Le Bec FinThe food and service wereThe food and service were top notch and the wine list is perhaps the best I've ever seen.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial TreatWe ordered the chef's tasting and thoroughly enjoyed each selection. The presentation was exquisite. So sorry that this restaurant is closing.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExactly what we were looking for.We used a few life milestones to justify dinner at Le Bec Fin (buying a house, expecting a child...the usual), but mainly we went in order eat there before it closes down. A few weeks left before this legendary establishment becomes history.
The food - The pork belly appetizer basically melted in my mouth, and my wife loved her escargot. The entrees were also delicious (if a bit slow in coming out) - lamb saddle for me, lobster for the wife. I ate as slow as I could to make it last, and loved every bite. Dessert was the latte mousse and banana cake.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Last SupperAs the multi-decade run of Le Bec Fin comes to an end, we had to go one more time. There is nothing else in Philadelphia, or most other places, to compare to the exquisite dining experience of LBC. Even the amuse bouche is deliciously thought out and presented; not complicated, just excellent. I could go on and on, however it has all been said. Certainly a one of a kind here and to be sorely missed. Thanks for the sumptuous, sensuous, and special memories...merci beaucoup et au revoire!5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of a kindIt is so sad that this restaurant is closing. It is truly unique, the service is superb and the food outstanding.
I've decided its not the restaurant, its the clientele that are lacking. Most people today don't appreciate the substance of amazing food prep and service. They don't deserve Le Bec Fin. Just look at the parking lots of chain restaurants.
I knew the lights should be turned off forever, when a couple came in with a stroller and a new born, amd preceded to order the prix fixe menu/ Thank the gods we were on our coffee and home made chocolates course. Such sadness to see this fine restaurant close.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMA great mealGlad I got to say good bye...closing June 15th and it didn't disappoint.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome lunch! Not to be missed!Went to Le Bec Fin for lunch on a recent trip to Philadelphia.
Ordered the five course tasting menu and it was spectacular! Wonderful and creative preparations; the best ingredients; and beautifully presented; each bite was something to be savored. The service was perfect in every way--attentive without being overbearing.
If I lived in Philadelphia, I would have lunch there on once a week!
Sadly, Le Bec Fin will be closing June 15th after 41 years. It's a treasure not to be missed!
If I lived5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMA very good food quality withA very good food quality with a very good and equilibrated menu5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMEnd of an EraLe Bec Fin bows out shortly after a long run. The meal was a well served piece of French Cuisine. Each dish was tasty, but as is always the case, a doggy bag is not required to take home"leftovers". The portions were "French" but the taste was exquisite. I attended for an anniversary meal and the location/service/meal made the event memorable.
I will miss this restaurant when it shouts its doors.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMTrip Down Memory LaneMy late husband and I loved to dine at Le Bec Fin. I was sad to know that it was closed for awhile, but delighted to know it had reopened. It was a must visit on a recent trip back to Philadelphia. The wine list was extensive, the service correct and the food prepared to perfection. It was all delicious but I must single out the asparagus - the best I've ever tasted.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMquick bite?Le Bec Fin is a wonderful spot for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat. My husband and I came up with the idea to dine here on a whim, and it was a great spur-of-the-moment choice. I mean really, who makes dinner reservations three months in advance? Not us homie. As a refined individual who eats escargot and fragua practically every day, I found these items to be repetitive. However, I bet if they loosened their collars a bit, they could make a bangin burger. Extra truffles? Only with a side of tater tots, please. I'm classy.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMCuisine was superb, yet serviceCuisine was superb, yet service was a bit plebeian for a restaurant with such a wonderful history and reputation.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service and foodFantastic experience. First time here and the service and food exceeded my expectations. Too bad they're closing.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMexquisite dining experiencecare is taken to have this meal be among the finest of dining experiences. The items were artistically prepared and delectable.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth every dollar...I celebrated my birthday with my son at Le Bec Fin on 5/8/13. The atmosphere is quietly elegant but not stuffy and waiters are superb: attentive, professional and friendly. We chose the chef's tasting menu with wine pairings and, despite the steep price tag, the experience was worth it for us. The marvelous fare inspired us to discuss food and wine throughout the dinner. The shrimp, monkfish and filet mignon were memorable. The foie gras was so rich and creamy that I thought I was eating butter, but I am sure many will appreciate it more. The pace of the meal and the traditionally sized portions enabled me to enjoy all eight courses.
The free valet parking across the street offered by the restaurant is a great convenience.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMTruly Great Fine Dining ExperienceExceeded all our expectations and we can be very select when it comes to fine dining.. The meals were absolutely delicious. One of our grup is Vegan and they were wonderful in tailoring their menu to meet her needs. The service perfect. We highly recommend it for a special dining experience.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMTop-notch, but very expensive.Top-notch, but very expensive. Saturday nights menu was either regular tasting menu or vegetarian menu--both $150 per person. Paired wines selected by the sommelier for six of the eight courses were available at $115 per person. The menu was very inventive, original and delicious too with detailed food features not normally offered at a restaurant. The setting is beautiful and elegant under large French chandeliers. Downtown Philadelphia was a two hour drive from Longwood Gardens and parking was over $20 for evening. As I recall hearing, The French Laundry in Napa is $170 per person, so this one is right up there in the same realm.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AM1st Anniversary CelebrationLe Bec Fin didn't disappoint Friday night when my fiance and I went out to celebrate our 1st anniversary and our recent engagement. I gave her the ring earlier that day, and I surprised her with a night out which included Le Bec Fin. Everything was great from the service to the food.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMLe Bec FinA culinary masterpiece. Not light on the wallet, but a once in a lifetime (okay, twice) special treat.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMI was visiting PhiladelphiaI was visiting Philadelphia to see an old friend after finishing my spring semester of college. Family strongly recommended the restaurant as a nice way to treat that old family friend. Neither of knew what to expect from Le Bec Fin, but we were amazed at how great the food was, how friendly the servers were and just the general atmosphere of the restaurant. It was really an amazing experience that perfectly ended my trip to Philadelphia.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMOur third visit to Le BecOur third visit to Le Bec Fin. Food & Service still outstanding. Some changes; missed the cheese cart even though the cheese course was very good. Not sure why the menu was on I -Pads, saving paper? It just doesn't fit in that fabulous dining room. Beverages: my husband enjoyed
his martini and wine. I do not drink alcohol and would have appreciated an offer of a non- alcoholic beverage. I ordered an iced tea and got
a plain iced tea. In a place that does everything over the top, a nice infused fruit iced tea would have been appreciated. They really do emphasize
the wine pairings etc. and I also was not asked if I wanted a refill as my husband was asked if he wanted another drink several times.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth every pennyThough there is an a la carte menu, on Saturdays the only option is the eight course tasting menu, which my wife and I got along with the wine pairing. The food ranged between excellent and outstanding with standouts being the escargot, banana cake, and loup de mer (sea bass). The wine pairings were one good choice after another with one exception, which our waiter in consultation with the sommelier promptly replaced with something more to my wife's liking.
The quality of the service was also outstanding. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and will answer *any* question you have about the menu, no matter how basic. I was expecting "stuffy" and didn't get it.
We're looking forward to going during the week to try the a la carte menu4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat anniversary dinner.Great anniversary dinner. The food was amazinf and so was the service.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went for our anniversaryWe went for our anniversary and it was a great experience, although I probably would not return for a while and only for a special occasion. It was an 8 course chef tasting menu, which all in all took about 3 hours to complete. It was wonderful to have a nice meal with my husband like that but realistically it is not something we would have time for often. The food was superior although there were a few things that I personally didn't care for. Picky eaters stay away because there are no menu choices and it is definitely for a refined palette (caviar, escargot and foie gras were all part of the meal). The restaurant is a beautiful site and although it was private and quiet, it is still the same uber formal and rather stuffy Le Bec Fin.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe four of us really enjoyedThe four of us really enjoyed our time at Le Bec Fin on Saturday lunch. We had been there separately but the first time together. The waitstaff was professional yet personable. The food was, as usual, superb. There was no hurry although there were not many diners on Saturday. The dining fit well into our plans to visit the Barnes Foundation new art gallery on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Thank you.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderfulDelicious food, thoughtful service, beautiful setting. Le Bec Fin is a very special place.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had six of us for a birthdayWe had six of us for a birthday celebration. It was a perfect evening from the moment we walked in. We did the 8 course dinner and sommelier Philippe picked outstanding wines to complement the meal. The lobster dish and the wagyu beef dish were tops, but all courses were beautifully presented and yummy! The wait staff was wonderful.....and the pastry chef, Abby, stopped at the table to introduce a dessert, and then presented an amazingly beautiful and delicious dark chocolate birthday cake. We have enjoyed our dinners there and in the downstairs bistro...and always pleased. But this dinner topped them all.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, wonderfulExcellent food, wonderful wine (and sommelier), superb service in a beautiful dining room.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWe usually dine in the mainWe usually dine in the main floor dining room but last evening we decided to try the new menu in Le Bar, downstairs. Love the ambiance, the bartendar (Bradford) is great and the menu selections had items to please every taste. Our selections were beautifully presented and delicious. Philippe, the head sommelier stopped downstairs to help us with our wine selection and it was excellent. A very enjoyable evening, and our guests, who had not dined at Le Bec Fin before, were very impressed.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMYour taste buds will explode.Your taste buds will explode. So will your wallet. Worth an exceptional special evening.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a wonderful evening.We had a wonderful evening. The food was incredible! The service was impeccable.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time diner. ExactlyFirst time diner. Exactly as we expected, but even better. Had lunch. Obviously pricey, but worth the experience!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom the moment we arrivedFrom the moment we arrived we were treated royally. The service was superb. The meal was sumptuous. Right at the top of our list of fine dining experiences.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat an amazing anniversaryWhat an amazing anniversary treat. There wasn't a thing I would have changed.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding all aroundA memorable experience -- we each ordered the Menu du Chef, with separate items, providing us 15 different plates to share. All was excellent, including the selection of cheeses (the Mimolette and Morbier were particular highlights). Thanks are due to the sommelier for suggesting the Beaune and Sancerre wines. We will be back!3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMA beautiful experienceA truly sublime dining experience. Yes it is slightly formal (men need a jacket)but the place is designed around the food. You can see what your eating, the service in impeccable, friendly, and helpful, and the presentation of the courses was nearly perfect; each dish a little gem. Admittedly the place is quite pricey, about $200 per person with champagne, wine, and tip, but that is to be expected with a large staff and very high end food.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a lovely, elegant butWe had a lovely, elegant but not stuffy dinner. We particularly appreciated that when one of our party informed the waiter that he couldn't drink alcohol and asked if the bar had any specialty non-alcoholic drinks, the waiter said the bartender would concoct some special drinks for him, and he did! They were delicious and not too sweet. The tasting menu was varied and delicious.3/1/2013 12:00:00 AMBorderline over-the-top 1700'sBorderline over-the-top 1700's French decor (crystal chandeliers, gilded everything). Have been eating at 3 star Michelin restaurants for years but have yet to see a place this gaudy. However, service was incredibly friendly and helpful and the lunch prix fixe menus were surprisingly reasonable.1/9/2013 12:00:00 AMI want this restaurant toI want this restaurant to succeed. Happily, each time we go, it gets better. I like the new iPad menus and wine list.12/24/2012 12:00:00 AMThis was a special occasionThis was a special occasion and the setting could not have been better. Service was attentive but not excessive. The menu was superb and the presentations were a delight as well as delicious. Sorry that the dinner came to an end, as all must. The wine list is extensive but the wines were quite expensive and either too nuanced or not distinctive; our selections did not complement the meal or enhance our courses as anticipated.12/5/2012 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely great food. TheAbsolutely great food. The service fell apart at the end when there was nobody to take our coffee order, but I would still go there again, just on food quality.11/29/2012 12:00:00 AM