Le Bec-Fin is a French restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which opened in 1970. Owner and founder Georges Perrier named the restaurant after the French colloquialism for "Fine Palate". The restaurant has been rated as America's finest French restaurant and the Mobil Travel Guide has traditionally rated it as five stars. Perrier announced in July 2010 that he planned to close the restaurant in Spring 2011.[1] In late December 2010, he announced he would not close and keep the restaurant open.[2]
Contents |
Perrier trained at La Pyramide in Vienne, France. He moved to the USA on November 17, 1967, at the age of 21, and started working in Philadelphia in the late 1960s. After its opening in 1970 (Perrier was 23), Le Bec-Fin soon established a reputation as Philadelphia's finest restaurant with Perrier's Galette de Crabe and Quenelles de Brochet as signature highlights. By 1981, Le Bec-Fin was known as the leader of the "Philadelphia restaurant revolution". Esquire described it as the best French restaurant in America and a 1994 Condé Nast reader's poll ranked it as the best restaurant in the country.[3]
Le Bec-Fin signature crab cake recipe can be found online, but is also featured in Georges Perrier's 1997 book, titled Le Bec-Fin Recipes. Perrier's cuisine favors traditional French ingredients with high quality produce from throughout the world.[4] The wine list favors selections from the borders of France and some standouts from the new world. Christophe Tassan is the master sommelier.
Perrier made extensive changes to the restaurant after the Mobil Travel Guide reduced it to four star status in the 2001 Mobil Travel Guide. The interior was remodeled, the wine list expanded, and Perrier relinquished command of his restaurant to the head chef. Said Perrier to his staff, "Change everything but the chandeliers." In the 2003 guide, the fifth star was restored.
On April 4, 2008 Le Bec-Fin gave up its 5 star rating in favor of a more relaxed atmosphere. This loss drops the number of American 5 star restaurants to 16. The change to a more relaxed atmosphere includes à la carte dining as opposed to a price fixed menu with strict seating schedule.[5]
In January 2009, the French government awarded Perrier the Legion d'Honneur.[6]
Signaling the end of an era, the one in which Le Bec-Fin started the 'Restaurant Renaissance' of Philadelphia, Georges Perrier put the building up for sale. Denying it at first, Chef and owner Georges Perrier finally admitted the fate of the restaurant. During New Year's Eve dinner at the restaurant, however, he announced to diners that he would, in fact, keep the restaurant open.