Name Dropper

     In the world of the culinary arts Garces is a big name.  An American born to Ecuadorian parents, Jose Garces owns more than a dozen restaurants in 5 cities and the 40 acre Luna Farm in Bucks County, PA.  In addition, he creates all the menus for special events and concessions at the Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater.  Oh, and he also operates a taco truck, too.  His cuisine is varied, from tapas and street food to European bistro fare and artisanal American food.

     But only one of his restaurants has his name on the front door.  It is at 1111 Locust Street in Philadelphia that you will find the Garces Trading Company.  And that is where I dined a few weeks ago with my culinary accomplice.  We were curious to see if all the acclaim was merited, so we made a reservation for dinner.  As the name implies, it not only provides a meal but also provisions, from fine wine to olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

     We decided to sample a shared appetizer and two entrees.  My cardinal principle when dining out is to order something that I would not, or could not, make at home.  With that in mind the sauteed firefly squid with fried olives qualified.  Firefly squid are a small bioluminescent cephalopod  only harvested in the waters of the western Pacific Ocean for a brief period in the early Spring when they are spawning.  They were briny and sweet, a mouthful of flavor and an intriguing commencement to our meal.

 

     Next came the cassoulet made from duck confit, Italian sausage, pocha and fava beans and pickled cherries.  It was comfort food at its best and made a wonderful transition from the sea to the land as we concluded our meal with perfectly grilled lamb chops adorned with a colorful Romesco sauce, grilled green onions and a stuffing like patatas riojanas.



     And the dessert menu was equally enticing.  But unfortunately there was no possibility of finding any room within, even in the intercecies!  I did, however, find space to carry out a bottle of dark chocolate balsamic to take home.