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"Auguste Escoffier, the man who quite literally wrote the book on modern French cuisine, would feel right at home at Caribou Café. The pork, pheasant and armagnac soaked prune pate served with cornichons and mixed field greens deserves la Légion d'Honneur medal."
       - Tim McGinnis, Philadelphia Weekly

It's a picture perfect match - Chef Olivier Desaintmartin and the Caribou Café. This is the personable and talented French chef who trained at the Paris Hotel & Restaurant School and actually served his apprenticeship in France with the former Jean-Louis Palladin. While the good chef had some notable and interesting stops along the way (Le Bernardin in New York; The Hotel Atop the Bellevue; La Campagne in Cherry Hill; and the Dock Street Brasserie) his acquisition of the long-running Caribou Café on Walnut Street has proven to be the answer to that elusive dream - an authentic French Brasserie in his favorite American City.

The Caribou works in every respect and the scene here is something right out of Paris. We are not talking fancy - we are talking about that genuine Bistro look. You will see people in jeans and folks in tuxedos. It's a perfect spot for a relaxing lunch, brunch or dinner. Weather permitting, it's a favorite for the outdoor dining aficionados crowd, and in any weather, the Caribou boasts one of the most classic bars in the City. They feature 22 wines by the glass and 40 specialty beers along with an array of classic French aperitifs.

The menu is understandably French (mussels, sausages, and steak frites), where the Duck confit, Cassoulet, Boeuf Bourvignon, Steak au poivre and Foie Gras are house favorites. For dessert try the classically prepared Crème Brulee with Tahitian beans. It's all good, and life is good for one very happy master chef.

Related Interview: Executive Chef / Owner Olivier de St. Martin

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