The Happiest Hours on Earth

Garces Doubles Down on Chestnut Street’s Happy Hour Action

At Amada in Old City, the Iron Chef hams it up.
At Amada in Old City, the Iron Chef hams it up. Photo: Jason Varney

Jose Garces is upping the happy hour ante on Chestnut Street this fall, rolling out new menus, and food and drink deals at two of his popular restaurants, which, conveniently enough, are spaced just a few blocks from each other. At his Latin-Asian hybrid, Chifa, the Iron Chef has rolled out a Dim Sum deal that’s avaialble every Monday through Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m. It includes reduced prices ($3 to $4) on select local and Peruvian beers, $5 wines by the glass, and $6 signature cocktails. There’s also bunch of Dim Sum dishes being offered at $3 a pop. At his Old City flagship, Amada, Garces has introduced some similar happy hour incentives.

At Amada, Yards and Spanish import Estrella drafts are going for $3.50, house sangria $5, wines by the glass $6, and signature cocktails $8. Like its Peruvian-Chino sister up the block, the Spanish restaurant also has happy hour deals on food. Unlike Chifa though, Amada’s happy hour only runs Wednesdays through Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m.

Chifa’s happy hour offers Dim Sum dishes like pork belly buns with hoisin glaze, pickled daikon and carrot and togarashi mayo; duck tacos with duck confit, house kimchi, sliced radish and flour tortillas and Aji de Gallina wonton, braised chicken with walnuts and purple olives, all for $3 a piece. A Pu Pu Platter, with four chef-selected Dim Sum plates, is also available for $10.

Amada’s happy hour tapas include patatas bravas, spicy potatoes; artisanal Spanish olives; Gambas al Ajillo, garlic shrimp; Tortilla Española, Spanish tortilla with saffron aioli; chorizo a la plancha with garlic, lemon and parsley; croquetas de jamon, Serrano ham croquettes; and Coca de Setas, flatbread topped with wild mushrooms and Manchego cheese. All of which range in price from $2.50 to $4.50.

Garces Doubles Down on Chestnut Street’s Happy Hour Action