On the heels of Valentine's Day, chef/owner Jose Garces will open Garces Trading Company, 1111 Locust Street, Philadelphia, his latest venture and sixth location in Philadelphia, as a gourmet market and café, adjacent to the city's Gayborhood, on February 16.

The multi-purpose space will feature a host of house-made and imported foods under the Garces Trading Company label, as well as Chef Garces' award-winning cuisine, available for eat-in or take-out, in addition to a flower shop, an on-site bakery, private label olive oils and vinegars, Chef Garces' signature coffee and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's first wine boutique, distinguishing it as the city's only all-in-one culinary destination.

"I want Garces Trading Company to be a first for Philadelphia: perfect for a quick bite or a casual meal at any time of day, from breakfast until night," said Garces who was recently named one of Food Network's Iron Chefs and owns Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Chifa and Village Whiskey restaurants.

Highlights of Garces' lunch and dinner menu will include European fare such as a variety of pastas such as Pappardelle with lamb ragu, sun choke puree and piavecchio and Tuscan Fusilli alla Carbonara with guanciale, eggs, black pepper and pecorino;  thin crust and deep dish pizzas (Chef Garces hails from Chicago);  and daily changing plats du jour such as Coq au Vin, with pearl onions, mushrooms and potatoes on Mondays and Bouillabaisse with gambas, halibut, mussels, cockles and saffron ruille on Thursdays.

Working with his longtime collaborator, Jun Aizaki, of New York-based Crème Design Collective, Garces has envisioned the restaurant and market to seat 75 diners at high-top, butcher block tables, while guests browse the wares surrounding the central dining area.

A florist stall, wine shop, coffee counter, bakery and cheese and charcuterie seller will ring the u-shaped space much like an outdoor market in Europe, framing the tables with delectable displays of their wares that include hanging cured meats and cheeses, sprays of blossoms and cases of wine.

Hours will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.  The full service cafe will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.  The Wine Shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 215.574.1099; or visit garcestradingcompany.com

How's this for a recession-proof meal deal?  Lunch is currently being offered at the upscale Union Trust Philadelphia Steakhouse, 717 Chestnut Street, for only $7.17 per person. The specially priced selection of lunch items will include the Union Trust signature Kobe burger, crispy calamari with sweet and spicy citrus dressing and hot Italian ham and cheese sandwich.

The menu is available to diners, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

It's a great opportunity to impress your business clients, your friends or that someone special who you've wanted to give the "wow" factor to because Union Trust's ambiance is awesome!

For more information, call 215.925.6000; or visit uniontruststeakhouse.com

It's definitely well worth the trip, even in the cold weather, Rat's Restaurant at Grounds For Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, in Hamilton, New Jersey, for Spanish Wine Dinner, created by Executive Chef Kevin Sbraga, 6 p.m., February 25, $85 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Sbraga's inspired menu will begin with a selection of Spanish-inspired tapas:  Pan con Tomate (toasted bread with tomatoes, garlic and Manchego cheese); Jamon con Melon (Spanish ham and melon); Tortillas with egg, potato and onion pinxto; and Tigres (mussels in a spicy tomato sauce), and all paired with Cava.

Diners will be offered an impressive selection of entrees including a Pulpo en Escabeche (grilled octopus, capers, lemon, potatoes, and smoked paprika) paired with a 2007 Morgadio Rias Baixas from the Northwest corner of the Spain. Chef Sbraga will also serve a Conejo con Castanas (braised rabbit with chestnuts, figs, fennel and sherry) and a Chuleto de Cerdo (pork chop with green onions, romseco, chorizo, and morel mushrooms), and paired, respectively, with a 2007 Muret Granacha and Condado de Haza.

For a sweet finale, Sbarga's menu will offer diners Cana de Cabra featuring apples in a spiced honey drizzle paired with a 2004 Pedro Ximinez 2004 vintage.

Outside the restaurant, Grounds For Sculpture is a whimsical thirty-five acre sculpture garden and arboretum on the former site of the New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Founded by Seward Johnson in 1992 to promote an understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture, the park features more than 250 contemporary sculptures, and two 10,000 square foot museum galleries with rotating exhibits.

Currently, there is a special retrospective of the Philadelphia-born sculptor, "Albert Paley: Dialogue with Steel," through April 18.

For more information, call 609.584.7800; or visit groundsforsculpture.org

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