Philadelphia chef Jose Garces is hopping on the tickets trend. His upcoming restaurant Volvér — one of the most anticipated restaurants of 2014 — doesn't have a set an exact opening date yet (reps say April), but Eater Philly reports the restaurant will start selling tickets on March 12. According to the Volvér announcement (pdf), the restaurant will be the first in Philly to use a pre-paid ticketing system in place of reservations. The ticket will include the price of the chosen tasting menu (ranging from $75 - $250 per person), sparkling and still water, a 20% service charge, plus tax. Customers will be able to purchase tickets up to 60 days in advance, with new tickets released every 30 days.
The prepaid ticketing system has been gaining traction at tasting menu-focused restaurants. Last year chefs Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook, and Vinny Dotolo opened their LA restaurant Trois Mec using Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas' ticketing system from thier Chicago restaurants Next and Alinea. Iliana Regan of Elizabeth in Chicago also uses the Achatz/Kokonas system. Eater has reached out the Volvér team to find out which system they are using and has not heard back yet.
· Volver Unveils Plans for Ticketed Dining [Eater Philly]
· Iron Chef Jose Garces Debuts Ticketed Dining at Volvér [Volver]
· All Tickets Coverage on Eater [-E-]