Greg's Philly French Food Faves

Miel Patisserie

Rating:  
★★★★★
Cost:  
$$
204 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.mielpatisserie.com/

A true French patisserie. Wonderful pastries, coffee, and great sandwiches for lunch. "Miel" is the French word for "honey", and this place is truly sweet!

Parc

Rating:  
★★★★★
Cost:  
$$$
227 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.parc-restaurant.com

This French brasserie by renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr will make you feel as if you are in France (only with English-speaking servers).  You will be swiftly brought some bread and butter–the baguettes are amazing, and the butter is high quality European style (i.e.,high fat content).  The Salade Lyonnaise,a lightly dressed and beautifully composed plate of frisée lettuce, lardons, roasted potato cubes, and a perfectly poached egg is probably one of my favorite things on the menu (minus the croutons which I can no longer eat).  I love their oysters, which are always amazing, even during the period when they are supposedly not the best (the months that do not have an “r” in their names).  A glass of Sancerre always complements the oysters nicely, as it does the luscious Tuna Carpaccio, simply and delicately plated with a leek vinaigrette.  

Back when I could still eat gluten, the Quiche Lorraine (only on the lunch menu) is hands down the best I have ever had, with a rich, buttery crust and a filling so creamy, custardy, and delicate that your mouth will not stop thanking you. It is served with a little side salad to make you feel less guilty about eating something so rich.  Speaking of rich, although I love seared foie gras paired with a combination of acidic and sweet accompaniments,I have never been a big fan of pâté.  That said, the Chicken Liver Parfait with Red Wine Gelée is just too sinfully rich and delicious to pass up, smeared over a slice of one of Parc’s delicious breads.

During spring, summer, and fall, the best seats are on the sidewalk outside the restaurant, where you get a view of the glorious Rittenhouse Square right across the street.  With the park and the passersby, it will be as if you were sitting outside at a bistro in Paris.