Iron Chef Jose Garces Plans To Open Spanish Tapas Restaurant In Radnor

RADNOR, PA— James Beard Award Winning Iron Chef Jose Garces Monday announced plans to expand one his most beloved restaurant concepts to Radnor Township.

Last week, Garces opened a casual restaurant, Buena Onda, on North Radnor-Chester Road in Radnor Township.

Early next year, Garces plans to open a more upscale restaurant, a Radnor outpost of Amada, one of his flagship restaurants at 555 E. Lancaster Ave.

"We are thrilled to expand our relationship with the Main Line,” Garces said. “The reception we have gotten in two weeks since we opened Buena Onda has been amazing.

“We can't wait to meet even more foodies and get even more involved in our new community as we open our doors next year."

The restaurants will be located just a few hundred feet away from each other and together they will be a win-win for local foodies with options for fast casual to elevated fine dining.

Named after his grandmother who ignited Garces’ love for the kitchen at a young age, Amada was Garces’ first solo venture, which won him the James Beard Award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic.

Garces’ modern take on Spanish tapas began in 2005 as one of when he went out on his own.

Now, 15 years later, Garces brings Amada to the Philadelphia suburbs.

The restaurant will feature 7,000 square feet of space for indoor and outdoor dining, with seating for an estimated 200+ guests, two outdoor patios, a private dining room for 45 people and a newly renovated bar that will seat around 25.

Amada will feature an expanded selection of Amada's signature Spanish tapas (Tortilla Española, Wagyu Brochettes, Amada's Empanadas), Cochinillo Asado (a whole roasted suckling pig) and Paella Valenciana (rabbit and chorizo paella), plus new dishes exclusive to Radnor developed for the on-site wood fired oven.

From the bar, Amada’s wine program exclusively features wines from Spain with over 100 selections from both popular and emerging regions in the country, plus cocktails inspired by Spanish ingredients, and Red and White Sangria.

The menu will also feature brand new dishes exclusive to Radnor that incorporate the on-site wood fired oven. Garces said.

"One of the most exciting aspects of this upcoming opening is that we’re outfitting the kitchen with a wood-fired oven from Mibrasa, charcoal ovens used by the top chefs in Spain for years, which allows for a whole new set of culinary possibilities within the space,” Garces said.