Happy New Year, darlings! I ran away to Montreal for a bit (my first time) for a largely food based escape that I would love to share with you. I followed Midtown Lunch founder Zach’s guide as much as possible. Who else would I trust more?
Cafe Lutecia has a casual cuteness that secures its place as a neighborhood staple for a quick sandwich and caffeinated drink. Quiches and soups change daily, outdoor seating is available, and BYO is possible. You can picture a classy, French lady in a sunhat sipping a Café au lait (or a less classy American lady organizing her escort list).
In 2013 the Graduate Hospital area gained 2 new crepe spots; Cafe L’Aube this winter and So Crepe last week. I went to both in one afternoon for today’s CREPE OFF.
Le Bercail is a small French-African restaurant in West Philly. Expect a menu mostly divided by mode of preparation with a grilled section, a fried section, and a saucy section. Inside are a few booths and smaller tables. At lunch time, it was mostly empty, just us and one other table. The lack of a crowd did not help the fact that our waiter did not really understand us very well. He was not able to help describe some of the menu when we had questions, and he misunderstood my friends order; instead of bringing out 2 of the same order, he brought out one leaving us with 2 plates for 3 people. We were so frustrated we just shared.
Speaking of French things, with all this on and off rain, I was in the mood for a comforting crock of French onion soup. Caribou Cafe looked pretty cute, and onion soup is the very first menu item. While I wouldn’t be able to avail myself of the outdoor seating in this rain, the interior works for a serene escape with music and typical French alcohol posters. We took a window seat and were served bread and butter immediately.
There are a lot of French things going on this month, have you been taking advantage of them?
Starting tomorrow, in honor of the Philly International Festival for the Arts, restaurants will be serving special menus created by duos of local and French chefs. [Uwishunu]
There will be a street fair on Broad St on April 30th with food vendors. I hope the sky is clear that day.
A pop up bistro is open in the Kimmel Center for Dinner and Sunday Brunch, also for PIFA.
What interests me more though is the French crepe cart in the Kimmel Center, I should probably check that out? Its open from 11-3 and 5-8.
Not to be left out, McGillin’s is putting on its beret with menu items like French Onion Soup, French Muffuletta, Beef Bourguignon, Moules Frites and Pizza Provencal, and of course a French Martini to go with it all.
Have you enjoyed any of the PIFA events yet?
