Celebrity Chef Opens Bucks Co. Restaurant: See Inside

NEW HOPE, PA — Celebrity chef Jose Garces has officially opened his Bucks County restaurant.

Stella by Jose Garces opened for business on Saturday. It is located in the renovated Ghost Light Inn, which is adjacent to the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope.

Garces, who won the second season of The Next Iron Chef, now operates more than a dozen restaurants throughout the region. His latest venture is a small plates restaurant, with a menu inspired by offerings from local artisans and farmers.

The restaurant features a 65-seat dining room, a 40-seat patio with river views, a 12-seat bar, plus an event space for up to 150 guests.

Here is a look at the new restaurant:

The menu features dishes crafted with ingredients from the region’s best farmers and artisans, but Garces, a James Beard winner, adds his culinary twist.

Menu items include spreads on house griddled sourdough bread, small plates, and entrees featuring seafood, pork chops, steak, chicken, and more.

Here's a look at some of the dishes:

To drink, the restaurant offers a selection of American-focused wines as well as a specialty cocktail list with names inspired by theater, including the Break a Leg (bourbon, lemon, honey, raspberry) and the Preshow (prosecco, aperol, grapefruit, basil).

For dessert, offerings include "Stella Sundae" — dark chocolate brownies, brown butter & pecan ice cream, salted bourbon caramel, and kettle corn — among others.

You can see the full menu here.

Garces, who maintains a weekend home in Bucks County, said the area is an inspiration to him. In addition to operating restaurants in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, he owns a 40-acre organic farm in Bucks County.

"The fresh air, natural beauty, and the quiet return to nature have always been sources of inspiration to me while spending time in Bucks County. My team and I are challenging each other to create new experiences with the fresh products coming out of this beautiful corner of the world, while also shining a spotlight on the local food artisans and producers,” Garces said in a statement.

Garces shared a welcome video on the restaurant's Facebook page, asking fans to come visit the restaurant in "beautiful New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania."

"This place is gorgeous," he added.

Stella is located at 50 South Main Street, New Hope.