Rittenhouse Square hasn't seen a flurry on the order of Parc since an awninged salon named Rouge ignited the sidewalk-cafe craze 10 years ago. Stephen Starr has gone to extraordinary lengths to re-create an authentic Paris bistro. And re-create it he has, right down to the house-baked baguettes, trout amandine, steak frites, zinc bar, and cigarette-smoked mirrors. If you want to hear, best to snag an outdoor table; 80 seats to choose from - with a parc view, of course.
Dining's big new wave
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Parc bistro, 227 S. 18th St., 215-545-2262, www.parc-restaurant.com
10 Arts
When New York's acclaimed Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin) opens a lounge-restaurant in the classic rotunda of the Ritz-Carlton, you might expect a Franco-American collision. But at 10 Arts, Ripert has installed Philly girl Jennifer Carroll as chef, and done up the formal room in slightly jarring mod purples and reds. The menu is Paris-salutes-Billy Penn - haute soft-pretzel nuggets with Dijon mustard dip, pristine Pennsylvania brook trout and Striped Bass "Grand Mere," mini-fishburgers, elegant oysters on ice, and to finish, sugared beignets or malted "Tastykake" ice cream.
10 Arts, 10 Avenue of the Arts, or S. Broad St., 215-523-8273, www.10arts.com.
High-Def
The city's mightiest new skyscraper - the Comcast Center - has unveiled its newest power steak house-bistro, Table 31, a collaboration from towering talents Georges Perrier and Chris Scarduzio (Le Bec-Fin and Brasserie Perrier). Suits can have a cocktail at the contemporary bar, or chow down with a client (the second floor offers more privacy) on macho bone-in tomahawk steak, wagyu sliders, or potato-crusted halibut. Outdoors, next to spouting fountains, a lighter menu is served at the sophisticated Plaza Cafe, ideal for seeing and being seen - a least for another month or two.
Table 31, Comcast Center, 1701 JFK Blvd., 215-567-7111, www.table-31.com.
- Rick Nichols, Inquirer food columnist
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