Le Bec Fin
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1523 Walnut Street
Philadelphia
  • Phone: 215–567–1000
  • Website:
    www.lebecfin.com
  • Cuisine: French
  • Price Range: @ $50 pp
  • Executive Chef: Nicholas Elmi

The 22spots.com Editorial

lebecfin

"If you die and go to 'food heaven', Le Bec-Fin will be the name over the door"
       - Zagat survey

There have been some dramatic changes at 1523 Walnut Street. The world famous, Le Bec-Fin has gone casual. Chef Propriétaire Georges Perrier made the decision to change the course of this classic French spot that has been a Philadelphia fixture for 38 years. Le Bec-Fin has received the highest accolades in the hospitality industry, and Perrier's basic philosophy has never changed - you work hard with a total commitment to perfection, and it's all about simplicity, elegance, and flavor. Le Bec-Fin is now more casual, but the basics will remain the same.

Chef Perrier was raised in Lyon, France and began his accomplished career at 14 years old. He later trained with the great chefs at some of the finest restaurants in France including Michel Lorrain of Casino de Charbonnieres near Lyon, Jacques Picard of L'Oustau de Baumaniere in Provence and Guy Thivard at La Pyramide in Vienne. He came to Philadelphia in 1967 and after three years at the former La Panetiere, Perrier opened his own restaurant at 13th & Spruce Street, choosing the name Le Bec-Fin, a French idiom for "the good taste." He moved the restaurant to 15th & Walnut in 1983.

Le Bec-Fin underwent major interior renovations in the summer of 2002 (everything but the chandeliers) as the dining room was transformed from its famed Louis XVI interior into the late 19th century elegance of a Parisian dining salon. Casual bistro fare has been the feature of the popular downstairs Le Bar Lyonnais, so now the entire restaurant will be more casual, and of course, more affordable.

In the restaurant business, 38-years is considerably more than one can expect. The times change and the world is more casual. Certainly the restaurant world is collectively becoming more casual, so Chef Perrier is merely doing what he has to do. Fixed-price dinners are gone, but the classic dessert cart and cheese tray remain. It's good news, and Le Bec-Fin is alive and well on Walnut Street!


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