The latest on Garces Trading Co.'s liquor license and reservation plans

Whether you read it on a receipt (dag Brownstoner) or saw a sign on the door indicating it would soon start taking reservations, Garces Trading Co. (1111 Locust St.) has been feeling the heat beyond just what exec chef Adam DeLosso's been cooking, beyond even the headache that is the PLCB lawsuit. "Everyone forgets that we have nothing to do with the PLCB problem," says DeLosso. "The PLCB only leases space from us. When [they] stop selling liquor at 5 p.m. on a Sunday, people who came unprepared for BYOB get mad at me. But that's the law." That said, GTC's recent application for its own liquor license, plus the impending reservation policy, have some wondering whether the spot is poised to shift from a casual prepared-foods market/BYOB eatery into a more formal restaurant. DeLosso, though, says the impending reservations policy is purely operational. "The problem that we've heard most from our constituents is that it takes too long to get seated, and they're never guaranteed a seat when they get here," says the chef, noting that with theater season coming, big groups will be clamoring for exact times. He'd like to accommodate that audience. "People with six to 12 diners can never get in here. People who come here and are told there is an hour or so wait - they go somewhere else." So GTC will have reservations, along with keeping a few select tables (no idea how many yet) open for walk-ins. As for the liquor license - they want the ability to serve wine by the glass ("if you don't feel like having to buy a whole bottle"), beers and pitcher drinks like vodka-spiked rosemary lemonade, margaritas, sangria and mojitos. The market-style approach is not changing - the reason GTC has been participating in farmers markets at The Piazza and Headhouse Square is to better promote their wares. So the Trading Company is not converting into an operation similar to Garces' other spaces - they just want to make it easier for diners to know there's space for them when they come. That's good, as I can never get a seat when I'm just roaming around the area.

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The latest on Garces Trading Co.'s liquor license and reservation plans

POSTED: Wednesday, September 8, 2010, 6:25 PM

Filed Under: Booze | Food News

Whether you read it on a receipt (dag Brownstoner) or saw a sign on the door indicating it would soon start taking reservations, Garces Trading Co. (1111 Locust St.) has been feeling the heat beyond just what exec chef Adam DeLossos been cooking, beyond even the headache that is the PLCB lawsuit. "Everyone forgets that we have nothing to do with the PLCB problem," says DeLosso. "The PLCB only leases space from us. When [they] stop selling liquor at 5 p.m. on a Sunday, people who came unprepared for BYOB get mad at me. But thats the law." That said, GTCs recent application for its own liquor license, plus the impending reservation policy, have some wondering whether the spot is poised to shift from a casual prepared-foods market/BYOB eatery into a more formal restaurant. DeLosso, though, says the impending reservations policy is purely operational. "The problem that weve heard most from our constituents is that it takes too long to get seated, and theyre never guaranteed a seat when they get here," says the chef, noting that with theater season coming, big groups will be clamoring for exact times. Hed like to accommodate that audience. "People with six to 12 diners can never get in here. People who come here and are told there is an hour or so wait they go somewhere else." So GTC will have reservations, along with keeping a few select tables (no idea how many yet) open for walk-ins. As for the liquor license they want the ability to serve wine by the glass ("if you dont feel like having to buy a whole bottle"), beers and pitcher drinks like vodka-spiked rosemary lemonade, margaritas, sangria and mojitos. The market-style approach is not changing the reason GTC has been participating in farmers markets at The Piazza and Headhouse Square is to better promote their wares. So the Trading Company is not converting into an operation similar to Garces' other spaces they just want to make it easier for diners to know there's space for them when they come. Thats good, as I can never get a seat when Im just roaming around the area.

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