Garces Events Wedding Showcase Review

Personally, I've always joked that I've been on the 10 year marriage plan. And without getting too sappy, it's clear that for the GF and I, the light at the end of the tunnel is closer than ever. And while it's a given that I'll defer the majority of the wedding particulars to the GF, figuring out the catering will clearly be in my wheelhouse. And if the intended nuptials are in Philly, it's a safe bet that I'd be putting my eggs in the Garces Events basket.

For any of the newly engaged couples out there, be sure to attend one of their wedding showcases in preparation for your big day. Once registered, it's complimentary for the happy couple and for any additional family members, it's an affordable $10 per ticket. I was invited to the January showcase by Corie from Gloss PR and was blown away. From the gorgeous centerpieces from Sullivan Owen to the culinary stations from Jose Garces' restaurants, the showcase was simply stunning. 

But let's focus in on the food and drink shall we? With rose champagne in hand, the GF and I sampled a bevy of offerings from Chef Garces' restaurants, including Village Whiskey, Distrito, Garces Trading Company, Tinto, and Volver. How many caterers (and I use that term loosely because we're talking about an Iron Chef here) do you know that have mozzarella hand-crafted right then and there and jamon shaved to order? And of course, His and Hers cocktails were provided and can range from the always delicious white sangria to crowd favorites like the Truffle Rush. 

Servers glided about with hor d'oeurves including luscious kobe beef tartare, refreshingly tart apple ceviche, hearty swordfish tacos, grassy lamb sliders, and delectable tartines. 

I heard more than a handful of couples say that "there wasn't one thing they didn't like." Double negatives aside, that says far more than any singular recommendation I could give. I can easily see your wedding guests indulging in palomas or shots of tequila while enjoying Distrito's pork carnitas and mahi mahi tacos. There was also plenty of snappy lime-marinated shrimp and pickled jalapenos along with tubs of some of the best guac I've ever had. If you're looking for proper finger foods, look towards Volver to provide you with hand-made paella maki rolls, corn croquettes, tartines, and tortilla espanola. 

And of course, you can't forget about dessert! In addition to showcasing the numerous combinations for your wedding cake, there was also a station highlighting a number of sweet selections. French macarons, bouchons, lime verrines, cheesecake pops, strawberry shortcake sliders, and red velvet cupcakes were just a few of the desserts on offer. A clear crowd favorite was the incredibly moist apple cider cake donuts. 

So if you're considering how to handle the food and beverage for your big day, why not look towards Garces Events to take care of your needs? There are discounts for booking early. Heck if you book your wedding of more than 150 guests at the Cira Centre on March 6th, they'll waive the site fee! You can register for that event on the Garces Events website.  If the budget allows, I'm sure your guests will thank you! And regardless, best of luck to all the couples embarking on their journeys together. 

Distrito Taqueria

This is for a series of posts related to Iron Chef Jose Garces including:

Amada, Distrito, Rosa Blanca, Bar Volver, Buena Onda, The Blue Anchor, PHS Pop Up Garden, JG Domestic, Tinto [1], Tinto [2], Tinto [Brunch], Village Whiskey, and The Olde Bar.

Located between Penn and Drexel, Distrito's a veritable institution and mecca for all that is Mexican fare. And as an Iron Chef, it's a given that Jose Garces has got the culinary skills to develop creative flavors and flair to entice his diners. It's been a decade since he opened his first restaurant and now, he's running an empire. And considering there are more ebbs than flows in the resto game, it's a testament to the fact that he's got a top-notch culinary team behind him - on top of fine business acumen and probably a bit of luck.

And with the Grand Opening of Distrito Taqueria, it's clear he's not afraid of revamping what's already well-established in order to cater to the dynamic tastes of his diners. But never fear. We're still talking about modern twists, but with the taqueria highlighting approachable fare including a bevy of tacos and burritos. It's all festooned in a vibrant and festive atmosphere, with hundreds of lucha libre masks hanging about and a karaoke stage to boot (my inner Korean is calling out!). 

Corie Moskow from Gloss PR (uhm - the folks behind the amazing Rittenhouse Row Festival!) was kind enough to invite the GF and I out to celebrate the Grand Opening. So how could I resist the chance to sample delicious pineapple margaritas, surprisingly bright, yet luscious sangrias, and micheladas that will set you right! They were catering to the teetolars as well, with buckets of Jaritos and real deal Mexican sugar-cane Coke's on offer. 

And the top-notch culinary team I mentioned before? Case in point - Chef de Cuisine Maria Schmidt. A Jose Garces veteran, over the years she's been helping to run things from Distrito in Philadelphia to Tinto in Palm Springs. Yep - the empire extends beyond just Philly! I'm also pretty sure I saw newly appointed Corporate Executive Chef Justin Bogle on the pass along with Chef Schmidt. So we're talking about another Garces veteran with just a few, you know, Michelin stars under his culinary belt. 

Tacos included offerings that ranged from adobo chicken and al pastor to goat barbacoa and tofu chorizo! Served on corn tortillas with cilantro and onion, they're on the menu for $3.50 each and are filling. Distrito Taqueria also has a regular burrito with black beans, rice, and queso fresco as well as a souped up 'Suiza' version smothered in red chile sauce and queso mixto! 

Don't forget Jose Garces offers tasting menus in most of his restaurants. At Distrito, you've got the Diego Rivera which offers a guided tour of modern Mexican street food ($45 pp), while the Frido Kahlo provides off-menu creations ($55 pp). And in addition to the offerings from the Taqueria, we were able to get some off-menu tastes that included a gorgeous salmon balanced with bright acidity, crisp, yet unctuous pork belly that was balanced by roasted plum tomatoes, and a creative scallop al pastor dish that accented the innate sweetness of the bivalve nicely.

So if you're looking for a spot to kick back while enjoying some margs, cervezas, and proper Mexico City fare, look no further than Distrito and its newly opened Taqueria. Seems perfect for Happy Hour and the upcoming Eagles season! 

FTC Disclaimer: This was a media event to celebrate Distrito Taqueria's Grand Opening. While I did not receive monetary compensation, I did indulge in delicious dishes and drinks, gratis. However, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.

Buena Onda Review

This is for a series of posts related to Iron Chef Jose Garces including:

Amada, Distrito, Rosa Blanca, Bar Volver, Buena Onda, The Blue Anchor, PHS Pop Up Garden, JG Domestic, Tinto [1], Tinto [2], Tinto [Brunch], Village Whiskey, and The Olde Bar.

In March, Iron Chef Jose Garces' much anticipated fish taco joint opened its doors. Buena Onda serves up more than that, with its cool "tranquilo" atmosphere and servers. Heck, the name itself means "good vibes."

Buena Onda's located underneath the Granary Apartments, so I was invited to a soft opening and indulged in a few of their offerings. I've been back a few times since, so here's a look at a hodgepodge of pretty much their entire menu. 

Even two months out from their initial opening, the lines are fairly long. After 7PM, expect a decent wait of 10-15 minutes and be on the lookout if you'd like to dine in. Tip? Have a friend gank a table while you wait. Pro-Tip? Do indulge in the complimentary 3 oz. pours of K38, a pale ale made specifically for Buena Onda, courtesy of Yards Brewing. 

After ordering your meal, you'll receive a number indicating your order to the service staff. Wait and ye shall receive.

Yards Brewing Sampler

3 oz. pour of K38, pale ale

  

An American Pale Ale, this was light and refreshing. Cerveza with fish tacos? Who woulda thunk? Definitely a nice touch by offering free pours.

Baja Margarita [$9]

The baja margarita is stocked with some fruit pieces and is thankfully not overtly saccharine. Makes you feel as though you're on the beach. 
 

Frozen Margarita [$8]
 

Slightly reminiscent of coconut rum, the smooth consistency of this icy concoction definitely hit the spot.

For your dining pleasure, Buena Onda has got Cholula hot sauce on offer, along with both a mild salsa verde and a chile de arbol salsa that has a nice heat that lingers on the finish. 

Guacamole [$7.50]
Cotija cheese 

There are plenty of freshly fried tortilla chips with an order of guacamole. Topped with cotija, the consistency of this guac is smooth, with hints of citrus and cilantro. I was hoping for more guac, but $7.50 is a fairly decent price point for the abundance of chips.

Nachos [$9] + Pollo [$3] 
Black beans, queso mixto, chile de arbol 

On another occasion, we got their chicken nachos to go. Moist, well-seasoned chicken studded the nachos, which can be ordered mild or spicy. This was a small portion for $12, but had decent flavors, punctuated by black beans, melted queso, jalapenos, and roasted peppers.

Carne Quesadilla [$10]
Poblano rajas, Mexican wild rice, questo mixto, caramelized onions 

The beef quesadilla is substantial. Housed within a crisp, almost buttery flour tortilla are tender pieces of beef, rich caramelized onions, plenty of cheese, and rice with some bite. This will easily fill you up.

But truly, you're here for the tacos right? As it should be, the fish tacos come with flour tortillas while the meat tacos are housed within a nicely texture corn tortilla. The tortillas are all made to order.

Jumbo Pacific Shrimp Taco [$3.50]
Tequila lime glazed, chipotle remoulade, avocado, red cabbage, jicama slaw, flour tortilla

You can order your fish tacos tequila-lime glazed or battered up. The jumbo pacific shrimp were indeed huge and well-cooked. The smoky glaze wasn't overpowering and accentuated the sweetness of the snappy shrimp. Along with a ripe avocado wedge, the red cabbage and jicama slaw added some texture to each bite.

Atlantic Mahi Mahi Taco [$3.50]
Tequila lime glazed, chipotle remoulade, avocado, red cabbage, jicama slaw, flour tortilla

 

The mahi mahi tacos are your best bet - the clean flavors of the fish took on the tequila lime glaze nicely, with a smoky chipotle remoulade to round it all out.

Atlantic Mahi Mahi Taco [$3.50]
Batter-fried, chipotle remoulade, avocado, red cabbage, jicama slaw, flour tortilla

The fish retains its moisture in the batter-fried version, which provides some crispy texture to complement the slaw.

Pollo Taco [$3]
Braised chicken, avocado, lettuce, Mexican crema, corn tortila

The chicken tacos were more flavorful than I thought they'd be thanks to the braise. Smoky, with an undertone of spice. The corn tortillas really held up to the weight of the chicken.

Carnitas Taco [$3]
Crispy braised pork, black beans, pineapple, jicama slaw, corn tortilla  

The pork tacos were moist, with a mix of crispy and tender meat. Topped with black beans, sweet pineapple chunks, and that ubiquitous jicama slaw, this made for good eats.

Carne Taco [$3]
Chile braised beef, chile de arbol, queso fresco, cilantro, corn tortilla

My favorite of the three meat tacos was the carne. These ate like short ribs, with huge, tender chunks of braised beef shining through each bite. The salt of the queso, the smokiness of the chile, and the freshness of the cilantro really balanced out the heft of the meat.

As a whole, Buena Onda is on the slightly pricier end of the spectrum for a taco joint and I'm sure you'd find quality tacos in South Philly at a fraction of the price. While my mind wasn't exactly blown and fish tacos weren't redefined, I don't think that's the point. The tacos are well-executed and I'd highly recommend the Mahi Mahi and the carne tacos. Do sign up for the Rewards Program - 250 points nets you $25 to use and signing up alone gives you $10 for a future visit. 

FTC Disclaimer: Some of the dishes featured above were provided courtesy of Buena Onda during a soft opening. 

2014 Best of Philly Bash Review

Courtesy of Yelp and Philly Magazine, I was provided with two tickets to this year's Best of Philly Bash. Complimentary drinks and tastes from some of the city's best restaurants? Set at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies? You know I'll be there!

General Admission - $90 pp [6:30 - 9PM]

VIP - $150 pp [5 to 9PM]

Needless to say, there were a variety of sponsors on hand for an event of this magnitude. This included Mercedes-Benz, which offered comfortable lounge seating for VIPs who tired of alcohol and food. So anyone not me.

Despite the rain, you couldn't help but admire the fact that the stands weren't filled with fans - and not just because the Phillies did so poorly this season.

The Philly Phanatic was still on hand, dancing with guests and Ciroc girls alike, to the cover-band tunes of Speaker City.

Yellowtail was offering their wines, but there was also plenty of open bars throughout the stadium, offering Crown Royal, Ciroc-spiced snow cones, and fresh lemonade mixers.

Firefly
 

Firefly Moonshine was a big hit as well, offering several cocktails and shots to sample.

Bloody Mary

Jerry's Bar

Best City Brunch, 2014

  

Jerry's bar offered a standard, yet effective take on the Bloody Mary, complete with cocktail shrimp and cornichons.

Tuna Cornette 

Alma de Cuba

Best Girls Night Out, 2010

But really, it's all about the food for me. And while I'm a fan of Alma de Cuba, the tuna cornettes were a bit limp, though had decent seasoning. A sad nod to Thomas Keller's cornettes perhaps?

Ahi Tartare on Endive / Salmon with Yuzu

CoZara / Zama

Best Replacement for the Wall at the Palm, 2011  

The sister restaurants offered light fare, with the salmon being one of the GF's favorites.

Tuna with Black Sesame Cracker

Sbraga

 Best General Manager, 2014

The most refined dish was definitely from Sbraga - tuna was fresh and well seasoned, and the black sesame cracker offered nice texture. 

Mortadella, Cornichon, Frisee

Brahaus Schmitz

   Best Potato Pancakes, 2014

While Brahaus Schmitz won for best potato pancakes, they brought forth a mortadella salad, which had mustard seeds to make each bite pop. Still - I love me some latkes ... womp womp.

 Panzanella Salad with Summer Vegetables

Alla Spina

 Best Late-Night Happy Hour, 2013

Alla Spina offered a refreshing take on this classic Italian salad, replete with summer veggies and crisp house-made croutons.

 Naengmyun 

Cheu Noodle Bar

 Best Wings, 2014

Cheu Noodle Bar offered up what seemed to be a take on Korean neng myun - refreshing and light, with bits of tame kimchi to offer up some spice.

Thai Lettuce Wrap

Hip City Veg

Best Salad, 2012

 

Hip City Veg brought forth an even lighter bite, that was still substantial - wouldn't expect anything less.

Corn Sformatto

Garces Trading Company

Best Deep Dish Pizza, 2013 

  

GTC's corn sformatto was almost flan-like in consistency, with the sweet flavors of corn accented by the acidity of the tomato - really nice.

Ratatouille Soup, Goat's Milk Panna Cotta

Pub and Kitchen

 Best Gourmet Burger, 2014

Pub and Kitchen's ratatouille soup offered deep flavors, lightened up by the milk panna cotta beneath.

 Ceviche de Camarones

Distrito

 Best Mod Mexican Restaurant, 2010

Distrito's take on shrimp ceviche was fresh and had some bite to it.

Pan-Seared Pierogies, Brown Butter, Creme Fraiche

Aramark Pierogie Station

Surprisingly, Aramark was on hand and while they seemed to be missing the bacon lardons, the brown butter pierogie was on point - creamy and delicious. 

Iced Coffee

La Colombe

Best Liquid Breakfast, 1997

Despite not being a coffee drinker, La Colombe served as a great pick-me-up.

Pretzels and Dips

Philly Pretzel Factory

Best Soft Pretzel, 2008

Philly Pretzel factory was on hand to provide you with all your carbo-loading needs, replete with an abundance of different dips, including my favorite spicy - oh so spicy - mustard!

Pizza

Slice

Best Pizza, 2007 

The weakest offering of the night (if you can call it that) was from Slice - the pizza was cold and inedible - tasted like it was from 2007 - sorry, had to go there.

Tomato Pie

Santucci's

 

On the other hand, Santucci's tomato pie was divine. Despite being delivered from their restaurant, the pizza was hot and crusty, with the tang of the tomatoes providing a great foil for the thin layer of mozzarella beneath. I'm not going to lie - I might have had 3 of these.

 Meatball

Gennaro's Tomato Pie

Best New York Style Pizza, 2013 

Gernnaro's offered a moist meatball, topped with pecorino.

 Samosa, Chickpeas, Tamarind Chutney & Drums of Heaven

IndeBlue

 Best New Indian Restaurant, 2009

IndeBlue was definitely a favorite, offering a duo of their drums of heaven specialty and samosas. Well-spiced!

Shrimp Roll

Luke's Lobster

 Best Seafood on the Cheap, 2013

  

Luke's Lobster was a crowd favorite as well - the shrimp rolls were so buttery and the servers were machines, churning them out quickly, despite having one of the longest lines of the event.

Tasso, Granny Smith, Cheese, Crostini

Plenty Cafe

Best Ham Sandwich, 2014

Who can say no to tasso? The apple provided a nice balance for the cured ham.

Brisket Sausage Taco

Citron + Rose

Best Cocktail Suburbs, 2013

 

Citron + Rose's brisket sausage taco was creamy and rich.

Truffle Chicken Boudin, English Pea Puree, Sherry Vinegar 

Le Cheri

Best French Restaurant, 2014

   

Le Cheri showcased some technique with their offering - clean and light. 

Stone Fruit Parfait, Mascarpone, Almond

Matyson

Best Tasting Menu, 2014  

Moving on to the desserts of the night, Matyson had a stone fruit parfait, which was light, creamy, and sweet.

Fromage Blanc Raspberry Swirl

Shake Shack

   Best Milkshake, 2013

Shake Shack was on hand to offer up their rapsberry swirl custard - not overly sweet.

Ciroc was dishing out shades. Perhaps for the night's finale?

Bellies full and drinks imbibed, fireworks lit up the night as the event came to a close. So for 2015, if you're looking to get a taste of Philly's restaurant scene, what better way than to attend Philly Mag's Best of Philly Bash.

2014 Best of Philly Bash

Citizen's Bank Park

1 Citizens Bank Way 

Philadelphia, PA 19148

http://www.phillymag.com/bestofphilly/