Parc Brasserie

Parc has been around since 2008, so in restaurant years, it’s f*cking ancient. In the early aughts, the Rittenhouse restaurant was the place to see and be seen, and the food and service matched its unparalleled ambiance. 

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

Well, things have changed. The city’s restaurant scene has exploded, the Phillies aren’t the new World Series champs, and Tom Cruise is no longer welcome on Oprah’s couch. Parc is still around, but much like Paris Hilton, has lost its vice grip on our collective consciousness. While the food is still good and it still looks like an Epcot-version of a French bistro, the shine has worn off and it doesn’t feel all that exciting to visit. 

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

At this point, Parc has essentially fused into Rittenhouse Square’s permanent architecture. It still has the same white-tiled walls, the same oversized mirrors, and it’s still playing the same accordion-heavy French café music that makes you feel like you’re dining in a Nancy Meyers movie. It still has some of the best sidewalk seating in the city and great views of the square (if you’re in the mood to watch people walking their dogs who look just like them, this is the place to be). When it’s nice outside, there’s always a glut of people clogging up the corner, vying for one of the 18th Street seats. But the best seat in the house is a cozy two-top by the windows, sharing the fantastic housemade bread and a tray of oysters while watching the groups of every age and ilk come and go through the double doors.

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

Sure, the menu invariably reads like the first search result for “French bistro,” and it’s about as exciting as hearing someone else’s dream. But everything is solid, and there’s something for everyone. You can’t go wrong with the French onion soup, which we’re pretty sure is churned out by the thousands in an assembly line in the back. The garlicky escargot and lemony tuna carpaccio are good to share before having the steak frites or beef bourguignon. You’ll never have a bad meal here. You’ll just never have an exceptional one, either. 

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

But after more than a decade of Parc, it’s no longer really about the food. It’s a stalwart of the neighborhood, and it’s all about utility: it’s massive, open all day, everyday, and you can pull it out of your back pocket for any occasion. Will it thrill you? No. But it’s comforting and familiar. Just don’t expect to get the same buzz you did when Twilight came out. Times have changed.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

Warm Shrimp Salad

The Warm Shrimp Salad is the best (and most popular) salad here. Crisp greens, avocado, and sundried tomatoes are tossed in creamy, buttery lemon vinaigrette, alongside four plump shrimp.

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

French Onion Soup

If you’ve lived in Philadelphia for more than 10 minutes, you’ve seen cheese pull videos of this soup. Arguably the best in the city, it combines a rich broth with onions, crusty bread, and a shocking amount of gruyere gratineed over the top.

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

Steak Frites

It’s certainly not the best steak in the city, but it’s always juicy, well cooked, and topped with a flavorful herb butter. We’re happy to report that the Parc fry recipe has changed in recent years, and they're crispier than ever.

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

Half Roast Chicken

We know—roast chicken sounds boring. But when you want simple comfort food, this hits the spot. It’s juicy, crispy skinned, and comes with a generous helping of pommes puree.

photo credit: Gab Bonghi

Trout Amandine

This filet is served on a buttery mountain of haricots verts. The fish is crisp and the brown butter almonds have a satisfying crunch, but it is almost always over-seasoned. That being said, if you like things on the saltier side, it's a solid choice.