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Union Trust hosts Witherspoon and Rudd scene in September

    by Dan Gross
    Published 

Union Trust (717 Chestnut) will be closed Sept. 13-17 because Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd will be shooting a date scene for the untitled James L. Brooks movie at the restaurant.

The picture, shooting in the area through October, centers around Rudd and Owen Wilson's characters vying for the affections of Witherspoon. It also features Jack Nicholson.

Ed Doherty, owner of Union Trust, which was named Best New Steakhouse in Philadelphia magazine's Best of Philly issue, declined to reveal how much the restaurant was being paid to shut down for five days. He said he'll be sure to pay his staff, even those who normally are paid from tips, for that week off. Doherty will be an extra in the film, he said, but he's not sure if any of his servers or bartenders will be asked to participate.

Last night, the restaurant hosted another filmed date. The upcoming reality show "Holidate," from ABC/SoapNet, based on the Cameron Diaz/Kate Winslet film "The Holiday," taped a blind date there.

Tonight, "Holidate" tapes at the Water Works restaurant behind the Art Museum. This morning the Water Works is hosting a "Good Morning America" shoot with weather anchor Sam Champion.