Iron Chef Jose Garces Announces Grand Opening of Garces Trading Company at Kimmel

/ Garces Trading Company at Kimmel/
Iron Chef Jose Garces Announces Grand Opening of Garces Trading Company at Kimmel

James Beard Award Winner and Iron Chef Jose Garces announces the grand opening of Garces Trading Company at Kimmel, located inside the Kimmel Center at 300 S. Broad Street. The reinvented concept is back in an all-new way as a collection of casual cafes that are part coffee shop, restaurant, bakery, marketplace and corporate catering solution. For the new location on the Kimmel Cultural Campus, patrons will find an exclusive coffee roast that pays tribute to superstar conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Yannick’s Blend joins new food offerings that will include The Spotlight (Braised Short Rib), The Standing Ovation (Chicken Pot Pie) and The Bravo (Country Ham, Amish Butter, Baguette). For aesthetics, Chef has tapped Architect Kieran Timberlake and Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design to create one of the most visually stunning coffee shops and cafes in Center City. The café’s addition continues the transformation of the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza into a vibrant all-day gathering space that will welcome the public throughout the day into the evening, while also accommodating pre- and post- event crowds. Garces Trading Company opens inside directly from the Plaza and outside from Spruce Street. Garces Trading Company at Kimmel is located across the Plaza from sister restaurant Volvér. The new café will grand open on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 7:30am
with free croissants to the first 150 patrons and visitors until 9:30am.

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Northern Liberties Restaurant Week Moves to Winter with Two Dozen Restaurants Jan 27 to Feb 5

/ Northern Liberties/
Northern Liberties Restaurant Week Moves to Winter with Two Dozen Restaurants Jan 27 to Feb 5

Northern Liberties Business Improvement District announces the return of Northern Liberties Restaurant Week from Friday, January 27 to Sunday, February 5, 2023. The city's hottest NEW restaurant week to hit the food scene is back with new dates, more restaurants, new restaurants, updated price points, indoor and outdoor options, take-out and delivery, and tons of the city's best eats! Moved to winter to support restaurants during the colder months, Northern Liberties Restaurant Week is back with nearly two dozen of the neighborhood's biggest names that will offer two course or more lunches for $10 or $15, and three or more course dinners for $15, $25 and $40. Look for special features and signature favorite dishes, outdoor options, artful and colorful dining rooms, cocktail features, and much more. For outdoor options, several Northern Liberties restaurants have patios, sidewalk seating, courtyards - and yes, the Igloos at Figo even join the line-up this year. Book your reservation and enjoy a diversity of cuisines, vibes and settings. New restaurants joining the line-up this year will include Nourish Cafe, Hikari Sushi,  Las Cazuelas, The Winston, The Shake Seafood, D’Oliva EVOO Pizza and Grill and others to be announced. Neighborhood favorites will also include Añejo Philly, Pera Turkish Cuisine,  El Camino, Cantina Dos Segundos,  Figo Ristorante,  Apricot Stone, Urban Village, Bagels and Co., Bourbon and Branch, Standard Tap and more. Menus are live now online. The growing list of restaurants will be updated and new spots will be added as the event gets closer.

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Philly Sushi Whisperer Chef Kevin Yanaga and Glu Hospitality Debut Omakase by Yanaga in Fishtown

/ Omakase by Yanaga/
Philly Sushi Whisperer Chef Kevin Yanaga and Glu Hospitality Debut Omakase by Yanaga in Fishtown

Philly's Sushi Whisperer Kevin Yanaga and Glu Hospitality announce the grand opening of Omakase by Yanaga in Fishtown at 1832 Frankford Avenue. Omakase is a Japanese cuisine style “menu” that is completely left in the hands of the Chef. Chef Yanaga will be preparing his Kaiseki style Omakase, in the intimate and exclusive eight-seat dining area attached to the already existing Izakaya by Yanaga restaurant. Through the discrete double doors to the back of Izakaya, each guest will enter a unique tasting room where they will sit facing Chef around a custom sushi bar, where Chef will perform his culinary craft nightly. Every diner will spend the 90 minute experience with the Chef watching his artistry, sharing stories and learning about the dishes. All 25 courses served will be specially selected by Yanaga. No two experiences are ever the same. Alongside the exclusive dining experience, sake and wine pairings tailored to the experience will be offered, as well as tea service and unique cocktails. Omakase by Yanaga is open Thursday through Saturday, with seatings at 6:00pm and 8:30pm. Reservations are required in advance.

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Chef Jose Garces Announces Grand Opening Of Buena Onda Rittenhouse As Part Of National Expansion

/ Buena Onda/
Chef Jose Garces Announces Grand Opening Of Buena Onda Rittenhouse As Part Of National Expansion

James Beard award-winner and Iron Chef Jose Garces announces the grand opening of Buena Onda in Rittenhouse Square on Friday, August 12th. The new location is located at 114 S. 20th Street, next to Chef's famed Village Whiskey. Buena Onda is Chef's famed taqueria that is inspired by the spirit and good vibes of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. The new Rittenhouse location features indoor and outdoor seating for 48 guests, Baja-inspired vibes, a new interior design, and a new Buena Onda marketplace. Buena Onda Rittenhouse represents not just a new restaurant and concept for Center City and Rittenhouse, but this is the first location to debut as part of a larger national expansion. Buena Onda will also open a location on the Main Line this September. Additionally, this location is one of the models for franchising of the Philly-born brand that will expand from Philadelphia to America. Each new location will offer Buena's signature dishes such as environmentally conscious seafood tacos, classic tacos, Buena bowls, nachos, guacamole, chips and salsa, rice and beans, churros and many other offerings. Garces fans can also pair their favorite dishes with drinks that will include margaritas (classic, baja, frozen and seasonal), beer, wine, sangria, sodas and more.

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Wells Fargo Center Partners with Iron Chef Jose Garces for New Culinary Concept Garces Eats

/ Wells Fargo Center/
Wells Fargo Center Partners with Iron Chef Jose Garces for New Culinary Concept Garces Eats

Wells Fargo Center and James Beard Award-winning Iron Chef Jose Garces today announced plans for a new culinary concept, Garces Eats, to debut at the arena in October at the start of the 2022-23 NHL and NBA seasons. Garces Eats will replace The Bistro stand on the Broad Street side of the Club Level at Wells Fargo Center and will feature a rotating menu to highlight many of Chef Garces’ most notable dishes from his iconic restaurants throughout Philadelphia.

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Main Line Today Restaurant Week Returns for Fall with 40+ Restaurants and New Dining Options

/ Lola's Garden/
Main Line Today Restaurant Week Returns for Fall with 40+ Restaurants and New Dining Options

Main Line Today and Today Media announce the 2022 Main Line Today Fall Restaurant Week, presented by Firstrust Bank, running August 22nd through September 4th, 2022. The 14-day culinary celebration will bring together and showcase the talents of top chefs, restaurants and purveyors in Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course or four-course prix fixe menus with all new price points for the event's return. For lunch look for $25, $30, and/or $35 menus (plus beverage, tax and gratuity) or for dinner look for $30, $45, and/or $55 menus (plus beverage, tax and gratuity). Restaurants can choose what works best for them, offering lunch, dinner, or both—dine-in or takeout. Foodies from across the tri-state area are invited to save the date, make their reservations, and come hungry for the tastiest weeks of early fall. Early sign-ups have netted some of the most celebrated names in the Main Line region, including 118 North, Amis Trattoria, Autograph Brasserie, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Jasper's Backyard, Lola's Garden, Pizzeria Vetri, King of Prussia and Devon, Savona, Stove and Tap, Streetlight Kitchen & Bar, Terrain Cafe, Verbena BYOB and more. New additions for fall include Autana Authentic Venezulan Food, Bar Alimentari at Di Bruno Bros., Fayette Street Oyster House, Gullifty's, Osushi, Rosa Mexicano, Roz & Rocco’s and more. Registration for area restaurants is still open. Sponsors include Firstrust Bank, Comcast Business and Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting Gallery.

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2nd Street Festival Returns to Northern Liberties with Music, Food Trucks, Family Fun and More

/ The Piazza/
2nd Street Festival Returns to Northern Liberties with Music, Food Trucks, Family Fun and More

Philadelphia's largest neighborhood summer festival is back and bigger than ever! The 13th Annual 2nd Street Festival will pop-up and take over Northern Liberties on Sunday, August 7, 2022, from 12:00pm Noon to 9:00pm. This year the event will extend to the largest footprint in the event's history, along N. 2nd Street from Spring Garden extending all the way to Girard clocking in at more than three-quarters of a mile long. The all-ages celebration includes restaurants, food trucks, beer gardens, family fun, live music, artists, pop-up shops and entertainment. Street food and summertime sips will be available from a giant list of 50+ restaurants, bars, breweries and food trucks, including 15 outdoor beer and cocktail gardens. Get ready to dance in the street with live music and DJs on two main stages, plus throughout the festival, with Moonroof, Bougie and the Beasts, Bickel Brothers Band, Mobbluz, Koser, M11son, Dell-P, Solar Circuit, Upholstery, Plush in the Box, Gretchen Emery Band, Venn Sung, Dirty Soap Band, Reggae Thunder, Last Generation on Film and Swing That Cat, plus DJ MostHated, DJ Eric, DJ Frosty, DJ Xtina and Rebel Foster, DJ Nate G. and Uptown Eddie. The event is free and open to the public. 2nd Street Festival is family friendly, and four-legged friends that are well-behaved and on leashes are also welcome.

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Inaugural Old City Wedding Stroll Says I Do at 45+ Participating Shops and Restaurants

/ Old City District/
Inaugural Old City Wedding Stroll Says I Do at 45+ Participating Shops and Restaurants

Old City District showcases its fast growing wedding industry with the debut of the Old City Wedding Stroll on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022 from 5:00-8:00pm. More than 45 locations will open their doors and offer consultations, demos, tastings, and tours. Couples looking to tie the knot are invited to visit Old City bridal and suit shops, venues, restaurants, and wedding services. Participating businesses include Shane Confectionery, Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti, The Olde Bar, Philly Bride, SuitShop, Amina, Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar, Fork, Panorama Wine Bar, Arch Enemy Arts, FringeArts, Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, Kick Axe Throwing, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, Power Plant Productions, Art in the Age, Chick Invitations, Hitched, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, NE Flower Boutique and many others. All participants will be entered to win a Wedding Gift Basket valued at $1,000. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

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Main Line Today Announces the Return of the Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs Party on July 28

/ Drexelbrook Special Event Center/
Main Line Today Announces the Return of the Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs Party on July 28

Main Line Today and Today Media announce the grand return of the Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs Party on Thursday, July 28th, at Drexelbrook Special Event Center (4700 Drexelbrook Drive). Eat, drink and dance the night away while celebrating the 2022 winners that include top restaurants, bars, retail shops, small businesses and people of the region as voted by the people and the critics. This year's event will feature over 50 top businesses and special guests. From 5:30pm to 9:00pm, guests will sample fabulous food and drink from this year's winners, dance to live music from the award-winning band Jellyroll, and participate in a silent auction to benefit Brandywine SPCA. VIP tickets are $75 and include the VIP experience with a special lounge featuring a guest appearance by James Beard Award Winner and Iron Chef Jose Garces, and VIP samples by Buena Onda, Brick and Brew, Drexelbrooke and Penns Woods Winery. General admission tickets are $55 and include full access to the main ballroom, band, dancing and more.

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Chef Jose Garces Introduces Chef Dane DeMarco as Next Chef in Residency at Volvér

/ Volvér/
Chef Jose Garces Introduces Chef Dane DeMarco as Next Chef in Residency at Volvér

Chef Jose Garces announces Chef Dane DeMarco (they/them) as the next Chef in Residency at Volvér on Kimmel Cultural Campus. Chef DeMarco’s residency is timed to coincide with Philly Pride Month, starting June 15th and running through July 24th. Funding raised during this residency will provide start-up funds for DeMarco to open a brand new restaurant concept called Hanks Sandwich Co., which will offer different sandwiches inspired by international culinary traditions. DeMaro’s menu embraces a diverse range of creations such as Oxtail Terrine, Crab Corn Dog Galette, Cannoli Manicotti, Corner Fried Shrimp, Crab Corn Dog Galette, and Vanilla Krimpet. For the new Chefs in Residency Program, each Chef will showcase their top signature dishes on the Volvér menu for six to eight weeks, alongside Chef Garces' signature French-inspired dishes. Through a special donation program in partnership with the Garces Foundation, each Chef in Residency will have the opportunity to raise money to support their work with their current restaurant, or to use for the start of their next culinary journey. Volvér's hours for the season will be from Wednesday to Sunday, from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, with a special pre-theatre menu served from 4:00pm to 6:30pm, and happy hour from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Reservations are now available at www.volverrestaurant.com, via Open Table, or by calling 215-670-2302. Celebrate the art of fine dining by following Volvér on social media at @volverphl @chefjosegarces and @garcesgroup. All guests coming to Volvér must be vaccinated per Kimmel Cultural Campus policy. Volver is located at 300 S. Broad Street, in Center City, Philadelphia.

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