Volvér, the distinguished restaurant led by celebrity chef Jose Garces within the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, is set to close its doors this summer as its 10-year lease comes to an end in June. Since its inception in 2014, Volvér has not only been a culinary highlight of the Philadelphia dining scene but also a mainstay for those attending performances at the Kimmel Center, home to the Philadelphia Orchestra among other musical groups.

Chef Garces' creation has been celebrated for its innovative approach to dining, offering a dynamic tasting menu that showcased the chef's culinary prowess alongside an upscale bar serving meticulously crafted small plates. The restaurant also gained recognition for its chef-in-residency program, which spotlighted the talents of local chefs, further cementing its status as a culinary incubator within the city.

However, the journey of Volvér within the Kimmel Center is drawing to a close due to the conclusion of its lease. A representative for Ideation Hospitality, a division of Ballard Brands which oversees Garces' restaurant ventures, confirmed the closure, marking the end of a chapter for the venue's primary dining option. This follows the earlier closure of Garces Trading Co., a café and market concept by Garces that shut down in January at the Kimmel Center, after determining the location was not sustainable. Yet, Garces' culinary footprint remains strong in Philadelphia, with another Garces Trading Co. established at the Cira Center in University City two years prior.

Ensemble Arts Philly, the organization behind the Kimmel Center and Miller Theater, has assured that plans to introduce a new dining experience to replace Volvér will be unveiled in the forthcoming months. This change signals a new era for the performing arts venue as it continues to evolve its offerings to patrons.

In the meantime, Garces Events will relocate from the Kimmel Center to the historic Bookbinder's building at 125 Walnut St. in Old City, ensuring that Garces' influence on Philadelphia's event scene endures.

The closure of Volvér comes after the Garces Group faced financial challenges, leading to its acquisition by Ballard Brands following a bankruptcy declaration in 2018. Despite these setbacks, Jose Garces continues to be a pivotal figure in Philadelphia's culinary landscape, with successful establishments like Amada, Village Whisky, and Buena Onda. The latter, a taco shop with multiple locations in Philadelphia and one in Radnor, is poised for expansion into Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., as part of a national franchising initiative.

As Volvér prepares to bid farewell, its legacy of innovation and culinary excellence will undoubtedly live on, both in the memories of its patrons and through the ongoing ventures of Chef Jose Garces.