Opening Today: Garces Trading Company

BY ASHLEY PRIMIS

What It Is: The newest venture from the Iron Chef (his 6th) has Jose’s food for eat-in or takeout and a very market-like atmosphere. There’s an onsite bakery, flower shop, oil and vinegar station, coffee station, cheese shop, and most notably the PLCB’s first boutique wine shop (a collaboration we first told you about here).

Space: Designed by longtime Garces designer Jun Aizaki, there are high-top butcher-block tables (enough for about 75 people) in the center of the U-shaped space. The florist stall, wine shop, coffee counter, bakery, and cheese and charcuterie stations will line the sides. (See our exclusive slideshow of the interior and offerings here.)

The Food: At the cheese counter, you’ll find free samples and things to compliment the formage like fig and cherry marmalade. Look for the GTC at Home line, which will offering easy to reheat prepared meals (they are sealed in plastic, you just plop them in boiling water to reheat. Seriously!). Personally, I want one of the sandwiches on house-braked bread with house-cured meats. (Are you getting the theme here? Everything is made in-house.) Eat-in dinner and lunch options include pasta, thin and deep-dish pizzas and daily-changing specials.

The Wine: The state is leasing their share of the space from Garces and will sell over 200 wines and spirits with a strong focus on Italian, Spanish and French bottles.

Hours: Hungry yet? It’s open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Location: 1111 Locust Street; 215-574-1099.