This July, 40th and Chestnut will see the opening of the long anticipated Jose Garces restaurant, Distrito. Named for Mexico City’s “Distrito Federal” the 250 seat Mexican restaurant will feature the Amada and Tinto owner’s take on Mexican fare. Garces of course first made a name for himself at Stephen Starr’s El Vez.
The bi-level restaurant promises a festive, over-the-top atmosphere with a vending machine that dispenses Mexican action figures and toys plus seats that swing and rotate. Expect vivid colors and patterns throughout.
Among the menu highlights are scallops al pastor, skewers of al pastor-marinated scallops with fresh pineapple, grilled and served over sweet pepper and grapefruit salsa. Oh man we’re drooling. Guindilla chili-marinated lamb chops with smoked bacon etole, chanterelle mushroom escabeche and pasilla-lamb jus has our heads spinning as will the 60 varieties of tequila and specialty cocktails and margaritas.
Tim Spinner who has most recently worked at Amada will be Chef de Cuisine.
Also on the Garces beat, Jose was recently chosen to appear as a challenger on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America.
Phoodie.info has an interview with Jose Garces of Tinto fame where he talks about the recent expansion of his Basque tapas spot and dishes on this summer’s Distrito.
The Bite takes a look at some of the new restaurants that have us salivating for 2008.
Bistro 7’s Michael O’Halloran second restaurant now has a name, The Waverly and is looking to open in April. Jose Garces’ Mexico City themed Chilango is looking at June. Nodding Head alums are opening a new spot, the Memphis Taproom north of Berks in “Port Fishington” and the Devil’s Den in South Philly is promising 28 taps shortly.
The Bite appears Wednesdays in the Metro and is written by Foobooz editor Arthur Etchells
Philadelphia Weekly’s cover story this week features Jose Garces, chronicling his rise to the top of Philadelphia’s food chain.
“He’s a one-in-a-million talent,” Rodriguez says of his protege. “Some chefs can cook. Some chefs are more administrative. But a chef who can do all of it and run a business and run people and develop people is a very rare thing. He has a lot of talents I don’t even have. I’m not good with numbers—my other side of the brain doesn’t work. Both sides of his brain work well.”
The article also passes along a couple of nuggets regarding his third Philadelphia restaurant, Chilango, set to open next year in University City.
In his new restaurant the downstairs taqueria/cantina will be festive and casual with an industrial tortilla press and grill churning out warm tortillas, a walk-up taco window for sidewalk orders, a fresh-fruit margarita bar and live entertainment—possibly mariachis.
Upstairs, he says, there’ll be an elegant, modern dining room with a more sophisticated and creative menu.
“Mexico City, gourmet-style,” he calls it.
After that he’s talking about a Latin steakhouse in Chicago and a Latin “Thai” spot in Philadelphia, which will be his final concept in Philadelphia.
Jose Garces’ Tinto is scheduled to open a week from today on March 15th. Garces’ big Mexican restaurant is looking at the summer of 2008, but at least it has a name, Chilango, slang for someone who lives in Mexico City. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]
Django’s founders, Bryan Sikora and Aimee Olexy have opened Talula’s Table in Kennett Square. Although not a restaurant there is a “farmhouse” table of ten available for meals. The market showcases pastry and bread baked on the premises as well as house-cured sausages, artisan cheeses and prepared foods and sauces. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]
Drew Lazor channels David Byrne as he realizes the Dunkin Donuts at Broad and Christian is not his beautiful DD. Flatbread sandwiches and pizzas now dot the menu. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]
Meritage adds a new executive chef, Jason Goodman as executive chef. Goodman’s resume includes Circa, Novelty, Next, and most recently Callahan Catering. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]
The Peek-A-Boo Revue has a new home, the Tin Angel starting March 31st. [Ice Pack, City Paper]
The long awaited Marathon Grill at 10th and Walnut is set to open in April.[Ice Pack, City Paper]
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