SL GoldenForks2019 - FINAL - BOLDER_SJM Feature 2 / 13 / 19 4 : 20 PM Page 4 ? ? A Full Plate While refining the menus and guest experiences of every restaurant he touches , Jose Garces readies to open a new concept in New Hope . Jose Garces is a happy man . Happier than he’s been in a while , he might admit . One reason : He has returned to his roots , with his sights set squarely on the food . In a way , 2019 represents a fresh start for Garces . After a turbulent period , during which he endured financial woes and the sale of his restaurant group , he linked arms with the founders of Ballard Brands , among others , to form IdEATion Hospitality . In his new role as chief culinary officer , he is focusing on “ chef - driven culinary experi - ences ” within a family of restaurants that includes Philadelphia’s Amada , Buena Onda , tion , the itinerary will likely include visits Distrito , JG Domestic , The Olde Bar , Tinto , to key cultural festivals , public markets , Village Whiskey , and Volvér . and more intimate experiences , such as “ This is truly an exciting time in my meals in the homes of locals . career , to have that ability to just think about “ It’s all about growing and learning , ” he food , ” he says . “ My focus is clearly on menu says . “ It would be boring otherwise . I love development , food engineering , and working the exploration — that’s the whole joy of with our chefs and our staff . That’s where I being in this field , of being a chef . I’ve lived hang my hat . That’s my passion . It’s where I in Philly for 18 years . … You have to keep started in this business . I think the end user is recreating yourself and stay in touch with really going to see the results . ” what’s happening . ” At Tinto in Rittenhouse Square , for Growth is on the horizon . While he has example , he recently rolled out a new menu — made his bones in Philadelphia , he will the most ambitious update since the restau - soon export his culinary talents to nearby rant opened more than a decade ago . Some of Bucks County with the opening of a new the new items he’s most excited about : restaurant concept in New Hope , near the bocadillo de calamari ( fried calamari sand - iconic Bucks County Playhouse . The wich ) ; Canelones de pato ( duck cannelloni ) ; restaurant will feature American small gambas en chocolate ( shrimp in a mole - like plates , he says , though he would rather not chocolate sauce ) ; and monkfish con alcachofas share the name just yet . SPANISH MUSSELS AT TINTO ( spiced monkfish with artichokes ) . “ I’m excited about getting a great “ Tradition and authenticity are so important when we’re com - result , ” he says . “ Any time you do one of these , they’re a lot of municating cuisine , ” he says . “ They tell a story , and they educate . … work . We’ve been focused on a few other aspects as part of our ity Philadelphia is a town that loves authenticity ; they don’t want BS . growth strategy , but [ New Hope ] is the immediate . If that’s pital2019 So that’s why , whether we’re doing a Cuban diner or our Mexican and there’s nothing crazy out of the box , that’s OK . ” Hos cantina , it’s all about the research and development , and bringing While he looks forward , he also has an eye in the rearview Tion that authentic flavor to Philly . ” IdEAmirror . His immediate goal : to refocus and revamp the menus of every “ My life is less complicated today than it was two years ago , ofa sy restaurant in the family , so to speak . To do so , he considers cultural year ago , ” he says . “ I have to dig deep to not make it any urte immersion a necessity — traveling to different parts of the world to more complicated . … My kids are at a crucial operiod — I c s h spend time with local people , taste local flavors , etc . This year , he have a 16 - year - old and a 12 - year old — so I have to grap intends to visit Spain , Brooklyn , and Oaxaca , Mexico , for example , make sure I carve out time to make an impact on hoto as well as Chicago , where he was born and raised . At each destina - them . I think that helps to guide everything Pelse . ” S U B U R B A N L I F E M A G A Z I N E ? F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 ? S U B U R B A N L I F E M A G A Z I N E . C O M ? 4 5