Bar Volver, the swanky sideshow to Jose Garces’ big ticket dining spectacular, Volver, opens Wednesday, April 9 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Like the main act it supports, the tony 40-seat space where the Iron Chef will stage his limited engagement dinners for ticket holders, the bar puts forth an air of sophistication that’s inspired by his globe-trotting culinary adventures.

But unlike that posh dining room, which can cost as much as $250 for a prix fixe dinner, the bar will be open to walk-ins, and small plates and drinks will be available a la carte.

In the run-up to the opening, Drink Philly caught up with sommelier Gordana Kostovski, sommelier for Bar Volver, to learn a little more about what to expect.

A big emphasis is being placed on sparkling wines. Kostovski told us Bar Volver will have upwards of a dozen different bubbly varietals, including classic French champagnes, several growers Champagnes, Spanish Cava, sparkling roses, and American sparkling wines. In addition to the fizzies and sparklers, the bar will offer 12 red wines, 8 whites, five dessert wines as well as a wide range of Ports, Madeiras and Sherries.

To develop the cocktail list, Kostovski hired mixologist Scott Rodrigue, who created a tight list of nine seasonal cocktails. Among them are a Smoked Marcona Old Fashioned, which incorporates smoke from a torched plank of alder wood, housemade marcona bitters and bonded whiskey. Another, the Mission Margarita, is made with Milagro Reposado Tequila, fig jam and fresh lime juice. The Chile Basil Smash, features London dry gin, basil, fresh lime juice and just a few drops of housemade tomato chile oil floated on the surface. All nine drinks riff on classic cocktails.

Beers include a Gose from Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof that’s brewed with coriander and salt, Smisje Catherine The Great Imperial Stout Beer, and Ichtegem’s Grand Cru Flemish Red Ale.

The edible offerings at Bar Volver include three different types of caviar, oysters, three tartare options, brochettes, house-cured charcuterie and cheeses.

After you finsih clicking through our photos, check out Volver's trailer below. 

Volver, 300 S. Broad Street, 215-670-2303, philadelphia.volverrestaurant.com

Photos: Drink Philly