Thoughts on Garces' restaurants, and the Next Iron Chef

[Bob Loblaw]

I've generally liked Garces' restaurants - esp. Amada, but I also like Distrito quite a bit.
My complaint has been that the food tends to be a bit salty, which normally I like, but w/out any background starch (plain bread, white rice, etc) I find it a bit much.
I assumed that the food was salty on purpose, but I think I've found a different reason.

Have people been watching the Next Iron Chef?
I mean, my god that guy sweats! He looks like Tra Thomas at the Eagles' preseason practices! And you can't tell me it's not dripping into the food... I' think that the food network people make a point of showing that, too!

Not going to keep me from going back to Amada. I figure, he can't be there all the time anyway, having 4 different places and all. But man! Not the most appetizing of sights!

[Bigley9]

ugh!

[barryg]

Maybe that is the secret ingredient that makes his food so awesome.

I think that as time goes on and he becomes more of a celebrity and expands his empire, Garces will spend less and less time cooking at his restaurants. He mentioned recently that he was considering opening an Amada in NYC.

So far he has done a great job selecting and managing his chefs de cuisine and hopefully he keeps the quality high as he grows. I went to Bobby Flay's steakhouse in the Borgata over the summer and it was terrible and expensive. I am sure Bobby is a great chef but it is not easy to keep quality high across a sprawling empire. It is really a management challenge, not a culinary one.

[bakerloo]

I certainly hopes that as he grows his empire and expands his name that his restaurants will continue to be of quality. He seems to be moving very quickly through Philadelphia. I've not yet made it to Village Whiskey (which is stupid because I am on that block 4 times a week) but I've enjoyed his other three restaurants quite a bit. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Distrito. I've got a big salt tooth, so I don't mind the extra Garces seasoning - haha.

[Boognish]

You don't think he's actually cooking your food do you? ;)

Went to a Chifa Victory beer dinner the other night. Great meal, but very protein-heavy as in "I'm hungry an hour later."

The smoked rib-eye was killer.

[Bob Loblaw]

I'd like to think that he spends *some* time cooking at his restaurants. But no, for any given meal, I don't expect that he cooked it.

And salty or not, I loved Amada.
I actually think that the saltiness is largely a cumulative effect - I do like a meal that's got a more basic backdrop, like bread or rice or pasta or potatoes. The tapas/small plates approach makes that harder.

But man, does that guy sweat under the lights.

[gwebber]

I like all of his restaurants that I've been to - and not just for the food. The service has always been impeccable too, and I like the unstuffy atmosphere. They *are* a bit on the pricier side, but I've never had less than a stellar meal at any of them.

He seems quite good at marketing himself too. Can't hurt Philly to have some good "rockstar" chefs :) I'm glad to have been able to see him compete; he seems very good natured, and certainly wins his share of the challenges.

If he wins, he will be the Chen Kenichi of the American Iron Chef though, you guys are right about the sweating!

[DaisyM]

I'm a big fan of Amada and am really hoping Chef Garces is the next Iron Chef. He really is an amazing chef.

[OlderPhiladelphian]

So, he sweats. I volunteer for MANNA where we cook for 1,000 people every day. Three meals a day. Try doing that in the summer and not sweat.
The BEST hamburger you will ever eat is at Village Whiskey. Better even then Good Dog.
Anyway the coolest thing was the other night we were eating at the new Famous Deli on 19th St and in walks Chef Garces to pick up a take out order. With him was his girlfriend or wife. My, talk about sweat! Was she hot???

[barryg]

He's married and has a child; they live in the Logan Square area. Sorry, ladies.

[brightman]

He is hosting a viewing party at Distrito 11/22. $50 pp, includes food and margaritas. no way he loses the final round.

[gfweb1]

Maybe he ends up serving Indian food.....

[Boognish]

Got my reservations this afternoon.

Can't wait.

[DaisyM]

Congratulations Chef Garces!