Parc at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia has been on my need-to-go list for months now, and I finally made it for brunch yesterday.
It has a great location on S. 18th facing the Park, in the restaurant row that also includes Rouge and Devon. The space is huge (think at least 3x as large as Balthazar) and is nicely done in that vintage bistro style: tile floors, pressed tin ceiling with aged patina, distressed mirrors on walls, trestle tables, mixed up chairs, white marble etc. etc. It looks great, but I think due to the huge size I felt that there was just a little something missing or off, design-wise. Overall though I was impressed with the attention to detail in the decor, our waiter mentioned that they even had faux European style electrical outlets!
Our table was a 4-top near the French doors that were opened up to the sidewalk tables. The service was fast, friendly and competent (same as I've experienced at all Stephen Starr restaurants). The brunch menu has the expected types of French bistro classics: salad nicoise with seared fresh tuna, moules frites, steak frites, croque madame and also some of the more traditonal breakfast-y types of things like pancakes, frech toast and omlettes. The bread basket is a SUBLIME experience with house baked breads: baguette, country wheat and a dark fruit nut bread. I am a total baguette snob since I studied in Paris during college and I found theirs to be very authentic: crisp outside; tender, moist and chewy inside. We started with mimosas and shared the pissaladiere appetizer (onion tart with goat cheese, anchovies and black olives). It was served on a rustic wood cutting board with some nicely dressed mesclun greens piled up on one end. I think this was the best pissaladiere I've ever had - perfect combination of flavors! The mimosas were heavy on the sparkling, not the OJ. I had the nicoise salad which included seared tuna and also the Italian style cooked tuna (that comes packed in olive oil), haricot verts, shaved fennel, fingerling potatoes, abundant black olives, hard boiled egg, tomatos and a combination of greens. The portion was rather huge. It was very good. My boyfriend had the "steak and eggs" which includes not mere steak but a petit filet mignon. And he got his eggs scrambled with the fines herbs. He mentioned that the filet was not as big as it had been on previous visits but it was still a nice quality piece of meat and the herbed eggs were quite good. The dessert list is cruelly compelling (as if anyone needs dessert after how good the bread and everything else are) with French bistro classics like tarte tatin, profiteroles, pot de creme, creme brulee....
On the way out, you can pick up a baguette to go for $3. They plan to open a small take out bakery soon to sell all of their breads.
I also didn't mention that their bar is huge, which is nice for people who like to dine at the bar. And the outdoor seating very plentiful. I can't wait to go back for dinner. Their dinner menu has two of my favorites: trout amandine and branzino. (what is missing however is a classic endive salad with walnuts and roquefort, and provencal fish soup)
When I first got to know Philadelphia about two years ago I couldn't believe that they didn't have a great French bistro... I thought it was pretty obvious if anyone could duplicate a Balthazar-like experience in Philly, it couldn't lose. Well, now it's done! Yay!
A couple more images from the Parc website:
Parc Restaurant Bistro & Cafe
227 S. 18th Street, Philadelphia
Tel: 215-545-2262
My Rating: Very Good
