On November 8th Chef Jose Garces announced the opening of 24 Wood Fired Fare. Chef Garces and his team built this restaurant with the neighborhood’s needs in mind, offering a casual eatery with Garces’ signature brand of Latin-Inspired hospitality. The menu focuses on wood-fired pizza, and small plates featuring pasta and other Italian inspired dishes. Happy hour and dinner is now offered with breakfast, lunch and coffee beginning on Saturday, November 12.
For breakfast they will be opening at 7:00 am with counter service of Garces Trading Company coffees, freshly baked pastries and healthy grab-and-go breakfast options, including fresh cold pressed juices. Lunch service starts at 11:30 am. The bar at 24 will host a daily “Aperitivo Time” happy hour from 4:30-6:30 pm. including special offerings from 12 wines by the glass, 38 wines by the bottle, 20 craft beers, seasonal cocktails, bar snacks and complimentary small plates. Dinner will be served from 5:00-10:00 pm. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.
Start off with some Formaggi, choose one or all of them with the Chef’s Selection including Bianco Sardo, Goat’s Milk Taleggio, and Castelrosso. If you’re in the mood for Salumi you can try one or the Chef’s Selection with Coppa, Bresaola, and Mortadella.
Antipasti dishes are plentiful with options like Roasted Beets with hazelnut, dried plum, oregano, and ricotta salata; Roasted Peppers with currants, pine nuts, mizuna, and goat cheese; and Polpetti made with duck, basil, asiago fonduta, chianti onions, and pistachio.
Of course the star of the show for us is the pizza! These pies are the perfectly balanced with soft center and thin crispy crust. You can’t go wrong with classic Margarita topped with san marzano tomato, fior de latte, and basil. What we really love though is the creative and other unique pies offered like Clam topped with kale, garlic, calabrian chile, and scallion; Cauliflower with scmorza, shishito escabeche, red onion, and pancetta; or Lamb Sausage with fennel, castelvertano olives, and fresh mozzarella. Stop by happy hour for some discounted pies too!
“We hope 24 becomes the perfect destination for workers, families, students and visitors from Rittenhouse, Fitler and Logan Squares, as well as University City.” said Chef Garces. Jose Garces’ recent trip to Tuscany inspired him. “I spent time this past summer traveling through the Italian countryside. I had spectacular, simple and hearty meals. The ability of the wood fire oven to create incredible flavors in simple ingredients is the culinary foundation for 24.”
The restaurant can host over 100 guests indoors, with an additional 40 seats on the patio. The design comes from Carl Massara and Associates, featuring a modern industrial feel, with reclaimed wood and deep wine and chocolate tones. The entire restaurant is bathed in natural light from floor to ceiling windows, with exposed ceilings and polished concrete floors. The Carrera marble topped bar seats 30 while capped in barrel panels and accented with red wood counter seating. Black leather banquettes are individually lit by custom iron light fixtures, and vintage white aluminum pendant lights, exposed ductwork, and original mushroom concrete columns punctuate the space. The western side of the restaurant also features an outdoor deck overlooking the Schuylkill River. Parking is also provided by Parkway Corporation with access from 24th and Sansom Streets.
The restaurant is located inside the eight-story green building at 2401 Walnut Street. This building is also home to Garces’ offices and Estudio, the kitchen workshop used by Jose Garces and his team for all culinary development and chef training. Estudio will be introducing public tasting events, cooking classes and other events that will be held in the attached 20-seat private dining room. 24 and Estudio are available for private events.
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