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Le Bec Fin - Philadelphia?

post #1 of 43
2/15/09 at 7:12pm
Thread Starter 
Has anyone been recently - its been many years since I was there last, and I expect to been in town end of Feb, was thinking about returning and wondering if its still as good?
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post #2 of 43
2/15/09 at 7:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccc123 View Post
Has anyone been recently - its been many years since I was there last, and I expect to been in town end of Feb, was thinking about returning and wondering if its still as good?

Didn't they recently abandon the tasting menu and dress code, going more relaxed with an a la carte menu?
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post #3 of 43
2/15/09 at 9:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roikins View Post
Didn't they recently abandon the tasting menu and dress code, going more relaxed with an a la carte menu?

Yes they have the a la carte menu but still have the prix fixe options. Last time I was there in December there was still a dress code that was enforced.
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post #4 of 43
2/16/09 at 12:42am
dress code as in a jacket and a tie? I thought since its a la carte its more casual, meaning you can wear jeans.

anyway, for the price that you are paying. I would like to try vetri on weekday over their tasting menu on the weekend.
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post #5 of 43
2/16/09 at 1:03am
I was there for restaurant week recently. I went with jacket and trousers, no tie. I liked it, but i felt like they were pulling their punches for the crowd and I'd like to try it again on a more typical occasion. Let me also suggest Amada - I had an amazing meal there. (Let me a take a second to tout the Philly restaurant scene for those who don't know. Per capita, I think it beats the pants off NYC and you can eat very well for far less. Maybe not at Le Bec, but still
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post #6 of 43
2/16/09 at 12:28pm
Rmember when the chef cut off part of his finger in the food processor!?
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post #7 of 43
2/16/09 at 2:24pm
Le Bec Fin remains a temple of French cooking. George Perrier's empire has shrunk a bit, so he's more focused on LBF.

I also recommend Lacroix at the Rittenhouse Hotel. I prefer it to LBF, but it's strictly a personal preference.

Vetri is probably my favorite Philly restaurant at that level. It's much more intimate (a few dozen seats) and the service is terrific without being pretentious. I would skip Vetri's other restaurant, Osteria, due to the overall atmosphere. I go there only for the pizza.
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post #8 of 43
2/16/09 at 2:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by philosophe View Post
George Perrier's empire has shrunk a bit, so he's more focused on LBF.

True. It's a damn shame he closed Brasserie.
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post #9 of 43
2/16/09 at 3:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by philosophe View Post
Le Bec Fin remains a temple of French cooking. George Perrier's empire has shrunk a bit, so he's more focused on LBF.

I also recommend Lacroix at the Rittenhouse Hotel. I prefer it to LBF, but it's strictly a personal preference.

Vetri is probably my favorite Philly restaurant at that level. It's much more intimate (a few dozen seats) and the service is terrific without being pretentious. I would skip Vetri's other restaurant, Osteria, due to the overall atmosphere. I go there only for the pizza.

I'll be staying at the Rittenhouse so perhaps I'll try Lacroix
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post #10 of 43
2/16/09 at 6:47pm
I went in October. Before that I went a few times in the late 90s. Back then - going to Le Bec Fin was like going on vacation - a truly special dining experience. Now its like going to any other (great) French restaurant. Unbelivebale but not special if that makes sense.
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post #11 of 43
2/16/09 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccc123 View Post
I'll be staying at the Rittenhouse so perhaps I'll try Lacroix

Definitely do - Lacroix is excellent and better than Le Bec Fin imo.
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post #12 of 43
2/16/09 at 8:40pm
I mentioned this in another thread, but the Bar downstairs has awesome brasserie fare, does not require a jacket, and costs significantly less.
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post #13 of 43
3/1/09 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 
just came back from a weekend in Philly, went to lacroix both for dinner and Sunday brunch - I wasn't going to go back for Sunday but so many people were raving about how wonderful it is.

Both dinner and brunch were OK, service was mediocre. meal and brunch visual presentation were good, but no flavor to anything - Duck overcooked, I did say something, Kobe beef tartar - no flavor - zero! Vanilla offerings for desert, over chilled, bland.

I should have stayed with my first choice of Le Bec Fin.
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post #14 of 43
3/2/09 at 12:59pm
I'm sorry and surprised to hear that Lacroix was a bust. I've not had a bad meal or bad service there ever.

Next time try Vetri for dinner. The spinach gnocchi are to die for.
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post #15 of 43
3/2/09 at 4:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by philosophe View Post
I'm sorry and surprised to hear that Lacroix was a bust. I've not had a bad meal or bad service there ever.

Next time try Vetri for dinner. The spinach gnocchi are to die for.

Thanks for the tip, I'll try Vetri in April - I expect to be back for buisness.
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