Midtown Lunch

Photo Courtesy of VittlesVamp

• Apparently, Philadelphians love to chat about food [Chicago Tribune]
• Denise’s jerk chicken gets some love [VittlesVamp]
• Leban gives Trading Co. 3 bells [Inquirer]
• Out of bounds languid garden lunch at The Green House Cafe [Philadelphia Weekly]
• A global- vegan spot just opened on South St… can someone else check this place out for me? I don’t know if I can handle vegan sushi [Meal Ticket]

I finally caved and tried the cute little pastries at Garces Trading Co. They are sold as $6 for a 1/2 dozen, you can’t fool me, Garces- I know that means $1 for each tiny 2 bite pastry. But I had to have them, they were staring at me with there littleness and colorfulness and begging for me to try them all.  Fresh ones were retrieved from the back and then packed up neatly in a brown  box for me, which got me thinking that this would be a nice thing to bring to a dinner party. Or I could just eat them all myself.

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As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Philadelphia. This week it’s Brian, one of the awesome servers working at a  Jose Garces restaurant.

Name: Brian

Age: 35

Occupation: Server

Where in Philly do you Work?: Garces Restaurant Group (Distrito and Chifa)

Favorite Kind of Food: Fried Food. I am also generally into anything with fried or poached eggs on top. That is a huge selling point.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Grilled Cheese (don’t get me started)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Mama’s Vegetarian (18 South 20th Street) I love the Mama’s Meal Falafel Sandwich w/ Fries and Soda. It is simple but always delicious. I used to live at Tria. (18th and Sansom Streets). I am particualrly find of the Prosciutto and Fig Panino, the Tuscan White Bean Spread and the Blue Cheese and Pear Butter Bruschetta. I really like the Passionberry Iced Tea as well. Paesano’s (152 W. Girard and 901 Christian Street). The Gustaio, which is the greatest sandwich ever invented. I have also just fallen for the Fried Lasagna sandwich with the fried egg and mozzarella. I need to go back to the South Philly location to try the burger.

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"Hey Chef Garces, mind if I snap a picture?"

Yesterday was the big opening of Garces Trading Co. I know I was not the only one frothing at the mouth in excitement over this (I am looking at you Luncher Matt).

I won’t embarrass myself by going on about how my favorite part of the lunch was getting that dimpled smile directed my way for a moment… But it was nice to see Iron Chef Garces managing the sandwich station on opening day.

The rest of the staff is equally warm and knowledgeable; though I can’t help my extreme jealousy of knowing they all got to try every menu item, including all of the cheeses.  They are happy to share though, I snagged a sample of sheep’s milk cheese and house made chorizo (both were outstanding).

Upon arrival you are warmly greeted and can choose to either be seated for a meal, you can head to the left for the cheese, meat, bakery, and take out counter, you can pick up pastries and coffee in the back, or you can purchase wine in the cellar on the right hand side. Out of walnut oil? You can grab some in the center aisle.

Is this budget friendly? Not a chance. Lunch options that are $10 or less are limited to the soups, salads, all but one of the sandwiches, and the fusilli carbonara. For my first trip, I tried the cubano sandwich.

Lots of eye candy, after the jump, I promise…

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Ugh, Jose is soo hot right now! Aren’t we all buzzing about the opening of Jose Garces’ new spot at 1111 Locust St? I know I am.  I can’t help it, gotta support Philly’s Iron Chef.  The Garces Trading Company will sell things that are dangerously tempting, including wine, cheese, and baked goods and if thats not enough, there will also be a cafe.

What can us lunchers expect? During the week, it will be open from 7am to 10pm, with lunch served daily starting at 11. According to their management, the cafe will offer sandwiches, salads, pizza, pasta, cheese, charcuterie, pastries, bread and coffee. I am keeping my fingers crossed for some under $10 lunches for us!

In a Meal Ticket interview, Garces said he was expecting to open November 15th. Now they say they are opening February 8^th… what do you think from these photos? Will they be up and running by then?

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