Table for Two (and then some): "Marriage is the perfection of what love aimed at, ignorant of what it sought."

Lately we have been surrounded by budding marriages. Not only only are the plans for my brother-in-law's wedding in full swing, but one of my best gal pals, MMA, is recently engaged.

[a picture taken of the happy couple by a bystander immediately after they got engaged]

To celebrate, B and I went with them to Garces Trading Co. for dinner last weekend. Garces Trading Co. is modeled as a market, selling food, alcohol, and retail kitchen wares, with a restaurant in the center. Although they sell alcohol, you can also opt to bring your own (no need to worry about bringing an extra bottle of wine just in case, they've got you covered).

We started with the chef's selection of charcuterie and an order of baby artichokes for the table

All of the meats on the charcuterie plate were fantastic, especially the foie gras mousse (pictured in the center) and the sausage with cherry jam (pictured in the front), and the artichokes were similarly delicious. Preserved in lemon and served with honey, dates, and walnuts they were perfectly meaty and tender. Yum.

For dinner MMA and I split the lyonnaise duck salad and the pappardelle pasta with lamb ragu.

The lyonnaise duck salad was duck confit and bacon lardons served over arugula salad dressed with mustard vinaigrette and topped with a perfectly poached egg (unfortunately it was so delicious we dug in before I could snap a photo). The pappardelle was tossed with the lamb ragu, peas, and sunchoke puree and topped with grated cheese. Both were great, and the salad and pasta combo was the perfect meal for two.

The guys split the deep dish pizza.

It takes 45 minutes to cook, so be sure to order as soon as you sit down, but it is well worth the weight. The tomatoes are as fresh as can be and the crust is crunchy yet soft all at once. I couldn't help but snag multiple "tastes" from B's plate.

It was the perfect celebratory meal, and I could not be happier for MMA!

[us at the end of dinner]

After dinner at Garces, B and I headed to a welcome party at Black Sheep to kick off the wedding of one of our college friends, JCM.

After drinks and catching up Friday night, we were geared up for Saturday's wedding festivities. The ceremony, held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Philadelphia, was absolutely beautiful.