Le Bec Fin - Philadelphia?

[ccc123]

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?

 

[Roikins]

Originally Posted by ccc123

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?

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by Roikins

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.

 

[mellowfellow]

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.

 

[samus]

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

 

[romafan]

Rmember when the chef cut off part of his finger in the food processor!?

 

[philosophe]

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.

 

[samus]

Originally Posted by philosophe

George Perrier's empire has shrunk a bit, so he's more focused on LBF.

True. It's a damn shame he closed Brasserie.

 

[ccc123]

Originally Posted by philosophe

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

 

[rajesh06]

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.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by ccc123

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.

 

[ChicagoRon]

I mentioned this in another thread, but the Bar downstairs has awesome brasserie fare, does not require a jacket, and costs significantly less.

 

[ccc123]

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.

 

[philosophe]

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.

 

[ccc123]

Originally Posted by philosophe

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.