their work is worthy of this great location."
The Cooper House Restaurant is located at 5300 North Park Drive in Pennsauken Township and is expected to open in winter of 2016.
Kelly Roncace may be reached at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellyroncace. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
