Midtown Lunch

I just found out that Garces Trading Co makes fresh mozzerrella for their restaurant AND as to go orders at the cheese counter! To everyone who knew this and didn’t tell me, consider yourself slapped.  All this time I thought I had to head down to the Italian Market for super fresh mozzarella.

Garces has a little hot water bath machine that they put curds into as soon as you request your order. Salt and heavy cream are added and the ball is stretched and placed in an environmental friendly cup. Say yes when they offer to dress it for you in Garces House Olive Oil. It is still warm when the cup is placed in your hands.

What it looks like after the jump…

Garces made me realize that serving fresh mozzarella at room temperature is not nearly as good as serving it warm. It was a perfect, salty, ridiculously soft, oiled up cloud.  “Ethereal” … one of those over used food writing terms I try to avoid, but I will throw it out there just this once as an accurate descriptor, and if you don’t like it, you can throw it right back. Angels probably sleep on these.

The smallest serving size is a ball significantly smaller than the mozz balls from Claudio’s. That serving will cost you $6. Is it cheap eats? Not really, but it is so worth it. Slice it and arrange with tomato and it becomes what is sure to be a well received appetizer at any dinner party or you could just treat yourself. Instead of buckets of ice cream, I think I could see myself eating out of a cup of fresh mozzarella in front of the television.

Garces Trading Company, 1111 Locust St (btw 11th and 12th St.), 215-574-1099