Great food, great ambiance and exceptional service. The chestnut foie gras soup was incredible.. Poached egg with mussels = rediclous! Butter poached salmon was perfectly cooked medium rare, silky smooth delicious flavor atop wilted spinach aside of a OOC potato pancake! Dessert was the raspberry puff pastry and chocolate mousse both were over the top!! Great job Bistrot team!! I could go on but I'm so full and need my bed...
(5)
Ali C.
My fiance and I ate at Bistrost La Minette last night and LOVED it! Warm ambiance and friendly staff. We ordered the Œuf du Pêcheur (mussels), the Salade Bettraves avec ses Croûtes de Chèvre Chaud (beet salad), and the Boeuf Bourguignonne (beef entree). The mussels were AMAZING!! You must order this, it was our favorite of the night! I would have licked my plate clean if it was socially acceptable :) The beet salad and beef entree were delicious as well! Yum, yum, yum!
(5)
Ali W.
Bistrot la Minette is an amazing find. Hidden a block away from the crowds on South St this restaurant is a gem. The food was flawless and very authentically French. The ambiance was very romantic and quiet. There are about five tables outside to people watch and enjoy your food. I will be back here again!
(5)
Zhanna R.
The best bread and Escargots à la Bourguignonne + unique selection of cheeses +French vines. I had vine from Corsica there! I love all their menu but escargots and winter root soup are my favorites. I keep going back and honestly compare other places by standards they set for my taste buds. Prix fixe courses are not to be missed. Bon appetit :)
(5)
barbara k.
We were visiting from Seattle, and 2 Phila friends recommended Bistro La Minette. We went there with one, and were so happy we did, especially as the next night we went to another French restaurant that was not very good. I started with the beet salad, with a citrus vinaigrette that was indescribably delicious. One of the best salads I've ever had. I had the foie gras special for a main, as I knew with the richness I wouldn't want or need anything else. Fabulous! The others had Truite Meuniere and "the chicken", and both said they were great. Unfortunately we did not have dessert, which I'm sure was also excellent. The ambiance was lovely, and quiet enough that we could talk, since we had a lot of catching up to do. Overall, a great evening!
(5)
M N.
One of my favorite spots in Philly. Every time I go to Philly I try to go to this place and enjoy their poached egg with mussel. It is beyond perfect. I have been to many French restaurants but never tasted anything like this. Their entrees are also very delicious. Everything I tried was perfect. I was also surprised they cooked the rabbit meat to be so tender and juicy. I know it's not that easy. It's not a cheap place but quality comes with a price so definitely worth it!
(5)
Ken B.
Excellent drinks, excellent food, excellent service. Pricey but that's ok once in a while for an experience this good. Have the sweetbreads.
(5)
Lucy Y.
Had the best night here. The staff was very attentive and helpful. The ambience was romantic but not too crowded because the restaurant was a good size. Try the French beers! The chestnut honey one was especially yummy. We got the onion and potato soup, grapefruit and endive salad, lamb shank, duck confit and the raspberry mille feuille for dessert and they were all delicious! We were celebrating a special occasion and they even sent over complimentary truffles at the end. Perfect experience
(5)
Elva L.
i think of our meal here the other night as one of the best i've had in at least a few weeks, maybe months. to start, we received a little gift from the chef: a cheese ball, eh, okay. i am impressed that they coaxed some complex flavor out of whatever cheese they used and rendered it ubiquitous in the puffy dough. that must be harder that it looked/tasted. anyway, it was unexpected, but i didn't feel like it changed or enhanced our dinner. complimentary bread and butter: not much to say here, only that the bread was served warm and the butter soft. surprisingly many restaurants cannot manage to serve bread and butter properly. BLM did, good for them. starters: The Boy had pea soup, which I did not taste. I'm pretty specific about what color things have to be before I can eat them, and green soup is not on my list of acceptable color/texture combinations. I had the burgundy snails to start, um, gorgeous plate! insanely buttery, salty lead and a healthy trail of herbs per bite and the cutest little disc of CRISPY crouton in EACH container. you can very much see the amount of work put into each bite. additionally, it was served in TINY individual ceramic cups, rather than the kind of ramekin-like dish you normally see with escargot holes. main course: the special was a fresh caught halibut. our waiter explained it was only caught the day before, and i made up my mind that i couldn't not try it. i mean, this is probably the closest any of us will get to playing god-- to eat something that was alive only the day before?? sign me up! the halibut was cooked perfectly-- masterfully browned to a crisp on top, and a milky, tender flesh that was piping hot under. there is a difference between blasting a piece of fish on high heat for a short amount of time and letting it rest to near room temperature and cooking some more so as to Not overcook it, and what i got, which was a delicate filet cooked and served at impressively controlled doneness and temperature. The Boy had lamb shank which was just about melt in your mouth. I couldn't stop eating it, was already full, and did not want to offer up bites of my blissful fish for trade... it was rough. dessert: i will always go for creme brulee as long as it's available, so i forced the chocolate mousse cake on the boy (who didn't want dessert, I KNOW! blasphemy!!). the creme brulee was denser than i am used to, but the amount of sweetness was the perfect complement. As in, the sweetness matched the texture divinely so that the custard was still an absolute delight. The chocolate mousse was well executed, but not remarkable in my biased opinion. My only gripe was with the pistachio ice cream, which tasted to me rather like how some hand lotions smell. I did not care for it though it came at the recommendation of our waiter and I was excited to have it. speaking of whom, when we asked to have the lamb shank bone wrapped for our dog, he informed us that bones that have been cooked are likely to splinter and cause harm. this is something i did not know about, and i am glad he brought it to our attention and deterred us from making a potentially devastating mistake. kudos to this guy.
(5)
Alessia K.
This gem continues to be our favorite place in the city to get an amazing meal in such a wonderful atmosphere. It is such a charming restaurant with a friendly staff and the kitchen turns out some serious food. We met the chef at a Cook event and he was gracious enough to come over and say hi to us during our most recent dinner. I will continue to recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
(5)
Tina K.
The BEST dining experience I've had. 'Nuff said. The service was impeccable. Our glasses were never empty, and the waiters were friendly and professional. My boyfriend and I were really impressed with the amuse-bouche; it was still warm, fresh, crispy, and overall delicious. They gave a basket of bread, which was also very tasty. Hands down the best bread I've ever had--better than from bakeries! I ordered escargot and foie gras with a side of pommes anna. The foie gras was simply divine. I would go there again just to get more foie gras (and bread!). The raspberry mille crepe was also delicious. The atmosphere was upscale but still pretty casual. I really liked the soothing ambience and the clean-and-classy bathroom. Yay to clean bathrooms! Overall, I really recommend Bistrot La Minette. I would suggest making a reservation at least a day in advance if you don't want to go there at 5:30 because the reservations are often full for later times on the same day.
(5)
christina j.
I am so happy to have discovered during restaurant week. I truly enjoyed sampling the menu from the escargot, to the foie gras and braised beef checks. Everything was delicious including the dessert of caramelized puff pastry with raspberry. I have new appreciation for French food. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Hoang T.
Received an email update regarding the restaurant's new April specials. Decided to head there for happy hour on a Wednesday. I've been there for dinner and I'll give dinner 5 stars too. Happy hour was great!!! It's really a slice of France in philly... Although I've never been to France.. I've studied the language and culture for years. The house red (wine) was delicious and not too light given it was a happy hour special. We ended up ordering snails, AMAZING AS ALWAYS... First timers must order this. Especially escargot lovers. Beef tartare... Not the best I had but definitely a very good dish if you like beef served this way. The scallops were cooked well and were just great. The mussel with poached egg was prob the highlight for me. It was truly a rich dish that hit many notes and I'd even argue one of the best appetizers in Philadelphia... It definitely screams French!! Creamy buttery sauce mushrooms mussels and baguette!!! What more could you ask for? Service is top notch!! For both happy hour and dinner. The wait staff are definitely a notch above the rest of Philly's establishments. The place is clean and just really nice overall. Can't wait to go back when it's warmer to sit outside on their patio. And to make my review more over the top.... I would vote bistro Philly's top 5 restaurants.
(5)
Cole S.
I'm not surprised that Bistrot La Minette came up as #1 when searching for French Restaurants in Philadelphia. I ate here in late March with my cousin and found the cuisine to be among the best this side of the Atlantic. I had to check my ticket stub to make sure the plane actually landed in Philadelphia instead of Paris. This is an establishment that surpasses my trifecta of requirements for five yelp stars; service, food, and atmosphere. My cousin eats at Bistrot La Minette often and the servers recognized her. That type of personal connection always impresses me. Throughout the whole meal, I felt as if we were VIP guests. The food was excellent. I just can't say enough about how wonderful everything tasted. As expected, the wine was perfect. Finally, the ambiance was perfect. This wasn't a place that merely served French style food. It was a full on French restaurant plucked from the streets of Paris. If you're in Philadelphia. Eat here.
(5)
Lianna N.
I havent been to France, but IF I did go, I imagine it would be a fine experience like this one. Our waiter was charming and mischievous; choosing me to be the targets of his jests and banter. He teased and played with us all night, and his rich french accent didn't leave anything to be desired. The setting was intimate, and queens village off of penns landing was a perfect location to tuck this little gem of a bistro. Parked a block away in a lot that costed $15 for after 5pm. I didnt want to circle endlessly looking for parking. It's also across the street from THE best creperie! Anyhow I digress. The food was excellent, and I was most looking forward to the escargot. The little pots of creamy garlicky butter toast bits with the escargot leaves my mouth watering in it's memory. I dunked chucks of the free bread into the delicious butter till I greedily devoured every cholesterol ridden morsel. And then I did something really unclassy. I licked the edge of the pot. I hope no one saw. The rest of the meal unfolded less eventfully. I did the duck confit/lamb stew which was rich hearty and filling. I sampled off everyone else's plate to make sure I had a well rounded experience. I captured most of the dishes we tried in photos. I left floating on a little cloud. My wallet was empty, but my heart was full. Merci, Bistrot La Minette.
(4)
Melissa W.
If you judge a French restaurant by its bread, Bistrot la Minette wins straight off the bat. The baguettes are delicious. If you judge a French restaurant by its atmosphere, this place is pretty nice. Cute and kind of elegant but not at all stuffy. It's a little taste of France right here in Philly, complete with people at the next table overpronouncing everything on the menu with obnoxious French accents (maybe I'm just jealous I don't speak French). But really the best way to judge a French restaurant is by its food, and by that measure this place is solid. I'd probably give it four stars, but the foie gras special they had the night I went deserves an extra star all on its own. It was this foie gras and Earl Grey terrine with some sort of (Meyer?) lemon sauce, topped with blood oranges and crushed hazelnut. I don't generally like Earl Grey, nor do I generally like liver very much, but the flavors of this dish were out-of-this-word. It melted in your mouth and was somewhat like eating solid butter, albeit deliciously flavored butter that you can't stop eating no matter how disgusting it may feel to be eating solid butter. If they happen to offer this dish the next time you go, throw all your morals to the wind and order it without hesitation. The boeuf bourguignon was tender and delicious, the cassoulet had fantastic flavor, and the trout was light and tasty. For dessert, the raspberry cream pastry was delicious. The pear poached in wine was interesting, but not as good as the other one. Regardless, everything was well-done and well-executed, and the pricing was reasonable for fancy French food. The service was nice, and the restaurant was very busy (so make a reservation). Can't wait to come back for the Sunday night pre-fixe - if eating there on another day is any indication, Sundays must be an amazing deal.
(5)
Kara K.
Probably one of the best meals of my life - by far certainly one of the best French meals - and I worked in France. This place is just amazing. Great ambiance, very good service and the food is just incredible. I went with my boyfriend a few weeks back to celebrate our anniversary and they gave us a special dessert with chocolates on a plate with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate sauce - and this was after our first round of desserts. Nice touch. Even if it wasn't for this, the meal was just awesome. We ordered six different dishes and all of them were outstanding. Just GO.
(5)
Nancy N.
One of my favorite places in philly...tucked away in queens village, this French bistro feels like it should be in France. The is rich and hearty so don't attempt to go here if you are on a crash diet or want something light. It is so well worth the layers upon layers of rich goodness. Perfect for a romantic date or small dinner with friends.
(5)
Jason H.
A very nice French Bistrot. The chef/owners do a good job of varying the menu, and regularly have themed menus focusing on an ingredient or region of France. The atmosphere is very nice, and is themed to resemble a French Bistrot, with marble tables and copper cookware hanging from the kitchen proscenium. A good place for a date or quiet family dinner; they have outdoor seating in the nicer weather.
Fantastic restaurant. Great food, great service, great ambience. One feels that they are a guest and much thought and work has gone into creating a memorable experience. My wife and I are vegan and the chef was so accommodating to create a fantastic dinner for us. He said that if he had advanced notice it would have been even better which is a claim we are prepared to test in the future.
Excellent date spot! When I came into this restaurant, I felt transported to a Parisian cafe, complete with the absurdly close together tables and (somewhat) rushed service. I can't help but say that these things add to the atmosphere. This place is a classy ass establishment. It's adorable. It's delicious. Eat the escargot, eat the braised rabbit, DEFINITELY eat the duck. Maybe enjoy some classy wine or French cocktails. Definitely only bring an attractive, articulate dining companion. That way, you can both be poised and posh together. Eat chocolate cake. Leave feeling incredibly happy.
(4)
Christine L.
Charmingly decorated bistro, good food, memorably good service. I went sometime in the fall, but still the atmostphere remains lovely in my mind and the service outstanding. Super comfortable and relaxed feel, no rushing in the pacing of the meal. Appetizers were delicious and well-portioned. First time having escargots, and it was really, really delicious - a very memorable introduction, not scary at all. The squid ink pasta was really fun, simple flavors but also a first for me. I don't remember much about the entrees - Rabbit and Duck - but I do remember being really pleased that we had picked both. Definitely a good spot if you're looking for a high-quality and not-stuffy date spot.
(4)
Kyle B.
Went for Restaurant Week. Everything was spot on. Favorites were the Beef Tartare and the Trout. Service was perfect.
(5)
Jason C.
Went out with a group of 4 and loved the restaurant. Great ambience and location. Was surprised there weren't more people there on a weekend evening. Service was good and food came out relatively quickly. We got an order of escargot for the table which was delicious (and much more than the usual 6 pieces I'm used to!). I got the cobia which was lightly seared and tender, over saffron rice which was rich and buttery. The other members of our group got the roast duck and steak special which they liked as well. Got Chocolate mousse cake for dessert which was decent as well. Would have loved to explore more of the cocktail/drink menu but definitely enjoyed the couple of gin cocktails I ordered.
(5)
Michelle C.
I went here for an anniversary dinner and ordered the rabbit and the lamb, and chocolate mousse for dessert. The food was delicious, but the romantic atmosphere, view of the kitchen from the seating, and excellent service were also highlights of our dining experience. Very reasonably priced for the quality.
(5)
Nimmmy A.
When you walk in you get a lovely feel for great ambience and a romantic vibe. My boyf surprised me for dinner to celebrate our one year. And I was a little iffy about french food because my taste is a bit more on the spicy side, I was surprised to have enjoyed my food as much as I did. There was a creamy sauce that came with the chicken that complimented both the chicken and the rice very well. It was the delicacy of the flavors that was subtle but to a decent degree. My boyfriend loved his salmon and the way it was cooked as well. But I'm sure we'd both agree that the Mac and Cheese was the best. We also had fois gras which melted right in your mouth. All in all there is great service and even better food.
(5)
Nate E.
Best restaurant in Philly. Order blind- it doesn't matter what you get, it will be excellent. I go with the wine poached egg for brunch, and fisherman's egg and seasonal beef cheek for dinner. **I really hope that Chef Peter Woolsey's continued ownership keeps him close enough to operations, even as he exits the kitchen, so we don't have another kitchen failing after a successful chef's exit (e.g. Stateside)...
(5)
Mandy H.
Came here for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner with my new beau. What's more romantic than a French restaurant? I don't think anything is. I love the look of this place with the marble topped tables and parisian decor. It really felt like I was in Paris when I was inside. We each had a glass of their flavored champagne. I had the framboise and my main squeeze had the pear. The framboise was yummy, but the pear was incredibly refreshing! We got a bottle of rose with dinner, but I was still thinking about that pear chamapagne... To start we shared the fois gras, which was perfectly buttery and melt in your mouth worthy. We also went with the poached lobster special and the Cassoulet De Toulouse. The poached lobster was covered in a white, creamy sauce that really worked with the sweet lobster. It was the antithesis of the Cassoulet De Toulouse, which is a hearty, salty lamb stew. I'm a big fan of switching back and forth between savory and sweet, so this was my kind of combo. Finally we had the the tarte tatin apple tart with caramel ice cream which was very good. I will have to try Bistro La Minette for their brunch. And lunch. And dinner again.
(5)
Ellie L.
we celebrated early V day here. this was best french restaurant ive been to. we had salad, ouef de pacheur as appetizer and cassoulet, salmon as entree. portion size was perfect. their baguette was very good too. we had a lovely night and cant wait to go back!
I struggle to find any flaws with our experience here last night. E and I got all dressed up to celebrate three years of extreme happiness and settle in for what we knew would be an incredible meal. To begin, do not neglect to order a cocktail or some wine, it's just that kind of place. You earned it. I got a French 75, probably my favourite cocktail of all time, and it was spectacular. E also enjoyed his Sazerac and we both went for a second round. The table bread is such a highlight here. I know how odd that sounds, but you'll understand, trust me. We ate 2 entire little tin buckets full of bread (and we didn't even have to ask for the second bucket, it was offered. Bonus points). For appetizers we both ordered the escargots, which came in adorable little clay pots with garlicky butter. Delicious, but I still think Cochon's rendition is the best in the city. It was a good value though, with 9 perfect tender little morsels for $12, and it was very rich. E was hoping for oysters but there were none to be had. Since we were feeling celebratory, we also got the Flammenkuche to share. Here is where the service really started to set itself apart- without asking, they made this a mid-meal course and served it after we finished the escargots instead of shoving it on the small table with everything else. A small thing, but meaningful. Get the Flammenkuche! Good lord it may have been the best thing we had. Oniony and cheesy and bacony, with a crisp crust, oh my... I went for the rabbit as my entree and E got the pork loin. The rabbit was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The meat was so tender and moist and flavourful, the tagliatelle firm and springy, so rich... If anything it was maybe a tad salty but I didn't mind. E let me steal a bit of his and it was also really tasty, especially the pomme puree. If you love mashed potatoes, order this dish. A side crock of gratin cauliflower rounded out the mains nicely and was executed flawlessly. Even though we were stuffed, when you're at a great French restaurant it would be a huge mistake to not order dessert. We chose the creme brulee and orange tart, but only had one bite of the tart because that creme brulee might be the best dessert I've ever put in my mouth. Impossibly smooth and creamy with just enough sweetness but not too much. We ate all of it even though we were full beyond belief. Total damage for this feast, including 4 cocktails, was about $150 before tax and tip. You could get it under $100 easily by restraining yourself a bit more than we did, so this place is worth checking out even for a normal date night. Atmosphere is romantic and classy but somewhat casual- you wouldn't feel super out of place in jeans, but the Flyers jersey is probably pushing it. The place is TINY (although not super loud even though it was crowded) and the kitchen is open, so it gets a bit fragrant. Leave your furs at home unless you fancy some expensive dry cleaning bills. Service was very attentive from start to finish. No small detail was missed. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Sal P.
Delish, scrumcious, and yummo. Everything top notch. Main courses were the beef, trout, and rabbit. The apps were french onion soup, goose liver and mac n cheese. really rich but oh so good. Dessert was kind a of a deconstructed cheesecake - pretty good. The ambience was nice and the service excellent. Also, the bread and butter was really good. Love that butter.
(5)
David H.
When my wife and I first dined here...she just smiled. She lived in France for many years. We have both dined many times in Paris and other areas of France and Europe. A true experience in the quality, outcome of the product, ambience, and overall cost. Nothing more needs to be said. Keep up the good work.
(5)
Kara S.
The best French cuisine I've ever had. Went this fall for a weekend lunch seating and it was absolutely empty. As a result, my party got VIP service all the way. I couldn't believe how well priced this place was. You can watch the chefs work in the kitchen from your table and the waiter knows his specials. Everything felt lush and romantic and beautiful. I had about four courses, and loved it all. I practically licked my plate. That's normal right? What do you absolutely have to order? Escargots, Tartine aux Figues et Fromage Blanc (figs, bread, cheese and dips), and creme brulee. My party also had the fish and a chicken dishes. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with ordering at this restaurant. We even got a table side visit from the main chef himself. You'll love this place for a fun lunch with friends, a romantic date night or a cool hangout around cocktail hour I imagine. Do not pass up a chance to visit this place!
I've never had French cuisine before, but I am so glad I came here to try it. M and I came here for Restaurant Week: since we didn't know if we would like it, we didn't want to pay full price for our first time here. We arrived just in time for our reservation and were seated promptly. They also have coat check (yay!). Our waiter gave us some time to decide on drinks (I got a glass of pinot grigio and M got a Kronenbourg 1664), then proceeded to take our food order. I ordered the mussels with tarragon creme and poached egg and the mustard braised rabbit. M got the root vegetable soup and boeuf bourguignon. Before our food came out, we were served cheesy profiteroles, compliments of the chef! The mussels were TO. DIE. FOR. They were incredible. I couldn't stop fawning over them. I would have licked the sauce from the plate if I were slightly less classy (let's face it, I'm not too classy to begin with). I am normally not a big fan of egg, the taste always turns me off, but I ate that whole poached egg. It was wonderful. The rabbit was good. I've never had rabbit before so unfortunately, I have nothing to compare it to. The pasta it came with was perfectly done and was served in a nice, buttery sauce. M's soup was really good and surprisingly light. His boeuf bourguignon was especially tasty, too, but it was a small portion. For dessert, M order the opera cake and I ordered the puff pastry with raspberry sauce. My dessert ended my meal perfectly -- the raspberry sauce provided enough tartness to cut through the richness of the rest of my meal. M's opera cake was tasty, but heavy. I'm glad I didn't order it. The service was great. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. In our past Restaurant Week experiences, it seemed like the waitstaff was turned off by us, which made for an awkward experience. It wasn't like that at all at Bistrot La Minette. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Arianna K.
This is one of my faves for consistently good food and nice atmosphere. Delish wine and cocktails-the butter! I dream of their bread and butter. This is french comfort food!
(5)
Katie L.
I've been a fan of Bistrot La Minette for a long time, but this was my first time dining there for brunch. I was surprised to learn of their $25 prix flxe lunch menu, and as you well know, any chance to over-indulge will not be overlooked by yours truly. Started with the charcuterie plate which featured bacon-wrapped pork terrine (drool), rabbit liver mousse (swoon), and duck rillettes (quack.) Had the oeufs en meurette for my entree, which was covered in the kind of red wine shallot sauce that makes you want to lick the plate. The eggs were perfectly poached & the accompanying mushrooms, pearl onions, and lardons were delightful. Finished with the poached pear that just melted in my mouth. When I'm asked what my favorite French restaurant is in Philadelphia, I'm always tempted to say La Minette, and this meal might have sealed the deal.
(5)
Stefano D.
I'm not a huge French cuisine fan, but I must say this restaurant is spot on. The food was amazing and their beer list is very interesting with several hard to find French beers. Definitely try the lamb shank! Will be back for sure.
(5)
Trev S.
Everything here was well prepared and delicious, great wine, reasonably priced. My girlfriend and I had a full, several course meal. Waitstaff was really friendly and well mannered. All in all a great experience. I would highly recommend for a special night out.
(5)
Evelina E.
AMAZING! My boyfriend made surprise reservations here for our anniversary. Apparently reservations were a little tricky a week ahead of time and after experiencing dinner tonight I completely understand why! We started with Frog Legs and a Salad - both fantastic (my boyfriend refuses to eat salad but actually liked this salad!). For our main course I had the Faux Filet Sauce au Poive (black pepper-crusted New York strip with pomme puree and bacon-wrapped haricot verts) which was not only the best steak either one of us has ever tasted, but honestly the best meal I've ever had! My boyfriend had the duck, which was new tonight so I cant give a better description because it's not on their menu yet, but it was as delicious as the steak. We kept trading bites because neither of use was willing to give up a bite without an equal trade - haha :P We're grad students so we can't afford fancy meals that often but this was definitely worth it! We'll certainly be back the next time we have a special occasion.
(5)
Moe W.
I try to go to Bistrot La Minette as often as my budget allows. It's my favorite restaurant in Philly. Everything from the pleasant greeting at the door to the perfectly wonderful crust on the bread to the intermezzo treats....SUPERB! Can't wait to try the special evening menus!
(5)
Ky T.
Dined here for restaurant week jan 2015. Loved everything and booked another dinner that same week. This restaurant has some of the best bread and butter. The baguette slices are served warm with amazing french butter. I can't stand when restaurants give you cold bread! My meal was great but what made me want to come back immediately was my girlfriends beef bourguignon. They used short rib and it was melt in your mouth delicious! Definitely give this place a try!
(5)
Melissa P.
Went for their 4th anniversary prix fixe dinner and it was AMAZING. One of the best dining experience I've had in Philly. Great place, adorable atmosphere, cozy but not on top of each other table. Really good service. The Vichyssoise was soo good. For appetizers we chose the Bouchees a la Reine and the salmon tartar-both delicious. We tried the coq au vin (OMG. IT WAS SO GOOD) and the Daube provencale (the gnocchis were like little puff of heaven,and the meat-SO TENDER). The cheese plate for dessert was so good we packed half of it to go home. The flourless chocolate cake was great too. Can't wait to go back when I can afford it any not worry about the prices!
(5)
Claire S.
Had an absolutely perfect birthday dinner here last Saturday. Great food, great atmosphere, great wine list. The duck cassoulet was impeccable, and all of the bread is made in-house. Who could ask for more? Oh wait, there is more, because it is black truffle season and you can add them to any dish! It was my birthday and one of the members of my party must've said something to the staff because they treated me like an absolute princess the whole night. Also, my father, who is a classically trained French chef, swears this is one of the most authentic French restaurants in Philadelphia. I'd eat here again in a heartbeat.
(5)
Patricia H.
I wanted to update my review of Bistro La Minette. I have been here several times since 2012 and always have a great experience. They have an amazing new happy hour special with $2 beer, $3 wine (good French wine!) , and $4 kirs. All appetizers are 50% off during the happy hour. I think it's the best deal in Philadelphia. My husband and I ordered the pea soup, which was amazing, a mushroom puff pastry, and seas scallops. Everything was delicious. Another thing that really sets the restaurant apart is the outstanding staff. All the servers are very knowledgeable about the food and many it seems have worked there fora while. They are very attentive but not too ov erbearing. I don't feel rushed but they were very prompt with providing more drinks as needed. The restaurant itself is really cute and has a great atmosphere.
(5)
Yiwen S.
we came for restaurant week back in january, and even though it was RW, i was STILL impressed with the food. that says something about this restaurant. probably one of the best bread baskets i've ever tried. rivals that of parc, which was my favorite up until now. the inside has kind of a rustic feel to it, kind of like being in the french countryside. and the space is much larger than i imagined. service is top notch here. and the menus change seasonally. that being said, here comes the food: 1. foie gras - pretty typical foie, but not the best i've had. 2. escargots - neat presentation in separate pots, made it difficult to eat though. 3. beef bourguignon - SO.DELICIOUS. beef cheeks so tender it melts in your mouth. also, the medley of veggies that it's served with is great at enhancing the flavor of the beef. 4. lamb cassoulet - i'm not usually a fan of overly stew-based dishes, but this one was amazing. i think the duckfat breadcrumbs really topped off the flavor for me. that's right, DUCKFAT breadcrumbs. 5. tarte tatin - nice balance of sweet (caramel ice cream) and tarte (upside down apple tart) flavors. 6. mille feuille - basically a caramelized puff pastry with raspberries. unique and delicious in every sense of the word. normally i would give this place 4-4.5 stars if i'm judging on food alone. but what puts it over the top for me is that our server was able to recommend the best cote du rhone i've had to date. dining is a wholistic experience, and should be graded as such.
Excellent! Parfait! Just got up from a superb brunch here. You can get an app, main and a desert for 25 which is a steal given the quality of the food. I had the potage st. Germain for my app, omelette basquaise for my main and the orange tarte for my dessert. All of my dishes were cooked to perfection and I could tell that freshness and quality of ingredients are a top priority at this bistro. The crown jewel of the meal was my tarte. It came with a rich chocolate ice cream that really complimented the sour quality of the tarte. Magnifique! Our table also ordered a plate of haricots verts that were cooked in brown butter. Really tasty. Can't wait to come back to try dinner.
(5)
Carolyn F.
I came here for my birthday: it was a tasty meal, but didn't blow me away. I love the decor and service is very attentive. The drinks were probably my favorite part. The Vesper cocktail is outstandingly unusual, a delicious mix of lavender gin and pepper vodka. My partner and I ordered the rabbit and the lamb. Both were well-prepared, but neither dish made me want to come back for more. The creme brulee was generously portioned and yummy.
(3)
John P.
Took my girlfriend out for a valentines day dinner here (yes, I'm finally writing a review four months later). I understand that Valentine's day usually places a huge burden on kitchen and service, but I was unimpressed with Bistrot la Minette's performance, given its great reviews. The food was definitely solid, I had the escargot and duck; however it was nothing superb, when compared to other French bistrots I've visited in the US (mainly in NYC) and when prices are taken into consideration. Don't remember what I had for desert. Service was mediocre, nothing special. This was to be expected because it was Valentines Day. What really got me was that we sat closest to the door (which had a flap that was supposed to keep cold air out). This flap did a horrible job, as every time someone would walk in, a rush of cold air would hit my girlfriend and I, completely ruining the atmosphere for us. We asked to be reseated, but as it was too busy we decided against waiting to switch. We even thought about putting on our bulky winter jackets at the table. In sum--good, but overpriced food, decent service, and horrible flap at the front door! If you get the table next to door in winter be sure to move! To the management: you need to add another door/mechanism to keep cold out during winter (perhaps my food would've tasted better were I not worrying about the next person to open the door).
Discovered this gem last night and felt like I fell into the kindest, tastiest spot in Paris. INCREDIBLE service (they doted on my kid in the cutest ways - and anticipated our every need). Food was amazing - quick service, artfully plated, and totally delish. We'll be back!!
Excellent bistro. After just returning from Paris, I found Bistrot La Manette on a whim and it was a superior dining experience.
(5)
Mike W.
Wow is all I have to say. What an incredible experience. Only shortcoming was the table they tried to put us at first. Right next to the hostess stand. Get rid of that table! Food was phenomenal and service was very good. I will most definitely be back!
(5)
Gordon B.
Awesome restaurant! Had dinner here on a Saturday night, prime time. Arrived at the scheduled time for our reservation and we were immediately greeted and shown to our table. Food was fantastic. The mussels with a poached egg was maybe one of the best dishes I've had in awhile. I could eat it every day for breakfast and never tire of it! Tasted everbody elses dishes and they were perfect (foie gras, Alsatian "pizza" and escargot to name a few). Main course for me was the rib eye. This dish finally puts to rest the conundrum of haricot vert not having enough bacon! Wrapped in bacon and grilled, wonderfully tasty! The rib eye was of top notch quality and cooked perfectly. Desserts were delicious as well, but being that I had my fair share of wine I can't be too specific. Staff was friendly and extremely helpful. Always there when you need them and not there when you don't. I can't wait to return!
(5)
Jonny S.
NIce place. Great decor. Lots of mustard used in their dishes but I liked it. I was hungry so I had a lot to eat. I also (inexplicably) was fond of the red aprons worn by the wait-staff.
(4)
Mia F.
This was such a great find. My friends suggested we go to Bistrot La Minette because on Monday and Thursday evenings at 8:30pm in the Spring and Summer you can sit on the outdoor patio and take in a french film (complete with subtitles) while you enjoy your meal. It's the closest you'll feel to sitting in a french cafe in Philadelphia. The food was amazing (I had the rabbit) but the experience alone was worth the trip.
(5)
Daniel V.
This place has a nice decor and though the food is quite tasty, especially the fresh baked bread, our experience was completely ruined by the terrible service. It was our 2 year wedding anniversary, and we chose to celebrate it at this place. We were very excited to eat at Bistrot La Minette, but were greeted and served by a curt asshole of a waiter. It's really too bad. I know it was just poor luck of the draw, but I won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)
Nicholas M.
I was reminded again last night how good this charming restaurant is. Every aspect of the restaurant excels. Our waiter was polished, helpful, and attentive. The meal was so good. We had the mussels with egg (Oeuf du pecheur), the green salad, cauliflower gratin, and the chicken entree. The meal was just as good as my first meal here years ago. I don't know why it has taken me so long to get back. I won't make that mistake again.
(5)
Eileen T.
We moved to the area about a year ago and have passed Bistrot La Minette hundreds of times on our bikes, always commenting that we should try it. Well, tonight we did, for restaurant week. It was exceptional. The atmosphere and decor reminded us of a favorite bistro of ours in Paris. We started the evening with glasses of sparkling wine, and each had a glass of Pinot Noir with our entrees. We were offered a gougere that was tender and nicely flavored with gruyere as an amuse bouche. A vintage enameled pot was placed on the table holding several slices of warm baguette -- crispy and flaky crust with a tender, moist mie. The butter served with the baguette was a delight. (They bake the bread on prem.) Braised short ribs with a decadent, rich jus; roasted rabbit served with homemade tagliatelle and a perfectly balanced, rich and creamy mustard pan sauce; a lovely pea soup; a tomato tart that my husband and I nearly fought over when I wanted to renege on sharing it with him; creamy and luscious rice pudding with berries; three-cheese (Delice de Bourgogne, Comte, and a bleu that I can't remember) mac-and-cheese. This meal was a wonderful surprise. We enjoyed it so much that we made another reservation on our way out. I've worn hearing aids most of my adult life and my husband often requests that we be seated at a different table that would facilitate my hearing the conversation at the table. Not only did the maitre 'd graciously change our table, when we made the reservation as we left, I noticed that he had made a note under my name indicating that I had hearing difficulties. He explained that he wanted to be sure he would seat me at an appropriate table next time we visit. All of the service was unobtrusive, respectful, and timely. $156.00 with tax and a generous tip. This is going to be a regular for us. Don't miss eating at this lovely place.
Like sitting 3,600 miles away....So reminiscent. Loved the atmosphere, the service, the food was delightful!
(5)
David P.
Just an awesome restaurant all around. Great food, decent prices, excellent service. It isn't formal, so dressy casual, and jackets both work well there. I've been a number of times over several years and it never disappoints. My last visit started with mussels in a cream broth over bread with an egg on top. Totally decadent and delicious. The leg of Lamb was tender and perfectly cooked. Leave room for desert. My only quibble is that the wines are a bit pricey for the menu. My feeling is that you should be able to get a decent bottle for about $2x the entrees. They need more selections in the $40-60 range.
(5)
Jung K.
Delicious. Also went for RW menu, which is such a great deal. Charming, cute space - smelled delicious as soon as we walked in. Appetizers that I tasted: foie gras and escargot. Both equally delicious, but the escargot was just REALLY REALLY delicious. 6 escargot in their own little pots, filled with butter and garlic. Small crunchy crouton on top of each little pot. Entrees: I have the cassoulet (like a meaty stew - mine had duck and sausage) with beans and other hearty food items in the pot. Also tried the trout (seasoned well, although not my favorite) as well as the beef bourgignon (delicious). We also tried the two sides: 1. buttered green beans with shallots 2. mac and cheese. On point with the side dishes as well - all empty plates by the time the server came to get our plates. Note on the service - it's on point. Our water glasses were always filled, and the bottle of wine we shared was reasonably priced and yummy. dessert: all were delicious. had the apple tarte, the 'cream puff,' which was more like a strawberry napoleon cream dish of happiness, and then the chocolate mocha sponge cake. Looking forward to going back for regular menu, enjoyed every bit of my meal and experience.
(5)
Ann T.
Went to Bistro La Minette for the first time during Philly Restaurant Week. It was a $35 three course menu. My husband had the escargots as an appetizer and I had a salad. The escargots was well prepared in a garlic butter sauce. We both enjoyed the short ribs for a main course. They were tender and meaty served in a rich red wine sauce. One of the best versions of short ribs I've experienced in a restaurant. for dessert I had the chocolate mousse cake and my husband had the rice pudding. what can you say about chocolate mousse cake except "Yum." The wines were pricey but nice. Service was excellent. We will definitely return!
(4)
Bill W.
Finally made it here, but for breakfast. It was pretty good, I'd like to return for dinner. Not the best breakfast in the city but still pretty good. They have a nice outdoor area that is great for a weekend morning.
(4)
Tina D.
Went there on restaurant week and was happily find there great service, awesome french cuisine and good-old-fashion design! The menu for restaurant week consider a lot of dishes from regular menu and the sizes was pretty good. At the start of third course i was already full! This places really gives you an idea how french cuisine is! And they doing their best at it! Me and my friend choose for dinner : 1) Escargots a la Bourgaignonne/ Salade D'Endives 2) Lapin Roti a la Moutarde/ Cassoulet de toulouse 3) Assiette de fromages/ Mille Feuille aux framboises All dishes made me completely fall in love with this cuisine and this cozy restaurant! If you want to try some not ordinary, high quality and tasty food you better come here! This restaurant is great place for dates! I was really pleased when the main chef come to our table to talk and ask how was our dinner! Thank you! They did a great job! Love it!
(5)
Alanna B.
Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome food. Front start to finish - wonderful food! Even the butter they give with your bread can be consumed by itself (however I wouldn't recommend it.) I have been there twice, and I can honestly say I NEED to go at least once a month. I have sampled from their current Fall 2012 menu - which I presume will be changing in a few weeks for the Winter season. TIP: Make reservations on OpenTable for points! Ask for tap water - free (but they also have "speciality" water too). Wine and Beer selection (by glass and bottle). Appetizers: Awesome pizza, fanstastic cheesy, buttery raviolis, great escargot, and fantastic mussels. Entrees: I never had quail or rabbit in my life, but if you are interested in trying it, this is the place. The Duck Confit is the BEST I have ever tasted. Desserts: I have said this is the "best" ever...but if there is one dish that really calls my name throughout the day, it's their creme brulee. O-M-G.....You MUST order this dish. I could go back every day just to have one. *Dreamy mood* You will not be disappointed. Join their mailing list too!
(5)
Adam F.
Bistrot La Minette is an excellent choice for casual French fare with great service and ambiance. They even gave us a light puff pastry and chocolates complimentary. - Escargot was very good, 9 pieces in individual little pots - Tartare was quite flavorful - Duck confit was amazing, cooked so well - Rabbit with homemade tagliatelle was excellent as well Great wine options for those with fancy palates. For those on a budget, the house wine was pretty decent and affordable, also with options for half bottle or full bottle. Deserts looked great too.
(5)
Chuck G.
Excellent traditional French bistro. The food was spectacular and the service was great (not too overbearing, but attentive). Went with wife and we each had an app, an entree, and shared dessert (no wine). Price: was reasonable ($111 after tip and tax). We had: poached egg with mussels, sweetbreads, rabbit, trout, and sorbet assortment. Everything was excellent. Highly recommended.
(5)
Michael W.
First time and we were blown away. Don't let french food intimidate you if you have never had it. If you have, this restaurant is one of the best, PERIOD. Food is outstanding, service is wonderful and price/value is perfect. Great for date night, friends or groups(they have a private dining room). Also you can bring your own however there is a corkage. Put this place on your list in Philly either for lunch or dinner. BTW they make their own bread. You'll never order bread at another restaurant again.
(5)
Sharandy O.
I went there for the first time during restaurant week and it was amazing! First of all, the service is superb. So well mannered and helpful. I ordered the poached egg and mussels for my first course and it was delicious. It was a lot of food. It could have been a meal on it's own. My friend got the escargot and loved it. I had the rabbit for my main course which was amazing. Tender, juicy and oh so flavorful! I had never had rabbit before so this is definitely going to be hard to beat. For dessert I had the cream puffs with the raspberries: delicious. This place gets five stars from me. Loved it
(5)
Sarah F.
Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.
(5)
Anita B.
Everything was super yummy! I would return the service was excellent and the atmosphere is adorable
(4)
Lindsay L.
Saltier than the French food I'm used to in NYC. Overall the food is good but not remarkable. The presentation really nice and service excellent. Not much intimacy in the seating so you can't really have a private conversation. We ended up talking with the people next to us. I would go to dine with family or a group, but not for a date.
(3)
Brian C.
I absolutely love this place. I've been here a few times and every single time i've been very pleased. the service is very attentive, the food is delicious, and if you're available in the summer, try out the movie and dinner out in the back patio. Honestly all the food is good, but a few standouts: - Œuf du Pêcheur - a generous portion of mussels in a lovely, balanced creamy and acidic sauce. - Mille Feuille aux Framboises - crispy, light puff pastry filled with raspberries and cream. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Philly!
(5)
Jaime H.
There were three in our partay - the boy, his dad, et moi. We dined here last Saturday evening to celebrate the dad's birthday. We had a reservation and I arrived before the fashionably tardy boys. The hostess gave me a choice between being seated immediately (sans full party) or waiting for the boys at the bar. I chose to be seated and seated I was. Heather was our server and was appropriately attentive. We drank one pitcher each of the blanc (appetizers) and rouge (entrees) table wines which were perfectly enjoyable. For appetizers we shared the foie gras (very good), the escargot (solid), and the salmon tartare (also solid). Heather consistently replenished our bread and butter which was quite delightful. For the main course the bf ordered the rabbit dish (not game-y, good) served with a wonderful pasta, I had the standard poulet roti (best ever!!), and the birthday boy had 'the best beef bourguignon of his life.' I am still dreaming of my dish - a basic French offering, but done properly as it was here, it is quite spectacular. We managed to find room for dessert given the nature of the occasion and ordered the Mille Feuille aux Framboise (good, we heard it was tres popular), the tarte tatin (best I've had yet! caramel ice cream!), and the pot de creme au chocolat (good). Overall, the food was very good - there were a few standout dishes: the foie gras, the poulet roti, the beef bourguignon, and the tarte tatin. The service was outstanding as well. My only complaint, and it's not truly a complaint is that we were not forewarned how hot the escargot pots were. Minor, but yet important, detail. Regarding the food, I felt the salmon tartare was caper-heavy. All in all - great experience and we shall return!
(4)
Peter M.
This was my first experience with French food. For an appetizer I got Œuf du Pêcheur Fisherman's style poached egg, toast, mussels, tarragon cream. It was ok but apparently I'm not a fan of runny egg for dinner. The sauce and mussels were awesome but the egg took over and made it just so so For my entree I had Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde Mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle, rabbit jus. This was my first time trying rabbit and boy oh boy have I been missing out. Sweet Baby Jesus!! It seems to me that the cuter the animal the tastier it is. I mean I new veal was delicious but apparently Peter Cottontail is on the same level. I'd feel bad but that bastard stole Farmer MacGregor's vegetables So he had it coming imo.
(4)
Agnes M.
Meal was great but music was blasting! Do not confuse ambiance music and a night club at club med! Not sure that the wait staff knew that...
(2)
Amanda F.
Thank you, thank you, Bistrot la Minette, for one of my favorite birthday dinners ever. :) First of all, a note about the service--which was unfailingly nice, courteous, and professional, from the guy at the front desk to our waiters. They called to confirm my online reservation and when I called them back, they told me that not only could we sit in the lovely back courtyard if we wanted, but if we didn't want to watch the French movies they project on the wall on Mondays (!!) they would hold a seat for us out front instead--but no pressure, we could decide when we got there. When we did arrive, the man at the front not only remembered talking to me, he was amusingly nonjudgmental about my complete lack of phone skills. And our waiters throughout the meal were perfect: they explained the menu but not too much, they were always there when you needed to ask for something but were not too intrusive, and basically just contributed a lot to an already fantastic meal. This may seem like a lot of superlatives, but I really enjoyed myself in all aspects of the dinner. The outdoor courtyard deserves all of the accolades that blogs and magazines have heaped upon it. It's small and narrow, but they pack a lot of tables in, and not so close as they seemed to be in the dining room. Fairy lights are strung across the top of it, enclosing it but leaving a view of the sky open. The tables, a gray-stained wood, complimented the gray stucco walls nicely. The yard hummed with good conversation as people ate, and later, transformed into an adorable outdoor movie theatre, a background for an early Audrey Tautou movie. If the weather is good DEFINITELY try and sit back here--it was fantastic. Also, to the woman I was sitting next to, if you are on Yelp, I apologize for not holding a better conversation... by that time I'd had a little bit of the delicious house blanc. Oops. We decided to do the September fixed price menu, and although everything was great, I definitely want to save up the money and do La Minette proper. The meal began with the complimentary gougere, which was crispy on the outside and warm and savory on the inside. The bread, also, was just as it should be; a crispy outside that shattered when you bit into it, and cool, soft fluffy butter. We went through two baskets of it and I'm sure only embarrassment stopped us from eating more. As for the main meals, I ordered the tomato terrine, trout in a lemony brown butter sauce, and the creme brulee. My boyfriend ordered the potato leek soup, the half-roasted chicken, and the chocolate mousse cake. So between us, we'd tried everything on that little menu, and everything was fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect from the tomato terrine, but it was a slice of what looked like tomatoes pressed in a loaf shape. In between the two main sections were slivers of basil and aged balsamic vinegar. It was a little odd looking but surprisingly good. I tasted a spoonful of the soup and it was hearty, creamy, and satisfying. I LOVED the main course: two thin trout fillets, with the crispy skin still attached, atop haricots verts and fingerling potatoes, in a tart brown butter sauce. I normally don't even like green beans but I ate everything. And my boyfriend, who doesn't eat fish usually, tried a bite of my entree and liked it. Ah, the power of good cooking. There are two types of creme brulees: those that focus on a higher burnt sugar content to those that seem more about the custard. Personally I am in favor of more burnt sugar, hence the lower, wider ramekins are preferred. Bistro La Minette gets it right: and as a bonus the custard was chilled when brought out. I couldn't eat all of it, though, because although the portions of the rest of the meal were perfectly sized, the richness of the custard (and the combination of a bottle and a half of wine) proved too much for me. I also didn't try my boyfriend's cake but it looked beautifully arranged on the plate. With the check, two cold chocolate truffles were brought out, which I thought was an adorable touch. All in all, everything was wonderful! I am definitely going to save up so that I can go back and experience the restaurant properly...partially because I spent a large portion of the dinner eyeing my neighbors' rabbit enviously, but mostly because it was such a lovely evening.
(5)
Allyson P.
Amazing! Drinks, appetizer, entrees all made perfectly. Worth the price for a special occasion - and they have specials that aren't too costly too!
(5)
Tough Crowd T.
Had dinner with friends last Saturday evening and enjoyed the experience. I was stunned, however, how expensive the meal turned out to be. It reminded me why I typically prefer BYOs to full service restaurants. We had four appetizers (truffle pasta, sardines, beet salad and mussles), four entrees (duck, rabbit, steak and dorade), two drinks/glasses of wine each and two desserts (lemon tart and opera cake) and our bill came to $360, all in. Everything was fine, but nothing was outstanding or remarkable. As frequently the case, the appetizers outshined the entrees, except for the truffle pasta, which was mediocre. The sardines are very good, indeed, but have been on the menu since the restaurant opened. The mussles were very good, and so was the beet salad, but not particularly creative or pushing the culinary envelope in any way. Of the desserts, the lemon tart was actually quite poor -- the crust was cold and too hard and the custard was too runny. The opera cake was delicious though. I will have dinner here again, but will either order more carefully or make it into a parents-in-law dinner night out.
(4)
jen m.
we had a mishap occur with a coat rack falling on our table and thusly breaking a wine glass and spraying red wine on some of us, but nevertheless i am giving this place 5 stars for the great food and the service which was exceptional (despite the coat rack). it's saying a lot of me to forgive the fact that one of our party's shirt was stained from the wine and we had to get all new appetizers because ours was filled with broken glass. but our waiter, kane, was very knowledgeable and friendly. the other waitstaff were very courteous. they gave us free wine for the mishap. and all in all it was a pleasant experience. i would return.
(5)
Penelope K.
Very disappointing. Nothing tasted fresh-it all seemed warmed over. Brutalist service (Just because the French are reputed to be rude?), small portions of overly salted and buttered food, lamb seriously undercooked (we asked for medium, this was less than blue) and poor cut, Sardines limp and inferior despite being touted as plat de la maison, Rhubarb sorbet tasted like salt and nothing else. Back garden is a heat sink between two high walls and very loud if a large party is next to you. I would not return.
(1)
Tom W.
My wife and I were staying in Philly over night and wanted to celebrated with a nice meal. While this restaurant was on the pricier end for us, it was definitely worth the money. We loved the atmosphere, it had a hip French feel with out being pretentious. We really enjoyed the French music that was playing: it was edgy enough to be interesting without being obnoxious. We have both spent some time in France, so some of the lyrics made us laugh. We refrained from wine, but ordered appetizers. The Alsatian Pizza, which has onion, lardon (like bacon but better) and creme fraiche (like sour cream but better), was excellent. The escargot were deliciously tender, each in their little pot of garlic butter. For our main course, my wife got the Duck and I got the Salmon. It was hard to discern which entree was better, we both enjoyed picking from each other's plates. The salmon was very buttery -- the mash potatoes were a little salty, though that did not detract much from the experience as a whole. I must say also that our server was excellent. Very attentive without being obstructive.
(5)
Meredith B.
I was looking forward to dinner, but meh sums it up. Nice ambience. Started with amuse bouche of Lilliputian sized gougere. My appetizer was soupe parmentier which was supposed to be a puree of winter root vegetables. The dominant taste was cream. Who doesn't love cream, but was there potato, celery root, parsnip, onion? I couldn't discern any particular vegetable. Husband had the oeufs pecheur, poached egg with cream sauce and mussels. That was the best dish of the evening. For main I had boeuf bourgignon. For $27 I expected some richness and depth of flavor, but this was a lackluster stew, with no wine or mushroom flavor. Very bland other than the crispy lardons on top. Husband got mustard sauced rabbit with tagliatelle. Fairly tender, but sauce with little dijon flavor, tagliatelle not homemade, in all just an ok dish. Skipped dessert (2 mediocre courses and we cut our losses) and had coffee which came with a couple of cute chocolates. I would have given 3 stars, but given the prices, the food should be more than mediocre, plus I got a stomache after the meal, before we even made it home. Other reviewers seemed to love it but I just don't get.
(2)
steven g.
excellent food preparation and plating; knowledgeable, courteous and well-trained wait staff; varied selection of menu offerings...al in all, a worthy experience
(5)
tilla e.
The space is really lovely. We were there with a toddler and felt welcomed, which isn't always the case. The food was very good but not amazing. The pea soup was excellent as were the scallops. I had the rabbit. It came in two pieces - the leg being cooked perfectly but the thigh was a little dry. It was also just a "hare" too salty (couldn't help myself, sorry). All in all, I would go back.
(4)
Lee G.
As good as it gets! this is currently my fav place to eat. great service, amazing food and french film nights in the back patio! (can't wait!) We always order the house wine and a few first course plates. Try the sardines grrillees if you like sardines or not, not too salty or fishy, just perfect! the mussels are yummy too served with a poached egg and a sweet tarrgon sauce. The escargot is served in individual pots in a buttery garlic sauce that is delicious!
(5)
G C.
Quaint place, not large but not small that everyone's squished. Has a french feel. Came here thinking it's byo but waiter then mentioned there's a $15 per bottle corkage fee which we took us by surprise. In the end we just opened one bottle so it was okay. I got the poached egg with mussels which was so yummy and creamy with the toast. Then I got the duck confit which was cooked in a casserole style with break crumbs and beans. So delicious. I had a taste of my friend's beef cheeks which was so soft and the rabbit tasted delicious as well. For dessert i had the mille feuille with raspberry which was divine. I am partial though because i love flaky consistencies.
(4)
Susanna L.
Omg! This is the best french place I have ever gone to in Philadelphia!! The place has a nice homey feeling to it and our waiter was very friendly. Was kind to explain anything on the menu and filled our water constantly when it was empty. The food was wonderfully good. I got the duck and my friend the rabbit. I expected the meat to be gamy, but surprisingly I tasted nothing of it. It was soo good!!! So good that I couldnt pass up dessert, which was an upside down apple cake. Omg what a wonderful finish. Will come back here with friends or family another time. Highly recommend it!
(5)
Dave H.
Dining here made me feel like I was back in France - and I've traveled there a bit. Little touches like the music, the "push" and "pull" signs on the doors, and a server from Marseilles (okay, not such a little touch) worked together nicely. Since it was a sleepy Sunday, we easily got a table for two. Table bread and butter were quite good, and their escargot hit the spot, pleasantly buttery and full of flavor. We shared a pitcher of wine, and my co-conspirator enjoyed their prix fixe menu while I put down a plate of duck breast (magret du canard; $27), cooked medium with a celery root puree, glazed turnips, and a delightful foie gras sauce. Their plating was more austere than expected, but thankfully Chef Woolsey didn't disappoint. Pricing is fancy French, but it's a good value if you're used to that sort of thing.
(4)
Jenn W.
I have passed by this plenty of times. Curious as what to expect. My friend I haven't seen in awhile had mentioned it to me. So he made reservations on Sunday . Parking wasn't too bad, we opted to sit outside, since it was beautiful day. The water came in Carafe, small little delicate touches to everything. It was Unanimous, prefix menu was best for your $$, 25.00 pick 3 courses from each area. I got this Spinach Dumplings that were delightful in a tomato base sauce, my friend got a cured pork belly, cured into almost like a ham /prosciutto served on a bruschetta. Homemade bread & butter, it was great!!! main entree: duck confit with potatoes in light butter sauce with string beans, Yum!!! The Duck confit was alot bigger then ones I 've had. It was falling of the bone, with consistency like crispy pork skin!!! OH my!!!!! Friends entree: was Sole filet's with string beans, potatoes. Then we finished it off with dessert, course mine was Creme Brulee, little over done not softer texture that I would like , he wanted Mille-feuille , but they were out, so he got the trio of sherbets!!! It was excellent. All in all, Glad he picked this, our waiter was great, very knowledgeable. Great thing is when sitting outside, get a free show , 3 out of 3 people could not Parallel park at all..kept hitting the cars. Ha-ha!!! It was very vintage look inside, old world French, great place to take your date or friend for birthday , etc. Portions are small, but just right for me, with Prefix, alot for me. (* 3 courses) I'd go back!!
(4)
Tina C.
We went there for our wedding anniversary because of all the fabulous reviews but we were somewhat disappointed. The interior felt like a dining hall and only had about 3 tables on a Thursday night. The homemade bread was very good and my tarte de tomate was pretty good but my canard confit was too salty and my husband's rabbit was just meh. The worst was the gratin de courgette which completely missed the mark with sliced zucchini in cream and some slab of cheese on top. I don't think the price equal the quality. I'm not going back.
(2)
Jim B.
My wife and I both agree that this is the best place for French food in the city. It's relaxed, casual, and romantic. "Down to earth" shall we say, and yet so much more. Any dining experience comes down to three things: food, service, and ambiance - I cannot fault BLM on any of those points, and we've had consistently good meals throughout the years with nary a hiccup.
(5)
Aneesh B.
Enjoyed an excellent meal here with friends on a special date night with old friends. Service was attentive, helpful, polite, and not at all intrusive. Great cocktails - I enjoyed their Sazerac and the missus, as usual, enjoyed some bubbles before dinner. Our friends enjoyed some Belgian beer and champagne as well. We enjoyed the foie gras appetizer, the salade nicoise, the Daube Provencal, the chick peas (which were garlicky and perfect - like eating all the ingredients for hummus in non-blended form), and the monkfish. My entree (Daube) paired quite nicely with a GSM Rhone blend from the wine list, which always makes me happy. For dessert we all shared the pot de creme and the mille feuille with pastry cream and raspberries. Probably the leats impressive part of the meal but still a fine ending to a lovely evening. I am usually not in love with French bistro fare. It usually seems so commonplace these days. But La Minette was different and thoughtful, so I would definitely dine here again. It is located in what seems to be a little French pocket of the City near South street which I didn't even know was there. Will be a pleasure to return and explore some more.
(4)
R. M.
This is a great place for lovebirds. Bistrot La Minette is extremely romantic and the food is wonderful. You can't get away with just ordering an entree here. So order from appetizer to dessert and everything in between. I also like that it is a little off the beaten path.
(5)
Julia C.
Went here for restaurant week a while back and I was impressed! The service was impeccable, the ambience was cozy and the food was, in a word, divine. I had the escargot for my first course, which was nice and garlicky, and the rabbit as the entree. Hoping I can come back again soon to try some of their wine pairings!
(5)
David Q.
This is an upscale French restaurant yet is not super fancy. It is great French food without the stuffiness of the stereotypical French restaurant. I took my girlfriend here for a belated Valentine's day dinner and I was not disappointed, even after getting the $100+ bill, it was worth it. Everyone is so nice. It's definitively worth going for special nights. I'll definitely be coming back.
(5)
Stella N.
My favorite french bistro in Philly. Great for a date night or with a group! Great ambiance, food, drink, and service.
I had never heard of this place, but I went with it based on the stellar Yelp reviews and also the 1,000 OpenTable points. It turned out to be awesome! Our server was really talking up the Picpoul de Pinet white wine, so I tried it, liked it & ordered it. Afterwards I realized they had carafes of house wine for $11 or $12 & each glass of picpoul was $9, so I would totally order the carafe next time. But no biggie, I guess it was my fault for being trigger happy with ordering. I have never had escargot and I really wanted to try it here, but we chickened out and ordered the mussels & egg app. It was amazingly delicious, almost like a runny egg on toast covered in alfredo sauce and perfectly cooked mussels (and I don't even really like mussels). We were sopping up the sauce with our bread, yum! I saw someone else who ordered the escargot and they were prepared in little egg cups (you weren't wrestling them out of a shell a la Pretty Woman) and I wished we had tried them. For entrees my husband had the duck, which was *amazing*, and I had the steak, which was good but extremely peppercorn-y. The waiter warned me of this in advance and I said that it was ok because I like spicy, but it was almost ridiculously too much peppercorn. I just scraped them off. The steak was cooked perfectly though, like dictionary-definition of how I ordered (medium well). We had the macaroni and cheese side dish and it was amazing. For dessert we had the apple tarte tatin and it was good, but pretty small and a very small amount of ice cream. Husband had a cappucino and enjoyed it. With the check they brought two dark chocolate truffles which were yum. There was outdoor seating out front, but the hostess told us about the garden in back and it was adorable. We really liked sitting there and weren't too close to other people that way. Service was great, our server was a very quiet talker but attentive and helpful. Just a great place to try!
(5)
Candice B.
I came here recently for an indulgent date night. From the moment we were seated to the moment we exited through the front door, we had nothing but extraordinary service. Our server was very pleasant, a little chatty (but not too much!) and helpful. We ordered from the special summer Provencale menu and were treated to very light but flavorful dishes - rabbit for me and lamb for my boyfriend. We split an escargot appetizer and snacked on a complimentary cheesy puff pastry. And of course, the bread and butter is not to be missed! French cuisine doesn't make me weak in the knees, but this was outstanding food. For dessert, we took suggestions from our server and were not disappointed. The meal ended with complimentary chocolate, and a lovely walk afterwards. I was told by a friend that the house wine is pretty darn good, so we opted for a pitcher of house white. I am not a wine snob so my opinion doesn't mean much here, but I enjoyed it.
(5)
Sara H.
This place has become my new tradition for taking my mom here on Mother's Day. We came here last year on a whim of trying to find a new place to discover. We didn't have reservations but were seated in their lovely outside garden terrace area. The food was delicious, the service was amazing and it was really pleasant sitting outside in a small nook type of garden. I love authentic French food, and this place is exactly that. Their menu was fixed for Mother's Day but it was impressive. We are going here again tomorrow and probably will keep making it a tradition every year on the same day. Bon Appetit!
(5)
Brian M.
Took my parents here awhile back for a nice dinner out. This is a place I've been meaning to get to for awhile, that I still follow their event schedule closely and definitely mean to come back to again soon. If only Philly didn't have so many great food options this is the kind of place you can get a consistently good meal over and over again without ever being bored. As it was Sunday I took advantage of their awesome prix fixe. Everything the table had was enjoyed, although no one was overwhelmingly excited about anything. It's just a solid, well prepared French country meal. Along with the Sunday prix fixe they also have a number of specials for movies, free wine, etc. if you follow them on Twitter/Facebook. Highly recommended even if you just plan to go once and follow for a couple weeks prior.
(4)
Brittany M.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. My boyfriend found this restaurant by searching for the best mac and cheese in Philadelphia. We decided to come check it out for drinks and dinner. The appetizers and the fresh sliced french bread were a great start. I had the steak and we shared a side of mac and cheese and everything was amazing. The food and service were both excellent.
(5)
Carlo M.
Went here for my birthday dinner on the Friday before Labor Day, and it was a wonderful experience. I'm not sure how busy this place gets on a normal weekend, but because it was Labor Day weekend, I'm going to assume that it was emptier than normal. We had reservations for two at 8pm, but we could've easily sat down at any number of tables inside or outside. We chose the outside. It was beautiful night out, and we got a little section of the patio all to ourselves since the place wasn't that crowded. The service was excellent. Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, the specials, and the drinks, and she was able to answer all of our questions effortlessly. The food was very good. We were treated to an amuse-bouche, which tonight was a small pastry filled with warm gruyere. That was followed by the fresh, house-baked bread, which is one of the better breads I've had. For an appetizer, we started with the escargot. It was so delicious, and we found ourselves dipping the bread into the oil. For entrees, we had the steak au poivre with a cognac-based glaze & she had the Daube Provencal, which was Provencal-style braised beef. The steak au poivre was excellent, and I could definitely taste the hint of cognac. It's something I had never had, so it was interesting and very good. The Daube was also good, though I definitely preferred my steak. For dessert, be sure to get the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. It's a caramelized puff pastry with vanilla pastry cream & raspberries. It's not what you expect from a puff pastry, and apparently it's the staff's favorite dessert. It was an excellent recommendation. To close out the night, the staff brought out a plate with some chocolate truffles & "Happy Birthday" drizzled in chocolate. It was a nice end to the evening. The drinks were awesome. Try the Aviation & the Boulevard St. Germain.
(4)
Panina H.
Came here for restaurant week with the dude and had a good experience. The food is good, the restaurant is cozy, and the service is excellent. Maybe Yelp hyped it up for me, leading me to think this would be an incredible experience, but I'm not going to lie - it wasn't memorable. The food: -Escargot- 8 adorable little cups filled with garlic/butter oil, snail, and a little crouton to top it off. It was good, but nothing impressive. I was really excited about this dish, so it was rather disappointing for me to say the least. -Farmer's poached egg on toast with mussels- A couple of Yelp reviews convinced me that this was going to be a wonderful dish so I insisted the dude order for his appetizer. Even though I knew he didn't like mussels, I was sure this dish would change his mind. Nope! After eating one mussel, it was confirmed that he still didn't like them. There were A LOT of mussels, which I ended up eating. They were good, but I've better. Having eaten half of the dude's appetizer, I dared not touch his poached egg on toast. He said it was really good, but he could have been lying just to spare my guilt for pushing him to order a dish that was just average. -Beef cheeks- Beautiful presentation, fresh ingredients, tender meat, and bold flavor. It looks like a small portion, but it does fill you up. Not over stuffing you, but just enough to leave you feeling satisfied. The dude enjoyed this (thank goodness!) and said it reminded him of a Korean dish his grandma used to make. -Lamb/Duck/Sausage Casserole- A very hearty stew that you would enjoy on a cold winter's night. It's very comforting, a classic homey type of dish. The duck and lamb were very tender, but my sausage was overcooked. It was a solid dish, but again, nothing special. -3 Cheese Macaroni- We ordered this side dish for $8, but it was quite bland and the dude thought it smelled bad. Well, the fancier the cheese, the stinkier it is. -Upside down apple tart- The dude only liked the ice cream, which is surprising because he loves apple pie. He ate one slice of apple and just left the rest on the plate. -Layered puff pastry with raspberries- This was only thing that "wowed" me at Bistrot la Minette and I probably would go back just to eat this heavenly dessert again! I'm not big on sweets, I prefer savory or tart flavors, so this light dessert was perfect for my palette. The layered pastries were thin and flakey, lightly salty because of the caramel coating. The cream was not too thick or sweet, but rather airy and tart. The raspberries were fresh and chilled, just a perfect topping for this dessert. It was definitely my favorite dish of the night, highly recommend! Besides the mixed feelings on the food, the service and atmosphere is great! The waiters don't mess around, always clearing plates, bringing out food as soon as it's done, refilling drinks, changing utensils on the table... just stand out service! They also do coat checks and have a small, but nice bar area in the front. One thing to note is their bathroom is unisex. It's not that weird once you realize a guy or a gal could be entering when you're washing your hands. It's only weird (and awkward) if you or the other person walking in doesn't know.
(3)
Mike E.
Great meal, great service. I've lived really close by for years, but only finally came here for the first time with my girlfriend and my folks last Friday night. Right away, I was impressed right away with the level of attention we got and the fact that we weren't treated like some sort of fungus for being relatively casually dressed relative to the general demeanor of the room. Lots of great options on the food menu and wine list (including several good bottles to choose from in the $30-50 price range), and we didn't have any trouble finding something that sounded great (even my girlfriend, the vegetarian). My dad and I both ordered the stuffed porc roti (to my thinking, the obvious choice), but when they came out, our orders were both underdone. Like, REALLY super-rare, which I love in a steak but probably isn't optimal for piggies. We each gave it a shot, trying to be open-minded, but finally called the waiter over to let him know that we wanted to send it back for another round. He agreed it was underdone, and took it away. I didn't really expect much besides another five minutes in the oven - both the ladies were already most of the way toward finishing their meals, but them's the breaks and we're not big complainers. Instead, the manager comes over and apologizes profusely on both his behalf and that of the chef, and tells us that both our pork entrees will be on the house, along with comped desserts for everybody. Oh, and instead of just cooking up our bitten porc roti, they made us fresh plates with fresh entrees. Holy cow! Oh yeah, and everything was delicious. So yeah - great meal, definitely worth the money, in a very classy but unpretentious environment that didn't look down on me being slightly hobo-esque that evening. Will certainly be back. Oh, and if you like cocktails, order the Aviation - it kicks ass.
(5)
ben c.
Wow, who knew this place existed! My girlfriend and I have been bookmarking a lot of resturants lately. Too bad we're both too busy to eat out as often as we would like. We came here for restaurant week and it was a first visit for both of us. It's sort of hidden but once you find it, you will never forget where it is. We were greeted at the door and taken to our table. The restaurant has a nice and comforting feel to it. The kitchen is partially open and you can see/hear/smell all the cooking going on which adds to the environment and feel of the place. The food is really delicious and delicately prepared and the service was very fast. Some of the items we ordered were baguette, poached eggs with mussels, escargot, trout, mushroom puff pastry, upside-down apple tart with caramel ice cream and caramelized puff pastry with raspberry. Some of the foods were a tad too salty for our liking and we linked it with the high volume of patrons being that it was restaurant week. Still, even at full capacity, this shouldn't have occurred. Another thing that we both noticed and were sort of bothered by was the waiters/waitresses were standing around like hawks. They clean up the plates as soon as we put them down or finish them, it's almost a big startling and overly uncomfortable. Again, we figured they wanted to move diners through to accommodate their reservations but this too shouldn't have happened. We agreed to come back again in the future to try things outside the set menu and really give this place a taste test. Hopefully the taste of the foods and the service will represent this place for what it really is. Still, I will give it 5 stars for still an exceptional evening dining experience. Save room for the desserts, your tummy will thank you.
(5)
Cath R.
My husband and I came here for dinner and it was a great experience. It is located right off South Street and the atmosphere was true to a french bistro and hte waiter service was fantastic. We started off with the snails and the scallops and i agree with another poster - do not leave here without trying the snails- they were delicious. The scallops were also great, but we were definitly fighting over the snails. I then had the steak and I think he had the duck (it's been a few weeks since we went). Then for dessert we shared the puff pastry which we devoured pretty quickly. We highly recommend the restuarant - we would just not recommend ordering a cocktail and stick with the wine. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes for our table (even having reservations - but no big deal) and we went to the bar. my hisband ordered an Szarec - sure, maybe not the best thing to order at a French Bistro - but they should at least know how to make one. All the ingredients were poured over the glass of ice and not stirred or shaken - it was the worse drink ever. But the service at the table, wine and food made up for 1 bad drink.
(4)
Elaine L.
Wonderful restaurant and ambiance. Came here for a dinner on a Saturday night with my boyfriend and we absolutely enjoyed everything. The place is small but very cozy. Super romantic indeed. The food was wonderful and seemed true to the French cuisine. Portion sizes weren't ridiculous and the service was pretty good. It's been a while since we've been but I remember that we got the escargot and oysteres. The presentation of the escargot was pretty memorable in that I've never seen escargot in single cups but always in a dish with divets in the middle. The oysters were clean and fresh - almost as if they were just brought in from the ocean. Thankfully, it wasn't too briney but I would say we've had better. I remember that my boyfriend and I shared the duck confit and another pork dish (he's more of the pork man --) Both of which were wonderful. The meat was super juicy and tender (just how meat should be) - and the flavors were sublime! Nothing was too overwhelming and despite the manipulations to the material, I think the natural flavors of the duck and the pork shined through. Overall, great date place but it is small so reserve early!
(5)
Ian F.
Amazing classic Bistro fare. Try the Limonade and Absinthe cocktail, and anything with puff pastry.
(5)
Juliana K.
DELICIOUS! Duck pate was melt in your mouth! It has a little crunch too since it was layered with croutons. WOW. Salads were good and light. Beef cheeks entree was amazing. The red wine sauce it was in was full bodied flavor. The beef cheeks were tender, fatty, and yummy. Gnocchi with the entree was creamy. The veal special was great. Veal was tender. Veggies were cooked perfectly. Two things they let us try complimentary was a delicious little gruyere bread puff and some chocolates at the end. The honey ice cream is soo amazing and smooth. Coffee is also of high quality. Great meal. Service was good. Waiter was very knowledgeable. Will definitely come back.
(5)
David B.
I have a soft spot in my heart for French food. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Paris and I am found of the stylings of Julia Child. When I lived in Philly, the place to go for French food was Le Bec Fin. Alas, I never made it. So, I was please to experience the food stylings of Bistrot La Minette. I found this wonderful establishment through all of you, my fellow Yelpers. I was in town on business and dining alone, so I wanted something special. La Minette fit the bill. The dining room is a a single large space. It wasn't too busy the Sunday I was there but imagine that it could get very loud on a busy evening. My waiter was quick and efficient but a little cold. The wine list is not terribly large but they have carafes of a house red and white with a decent selection available by the glass. I opened the meal with mussels out of their shells (well there were three in their shells for garnish) in a cream sauce topped with a poached egg. Yum! I decided to go with a French classic for my entree: Cassoulet. It came in its own little crock and was filled with yummy goodness. The stew was rich and tomatoey with lardons, sausage, and lamb. The duck confit was fabu. I had a simple dessert, house made ice cream with a cup of tea. A very nice meal. I look forward to going back with my hubby and reliving our honeymoon in Paris!
(4)
Bill G.
I agree with the 4 & 5 star reviews here so I will not restate the obvious. What I will say is the Braised Duck is fantastic and the cheese & caulifower side was a delight. I highly recommend the place and have been back twice. Oh and I reluctantly tried the house pour pichet (to the rest of us a pitcher of wine) and got the bordeaux blend. well worth the $22 as opposed to some of the other marked up wines below $50. You will NOT be disappointed.
(5)
Victoria L.
French food may be my favorite cuisine, and Bistrot la Minette did not disappoint. The freshly made baguettes and butter are addicting. My friend and I shared the mushroom puff pastry appetizer, which was rich and earthy. I got the ravioli because the vegetarian options were slim. It was nicely al dente with a carrot puree that was surprisingly amazing (because I'm not a huge fan of carrots). My friend got the duck and said it was good as well. We couldn't pass up dessert after hearing the ice cream flavors: vanilla, caramel, and a toasted flavor - the last being the best. I can't wait to come back and try other things.
(4)
Kim S.
Fantastic food, service and environment. Minette has traditional French food but delivers it impeccably! During restaurant week they served healthy portions and even gave us lots of freebies. Don't miss the foie gras terrine, probably the best terrine I've had. A lot of people rave about the mussels and although I think they're good, I wasn't impressed and probably wouldn't order them again. Mike is a fantastic server. I cannot wait to go here again!
(5)
sun b.
Yummy, great service. Too bad they ran out of the creme brulee. =(
(4)
Timothy D.
Went back for their Dinner in Perigord fixed menu and had a ball. Prunes, poached eggs, duck, and some truly badass wines were served up and had us smiling. Excellent service and inspired food.
(5)
Laura B.
If you're reading this, stop and just go to Bistrot La Minette already. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city; super friendly and helpful service, great ambiance and DELICIOUS food. Did I mention the food is delicious? Cause it is. Three words. Œuf du Pêcheur You will never need to eat anything else in life once you've had this dish. Ok, now please do yourself a favor, put down your phone or laptop and go.
(5)
Lucy T.
Great date spot, very casually chic. Food is impeccable every time. Service is professional and non-invasive. On the more standoff-ish European side of service than the chatty, get-to-know-you brand of American service I can sometimes find intrusive. Dying to try the big family-style dinner they do in the side room. Next special occasion, maybe?
(5)
Alison S.
Just wow. So we went the other night for dinner, as they were ranked in the top 50 in Philly of 2012. Date had rabbit for the main course, said it was fantastic. I had the Duck Confit, which was melt in your mouth amazing. I have a few food allergies, and one of them is dairy. Well, French food = butterific, so the waiter wasn't certain which appetizer would be best so he went to ask the chef. Upon returning, he informed us that the chef advised that it would be best if he could MAKE UP A DISH FOR ME. Ummm ok if you insist, LOL! It was a scallops dish and it was to die for. Seriously, what a great experience, all around. Customer service, food, drinks, knowledge of the food by the waiter.. all of it was fantastic. 5 stars!!!
(5)
Mr P.
Was always intrigued by this place every time I walk by. Stop in for a quick dinner last night. Since it was the long holiday weekend, the place was half empty. Got a table right away without fuss. The waiter was friendly but not intrusive. Love how they make the place look like a french bistro, soft lighting and lots of red. Now the food, As a rule, for any new places, we always order appetizers, this way you can try more things and it give you an idea how good the food is. fois grais was very good, the green salad was perfectly dressed, mussels in cream sauce with an egg was not what I expected but very good, sardines was a little strange in the sense that it was filleted and sheered not too crazy about it, the bread is probably one of the best baguette I found in Philly, just like in France crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will be back
(4)
DOPETASTIC Q.
Bastille Day Let me assert first that this was one of my favorite restaurants in Philly, having been there on numerous occasions previously with both large and small groups. Bastille day was a Total let down, and I don't employ these words lightly. Both the normally impeccable food and service was missing. While the soup course and appetizer buffet were good, they did not make up for the ill-presented, chewy and dry lamb that we were served. Wine pairings did not arrive with food, and instead of a relaxing, chill atmosphere the air was tense and chaotic, a difficult environment. No one bothered to explain to us what was on our plates, the wines we were drinking. Perhaps my previous experiences here have spoiled me, and my expectations were too high. But this has been the only time I was not greeted like an old friend and served as an esteemed guest. As you can imagine, the experience was jarring and disappointing. I'm contemplating on going back again during a non-special event maybe just to make sure that this was a 1 time issue. But it sure felt like the restaurant traded a bit of soul for a bit of profit. Poor form chaps, poor form.
(1)
Robert T.
The Bistrot never disappoints. Have been eating there for years, and missteps in the kitchen are extremely rare, if ever. No detail is too small to escape notice, and the staff are as lovely as anywhere in town. A go-to place in any season, for any occassion. This is one of those place where everything's good. Some personal faves are the Flammenkuche, snails, soups, and sardines. The baguettes are killer too. And the $20 pitchers of wine are a great deal, although the house cocktails are also tough to resist.
(5)
Matt S.
Most enjoyable restaurant experience I've ever had! Let me be fair in stating that this review is for a visit I had almost a year ago to the day. I never got around to writing the review but I think about this place from time to time and decided to review it. My wife and I were in Philly (from San Diego) on our 5 year anniversary/honeymoon trip last May, upset that our travel agent had put us in a.....roach motel we decided to have a nice fancy dinner. Bistrot La Minette (at the time) was the only 5 star restaurant we found and went on our way. I'll admit, driving through that neighborhood at night was a little scary, it looked like Main Street of a crackhead ghost town, we weren't expecting the place to be nearly as good as the reviews had let on...boy were we mistaken. Upon entering we couldn't believe how wonderful the atmosphere was, low lights, candlelight, very few people, we felt really under dressed, but were treated like royalty! I wish I could remember our waiter's name, he was a younger African American guy, he should teach classes on how to wait tables. He promptly pulled out our chairs, placed the napkins in our laps, handed us our menus and proceeded not only to tell us what the specials of the day were, but told us his favorite menu item, the most popular item, and the chef's specialty. This alone blew me away, this is how waiters are supposed to act, none do. After telling us the specials he walked off and returned with a glass bottle of ice cold water and two complimentary creme puffs to eat while we decided on our dishes. Once our wine order was placed he promptly returned, poured a small bit for myself and waited for my approval before continuing to pour my wife's glass, beyond professional, he gave us space without avoiding us, catered to our every need without being pesky, couldn't have asked for better service. I ordered the rabbit with dijon glaze, my wife got some kind of local fish (can't remember the name) I'm not even going to go into how delightful, flavorful, and enjoyable the food was, if my tongue had an ass it would have been thuroughly kicked by this food, it was purely spectacular! After we ate we were in such awe of what we'd just consumed, I did something I never do (since I'm extremely critical and hate everything) we told our waiter "please, send our compliments to the chef" he did, and the chef (Steve or Steven) came out and talked to us. As a cook (not chef) myself I loved this! I loved I was so stoked that he came out to talk to us, during the corse of the conversation we'd mentioned that we were from San Diego, naturally he asked why we were in town. After we talked a few minutes later our waiter came back out with a large plate with candles on it, on the plate, our chef had put 4 in house made chocolates, decorated the plate with chocolate drizzle and wrote "Happy 5th Anniversary" in chocolate! He didn't have to do that, but that won our hearts forever. Needless to say we left a stupidly large tip. If I remembered more clearly I would go into detail about how wonderful the food was, but to me, this top notch food was only second the the extraordinary service we received, it's really too bad we live 3,000 miles away.
(5)
Vicki H.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, and I must say it was great. I had the escargots and the coq au vin. He had the scallops and the porgy. All of the food was excellent, the escargots may be the best I've had, and I lived in Paris. They were delicious. One star is being held for service...our server was a bit inattentive, and there was a mix-up where our appetizers were forgotten. they brought them out after our entrees, and put desserts (one for him and one for me, plus one our server insisted we try) and 2 glasses of dessert wine on gratis to make up for it. The chef also came out and apologized. He seemed very hands-on, which is great. Despite the mix-up, which they handled as well as could be expected, this was really a delicious meal, with beautiful ambiance. We'll be back!
(4)
Chris B.
Seems to be picking up on the Bistro wave, but La Minette is a great arrival...across from Beau Monde, that corner of 6th & Bainbridge is starting to look a wee bit Parisian. This place is so new you can still smell the paint drying in the tastefully decorated bathroom. A splash of red cushioned booths and bright yellow walls, the long narrow dining room was packed with couples and families enjoying a Friday night. Menu was a good spread of french bistro classics with a few stunners thrown in to boot. They sell carafes of wine, which a couple seated next to us was liberally helping themselves to; the guy was leaning over his date's plate a scooping up mouthfuls of potatoes off her chicken...it must've been that good. as you can tell from such detail, seating is tight. My wife ordered the Summer Tomato Tart; a small selection of tasty ripened beauties served on a flaky, buttery disc of pie-dough, it was a great dish. Accompanying it was a bit of greens laced with a tarragon vinaigrette. I had the Flammenkuche...which I found out later is THE dish of Alsace. Think of it as France's answer to pizza margarita; the caramelized onions and crispy pork lardons were served atop a flatbread laden with creme fraiche. I read another review of the place who complained about the mushiness of the dish, but it seems they corrected and served it up crispy. While good, I'd probably cut it up before serving...it was hard to eat with a knife & fork, so I eventually opted to go pizza fingers on it. Several other entrees looked good; I had my eye on the Lamb Shanks that were pouring out of the kitchen. We were stuffed though and went with dessert only, a Pot de Creme served with lightly sweetened whipped cream. The Pot de Creme had a mocha-like firm custard, not the chocolate bomb we were expecting, but very smooth...kind of like the after meal coffee in a cup.
(4)
Felicia K.
I was so pleased with this place. Lovely atmosphere, great service, delicious food. Not even that pricey if you don't pile on the alcohol, but we did because they had an excellent selection. I tried French (alcoholic) cider for the first time... dry, wonderful, a far cry from some of the stuff they sell here called "cider." They have three types of absinthe, some interesting specialty cocktails, and of course a huge wine list. As for the food... we started out with the mushroom soup and the fried cheese over green beans and cauliflower with a lemon vinaigrette. Both were excellent... the mushroom soup is what I imagine when I imagine the ideal mushroom soup. The fried cheese with the cool, crisp veggies and bite of the vinaigrette was lovely. For the entree, boyfriend had the rabbit over tagliatelle and I had the ravioli. Both were wonderful. Dessert was thin wafers of flaky pastry layered with thick cream and raspberries. Light and delicious. We left incredibly satisfied and happy. It's nice to be impressed.
(5)
Paul M.
Consistently great food and friendly service. The place to dine in Society Hill and South Street area.
(5)
Elise K.
We were so disappointed in our experience here after meaning to dine here for such a long time and finally venturing down there. We attended the Beaujolais Nouveau wine dinner - a prix fixe with wine pairing. It was the service that really ruined the evening for us. Our server was never around for us or for his other two tables, and when we flagged him down, we had to ask him for the wine pairings that came with the courses that other servers or runners had brought us. By the end of the meal, after he had dropped our check, he completely disappeared. We sat, chatted and finished our wine for about 15 minutes, and he never returned. I don't know what Peter Woolsey looks like, but an authoritative-looking guy from the kitchen in a chef's jacket was bantering with the bartender, so there was no hope of getting anyone's attention over there, and we eventually were able to flag down another server to pay our bill. We literally never saw our own server for the last 20 minutes that we were at dinner, and he couldn't have gone home without closing out his final table, so who knows what he was doing. Courses consisted of a French onion soup, pike with crayfish and mushrooms, veal and cream stew and a caramel walnut tart. The elegant veal and cream stew saved this from being a one-star review; neither I nor my dining partner are dessert people, but we both loved the tart with homemade-tasting vanilla bean ice cream, but it was a lot of money to spend ($75/person) for such terrible service. We may or may not be back - it could have been an off night, but we were really left wondering what all the hype was about. We wished we had gone for a nice dinner elsewhere - there are so many other great choices in Philadelphia that most places can't afford to exasperate their clientele, but maybe Bistrot La Minette is just so popular that it can.
(2)
Pamela S.
Best meal I've had in Philadelphia. My boyfriend and I dined at Bistro La Minette one Sunday. It wasn't very busy. We sat in the "garden" in the back of the restaurant, alone, but loved it. Our server, Kane, was just fantastic. So professional, courteous, and helpful. At times he felt like a ninja, filling our water and dropping the check without the slightest intrusion. As for the food, oh my god, the food! To start we ordered the heirloom tomato salad and the "euf de pecheur" (poached egg, mussels, and a creamy sauce), a must-order. Then, we had a lemon crusted Halibut with a side of macaroni and cheese and pan-seared foie gras over an apple tatine (?) paired with Les Pins' Monbazillac. Dessert consisted of a mille feuille aux framboises and L'opera. Everything was wonderfully timed, wonderful tasting, and really, for lack of a better word, ridiculous. Would definitely go back. Again, and again and again ...and again.
(5)
Nicole V.
We just returned from a marvelous meal. It was my husband's birthday and they were wonderfully accommodating. The service was excellent and his special birthday meal (the envy of neighboring tables) was absolutely perfect. Thank you, Bistrot La Minette, for one of the top five Philly dining experiences we've had in nearly 20 years of eating well in this city.
(5)
Keith D.
Every course was perfectly crafted. I can't use enough positive adjectives. In one word, phenomenal. Get the mussels. You won't regret it. I promise.
(5)
Darlene S.
My boyfriend had made online reservations for my birthday back in May and requested to be seated outside if it did not rain, and on the day of, we arrived late and instead were seated inside despite it not raining, however, we realized that all of the patrons were indoors anyway so we didn't mind. Our waiter was great! He was very knowledgeable about the menu at the time, and even recommended us some menu items per course for our dinner including wine pairings but we somehow managed to order something other than what was recommended. I do not remember what my boyfriend ordered for his mise en bouche but I ordered some kind of noodle pasta in a creamy sauce with herbs, and it was very good. And during our mise en bouche, a server had come by with a plate of fried goat cheese balls as complimentary and they were absolutely to die for. As for the second course, my boyfriend had like a steak with fries and I had lamb with ratatouille. The fries that came with my boyfriend's entree were different from fries you'd find anywhere, there were only a few of them but they actually tasted and felt like potatoes. It was also the first time I ever had lamb and although I enjoyed it later on that night I found out that lamb may not sit too well with my stomach and have since avoided eating lamb, however, it was still a meal/an experience to remember. As for wine, we had the house wine but I do not remember the names. My boyfriend had been complaining that I wasn't drinking mine and then when I proceeded to do so, I noticed there was a bug of some sort floating in my cup and a restaurant personnel quickly attended to the matter, and replaced the glass with no charge at all.
(5)
Grant C.
impeccable and Amazing. Exactly what you want in a neighborhood French Bistro. My girlfriend never had French food before and Bistrot La Minette did not disappoint. The wine was reasonably priced and tasty. The waiter was friendly and knowledgable. He did not try and up-sell us and gave us frank and honest advice. The food was delicious. The mussels served with poached egg was by far the star of the meal. We should have ordered two portions -that's how good it was and with no hyperbole. We also as an appetizer the escargot and it too was very good. Each escargot was served in an individual ceramic thimble-sized pot with garlic butter and a side of toast. For the main courses, we shared rabbit and the monkfish. My gf thought the rabbit was a little gamey, but I thought it was cooked to perfection. We both enjoyed the monkfish; it was light and fresh. We enjoyed the Mille Feuille Aux Framboises for desert and it was out of this world. There is a prix fix dinner on Sundays for around $30 that we are excited to try. I highly recommend this dinner. Romantic but not stuffy. Thumbs up. I give it 5 stars and have officially found my go-to French restaurant in Philly.
(5)
Charles R.
Had dinner and lunch here and it's always very good. Only 2 spots in this town that serve true French food and this and Bibou are it. Lunch is very pleasant at this time of year when you can sit outside, relax and enjoy a wonderful piece of sole or the rich, but oh so good confit. Dinner is also hard to beat. Fresh baquette's with butter at room temperatue to start, and the salad nicoise has great taste. So many times restaurants serve this dish, but it can be very bland. The lamb was tender and I've yet to find a dish here that isn't extremely well seasoned. Never had dessert, but nice wines by the glass and good service.
(4)
Lady B.
Romantic, special place. The food is fantastic and the service is the best I have ever experienced. The outdoor patio area is gorgeous, especially at night. I highly recommend it for a nice date night out.
(5)
Rick A.
Great little spot off of south street. The atmosphere, food and service were all great. I took my lady friend here for a special occasion because she loves French Bistros. I am a little but of a picky eater and I did not have any trouble finding a great meal. Overall it was Very Good but a little pricey for a casual dinner. I would visit this place for a special occasions but not all the time.
(4)
Greg B.
I felt as though I was on the set of Amelie - the warm and very European setting, the French country wine pitcher, the collection of kitschy art on the walls, the pristine stem and silver ware, the FOOD. I'm not sure if Bistrot La Minette strives to be super traditional or authentic, but I really appreciate their culinary take on French. Really, this place was simply outstanding. You can tell they really give a damn about the customer experience and the owner seems to have a vision which transcends making a quick buck. I'll check out their famous outdoor courtyard dining arrangement later, after my Spring allergies calm down. Highly recommended. If you took a girl on a first date here and you don't get at least a goodnight kiss, you are a sucker.
(5)
Mark S.
This was like in a nightmare. My wife and I were visiting Philadelphia over the weekend of October 25. We have travelled the world, and had high expectations based on the reviews. We did not care about the price, but wanted to have a great time. We walked for a mile in this windy day to get to the Minette for lunch. The first surprise once we entered the place was the smell of the bathroom coming into the eating area. The second was nobody came to greet us. After waiting for several minutes, I moved inside the restaurant, which by the way was more than half empty at 1 pm on this Saturday afternoon. In front of the table, I asked a waiter if this is a self-seating place. He replied someone will be with you shortly. He came back after serving his customer, and pointed us to the table in front of which we were waiting. As soon as we were seated, he came back and asked if we wanted any water. We took a a Perrier that he served us immediately. After looking into the menu, and the customers around us, we had already doubts that we made the right choice. We decided to go for it anyway as we were there, so we waited. We waited, and waited, for a time that seemed like an eternity. Nobody came to us. Not to serve us any bread, and butter, or ask if we wanted a glass of wine. Not even to acknowledge our presence. All seemed very estrange. We were so disconnected from that reality that when we stood up to leave, nobody came to ask us why. In front of the door, we waited for more than 5 minutes, making all kinds of sign to attract someone's attention so we can at least pay for the bottle of Perrier we have been served. Nothing. No one. I would have left them $5 and leave, but did not have any change. We decided to leave. Moved toward the door, still making gestures, hoping someone would come and take us out of this nightmare. Nothing. We left and walked to the Red Owl, where we had a great time amongst many real people.
(1)
Mortimer S.
La Minette is a warm, inviting, classy place. It's not so fancy that it's a "really special occasion"-only restaurant but it's nice enough for you to feel like you're treating yourself. The ambience is very classical homey old France without being precious, and the same goes for the menu. Everything we had was very well-prepared. I ordered a duck breast with foie gras sauce and red wine chassis with turnips and celery root puree. My dining partner had the rabbit (which I also sampled) and both were quite good. The portions are also very French (small) so if you're a glutton this isn't the place to go. I admit than I'm a bit of a glutton myself but that's not the point really. Yet I can't help but saying that I would have liked more celery root and turnips with the entree. There was plenty of meat but I wanted something to render it a bit more filling. Both of us started with the mushroom soup, which had no shortage of strong, earthy flavor and was topped with a parsley/creme fraiche sauce which I would have liked more of. We had an amuse bouche of a little comte cheese puff (not bad) and were also given complimentary chocolates at the end of the meal, after we split a dessert which was aptly described by my friend as "a French tiramisu." We had no problems with service. They were out of the wine we ordered but had another similar one to take its place (which wasn't on the menu). It's solid food, and I imagine that most of the time one couldn't go wrong with this place. But it didn't blow me away. The menu is almost too traditional and may not hold my interest for a return trip anytime soon with all the other restaurants in Philly I have yet to go to. Regardless I hold La Minette in fairly high esteem.
(4)
Melanie Z.
Amazing! I mean over-the-top good. The food: Like other reviewers have said, the bread is so good it's addicting. My boyfriend got the Sunday prix fixe, which was an amazing deal for $29. Artichoke and mushroom soup, a trio of salads with carrot, lentils, and beets, bacon and mushroom stuffed roast chicken, and creme caramel and chocolate mousse. The salads were the weakest course, but even those were delicious. I had the escargot, the mussels, the brown butter fluke, and the raspberry and pastry cream puff pastry dessert. Everything was delicious, but I could have eaten three more of the dessert. I was so stuffed from pigging out on the bread, but I couldn't stop eating. My boyfriend and I cleaned every plate. The food wasn't pretentious at all. Simple but done perfectly and with tons of butter! The service: When we walked in, the host asked us if we'd like to sit in the garden in the back. I was worried that there'd be bugs or noise from the street, but the walls were tall, and it felt like what I bet being in a cafe in Paris is like. Our waiter was excellent, and the service was timed perfectly. We took his recommendations for my entree and dessert, and they were both great!! Great experience overall, and I will definitely be back!
(5)
J P.
A damn near perfect meal. Quality was there, service was cordial, our reservation time was perfect for a great late evening dinner. We started with a pitcher of the house wine and the scallops which were delectable. I ordered the lobster, and my wife had the rabbit. Both were amazing. We ended with the Tarte au Citron (Lemon Tart, Cassis Sorbet) and Mille Feuille aux Framboises (Carmelized Puff Pastry, Vanilla Pastry Cream, Raspberries) and some coffee. We all felt fat and happy. This place is very cute and very hip without being hipsterish. This is a great date spot and with its great service and food it will leave you in the mood for a great night.
(4)
Alla G.
This is a great neighborhood bistro. The food is tasty, the atmosphere is relaxed and authentic, and the service is knowledgeable, professional and friendly. We were started of with some delicious, hot bread and some salted butter. I don't usually care for the table bread but this was exceptional. The mushroom puff pasty appetizer was good but not memorable. The Branzino was perfectly prepared, and probably best Branzino I've had. Hubby enjoyed his Dijon mustard rabbit. The chocolate tart with wild strawberry sherbet was good, but I would have preferred fresh berries instead of the sherbet. And the complimentary truffles that came with the check were divine and a nice finishing touch. Would definitely recommend this place and look forward to returning on either a movie night or just to enjoy the outside garden on a beautiful evening.
(4)
Hee Jin C.
Love this place! It offers a solid variety of dishes from northern France, and it's NOT pretentious. Bistrot offers hearty, but incredibly delicious food that are very carefully prepared. I had the blood orange duck - it's not super fancy, but juicy and simple, just how I like it. We ordered a jug of wine (the wine comes in a jug! I'm in love!) and it blended wonderfully with the meal. I think someone mentioned something about the bread here - VERY TRUE. Best table bread I've had. So soft and chewy, and comes with slightly melted salted butter that goes wonderfully with the bread. Try it out!
(4)
Kenny N.
I was super stoked to go to this place, and after all the great reviews who wouldn't be. However, my excitement has now turned to disgust. Maybe people don't understand what good food is? First off let me start out by saying, I've been to the majority of great restaurants in Philly and NYC. I like to think I have a pretty decent palette when it comes to food. This paired with working a few food shows for TV makes me a pretty decent judge when it comes to restaurants. Secondly, when I go out I want to have food that I can't make at home, the whole "I want to be wowed..." OK, on with the review. Firstly, the wait staff was awful. Our waiter in particular didn't have a clue as to what he liked on the menu, and every time we mentioned something a look of disgust came over his face. Feeling very unsure we ordered anyways. We started out with an Endive salad and the "house special" Mussels in a tarragon cream sauce with a poached egg. The salad was ok (I could make it myself) and the mussels were drenched in the cream sauce making the taste overwhelmingly rich. Our main courses were the scallops (appetizer) and the salmon. Both dishes left a dull thud on your taste buds. Again I could have easily made these dishes at home. Bottom line this place was the biggest waste of money and time. I honestly can't see them lasting very long in the city when you have restaurants like Tulula's Garden and Fond (to name a few).
(1)
Leah G.
I happened to be eating here the night of the flash mob on South Street. The staff didn't miss a beat. We, as outdoor diners, were quickly ushered inside and the doors were locked. The meal continued as if nothing had happened outside. It was wonderful. The escargot and the chicken were my choices and both were delicious. I will be sure to be back.
(4)
Rachel Danielle S.
Mon Dieu! Fantastique! I walked into this bistro and was back in France.... The night I was here, along with a la carte fare, they were featuring a dinner from the Gascony region, which at $35, included 4 courses - for a mere $15 more - wines to go with them! And, I hate to sound soooo Americaine, but, I ask: How CAN you beat THAT!? I truly enjoyed each course, as it was enhanced by the server's description beyond the description elegantly offerred on the little paper menu. The region was explained to us: the foods, ingredients, a bit of the culture, the people, etc., so that you could really get a bit of a feel of the featured place. (My salad included duck heart. Where else can you get such an item?) The wines featured alongside the foods were also deliciously pontificated upon, with the server inquiring whether we could indeed taste the delicate or not so delicate notes. We were encouraged to try both the dish and the wine separately, and then together. And it was grewat fun! Not the least pretentious. I loved how involved the service was - it really enhanced the whole dining experience, and it was such an unexpected touch. A featuredd (and recommended) cocktail: The Minette en L'Air. I throughly enjoyed the Kir, never having had it en France...it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways - on it's own or with a flavor...like Chambord. Bon Appetit!
(5)
Grace T.
Tried this place with my husband for restaurant week and we thought it was really good! First course: Œuf de Pêcheur - I loved this! It had a poached egg on top of toast with a delicious cream sauce. There were 3 mussels in the shell and another 6 on top. Escargots à La Bourguignonne - My husband got esgargot. It was very garlic/ buttery. I had never had esgargot before so not sure how it compares to other places. Main course: Confit de Canard- I got the duck confit and thought it was really good. The skin was nice and crispy. Some bites of the duck seemed slightly dry to me, but all in all a very good dish. Paired nicely with the side of legumes, green beans, and arugula and a lemon-y sauce. Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde - My husband got the rabbit, which I tried a bite. The meat was very tender. It came with a side of pasta. Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises - This dessert was amazing! I'd come back here just to get it again. It had flaky caramelized puff pastry sheets with vanilla cream and raspberries in between. So good!
(5)
Lilli C.
The interior is like a cute little French bistro and the food is amazing. The escargot was buttery, garlicky and delicious. I dumped the excess sauce out of each little vestibule the escargot was in and sopped it up w/ the amazing French bread. The beef tartare was fantastic- it came with crostini that had been smeared with bone marrow. Both entrees, the halibut special that they told me was just flown from Nova Scotia the previous day with luscious roasted Jersey tomatoes and the duck confit were fantastic. I don't know why I had never been here before- I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Andi S.
I ordered the escargot with garlic and olive oil and the goat cheese omelet. Even the bread and butter were delicious. The high quality of ingredients used as well as the knowledge of preparation are what makes this place. The excellent service and ambiance doesn't hurt either. Our server was very professional. I look forward to returning.
(5)
Julie W.
Friend and I came here for dinner during Restaurant Week. Nice seating outdoors - small but I preferred this to the interior setup, which was surprisingly (as many have commented) more casual than expected. Service was great and dishes came out with pace. TLDR: get the poached egg with mussels. Here's a breakdown: Appetizers: Œuf de Pêcheur (poached egg, toast, mussels) - egg poached perfectly, seasoning was on point, tarragon sauce was rich and creamy, mussels delicious. Best dish of the night. GET THIS. I'd love to have it for brunch as an entree. Terrine de Foie Gras au Poivre (foie gras pate, grilled peach) - nice chunk of foie gras, smooth, flavored. Entree: Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde (mustard braised rabbit with taglietelle pasta) - I wasn't expecting as strong of a mustard taste (my fault), but the meat was tendered and flavored. May be too salty for some people but I love salt. Confit de Canard (duck confit) - nice crisp on the duck, Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises (caramelized puff pastry, raspberries, pastry cream) - despite being neither a dessert nor raspberry person, I really enjoyed this! It was the perfect balance of sweet and tart, pastry was flaky and caramelized nicely. Verrine de Myrtille et Citron (lemon curd, almond cake, blueberries) - friend got this and it was too tart for me personally; refreshing but would pass.
(4)
David T.
I agree with the reviewer who talked about saltiness, but am not sure why that (and the Illy cups?) merit two stars for "La Minette." Maybe the coat check was too cool for her... So it's not the "Best place in Philly" but it's very good. It's some of the most authentic French bistro food you'll get in the US. Yes, some dishes are quite salty, but you'll get that in a nice place in Paris, too. The restaurant has beautifully flavored dishes and excellent drinks. It's expensive; but again, so is just about anywhere in a big city where you have great service and fine dining. So now that I've taken on the Yelpiverse, let me just say that this place is absolutely worth visiting; especially if you're missing your favorite little restaurant by the Seine. I had my own small quibbles (yes, salty, and they should carry classier sparkling water or make their own, and the food took just a little too long to get to us) but it's darn good and you can't go wrong there, which is more than one could say about most places.
(4)
Sydney T.
I came here with two friends last night for restaurant week. We came to the agreement that none of us would order the same thing so we could try each other's food and sample everything. The food overall was good. It wasn't mind-blowing like I was expecting it to be but it sure isn't a disappointment. First Course Escargots à La Bourguignonne - This dish's presentation was cute in that they gave you six individual tiny cups but it wasn't anything spectacular. It was flavorful with the herbs and butter however, the snails themselves felt a little firmer than it should have been (overcooked or not properly defrosted?). Although I thought it was okay, the group thought this was the worst of the three dishes. Tartare de Bœuf - This dish has raw beef mixed with various ingredients such as capers, chive, and truffles. It felt very light with a refreshing tang from the lemon dijon vinaigrette. Although it wasn't very memorable since the flavor was fairly subtle, it is a safe choice and hard to go wrong. My friends seems unimpressed with it but I liked quite a lot. Terrine de Foie Gras au Poivre - This was the group favorite. It was very rich with a texture you either love or hate (I loved it). It was served on top bread which felt like it was fried as it was somewhat crunchy yet still easy to slice through with a knife. It also came with a sweet sauce (which I usually don't like) that paired very well with the texture of the foie gras. This is definitely recommended if you want an experience. Main Course Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde - This was a rabbit dish. The meat was cooked really well but the key thing that made the dish was the delicious sauce it came with. It also came with some pasta that paired well with it. The others seemed to like it more than I but it might be because I didn't get to eat a whole lot of it. Daube a la Provençale - These wine braised beef short ribs were very good and went great with the tomatoes. The dish was very rich in flavor and went very nicely with some red wine. However, for such a nice place, this dish just seems too ordinary. You can go to other places to order the same thing. So even though it was great, I would order something else they have that you can't find anywhere else. Confit de Canard - Let me just say that I am not a fan of duck. There's just this certain taste unique to duck that I just don't like. I can still eat it but if you give me a choice of any other type of meat, I will take the other. That said, this dish was awesome! I don't know how they did it but I didn't taste that ducky taste in the meat. Additionally, the skin was crispy so it crunched with the meat as you ate it. This was definitely (and surprisingly) my favorite dish of the three. Dessert Verrine de Myrtille et Citron - If you have a sweet tooth, stay away from this dish. It's not to say that this dish isn't sweet but it was much more tart than sweet. I can't say it was bad but I found the tartness to be a little overpowering and unfortunately we couldn't finish eating this. Gâteau Mousse au Chocolat - Just a chocolate mousse cake. It isn't anything terribly exciting but I love chocolate so I couldn't go wrong with this. Plus there is some hazelnut inside the cake which was fairly subtle and didn't detract from the chocolateyness (is that a word?) of the cake. It is very rich though so a glass of milk would've been awesome with this. Mille Feuille aux Framboises - This was definitely the nicest looking dish of the three. It had flaky pastry with some kind of vanilla cream filling with raspberries scattered throughout. The texture of the pastry and cream worked perfectly together and once you swallowed it, you immediately want to take another bite. As for the rest of the restaurant. The decor was awesome. If felt like a homey French restaurant so you didn't need to dress too fancy for it (although you may feel out of place if you just wore a t-shirt and cargo shorts here). The service could've been better in my opinion. It wasn't as quick as I was expecting it to be and I even had to flag down the waitress a couple times (although the first time was our fault). All in all, I would definitely come back here for a date or even a group of friends as the atmosphere is very inviting to both.
(4)
Julia L.
Came here for my birthday dinner and was pleasantly surprised with the ambience. I'm a sucker for unpretentious French food and Bistrot La Minette is a little taste of Paris in one of Philly's colorful neighborhoods. We were seated by the windows and greeted by our friendly waitress. We started with the escargot and it was delicious. The sauce was buttery and garlicky, but a little on the salty side. Perfect for sopping up the sauce with a piece of bread. The lamb shank was good and so was the braised beef short rib but there was that little something missing for it to be a five star for me. Definitely recommend for a good date night.
(4)
Justin V.
Came here for Restaurant Week in Center City. They were offering a three course, prix fixe menu for $35 which included many items that are on the regular menu so I thought this would be a good opportunity to sample different thing son the menu. Lighting in this restaurant is very dim so pictures didn't come out great. Atmosphere was great, though. Between my roommate and I, we had seven courses, which included a supplemental side dish. The meal began with a side house-made bread and butter, both which were great. We also had gougères sent out by the kitchen which was a nice touch but were nothing too special. Œuf du Pêcheur - Fisherman's style poached egg, toast, mussels, tarragon cream: arguably the best dish of the night. Tasting the mussel alone with tarragon cream was great but after breaking up the perfectly cooked poached egg and mixing everything together, we were both very impressed. 5/5 Escargots à La Bourguignonne - Burgundy snails, garlic herb butter, croutons: I had high expectations for this dish and while it was good, it fell a little short. When I think of eatinting escargots, I think of eating them packed in a shell with a ton of herbs. Here, six (as opposed to the nine normally given) serve it in a little, individual quarter-sized bowl with a ton of butter/oil with very little herb and garlic. The crouton on top of the bowl was a nice touch. 4/5 Truite Meunière - Miller-style trout, green beans, fingerling potatoes, lemon brown butter, almonds: the weakest dish of the night. The trout was a little thin and was over-cooked as well. Texturally, it was too dry and lacked the creamy, flaky body that I'm used to. The fingerling potatoes were a nice addition and were on point. The lemon brown butter was good but may have been overly acidic which was fatiguing on the palette. 3/5 Confit de Canard Sauce Foie Gras - Duck confit, celeriac, carrots, black currants, foie gras sauce, red wine reduction: The duck confit was cooked very well with a crispy skin, though I would have preferred it a little crispier. Flavors were on point and the sweetness from the currants as well as the carrots mingled favorably with the savoriness of the duck. Unfortunately, I didn't get any foie gras flavor from the sauce whatsoever, which was disappointing to say the least. 3.5/5 Gratin de Pâtes Façon - Peggy Macaroni and cheese: The mac and cheese came out piping hot with a crispy exterior. It was exactly what I expected; creamy, luscious, and savory. 4/5 Mille Feuille aux Framboises - Caramelized puff pastry, vanilla pastry cream, raspberries: A must get! Everything was on point on this dish. Textural play between the pastry and cream was perfect. The raspberries added a slightly-sour touch to the dish which made it perfect. 5/5 Glaces et Sorbets - Daily selection of house-made ice creams and sorbets: I got the sorbet and I made a terrible mistake. Should have stuck to a more traditional french dessert as the three scoops I got were nothing to write home about. I'll leave it at that. 2/5 All in all, there is decent value to be had during Restaurant Week (despite some dishes being a little smaller than usual). Our meal totaled $100 for the both of us after tax and tip and most likely would have been around $120-$130 had it not been for the prix fixe menu. I would most definitely come here again!
Tremendously inviting space, staff hustling, lots of energy. The bistro fare is deliciously simple and done extremely well. Bravo, Chef Kenny - loved the red socks!
(3)
Schmidty W.
A restaurant week success!! I went here with my mom and sister for the first time last night, and I can definitely say that I'll be back. From their restaurant week menu I had the escargot, the duck, and the hazelnut mousse cake for dessert. All of the Portions were perfect and each aspect of my meal tasted amazing!!! Additionally, the decor is very beautiful and french, as it should be since this is a french restaurant, and the wait staff was AMAZING and very attentive, brining us complimentary cheese puffs before our meal and then complimentary chocolates to finish it off. The best part of the whole experience though had to be the absolutely delicious bread! We ate probably three baskets of this stuff, and it's made in house! Unfortunately, they don't have enough to sell, but it's worth it for the bread alone to go to this place, that's how good it is. :D
(5)
Rene L.
This place is amazing. We came in late for a drink and Frank the bartender was so amazing. It was closing but he was kind enough to get us a salad, and to make a drink which was great. My girlfriend and I both own businesses in Old City, and decided to return for the amazing salad. We got Frank as a server, and it was AMAZING. The bread off the charts. The desert too good for words. I still dream of it. The scallops the best ever. We are both foodies and just love good restaurants. It is on our list to return and though it is a bit pricey it is worth it for every reason here is!
(5)
Phil A.
As I told our server, "like dining in Paris without the ten-hour flight." We could find absolutely no fault with our whole experience. For starters, the service was excellent. There is nothing more that needs to be said about that. First course: Salmon tartare--authentic, fresh and delicious. Mushrooms in cream sauce with puff pastry--to die for. Delicious, rich, flavorful. House-made baguette: about as good as you can get stateside for this sort of thing. Bibb salad--fresh, flavorful, a little too heavy on the dressing, but we forgave since it tasted so wonderful. Main courses: Rabbit--very good. Homemade tagliatelle were a nice touch. Tender and flavorful. Chicken--exceptional. Sauce made with Macvin du Jura was out of this world. Morel mushrooms pushed it over the edge. Chicken was juicy, delectable. Dessert: Gateau Opera was extra rich and decadent. Intense chocolate flavor. Mille feulle aux framboises was delicious, but what really set it off was the quality of the whipped cream--extra rich and delicious. We finished off the evening with Calvados. They also have a nice selection of Armagnac and Cognac, so your digestif needs will be thoroughly attended to. If you enjoy traditional bistro fare such as you might find at Benoit or Allard in Paris, don't miss this one. Outstanding meal!
(5)
Kimberly Y.
Bistrot La Minette doesn't look like your average upscale restaurant. It's hard to miss that the lighting is brighter than usual and everything is yellow and red, very red. But I enjoyed the coziness of it. Our server tried to upsell everything (alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks, food, desserts), which worked but got pretty annoying. The kitchen ended up making a pretty bad mistake, but graciously and quickly fixed it. Made me wonder why we had to wait 20 minutes for food if they could whip up my dish again in just 3. My boyfriend and I had just eaten a few hours ago, so we weren't very hungry and just got a main course each. The portions are truly not that large, so don't even try to get away with just one plate for a normal meal. My trout was great, but not spectacular, though I did enjoy all the vegetables that came with it. My boyfriend liked his rabbit, but he almost choked on some small bones a few times. Not sure why it's one of the highest-rated restaurants in Philly, but it's definitely above average for a special occasion.
Love love love this place. I am in love with their homemade bread, which blows all over bread out of the water, and all their small plates. In particular I LOVE the oeuf du pecheur and it is a staple in all my meals here. In fact, I may just order a bunch of oeufs the next time I come as my full meal. Another impressive appetizer is the terrine de food gras. "Grape jelly" is an understatement and it never tasted so good! The main plates are incredibly heavy so if you are not starving they may be difficult to finish. I had le gasconade de jarret d'agneau the most recent time and housed the entire thing because the lamb just fell off the bones and the prunes and cornmeal were the perfect accompaniment to the bold flavor of the meat. Again, not recommended if you had a late lunch... I have to mention the mac & cheese side dish, or "gratin de pates facon peggy." I am a voracious eater of mac & cheese and this ain't my first rodeo. Nonetheless, Bistrot la Minette had the best mac & cheese I have ever had hands down, regardless if you like the potlucky four-real-cheese mac & cheese or the powdery goodness of Kraft's insta-mac. The mac & cheese here will fulfill all your cheesy fantasies. Bistrot definitely did their French culinary magic (technical term) to this basic dish and elevated it to divine.
(5)
Mike Z.
We felt like we were somewhere in France at some cafè. Really cool atmosphere and a European feel. The space is really cozy and has really cool French decorations thru out. Our waitress was really friendly and assisted us in making choices. First of all the bread was awesome!! It was so soft and freshly baked. We has escargot to start which was very flavorful. My gf ordered poached eggs with mussels and I had the omelet with herb covered potatoes. We really enjoyed our meals. I really enjoyed the relaxed environment and they really let us sit back and relax without rushing. I look forward to summertime so we can eat outside on their patio. This is a hidden gem.
(5)
Sasha O.
Fantastic meal! My boyfriend and I put in a reservation for restaurant week, and it was a brilliant decision. The restaurant upon entering was very beautiful with outdoor tables in addition to a very romantic and classy interior. The bathroom was also very sophisticated and neat in style. As for our service, it was perfect. Our server (his name may have been Andrew but I forgot) was incredibly helpful and polite. He explained the best dishes and was always coming around to refill our water, clean up, and offer more bread (which we ate 2 bins of!). The other waiters were also very helpful and polite! The food was phenomenal. Aside from the tasty homemade bread, we began with the poached egg/mussel dish and the escargot. Both were AMAZING and very unique! Our entres, the duck and the rabbit, were mindblowing, as well. I preferred the rabbit, which was perfectly tender and was coated with a delicious sauce with a side of pasta. The duck was crispy and delicious, but less of a standout to me. My boyfriend preferred this, so to each his own! The desserts, the raspberry cream dish and the chocolate cake, were perfect. They even served us chocolates upon leaving. One thing that really stands out is that we did not feel rushed. This was a welcome change to be able to sit and enjoy our meals and allow time to digest without feeling the staff pushing you out. Incredible restaurant and I would certainly return!
(5)
Lindsay H.
After walking in, we soon discovered that this place is the perfect date spot for a cold winter evening! It has a great cozy upscale feel with wonderful food. We both started with some tasty bubbly cocktails. If you love some bubbly than this is the place for you. They have plenty of options. We then split the grilled quail with wilted arugala and a sherry au jus and it was lovely. Yes, quail is always tough to eat because it's just so tiny but the flavors were really tasty. It was a very fall dish. My only wish was that the quail came with more of a grilled texture but all and all, great start. I should also mention that the bread and butter was awesome. I loooove a french baguette and they serve a great one! For our entrees we went with the seared duck breast and the butter poached salmon. The duck was perfect. I love a seared duck breast and this dish had every component I love in a duck dish. Perfectly medium rare, sweet and savory with a creamy puree to pair. Great. Very rich but well worth the richness! The salmon was also a winner. It was more on the rare side which is fine by me with the perfect buttery flavor. The other components all paired well with the dish and didn't take anything away from the salmon. With the cold winter months upon us, absolutely check this place out!
(4)
Angie M.
This is the BEST place in Philly!! We had dinner here last Saturday night with 18 guests: they were from New York City, London, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle and Philadelphia. You could say the world's greatest Foodie cities! And EVERY PERSON LOVED your restaurant! They raved!!!!!!!! The service was EXTRAORDINARY and SEAMLESS! The group wanted to make sure David was acknowledged. He was on top of his game! And the Food was just PERFECT! I don't even know what words would really capture how great the entire experience was! AND as a local, I was just proud.
(5)
Anthony S.
Sadly, this year I could only go to one place this year for restaurant week. Fortunately, I ended up at Bistrot La Minette. I happened to tell some friends I was going here, and they said if you haven't had escargot that this is the place to try it. Never having tried escargot, I felt obligated to get it as my first course. The flavor was buttery and garlicy, and who can complain about that?! For the main course, I had the lamb shank. It was ridiculously tender, served in a little broth with root vegetables. We got a carafe of the house red wine, which was perfect to wash down the delicious hunks of lamb. And finally, for dessert I had the poached pear (in red wine and with black currants--are you kidding me??! Yes please!). If you know me, you know how much I love pear. And this was definitely the perfect dessert.
(5)
Kristen S.
I'm reviewing this place again. I wish I could afford to eat here all the time. I also wish I could give it six stars. We went for dinner and a movie last night. Chef came out to talk to everyone in the courtyard about the movie, we had our usual amazing service and perfectly executed food, great wine, fantastic ambiance, and all around perfect evening.
(5)
Kendrah R.
Atmosphere is wonderful. Food is average. Bread is excellent. If you are looking for a cafe in this neighborhood to have a nice long hang out lunch to catch up with friends, I would consider going here. It is the kind of place that makes you want to sit and talk for hours. If I were looking for excellent French food, this is not the first place that comes to mind. I went for lunch so cannot comment on dinner. I had a lyonnaise salad that was not good. I couldn't finish it. The frisee was wilted, the egg tasted soft boiled slimy rather than nicely poached, the dressing was nothing, there was no zing. My partner had trout that was good. I noticed they had a private little dining room which could be great for events.
(3)
Felix P.
I went here during a huge snow storm. The staff was super friendly and didn't let the bad weather get in the way of offering great food and service. The also understand wine pairing very well. Overall the food paired with the experience is 5 star.
(5)
Danni M.
I've been a uber fan of this place for ages. It has been my go to place for event dinners, anniversaries, birthdays and when friend s drop in from out of town, but lately, I've been hitting them for appetizers and drinks during happy hour in the week. Although all the food is fab, especially the food they roll out for specialty events like Bastille Day and special paring menu, their standard menu always works for me. Food is seasonal (as it should be) but luckily for me the gorgeously garlicky escargot, to their Oeuf de peucher (mussels in tarragon cream with a poached egg) have permanent residence on the menu, which is a very good thing. An they do brunch that should make the surrounding eateries hang their heads in shame.. Peter Woolsey's food and culinary reputation have seen him branch out to La Peg, but Bistrot will always have a place in my heart for great service and fabulous food that after eating, imbues me with a sense of sated bliss.
(5)
Adam K.
Wonderful French Restaurant, 1.romantic, 2. great service, 3. Great food 4. Great wine and drinks So easy to sum up this wonderful gem!
(4)
John M.
Anime. I have no friends so of course I'd be writing yelp reviews. Before the food even came I knew it was good. This guy came over to us with these samples and said complements from the chef. That was the first time that ever happened to me. My fellow table occupants were not as excited as I was. The first course was delicious. The main courses were also delicious I only wish they had crepes.
(5)
Theresa A.
THE. PERFECT. DATE. RESTAURANT. If you are trying to decide where to go for a lovely, fabulous, delicious, memorable dinner--look no further than Bistrot La Minette. Every single part of our dinner was worth raving about. Our server, Edward, was FANTASTIC! Our appetizers--the Heirloom Tomato Salad and Pea & Parsley Soup were INCREDIBLE. Our entrees--the 1/2 Roast Chicken and Braised Short Rib were YUM! Our dessert--the piece de resistance!--the Creme Brulee with fresh Blackberries and the Peach Tart with homemade Apricot Sorbet--WOW! Stop reading my review and go make a reservation!!!! (but eat inside since the building next door is currently under construction and isn't too picturesque at the moment)
(5)
Steve C.
Everything is amazing here. I dream of the Oeuf du Pecheur. I chose here for my Valentine's Day date this year. This was after failing, believing the hype about another place further up the South St last year. The service is amazing, The floor manager immediately attended to us, made us feel welcome, seconds after we were seated. That's not one of the reasons I visit a restaurant, and fortunately they knocked all the reasons I do out of the park. Every course was incredible, engaging, and the perfect amount of food. The favorite familiar items were there, along with perfectly chosen items for the occasion. The cocktails followed the same script. It's the kind of place, where you feel like you owe them a favor when you leave. The service and food is that good, with zero pretentiousness. You've had such a good experience after you've left, you want to go back for every meal, and think of them as great friends.
(5)
D. B.
This was by far one of the best meals I ever had in Philly. From the great service. The very reasonable prices and the quality of the food it was a great experience. Every bite was a delight. From the escargot to the main course. it was prepared expertly. I had the trout which was crispy, melt in your mouth with fingerling potatoes like no others. The pork chop my partner had was the tastiest ever. The prices were incredible for the meal and cant wait to go again. this truly is a not to be missed restaurant in the city. Ate outside on the deck and it was perfect. We had 3 courses with drinks. They have a happy hour during the week and it made it even a better value but would pay full price for this meal. Our favorite was the fountain restaurant at the four seasons but now its this restaurant. sorry to see the fountain go but love Bistro.
(5)
Lin Z.
Amazing classic French cuisine. And very nice service. I had the oeuf du pecheur for the first course, and truite meuniere for the main course, and almond cake for dessert. Superb! My friend had escargots for the first course, and mustard-braised rabbit for the main course, and mille meuille aux framboises for dessert. We also got Swiss chard as accompagnement. Very creamy! Best French food I've had so far. Highly recommended!
(5)
Natalie D.
We visited this past Valentine's Day, and after dying to try it for over a year, I was very excited to go. That said, I left feeling let down. I must say the food was absolutely delicious. I got the grapefruit salad to start, and the salmon for my meal as well as the 11-layer cake for dessert. That's about where our nice night left off. The girl at the front handling coat check was extremely nice and friendly, and seated us promptly. It was a struggle to get into our seats as the tables are so close together, we were practically on the laps of the other diners. Our waiter, Seth, then came over to ask us what water we preferred. When he returned to take our drink orders, he seemed a bit put off that I ordered a soda (I do not drink very much, and not with a meal like this). Next, we ordered our appetizers, and my boyfriend attempted to pronounce the French names, trying but joking a bit as we do not speak French. Seth was not amused and proceeded to correct every single word my boyfriend said with his nose basically turned up in the air. Good for you Seth, you can say "mushroom" in French. I am not worthy of your presence (never mind that I do speak other languages). I didn't even try, ordered my grapefruit salad and was done with it. The grapefruit salad was delicious and refreshing, and my boyfriend's puff pastry with mushrooms was out of this world. It came time to order dinner, and when I placed my order for salmon, Seth asked me what temperature would I like it at. I had one of those moments of confusion where a common question didn't make sense for some reason, and I asked him for help. "What do most people choose?" I asked, and he replied with "well, that's why I'm asking you." .......okay so you can't even politely recommend something? I was clearly confused and instead of assisting me, he decided he needed to lecture me on how their salmon is sushi grade and only the 6% of the finest salmon exported from Canada. Then he actually said to me "if you were to go to a fine dining restaurant, you would know what temperature you like." EXCUSE ME?! I DO go to fine restaurants, but God forbid I had a momentary lapse. The second he left the table, I was ready to leave. He had made us both feel like unwanted children the entire night, when we had no reason to be treated in such a manner. After finishing my salmon and saying it was delicious, I got another lecture on how it's sushi grade and the finest to be imported to America. I then told him I do not order fish out a lot (which is true) because I have a stomach disorder that can ruin a night due to the wrong meal (which is also true). "Oh...well it's sushi grade from Vancouver!" .......Yes, Seth, I think I got that the first time around. Another young couple our age was then seated next to us, and the way he treated them made me even angrier. He attended to their every whim and need, and spent plenty of time talking with them quite friendly. Us, not so much...I guess our money - which we spent plenty of - was not good enough for him. We could not wait to get out of there, and honestly despite the amazing food, I am turned off from ever going back. Sorry, sir, but you are a damn waiter on South Street, not in the finest restaurant in Paris. You can get off your high horse now. Also, the 11-layer cake was so rich and sweet I could barely finish it. Oh well, it got me out of there faster.
(3)
Leslie P.
YAY, I AM A FAN! Bistrot La Minette is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. My new husband and I went last night for Restaurant Week based solely on reviews (and availability, thank goodness). When we pulled up, I thought, "Oh, it's one of these places." Right off South Street, I had driven and walked past Bistrot La Minette and Beau Monde et al, but for some reason, they never appealed to me. Well, I was wrong. The ambiance is so cute--warm, friendly, but romantic, too, without being stuffy. I think Yelp says the attire is "casual," which I think it is, but you can dress up if you want for sure. The menu for Restaurant Week is very similar to their regular menu. I know this because I asked the waitress for the regular menu after the main course because I thought, "This is one of those restaurants you bring out-of-town guests to." I was so pleased to see mains in the 20 dollar range and appetizers around $12. What an excellent price point for such deliciousness. This place is what Restaurant Week was designed for--try something you wouldn't normally try and then become ardent followers. We shared everything, so we had two appetizers, two mains, and two desserts. The fisherman's poached egg appetizer (has a much cooler French name this Spanish speaker cannot come close to type nevermind pronounce) was very tasty. We also shared the escargot. Their escargot is the real deal and tasty, so if you've had some lame escargot in the past (looking at you Bistro St. Tropez), don't let that keep you from the snails here. Our mains were so tender and rich. We shared the rabbit and the duck. I thought Ms. Potter was going to whack me on the head with a children's book, but they were so great. The duck, in particular, with its wine reduction was out of control good. The chocolate mousse dessert/cake was soft and rich, but not that kind of lock-jaw-rich, so, unfortunately, we ate the whole thing! We also shared some yummy dessert course cheese. Every plate was licked clean. Definitely going back and bringing friends and family. Yay! Also going to try brunch.
This place is so adorable...from the second you walk in the door..everyone is so nice and friendly! The coffee is really good Mussels amazing Pate Gratin (Mac and cheese but way better) is delicious and so cheesy Quiche is so tasty Chicken so delicous Salad Nicoise -so fresh I will definitely be back for dinner Service was fantastic and the waitress made wonderful recommendations
(4)
Shannon C.
Great service and great food. The duck fat poached salmon was the best salmon I've ever had, as was the escargot. Large wine selection. Simple & elegant food.
(5)
Ramon F.
We were greeted upon arrival. The restaurant was empty with the exception of a private party in the next room. We were sat in the center of the restaurant and I could see that if this restaurant was full, that the seating would be so close to other tables, I would be forced to hear and smell the next table. They even had to move the table out and to the side for my friend to get in, she's on the petite side. I've been to many restaurants like this in the past, so I don't know why I was surprised. All that being said, I thought that the service was very good. The timeliness of food was very good as well, as I did not feel rushed nor did I feel like it was moving too slow. The appetizers were the quail and the escargot, both were very good, I would recommend both. For entrees the lamb shank and the beef bourguignon. The lamb was ok, but not great, I guess you could say it was average. The beef was extremely salty and inedible, I wanted to send it back, but my friend told me not to. The server asked if we wanted it boxed up to go, but we politely said no thank you and left it at that. I personally think the chef would have like to know, as it was more than likely a mistake. we then had dessert, If you're in the mood for a heavier chocolate the mousse cake was perfect, served with coffee ice cream, which tasted like it was made in house, definite plus. If you want light and simple go with the raspberry and cream layered cake (sorry I don't know the exact name/description), both excellent though! My drink with dinner was sparkling lemonade which was very sour, but tolerable. With dessert I had an espresso which was of very good quality. Overall, I would have to say that this was more of a fail than success, as there are times that I go out and only have 1 course, not 3. Had this been true tonight, my night would have been ruined. The stars I give are for the great service, sorry chef :-(
(2)
Eunni C.
Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(
What a cute & cozy place to hang out for happy hour! When I heard Bistrot La Minette was starting happy hour specials, I couldn't wait to check it out. The specials are available at the bar or outside area. My friend & I sat at the (tiny) bar. At our 5:45pm arrival time, the outside area was already full. The happy hour wine was $3, Kirs are $4 and beer is $2. All appetizers are half price and HH goes till 7pm. You also get some complimentary warm baguette slices & butter. I went with the wild mushroom puff pastry which was delicious. The escargots were tasty and presented in cute little individual pots with a crouton on top, but it was hard to get them out of the little pot without the crouton falling off. No big deal, more of a mild annoyance. Service was great and we were asked in what order we wanted our food to come out...even though we were just having happy hour snacks at the bar (classy!). Our bill was less than $50 and that got us 6 glasses of wine and 4 appetizers total. I'll be returning for happy hour and will absolutely be back to check out dinner.
(5)
Hang P.
I've always wanted to try this restaurant when my husband and I used to live 2 blocks from here. We finally got to try it this past weekend for our anniversary. The wait so completely worth it! Let's break down the review based on the dishes we had! OEUF DU PECHEUR: This is a must try! I would come back to Bistro La Minette just to eat this dish. I may actually go back for happy hour and order 5 of these. The tarragon cream was delicious and not too heavy. I mopped up the sauce with the complimentary bread! ESCARGOTS: The dish came with 9 escargots topped with crouton. The escargots were tender and had the perfect amount of garlic. It was also very tasty but not more impressive than escargots at other French restaurants in Philly. CASSOULET DE TOULOUSE: So, this dish was a lot larger than I expected, which was a delightful surprise! There was so much meat with the duck confit sitting on top of beef stew (with a whole lot of beef), sausage, and a sausage patty. The duck was tender, and the skin was crispy. However, I wish the skin could just be a little crispier. My favorite part was actually the sausage lying underneath the duck. Yum! I had enough leftover for another meal. PORK T-BONE SPECIAL: My husband had the pork t-bone with ratatouille, which perfectly complemented the pork. The t-bone was cooked to perfect. The meat was tender and juicy, even when we heated up the leftover. GATEAU OPERA: This 11-layer almond cake tasted amazing. It was very rich and chocolate-y but not overly sweet. The whipped cream was so light and fluffy! I wish they gave us a bigger slice because I could definitely eat more of this! We came here on a Sunday night, so the restaurant was not busy at all. We had a nice and relaxed dinner without feeling rushed by the waitress. It was a wonderful evening!
(5)
Kelley H.
I've been here twice for Restaurant Week and each time was outstanding. In fact, my food was so good the first time I order the same appetizer and main course when I went back. My appetizer, the Oeuf du Pêcheur (Fisherman's Egg), had a delicious tarragon cream sauce, and way more mussels than I was expecting. My main course, the Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde (Roasted Rabbit with Mustard), was amazing. Tender rabbit, handmade tagliatelle, and a divine mustard sauce. My tastes of the Flammekeuche and roasted duck entree were also delicious. The desserts were not quite as amazing as I was hoping they would be (this time I tried the Mille Feuille and chocolate mouse cake), but they were still very good. Bistrot la Minette's ambiance is also spot on. It's chic and French without being stuffy or pretentious. Basically, I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Judy T.
My friend and I came here because I've been wanting to try Bibou for the longest and failed to get a reservation both convenient for him and I because it's always booked. So I looked for another French inspired restaurant and much to my satisfaction it lived up to it's high reviews. I love it here. The decor and ambiance is rustic and sweet. The menu is just big enough to see some items that I definitely wanted to try but not so big I wouldn't know where to start or what is worth tasting. At first after being seated for our reservation, we weren't greeted with menus or anything for at least 10-15 mins, which was a little confusing because it wasn't busy but the waiter explained there was confusion as to who was assigned to our table... It's ok Things happen, the meal made up for it We had the foie gras which was nicely prepared and very enjoyable. Truffle Mushroom soup special was amazing!! Every last bite was just as good as the last, light with delicate flavors. A beef tartare was soooo very good. I'm vietnamese so it reminded me of a vietnamese beef carpaccio just a different preparation but it was so good. Not chewy the beef tasted tender and fresh, the only way you should if you decide to venture out and have raw beef. Our main courses were the mustard braised rabbit which I was very apprehensive about eating, I'm an adventurous eater but some dishes make me second guess, let me say with the homemade pasta was so delicious. It had a similar taste to chicken but better! Some white meat and a lot of tender dark meat but not so.. Fatty tasting as chicken. We both decided it was our favorite dish!!! He had some sort of braised beef dish which was nice and tender but the rabbit was still our favorite. The dessert was the chocolate mousse cake which was heaven in your mouth for any sweets lover and it ended our spectacular dinner. Couldn't have been happier!
(4)
Natalie M.
I was really looking forward to trying this place and while it was good, it wasn't amazing. However, our appetizers were delicious; we ordered the mushroom starter and butternut squash soup, both were incredible and the bread was also very good. For an entree I ordered the halibut and while it was good, there was something missing and it just wasn't flavorful enough, also it was on the dry side. The warm lighting and decor creates a pleasant ambiance, but the tables are pretty close together so the waitress was often bumping into my partner. Bonus: the chocolates provided at the end of the meal are great! Can't say I'd go back.
(4)
Nick B.
I had a nice dinner outside in the front of the restaurant patio. My first course was roasted quail with leak stuffing and vinegar shallot jus. I have never had quail before but pleasantly (or maybe pheasantly ok...... bad joke haha) surprised. The bird was roasted perfectly and the stuffing blended well and added to the flavor. For the main course I had red-wine spice-braised rabbit. Also a first for me and was very good. The staff was professional and timely. I will probably go back again when I am in town.
(5)
Ted M.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Bistrot la Minette is a unique gem. Owner/Chef Peter Woolsey trained in France for two years before opening the place. Their atmosphere is very realistic and the menu often includes more obscure dishes found mainly in home cooked meals Their mustard braised rabbit leg is a favorite of mine and not to be missed. They also have a great selection of French beers which are often hard to find in Pennsylvania. The location is a bit of a distance from many of the better known restaurants, but definitely worth the trip
(5)
Katrina C.
I was here last week on a date, and I think this place is fabulous! I had a special - Filet and my date had a chicken and duck dish. We started with a mushroom puff pastry and I had a soup. Creme Brule was fabulous and the service was exceptional!! This place certainly is out of my normal budget, but for a special occasion, I think it's great!
(5)
Tim R.
VERY awesome. If you don't already know, GO!
(5)
FoodForHerSoul d.
The place is adorable and charming. The bread and butter were perfect. Bread was freshly baked and cut, warm, and the crust was a little bit buttery. The butter was a little sweet and salty and not cold! YAY for room temperature butter! We were here at 5:30pm on a Wednesday and there was only one other table dining there. I loved seeing the cooks in the little french kitchen in the back with the wonderful french music playing. We only ordered two things because we had an appetite to save. My boyfriend got the Vol-au-Vent appetizer (Puff pastry with lobster, shrimp, crayfish, scallop, english peas and an american sauce) and I had the Vegetable tart with Jerusalem artichoke puree, oven-roasted tomatoes, wild mushrooms zucchini, frisee, beurre blanc. Mine was unbelievably good. (I liked his too but mine I think was by far the better dish) The tart was just perfect from the crust, to the little salad on the side; every bite made me want another and I think I could have eaten 5 of these. There was nothing boring about this but nothing overwhelming either. The buerre blanc just brought everything together and if I'm ever in Philly again I am coming here and trying so much more. If it ends up disappointing me next time, at least the bread and butter make me happy.
(5)
Jared S.
Def a 4.5er. I went here FOREVER ago. Can't recall it that well. It was really good though. The mussels still haunt me. They are FANTASTIC. Get them. Everything else was above average. I got the cassoulet. Very nice. I had leftovers due to the powerful and filling french flavors. The inside is cute like Paris Bistro imitationish, but they pull it off. We were seated right by the door if I recall, but it wasn't awful and someone has to sit there I guess. The place wasn't over crowded table was in general though, which is always nice especially for bistro type spots. I will be returning for sure. Someday...as it is not exactly cheap. They do have a 4 course menu Sunday nights for 29 I believe. I think that I'll check that out the next time I return.
(4)
Steve J.
Went here for National Escargot Day and had a really nice time. My girlfriend loves escargot and when I saw that had a special pre-fixe menu with all snails I knew I had to take her. We sat outside in the back garden area and it was really quiet and romantic. All of our courses were good, but nothing amazed me. I really would love to go back and try the regular menu sometime.
(4)
Donnie V.
Very traditional French food, very well done and with excellent service. We loved the atmosphere and the food.
(4)
Amy B.
I'm certainly their Number 1 fan. Maybe its my growing love for french food or that it's within walking distance in my hood but I simply can't get enough of this place. The decor is intimate and charming. So for those romantics out there...this is your place!! The music selection and volume is subtle yet present. OH and The Food! I have yet to walk away feeling hungry or disappointed. From the beet salad to the rabbit or lamb shank (I'm a creature of habit) my belly is happy. I often would just go there for a drink or five on the outside patio or go have dinner and a movie on Monday's and Thursday's (All french subtitled films of course). The service is friendly yet professional which in those parts are true treasures. So if I'm setting high expectation for you...I am!! You can tell'em I sent you ;-)
(5)
Michelle H.
Bistrot La Minette is one of my favorite spots in the whole city. Delicious, carefully crafted and beautifully presented dishes, lovely warm atmosphere, plus they have a bar. (I love BYOBs as much as the next girl, but sometimes I enjoy a good cocktail before dinner.) My husband and I used to go there a lot before we had kids, but after having kids we've only gone there once or twice. Well yesterday we decided to go there for an early supper and to take the girls with us. The staff welcomed us, set up two high chairs, and brought us plenty of bread and a quick order of macaroni au gratin for the girls. Then when our entrees came out, one of my girls suddenly vomited up the entire contents of her stomach. I was holding her at the time and it went all over her shirt, my pants, and the floor. It was disgusting and it was everywhere. It was clumpy and gooey and there was spinach in there from lunch... just gross, and it stunk to high heaven. I hustled her off to the bathroom to try to clean her up. Moments later, the manager knocked on the door with a pile of clean towels for me to use. By the time I emerged, the mess at our table was cleaned up. I was mortified so I kept apologizing, but they downplayed it and refused to make a big deal out of it. After we got home and put the girls to bed, I wrote them an email apologizing again and thanking them for not making us feel worse than we already did. Today I received this email from the owner: "Please, no apologies necessary. Children get sick. My son has vomited on that very floor two or three times. We hope to see you here soon." And this email from the general manager: "I just wanted to reiterate what Peter has already said. And next time you come back please bring the kids. We want families to feel welcome here." I am so used to getting unfriendly or indifferent service, especially when I have my kids in tow. This was such a refreshing change. So I wanted to publicly recognize this perfect jewel of a restaurant that just got even shinier and lovelier in my eyes.
(5)
Jack N.
Having eaten at many of Philly's finest French restaurants I'd say Bistrot La Minette is the best . The servers are incredibly knowledgeable and professional. Dishes such as the rabbit and escargot are prepared perfectly. .
(5)
Nora C.
They were great when they first opened. I had the worst food and worst experience with service ever the last two times I ate there. If I have had good food and service, then have one bad experience, I give it a second chance, but not a third! Very, very disappointing.
(1)
Erin P.
With Bistrot la Minette on one corner, Beau Monde across the street, and Coquette down the street, we think that the area around 6th and Bainbridge in Philadelphia should be called the French Quarter. Last Thursday, Bistrot la Minette had a special tasting menu with wine pairings for $50. We were really excited to sit in the new courtyard in the back. Soft french bread with salted butter staved off our hunger while we waited for the first course. Next was an olive tapenade amuse bouche that tasted like standard olive tapenade with a good salinity. The first course was fish soup with toast pieces topped with pureed potatoes and shredded cheese. The soup had a rich and full briny seafood taste. I thought it was a bit too strong but the toasts cut the fishy taste for me perfectly. This course was served with a rose from Chateau Mourlet. It was like pulling teeth getting that little bit of information from the waiter! These scallops were the best scallops we've ever had. The seasonings were simply salt and olive oil, served with diced vegetables (summer squash, red pepper, onion) AKA Ratatouille as per the chalk menu in front- far more helpful than our waiter. We were served a Viognier with this course. When I asked where it was from, the server said: "um, Provence." Thanks. I didn't pry. The wine was surprisingly and overly sweet. The beef stew, Provencal style, was very tasty. The beef fell apart. Some of it was extremely tender but a few random pieces had gotten a bit too dried out. Cooked with the beef were perfectly roasted fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, and olives. The sauce was rich but was used in just the right amount. The beef came with a Cotes du Rhone. By this point we had given up asking for any additional information about what we were being served. Our final drink was St. Germain liquer and Savignon Blanc with spritzer and ice. Dessert was a creamy creme brulee with a rich berry sorbet filled with bits of caramel. The sorbet was so dark it looked like chocolate. Besides the scallops, this was my favorite course. The moral of this restaurant adventure was that the food was delicious but the service should have been much better. A trained monkey could have served us our wine and food. None of the dishes were explained to us. "This is fish soup." "These are scallops." "Viognier is a grape. This is Viognier from, um, Provence." Um, thanks. But we have no idea exactly what that was, nor the Cotes du Rhone that was served with the beef. One of the appealing aspects of a tasting menu is that you don't always know what you are getting until it is set in front of you, but then you usually have a trained server explain the food and drink in detail. We'll go back, but only when we can order and know what it is that we are eating and drinking.
(3)
Ryan D.
After reading such good reviews on Bistrot La Minette I took my sister and mom there on a friday night and it did not disappoint. Food was amazing, service very good and overall ambiance very lovely. Sure it may not be the best fine french dining on the east coast but for a reasonably priced local place off south street, very well done indeed.
(5)
Evelyn G.
try the brunch! awesome bread...le fini
(5)
Max T.
Recommend for anyone looking for an authentically French restaurant. Menu has a lot of choices if you're not a huge fan of sometimes very rich and heavy French food.
I am so confused by how this restaurant is rated so high. The food itself was cooked well, but the sauces were funky. They ruined the meal. Between us we had the Halibut, Hare and a pea soup. The best part was the pea soup. I wouldn't go back here.
(2)
Nick R.
Just moved around the corner and I am so pumped that this place exists. I love the french bistro experience... great food without the stuffiness of fine french dining... Moved back down to the area from NYC suburbs and have been here twice already. First Visit Pitchers of wine for the special lady friend and me Heirloom Tomato App for the wife and foie gras for me. Both Amazing... Pan-seared NY strip for the wife and braised rabbit for me. Again, Both Amazing! Second Visit Pitchers of wine Split the Euf de pecheur (Sorry if I butchered the speling) Very good, not as good as the previous but only because we liked the previous two so much. NY strip for the wife again.... and I went with a special which if I remember correctly was similar to their duck option (pan roasted duck breast, white asparagus, black truffle?) with additional features including foie gras and duck confit... Awesome again. This is quickly turning into my favorite philly spot.
(5)
Michelle L.
Straightforward french food in a really cute setting. I'm sorry, but I thought the food was overall simple and forgettable-- I love simple food, but it was nothing impressive that I would want to return to. Thought the bill was too high, that's fo sho. Service was great; I got the impression the restaurant really runs well.
(3)
Dan S.
Nothing special. Good, friendly service. Food was good but not great. It was not crowded the night we were there so the energy was low.
(3)
Tracy D.
This was by far one of the best meals that I ever had. The mussels appetizer was definitely one of the best things I ever ate and would highly recommend getting it. I am a sucker for anything with a poached egg. My girlfriend got the escargot and that was good but it's just not really my thing. The bread and butter was incredible and I had to stop myself from filling up on it. I then ordered the poached salmon cooked in duck fat. The flavors were incredible but my salmon was a bit undercooked. I traditionally like fish cooked medium but this was still a little jelly like on the inside. I was so full that I didn't even tell them because I didn't want them to cook me another piece. We shared the carmelized puff pastry dessert and that was yummy. The server was wonderful and very helpful. I went on a weeknight at 8:30 so there wasn't a crowd just a couple tables. It was relaxing and romantic and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic place to eat dinner.
(5)
Jon S.
Had late lunch with my daughter there Friday. My second visit. We were the only customers. Sat at the cheery table by the bar and front window. We had their $14 two plate lunch specials (to which we added their ice cream sampler and sorbet sampler for $5 each.) Just astonishingly good hearty food (duck) and well made (quiche), plus interesting salads. On both visits we were very well treated by friendly and smart wait-staff. Very nice house wines in custom made carafes and we had a well turned out Kir Royal too. Understated bistro antiques. Waiting for the rain to stop so that we can go back for their free French movie night in the open air back "room". Love this place. Easy daytime parking on the next block South.
(5)
Rudy M.
A great French restaurant! Everything I have had there was delicious: "escargots", fish, duck, etc. You'll have much choice, and the menu is renewed from time to time. The service is very professional, the winelist satisfying, the place very charming, both classy and relaxed. There is a terrace on the street, but I definitely prefer the retro atmosphere inside. As many French restaurants in the US, this one tends to be pricey. So spare and enjoy!
(5)
Peter W.
Pros. Great food, Great value. I had the pate and lamb, my wife had the rabbit and creme brulee. Serving sizes were perfect. Really enjoyed the evening. Cons: Service a little slow - but that's a bit nit picky Will definitely recommend it to friendst
(4)
Thomas B.
Short: Great service, great food and drink, wonderful setting. A must. Went to La Minette on a Thursday night for dinner. Thankfully the heat broke and we were able to sit outside comfortably in the setting sun. We started with a bottle of Rose that was perfectly crisp and tart. Our server nailed the flavor, "tastes like unsweetened strawberry juice." For our first course we ordered the octopus salad and tomato salad. Both came out quickly and were flavorful and perfectly assembled. They marinate the octopus for 9 hours in the tomato broth and only remove it when ordered, to grill. Very tender and flavorful. The tomato salad was light and refreshing. We sopped up all of the broth from the tomato salad with the very good sliced baguette they provided as well... amazing to get such flavor from the simple ingredients. For main courses we ordered the braised rabbit and the Halibut. The rabbit loin was slightly dry on one side but the leg was fantastic, the wine sauce it came with was dark and complex and the mushrooms caramelized pearl onions added to the flavor of the rabbit. The house-made tagliatelle with the rabbit was buttery and a good texture. The halibut was the best either of us have ever had; crusted with lemony breadcrumbs, perfectly cooked and fresh. The saffron sauce was excellent and haricot verts were a suitable accompaniment. For dessert we ordered the lemon tart and sorbet selections. Both were wonderful. The meal was reasonably priced for what you received. The wine was around $40/bottle, first courses in the mid-teens, entrees were mid-$20s and desserts were under $10. If you ordered house wine (or no wine, ha) and only an entree this would be a suitable 'any time' destination, but you can certainly make it spendy, too. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a casual romantic setting with fantastic food. A+
(5)
Jaycee H.
Read about it being one of the best in the city and I love French food. So gave it a try. Upon entering I was surprised at the professional service and parisian decor. I thought this is going to be good and It was. Foie Gras yes please, and the mussels with poached egg over toasted baguette excellent. My rabbit entree was the best I've had, and there are some reasonably priced wine options of decent quality. The service is top notch, in a city where we have to settle for mediocrity with attitude, the waiters and host here are quite professional, just wish they wouldn't offer up their favorite items on the menu, frankly it means nothing to me what you like, I'm going to order what I like. If I want a suggestion I'll ask for it.
(4)
Wyn F.
Went here for lunch. Pretty sure I ordered from their Prix Fixe menu. The food was amazing, the atmosphere spot on. The service was attentive, and every detail of our meal was delicious and artfully prepared. I enjoy Parc, but it comes in a distant second to this friendly gem of a restaurant. Please try out Bistrot La Minette! I wish I could eat like I did there daily! PS- I would say it is good for well-behaved kids.
(5)
B B.
Very. Good. The night we dined was the sous-chef's last night and, according to our waiter, everyone had been celebrating for a couple of days so there would be no specials. Oh well! He should have lied -- anything other than "we're a little hung over to pump out a special or two, but we can cook the menu in our sleep, so don't you fret, mon ami" Turned out to be a non-issue. First, the bread was awesome. "Hello leettle bread, do you know how special you are?" I always notice awesome bread. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meals. The big winner was the Oeuf du Pechur (poached egg w/mussels in tarragon cream sauce). How tasty are you!? I had the duck leg confit w/ foie gras and it was damned fine. Excellent foie. Service was attentive. Lovely room. Low points: The "recommended" special gingerbeer-champagne cocktail I ordered was room temp ("bleccch"). And two in our party, who ordered the roasted pork chop (and loved it while eating it), got the "poo's" later that night, so maybe the sous-chef should have left a day earlier.
(3)
Elena S.
I would like to give this place 4.5 stars (please change this feature!) for a delicious, well-executed meal last night with my lovely mother-in-law. The setting is intimate, authentic bistro, without any of the slightly contrived quality of Parc (although I really like Parc). There is a tiny bar in the front where we waited for our table while enjoying the beginning of our delicious bottle of Sancerre. The wait staff were warm and friendly, and the whole environment felt professional but relaxed. Compared with a recent experience at Lotus of Siam in NY, this was a welcome change of ambiance and I was digging it as soon as I walked in the door. When we were seated, the bartender magically transformed into our waiter. And he was attentive and knowledgeable, but never intrusive. Water was efficiently and regularly filled, food was perfectly timed and just the right temperature, and, most importantly, everything tasted wonderful. I started with the escargot, which was buttery-garlicky deliciousness with great texture. It came in maybe 9 or 10 tiny pots, and I soaked up the remainder of the sauce with the fabulous housemade bread they serve with soft butter. My mother-in-law started with the foie gras, which she enjoyed, but found a bit too rich for her taste. We both had the fluke cooked in brown butter with brussel sprouts for our main, which was fabulous and definitely my favorite of the evening. Everything about the dish was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and went together perfectly. We finished with the opera cake, which was also an outstanding way to go out. The prices are in the mid-20s for entrees with a few special items in the 40s, but I think the price is right for the quality of the food. All in all, a wonderful experience and will definitely be back.
(4)
Turku I.
I love Bistrot la Minette for its unpretentious ambiance (particularly in the summer), courteous staff, the exciting and dynamic menu, and the unfailing perfection of every dish that is put in front of me. The host (owner?) is always polite and accommodating. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and the aperitifs always seduce. On summer nights, don't miss out on the cozy and romantic patio with the angel lights overhead. (We've never been to the Sunday movie screenings but would love to go). They serve French bistrot fare, adjusted to season, but the chef is careful to steer clear of the cliches of what passes for French bistrot food ici. Bistrot la Minette has quickly become our go-to French joint in the city.
(5)
Maggie G.
Ben and I just got married and had our wedding luncheon here. It was everything we had imagined and totally thrilled us. The chef and manager (co-owners) are incredibly helpful and seemed sincerely enthusiastic about accommodating us. They prepared a menu at the price we wanted and that would suit our party comprised of real vegetarians, pescovegatarians and carnivores. All of our guests were shocked at how delicious everything was and at the gorgeous and comfortable interior. Three days later I am still salivating at the mere thought of the potato leek soup. My friend Karl, whom I have almost NEVER heard rave about food, said that the Grenoble style ravioli had changed his food-outlook for life. At the end of the meal Ben and I disassembled the top of the croque en buche (a traditional French wedding desert, basically a tower of creme puffs wrapped in spun sugar--AMAZING!) which was far and away the best wedding desert I've ever had. It was crunchy and sweet and flavorful with multiple textures, served with delicious cold sweet tart cassis sorbet. Oh yum. I wish I could post pictures of our wedding on Yelp just to further prove how perfect it all was. Obviously, we will have to come here every year for our anniversary. Hell, we may even decide to celebrate on a monthly basis.
(5)
Bill E.
Took my wife there for the October tasting menu inspired by Burgundy. It was excellent and not overpriced at all for a multiple course meal. The ambiance of the place makes it a great place to bring your lady and to have a wonderful evening. I like when the service at a restaurant makes the experience laid back and worry free, when I am out w the wife the last thing that I want to do is chase down the waiter when I need another drink or another glass of wine and this place left me satisfied and will definitely be back when they have their next tasting menu night.
(5)
Allitia D.
There is nothing quite like a dinner at La Minette--the go-to place for haute rustique French. Savory, beautiful, assured plates. Silky smooth maitre de table and wait staff in long linen aprons. Connoisseur cheeses, and desserts of exquisite form and superlative tastes. Tonight was typical: delightful people, delightful neighboring tables, fabulous oeufs en meurette, egg-shell french bread with salted butter, crisp white wine, buttery vinaigrette over billowy bibb lettuce, sunny warm yellow room, bustle without hassle, heaven!
(5)
Scott H.
I can't say anything bad about my meal. The cheese plate was awsome and so was the escargot. Good wine selection and great service. I will be back !
(5)
Jason C.
Very good! Charming room, nice music and very good food. Try the poached egg and mussels first-- it's delicious. The lamb shank was good, but a little bit tough. Still, it had plenty of flavor, so I'm not complaining. All in all, I was quite impressed.
(4)
jennifer y.
I was told this place rocked...and was good as Bistro 7, which I ADORE, but I can't agree! So I'm going to have to go back, but I'll do it when someone else is paying. Cause I just dropped $120 and I feel very let down, and I hate that. I love good food and a great meal is truly the highlight of a day or week. Please, please don't order the Coquille St. Jacques, diver scallops. They were sandy, and their lovely taste, and preparation was overshadowed by the heavy orange flavors in the dish. Its a shame cause the flavor was delish. The steak was very good, but I ordered it medium rare, but I got a Medium, to medium well steak. The potato side dish was good but overly salty. Additionally, I LOVE harricot vert...but not these. Both myself and my date were shocked. They tasted so stunningly bad. The garlic soup, was fine. But I wouldn't do again. Order the Alzacian pizza instead. It's like yummy carbonara on a thin-crust. Surprisingly good.
(2)
Trauts N.
Good. Very good. Had the rabbit. All 4 of us enjoyed the meal and the ambiance. Would go back.
(5)
Scout S.
Good wine list. However, I ordered the beef bourguignon and it was SUPER salty (and I'm a salt person) and ALL beef and maybe one pearl onion... where were the carrots and potatoes? Or is that too American?
(3)
Joshua L.
I haven't written any review on yelp, but I had to write about this one. so I just signed up for yelp. I took my girl friend here and we were seated in the back garden. It was nicely decorated and food was excellent as other reviewers mentioned before. What suprisemd me was their service. I left my credit card behind. They called me within an hour (probably looked up my phone number on reservation list) even before I became aware of it. I couldn't go back to restaurant because of my schedule and they mailed it to me the same day I talked to a manger over the phone. and it came a couple days later. The waiter made me very comfortable and did't interrupt our conversation much nor pressured me to order more food.
(5)
anne l.
We checked out this new bistro (what's with the t?) last weekend after reading the harrowing story of what the owner went through to get the place set up. You know what? It's pretty damn good and I hope it succeeds for him! The atmosphere is busy french bistro - feels good - not too fussy. Food is truly excellent and the service was wonderful. Very attentive without being in your face. Sometimes I found the decor trying too hard, and the unisex bathroom scene isn't for everyone. Don't miss the potatos dauphin (or something like that - they're with cream and cheese). and try a pastis instead of your usual cocktail while you're at it.
(4)
Read T.
LOVE that this south philly restaurant is not a byob. The service and food are impeccable. The portions are a smiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge on the small side (especially in the seafood category), and so that's always just a little disappointing.
(4)
Pink T.
Possibly the best meal I've had in Philadelphia. Only James comes close in terms of the food, but the atmosphere and service at Bistrot La Minette is superior. Bistrot La Minette is a French bistro in Philadelphia. Not an approximation or replica of one, but an actual, authentic French bistro (sans the Gauloises smoke). As such, there's no pretension or holding up of appearances, because the staff is not faking it. One feels relaxed, at ease, at home eating here. And the food was great. The type of place you could enjoy for an appetizer and glass of wine, a nice date, or family-style dinner (they conveniently have a private room that can seat up to 20). After a delicious amuse-bouche of salmon rillette that was so buttery smooth and flavorful, my date and I had the salmon tartare. This was fantastic, covered with toothy lentils. The fish was chopped perfectly, and evenly, and was fresh and delicious. We also split the Alsatian Flammkueche, which is essentially a small pizza-like item--great, great dough covered in caramelized onions and lardons and cooked in heavy cream. That's obviously going to be delicious, but the dough was the best part, chewy, crisp, i could still taste the cornmeal on the bottom. It's in my top 10 favorite food items in the city. For dinner we had the lamb stew and the rabbit. The stew was great with large chunks of lamb braised in white wine and fresh beans. Well cooked and light. I enjoyed the rabbit with mustard sauce over a bed of fresh tagliatelle. The rabbit was tender and appropriately fatty with nicely colored skin. The mustard sauce was smooth and perfect. I could eat that on everything. The tagliatelle was good, but didn't add much to the dish. I would've preferred mashed potatoes or some grilled vegetables instead. For dessert we ate the beignets--doughy, but not oily, balls covered in cinnamon sugar and served with raspberry sauce and homemade ice cream. What really elevated our meal was great service, including by the maitre'd who showed us around the restaurant, including the new outdoor seating, and talked about the plans for the space. I will personally do my best to keep this place in business. 5 Stars. Without equivocation.
(5)
Grace L.
My meal here tonight has to be the best meal that I've had in Philadelphia in recent memory. So awesome was this meal that I had to sign up for Yelp to review it. I went with three other friends. 2 of us ordered the 4 course menu (sardine appetizer, haricot vert and duck confit salad, fillet, and the opera cake.) I ordered the tomato terrine and trout while another friend ordered the mussels appetizer and the tarragon chicken. The bread was delicious, the kir royales were delightful and each successive dish that came out did not disappoint. We were all deliriously giddy by the end of our meal. However, the only thing that holds me back from giving this a full five star rating was the service. Our waiter was a complete jerk. He was rude and condescending. I almost felt like he expected us to thank him for having had the privilege of being served by him. This was especially disappointing as this was actually my birthday dinner celebration. Everyone else from the host to the other waiters and busboys seemed to be perfectly pleasant. Other than the rude server, I completely fell in love with the food here and would love to go back.
(4)
Maria C.
Amazing food. Great service. Intimate space. I've been here a few times over the past couple of months and have to say each time I leave, I am planning my next trip back. Each time I've dined at Bistrot, our party has been the last to leave...literally shutting the place down. And the staff continues to smile, no dirty, "get the hell out of here" looks from them. The chef (Peter Woolsely) is equally as gracious as his staff, stopping by each table to chat throughout the service. I'm so happy that this place is consistently busy and receiving such great feedback because he seems like a genuinely nice, hardworking guy who deserves the praise! The food...well, the food is amazing. Simple, yet unique. The rabbit is by far one of the better dishes on the menu, in my opinion, and worth a try even if you are hesitant about well, eating rabbit. Portion sizes are substantial yet not so small that you feel like you paid a lot for nothing. Of course for dessert, the creme brulee...
(5)
Panda N.
Philadelphia has few French inspired restaurants that I can compare to, but I came here on my birthday and had a lovely experience. It was quite busy on a Friday, so I strongly recommend reservations. Though we had one, we were not seated immediately upon arrival, but I'm not one to complain about waiting.... I work in the service industry and these things just happen. We sat at the bar where we ordered drinks while we waited, the bartender was friendly and informative on the different wines and specialty cocktails. When finally seated, we were offered a warm cheese ball from our server and a detailed explanation of specials and menu items. Duck being my favorite I had the terrine de foie gras and the confit de canard. The foie gras was beautifully plated and was absolutely mouth watering. It was perfect with the baguette and a little dollop of the fig compote that accompanied it. The terrine was a perfect balance of rich, smooth, delicate, and savory. As for my confit de canard, it was almost boring. Though it is something traditionally prepared I am assuming, it just didn't really make me want to eat it again and again. My boyfriend being a pastry chef he prepared my birthday cake which was bittersweet because the dessert menu looked amazing. After 2 courses and two bottles we almost hit the $300 mark after tip. Definitely not a cheap eat, but it is a fabulous place to take someone for a special occasion. The ambiance was dark and romantic. A perfect place for good wine and conversation. Our meal was a little over 2 and a half hours which is something I feel that many diners do not always get to take advantage of. I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and enjoying every bite of my food without being thrown my check and the server taking away my plate at every chance. I hope to come back to Bistrot La Minette!
(4)
Dee H.
We had a fantastic french dinner here, thanks to the recommendations by the yelp reviewers. Our party had the semolina dumplings, the rabbit and the duck entrees. All wonderfully savory and delicious. We followed with a lovely trio of capuccino, raspberry puff pastry with cream, and chocolae mousse cake with sorbet. The maitre d and wait staff were the most wonderful gentlemen. My daughter and a young friend with us absolutely adored the interior and the wash rooms (and nobody minded the young ladies' casual dress). A super ending to our day of touring beautiful Philadelphia.
(5)
Lilly P.
I had been looking forward to coming here for almost a year, and finally went on my Birthday yesterday. My friend and I made reservations for 2:30. When we arrived, we were told to hurry up and order fast because they didn't have time and were prepping the kitchen for dinner. The waiter literally stared us down as we were forced to pick something off the menu while our coats were still on! He then demanded we pay him while we were still eating, and never brought me my cafe au lait because "the espresso machiene is broken" Hello! its just coffee and milk! He finally brought it after I had eaten my dessert. Overall, the service was just so rude and they treated us like crap from the get-go. I have never experienced servers this rude - even in France. In the end he actually appologized to me - for the rude service. But it didn't matter, he had already ruined our meal - which was not even that good to begin with.
(1)
Julia S.
yum.yum.yummm. i went here with my boyfriend last night on the early side at 6pm. we sat in their lovely outdoor patio in the back. i have to say, i am always impressed when a restaurant serves an amuse bouche!! our waiter was wonderful: he was so knowledgeable of the menu (all ingredients and cooking methods), he suggested numerous dishes that would go well with our wine choice, and he was friendly and attentive. the atmosphere was wonderful: french music, patio with candles and string lights, and flower boxes. now...the food...WAS AMAZING. we started with the scallops and asparagus soup. then i had the rabbit (my first time!) and my boyfriend had the daurade. both were DELICIOUS...especially the rabbit dish. the daurade was more rustic and the rabbit was more hearty. THEN the dessert. oh myyyyy. SOOO yummy. we ordered the lemon tart with cassis sorbet--one of the yummiest combinations i have had. then...since I know one of the cooks...we were given the unbelievable mille feuille with raspberries, on the house. i can say that this was hands down one of the best desserts of my LIFE. the vanilla cream was to die for. basically, the service is impeccable. the food is beautifully plated and perfectly executed, and the atmosphere is romantic and unpretentious. i will definitely go here again.
(5)
Meg R.
I'd have to echo all the praises sung of La Minette. Contrary to Parc, feels as though you're on a stage set, La Minette "is" what it makes itself out to be - a cozy, not overly pretentious, full of deliciousness French Bistro. The maitre d' greets you, friendly and accomodating. The wait staff, knowledgeable without being aloof. The Prix Fix menu can be ordered w/ or w/o wine, which makes it affordable if you don't want to spend more than $30/person. I had lamb stew with the lamb dripping off the bone as though it had been stewed for days, in a tomato and bean soup, and the portions surprisingly hearty; there was little room for desert. I did try someone else's Creme Brulee....it is worth getting here - the best I've had in a long time. Oh and I have to mention that the sinks in the bathrooms are my favorite - the water comes out in a ribbon; it feels so luxurious; you'll have to try it out to know what I'm saying. La Minette succeeds in paying attention to the subtle details. This is a great place to while away the hours with a loved one or group of friends or family.
(5)
Shel K.
It was our second time here and we brought another couple with us. It is always great to have dinner with them especially in such a wonderful restaurant. Our server was very attentive and did not rush us at all. The beers that my husband and his friend ordered were delicious and I am not a beer drinker. My coffee and French 75 cocktail did not disappoint either. Once we put our orders in, the waiter brought us a plate of small cheese puff bread, compliments of the chef. It was light and a nice way to start our meal. The bread and butter was delicious as well - perfect texture of soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The first course was delicious. We went with the mussels and ravioli. My husband's main course was the duck which was cooked to perfection, especially the skin. I tried rabbit for the first time and it was juicy with a light but flavorful taste. The tagliatelle that went with my dish was a great accompaniment. Dessert was amazing. I ordered the apple tart with caramel ice cream where the flavors blended well without an overpowering sweetness. Complimentary chocolates were a great ending to our amazing meal. We stayed a little bit longer just talking to our friends after we paid and the waiter continued to fill our glasses with water. With great food and great service, this restaurant deserves 5 stars the second time around.
(5)
Steve P.
Best all around French experience in the City. Excellent food, good wine list and friendly and attentive staff. Movies in the outside space are a summer treat. Desserts out of this world.
(5)
Erin G.
We were lucky enough to score a late reservation for 4 on Valentines day - the staff was very helpful on the phone, called to confirm, super pleasant. The restaurant is adorable, and we at in the back room at one end of a long table - not private, but just one other group further down. It felt quiet and romantic, while the main room bustles more. Our waiter (wish I remember his name) was amazing - very knowledgeable, polite, and full or real suggestions (and not just trying to sell what the kitchen wanted to get rid of) Like most french places, my vegetarian choices were pretty limited to cheese-based dishes - but oh how lovely they were. I pillowly gnocchi that disappeared beneath a velvety sauce, a constructed morbier bread pudding with a chilled beat salad, house wine. I would definitely return.
(4)
Rachel U.
I needed a place close by that could handle a big group, and Bistrot took great care of us! They have a private 'salon' that can seat 20, but it was booked for our night so they set up a nice spot for us in the main room. I was contacted the week leading up by Brad, who turned out to be our waiter for the night, with a limited menu of their most popular dishes so as not to overwhelm the kitchen. Originally they were going to do a price fix for us, and worked to bring the price down a bit from their standard fixed menus, which I really appreciated. We ended up taking it but w/ ala carte prices to give people options. When we got there Saturday night, the table was set up with little individual menus, and Brad patiently and enthusiastically described, in detail, everything on the menu, several times as we had some late-comers. He and the rest of the floor staff were excellent, and really made the experience great, taking excellent care of everyone at the table despite a busy Saturday night crowd. The food was excellent; stuffy French food this is not. It was accessible, tasty, and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The kitchen sent out an amuse for the table; little cheese puffs which were warm and tasty, tho the flavor did remind several of us of cheez-its. Personally, I got the french gnocchi (for which I feel they should find a french name), and the trout which could have used a bit of something, but was tasty nonetheless. The real wow came with dessert; a bunch of us got the mille feuille, which wasn't much to look at, but incredibly yummy! And, since we were there for hubby's birthday, they brought out a plate of truffles and candied oranges for the table, with a little candle in it of course.
(4)
Deb O.
Best food in the city. Attentive service. Fine french dining without pretentions. Unreal scallops. Bread to die for.
(5)
Ali W.
MMM OOOH YES(insert various moans of pleasure). That was me, on New Years Eve at midnight, my first 2010 mouthful was of buttery vinegary almondy Truite Meuniere. Our tres french 10:45 dinner at Bistrot La Minette was perfect, absolutement magnifique! We arrived a bit early and had cocktails at the tiny bar (a champagne with a splash of St Germaine and a Sazerac), and it was at the very first, just so very pleasant, we were greeted warmly, had a nice chat with the bartender and were seated before our res time. We were snuggled into a sweet little two top with a super comfy banquette, It was so charming, every thing the napkins, the water bottles, the cute little bread bucket, the server...he was just sweet and happy and though probably exhausted from the long night, we saw no sign of it. We polished off our bucket o' baquette in moments, it was perfect, the butter was even special. When our server informed us that it would be a few minutes till another loaf came out of the oven, I was happy to wait. As a first course we had Terrine de Foie Gras (NYE special) and Flammenkuche (Alsatian tart of creme fraiche, bacon & onions). Le foie, what can I say, it was heavenly, it was so good I ate it in teeny tiny lady like bites so I could make it last, it was all I could do not to faint with pleasure. I offered the Bf a bite, but only because I love him, and he was like oh my god, is that mayonnaise...now he was referring to the texture which was so ridiculously unctuous. In exchange for the wee bite I was given a large slice of flammenkuche,,sweet, bacony creamy..chewy..is there a french word for umami?. To counteract the enormous amount rich fattiness we had just eaten we ordered a Salade Verte to share as a mid course. (Hoping that french paradox would happen, the salad would magically erase the-foie-bacon-cremefaiche calories) It was simply wonderful, soft boston lettuce tossed with a dijon-y vinaigrette and chopped chives. Perfect Simple. We brought a bottle of Moet White star with us ($20 corkage, totally reasonable) and got a pitcher of house wine ($20 so reasonable!) with the entrees , which was totally decent, drinkable and came in the cutest little stoneware vessel. Now my Truite Meuniere, I will say I was perhaps une petite dissapointed that it did not come out whole on a sizzling copper plate, boned sur la table, they way Julia Child's first one was, but I quickly got over that once I tasted it . Ahh mon dieu, it was just so good, and was served on what I can only describe as a hillock of haricot verts, with a few fingerlings scatted about. I was soo happy to have a generous amount of veg on my plate, j'adore les haricot verts! I am so tired of the singular fava bean, the duet of asparagus, the lone lump of spinach. As wonderful as my trout was my greedy eyes were drawn to the perfectly cooked Entrecote de Boeuf (rib eye) across the table from me, nor could I keep my hands off the adorable little casserole of potatoes gratin. Despite a warning from both our server and my Bf that the plate was hot I practically lunged for it. The Steak was so delicious, it was just so delicious..it was the last bite of 2009, a delicious ending to a really awful year. Did I mention that it was delcious? At midnight they brought around glasses of champagne and we all toasted, there were no silly hats or noise makers or singing of auld lang syne, which was fine, it would have detracted from our eating There was no way we were leaving without dessert and though I had planned on cheese, I had not planned on the generous portions, a cheese plate could've killed me so we split a Chocolate Pots de Cream..which was as we came to expect perfect.. ( did I growl at the busboy when he tried to take what he thought was an empty plate away?..maybe) Our server brought us a small complimentary taste of caramel ice cream and pear sorbet...he said to make up to the wait for our first course, but we never noticed the time. The pear sorbet really no way to describe it without the obvious.. it was like biting into an incredibly juicy ripe pear that just happened to be frozen, I slipped teaspoon of it into my glass of champagne..I suggest doing the same. We smuggled the lovely chocolates, that arrived with the check (so reasonable!), in our pockets for later.. left the remainder of our bottle ofchampagne for our server and went out into the the new year full of good cheer and good food and hope for the future. La Minette gave us some of that hope, it was warm and friendly, delicious and above all gracious. Grace is an underestimated quality and one that truly makes a difference. Merci Beaucoup La Minette et Une Bonne Annee!
(5)
Bobby P.
Salmon is good. Duck fat is good. Salmon cooked in duck fat is amazing! Sure all the health benefits are probably canceled out, but you're in a French restaurant so you clearly don't give a shit (at least for this meal). If you do, you'll have to temper your expectations for a healthy meal. Everything is fatty and/or cooked in more fat. Even, nay especially the side vegetables with all their buttery goodness. So why just 4 stars with all that fatty goodness, you ask? Unfortunately while I was reveling in my salmon swoon, my wife was working over a steak that was equally big on flavor and gristle. It was disappointing since every other aspect of our dining experience, from service to dessert, was exceptional.
(4)
Melissa R.
My mom was coming into town and she requested a French restaurant, as she had never been to a French dining establishment. I choose Bistrot La Minette as I had seen its Philly Mag award for Best Outdoor Dining and I knew it was going to be a nice weekend. Originally, I requested outdoor seating, but it ended up being chillier than we anticipated, so they accommodated us by moving inside. On a warmer evening, it would have been lovely to sit in the courtyard. Food was fantastic, if you love French food. The muscles and egg dish was savory and I loved the pickles and spicy Dijon mustard that came with the chicken liver and pork terrine. The Alsatian "pizza" was just okay. The entrees were classic French dishes. I got the Trout Mueniere, which was light and lemony. My boyfriend got the Tourbot and my mom, the chicken, two of the safer dishes on the menu. If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say Authentic. It felt like I was back in Paris. If you are a foodie and love French cuisine I would highly recommend it. My mom and boyfriend who aren't as adventurous with food, could have done without.
(4)
Michele C.
What a gem of a place this is! My husband took me here on our two-year anniversary and it was easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. First of all, we picked quite possibly one of the most beautiful nights to come here. When I saw the tiny little deck area with tables set up outside, I knew we had to sit there. I was glad we did. It made the experience even better. This place is small, intimate and chic - it takes you back to France. It's so comforting you just want to linger. We were each greated with a complimentary cheese puff to pop in our mouths at the get go. Very nice. And then, the bread. Ahhh the bread. The freshly baked bread is worth the price of admission. That bread - hot and crusty - coupled with some wine and cheese - would have sealed the deal for me. But luckily, the night was still young. We didn't get appetizers, though they all looked delicious. For the main course, I ordered the roasted chicken with rice pilaf. The chicken was delicious - the skin crackling and tasty - if not a little bit dry. But still good. The basmati rice it was served with was SO good. I don't know what they did to make it taste that great but bravo. My husband ordered the strip steak. He asked for it medium rare but it clearly came out medium well. Still, it was quite tasty, even if not exactly done to his liking. It was accompanied by potato "balls" and spinach. Both were tasty. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable. However, we ordered a side of mac and cheese that never arrived at our table. Still, it was a minor misstep as we had already filled ourselves up with so much bread we realized we didn't need it anyway. The desserts are homemade and delicious. Save room for them. I got the rice pudding, which was served in a bowl surrounded by fresh berries. The pudding was a little skimpy, but delicious, and the berries were ripe and tasty. My husband got a layer cake with coffee and homemade whipped cream that was just divine. We were ready to leave when the waiter rushed outside with a plate decorated in chocolate that said "happy anniversary" on it. There were two chocolate truffles on it. Delicious. And a nice way to end the night. Prices were reasonable. Food was delicious. Atmosphere - can't be beat. I will definitely be back.
(3)
Gustavo B.
One of my favorites restaurants in Philly. Classy romantic place with superb food !! Enjoy.
(5)
Larry C.
Nothing to fret about the food. The decor is nice and quaint but the food is very average. The appetizers were good and we had oeuf pecheur which was nicely flavor with tarragon and a benedict sauce and tarte paysane. The entree were very average, nothing fantastic very middle of the road. We had lapin and duck confit. The duck was too salty and was supposed to be prepared with anis but did not taste anything. It was dry and not the best choice of meat (thigh). The rabbit meat was flavorless and dry. The piece of meat here was a leg which was just like the duck thigh...dry. This a good passable restaurant. The food was so uninspiring that we skipped desserts. Would not return there better in Philly.
Great place. I'll start by saying that the one time I went, it was around $75 a person (dinner for two), but we did get a 30 or 40 dollar bottle of wine (which was a delicious pinot noir). Service was great (except for one blip, see below), and the waiter was very good about offering suggestions and letting us know what was most popular on the menu. Had the gnocchi as an appetizer - French gnocchi isn't as good as Italian gnocchi, but this was okay. Wouldn't recommend if you're a big gnocchi fan. For the main course I ate the mustard-braised rabbit. Very tasty, but you'd be surprised how much it tastes like chicken (seriously). For that reason, I will never eat rabbit again. Tried it. Nothing special (generally speaking). They must do it very well at this place, though. Dessert was a bit disappointing; not because it wasn't fantastic, but because the waiter brought out the wrong item. Not to worry, it was very very good and the perfect ending to a very good meal (baked sliced apple and caramel ice cream). One of the cool things about this place is that when you walk in, the host (who seemed to be either the manager or owner, or someone close to the business) took our coats and hung them. When we left, he chatted with us to see how we enjoyed the meal. Cool guy. Cool place. Check it out.
Definitely not worth it. Bad service and overcooked food. This place is a huge rip-off.
(1)
Johnny K.
We stumbled upon this restaurant while visiting Philly. Wow, what a delight! Beautiful food, lovely outside courtyard in the rear. Excellent service. Really spectacular!
(5)
Stefanie G.
My husband and I went for lunch to celebrate the one year anniversary of our engagement. Last year's review was more like Melmoth K's. Lunch today just wasn't up to par- the service was friendly enough, but especially slow and there were little touches missing (crumbs left on the table, finished plates sitting in front of us too long, beverages left unfilled). The food was also just ok. The duck was dry, the macaroni and cheese was a bit oily and the quiche Lorraine was heavy on salt. The best thing we had was the side of creamed swiss chard. My husband enjoyed his escargot, too. Dessert was also a 50/50 toss up- the vanilla cream and raspberry layered pastry was amazing, the pain perdu wasn't that great (the caramel ice cream was heavenly, however). The thing is, you just can't beat is the price ($25 for any app, entree and dessert on the menu). But when we've been to Bistrot La Minette for the prix fixe dinner menu, we've left feeling like we stole something. Today I was relieved we didn't pay "full price".
(2)
Jon D.
La Minette's movie night is a must-do experience, a vacation in itself. Movies are shown on the rear patio and take you to another place, helping you forget that Fat Tuesday's & Johnny Rockets are just a few blocks away. Maybe it was the two pitchers of wine, Audrey Tautou on the big screen, or the quaint decor between the neighboring warehouses, but I felt taken far away. The food was delicious. Bread was crusty & fluffy (though not quite as good as Parc's - sorry!); the escargot appetizer served as a perfect & delicious introduction to snail, which i'll absolutely have again; the sea bass had crunchy skin atop tenderly cooked fillets; the polenta dumplings were buttery & fluffy; the sorbet was rich and fresh. And - dangerously - the house pitchers of wine were a reasonable $20.
(5)
Pallavi A.
I made a reservation for lunch and reached a half hour late! But, I called ahead and the owner who picked up was very nice about it. Bistrot La Minette is a perfect little french cafe in the South Street area. The staff was super friendly and helped us in choosing from the menu. The ambiance of this place was great- cozy and well lit. A nice lunch altogether.
(4)
Scot G.
My wife and I decided to try Bistrot La Minette last night after reading the many great reviews and seeing it on many 'best of' lists for foodies in Philly. Sadly to say we came away disappointed with the entire experience. There was some good - the place is very cosy inside and really does feel like a little bistro in Paris. Also, the grilled sardine first course was excellent - well prepared and delicious. Things pretty much went downhill from there. We ordered four dishes and asked for them to come out one at a time. They brought them out two at a time without a word. We told them we were sharing everything, but instead of bringing us share plates, they just brought two dishes out at a time and separated them between us. Worse though was the food. It wasn't terrible as much as it was sub-par. We had the salmon tartar, the squash soup and the duck breast entree. Each dish was unbalanced. The salmon tartar had just a little too much going on and was a bit on the sweet side for an appetizer. The soup was even sweeter - the nuts in it and the broth tasted closer to a dessert than something savory or appropriate as a First Course. The duck breast was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was also way too sweet and didn't have anything to balance itself with. My wife puked after the evening and I felt a little uncomfy in the stomach. Overall, dishes that weren't balanced, overly sweet, etc. / mediocre service and an unsatisfactory meal. I would skip this one.
(2)
Frank S.
Delicious straight forward food - charming restaurant and service. This is going to be a very dry review. Simply put, we just had a great time with delicious food and great service. Very nice bistro, not over decorated, it just doesn't feel fake. With only half the restaurant filled on a Wednesday night, two friends and I had ample space and time without being pushed or being squeezed. We had grilled sardines with red pepper (delicious) and flammkuchen (Alsace flatbread, little drier than it's original siblings, but very tasty). Entrees sampled were leg of lamb, duck breast and the entrecote. All meat was done perfectly, the sides were awesome (the gratin rivals Nan), dishes are prepared not too heavy. We shared ice cream and sorbets for dessert, which is too sweet for me, but the flavors were greattt (rhubarb, caramel, cassis). The wine and menu selection is just the right balance and size to fulfill all desires and not let you be overwhelmed. Actually the homemade chocolate that came with the bill was fantastic and their espresso was very good, too. I put down four stars in the beginning, just changed to 5 now after I can not find anything in my memory worth downgrading a star. Bottomline, if I have to choose between Bistrot La Minette and Parc, where food, service and ambience are totally overrated (loud, cramped, attitude, rush), I don't even have to blink. They offer french movie nights on Mondays during August and family style french dining for 4-20 people for $45 to $65 per person. We will try that soon. Disclaimer: This is not eclectic french 9 course five star dining, it is a bistro!!
(5)
Julie M.
I first decided to try this bistro as a place to celebrate a personal advancement. The restaurant is just off South Street and is noticable at first because of a tiny deck out front. It continues to be just as cozy as you enter. It is an intimate place, with a nice amount of ambient noise but not too loud. The food is quite a find. Lamb, chicken, dumplings, steak, onion tarts, all cooked perfectly. The ingredients are sometimes a bit upscale but the final dish isn't very fussy. Every dish is perfectly seasoned and well balanced. I never have room for dessert. As an aficionado of beers, they manage to have a decent local selection of beer with a couple seasonal options. I recently went back a second time and it confirmed my previous opinion. If you are looking for a special treat, the Bistrot is worth the price.
(4)
Alex S.
For an upscale French place it lacks creativity. The dishes are fairly mundane and so is the taste. The food lacks the "Wow" factor that I would expect from a high-end French place. The food is otherwise good. I would give it 4 stars if it billed itself as an "American" food establishment. If you're looking for a taste of great French food, you won't find it here. The service is OK but nothing special.
(3)
Molly M.
The scallops were fantastic as was the bread and butter. Yum.
(4)
Simon E.
Exquisite. Food, atmosphere and staff were top notch. We rang late with a reservation for 7, still managed to fit us in. A good wine list, and the caraffes of house wine are excellent value if you don't want to go overboard. A lot of the non-BYOB Philly restaurants could learn a thing or two from Bistrot La Minette on this front. The food was outstanding. I had the grilled Sardines to start and then the Lamb stew for main. The lamb blew any other Lamb I've had out of the water, so tender but so much flavour packed in. Other friends had snails, which were done well. One friend had the Filet special, which whilst by far the most expensive thing on the menu, he still claims it is the best value steak he has had in the city. Sure, the food isn't cheap but at this quality level, it never will be. I can't recommend this place enough. I'm sure I'll be back soon, especially as the outdoor seating is apparently now open.
(5)
Katia S.
What a fantastic meal. The scallops were divine and the half chicken was perfectly done. The atmosphere was cozy yet still vibrant and the service was attentive. We're definitely going back for the pre-fixe menu and I would love to try the courtyard when the weather warms up.
(4)
Brett V.
I had planned on going to Beau Monde (across the street from Bistrot) for a first date but it was a Monday and to my embarrassment it was closed. Thankfully Bistrot La Minette, with its recently completed outdoor seating area, was there to save the day. If you're looking for authentic French food served in a cozy bistro setting without all the pretentiousness this is the place for you. We were greeted at the door and quickly shown to our choice of outdoor seating. Fresh bread arrived shortly accompanied by deliciously creamy butter lightly topped with sea salt. A salmon spread amuse bouche on toast came out next. It was very pleasant and light. We shared a puff pastry wild mushroom appetizer, which was flaky savory and delicious, followed by entrees of vegetarian dumplings and duck breast with white asparagus and lentils. The duck was perfectly cooked and tender; the dumplings melted in your mouth. For dessert we split the homemade ice cream and sorbet (you get your choice of 3 that change daily). The caramel ice cream was rich but not to sweet. The sorbets were on the tart side - just the way i like them. Although Bistrot is certainly not the cheapest place in town and the portions are not huge the quality and attention to detail justify the price. If you're looking for a cheaper option try the prix fixe lunch for $14. The only thing that others might take issue with is the fact that our server was fairly clueless with her mastery of French. That said, she knew the menu inside and out and competently answered all the questions we had.
(4)
Fred C.
The room is charming . . . old, old with exposed wood floors, high ornamented metal ceilings and an exposed brick wall. The service was a bit slow, but the servers were efficient and cheerful. The pea soup was disappointing, very bland and we had to season it with lots of salt and black pepper; even then it wasn't great. The quiche was very good. The food notwithstanding, it was a pleasant lunch. Goes to show what ambiance and cheerful service can accomplish.
(4)
Stephen S.
Came here for a celebratory dinner with a group of friends. We went a little overboard with what we ordered, but it allowed me to really experience the menu and what they offered. One of my friend's was a Parisian native who said it was as authentic as a meal as she's had in the states. Some of the traditional dishes were modified a bit, but she said most French bistrots would be making similar modifications to seem chic and cool. I thought the Soupe de Potiron was truly special and would highly recommend it amongst the entrees. I will say that the macaroni and cheese was so good that we ordered it twice. For dessert we ordered everything and I will say the Gateau l'Opera was the table favorite. The service was pretty good. We shared the side room with another party which was nice when we were alone but a little frustrating when they came in. It felt like their birthday party was overwhelming us and there were several times that we had to stop our dinner conversation because the other group was so loud. I really question the wisdom of seating two parties in the side room as it feels private enough that one feels they were out of the main restaurant.
cute. cute, cute, cute. one wintry cold night (did i mention it was snowing??), i came here with a friend. a charming french bistro with tasty food and good people. i even liked things i didn't think i would...like sardines! quail was done well, and so was the monkfish. the alsatian pizza is to die for. you can tell the chef-owner and his wife put their heart and soul into the place, from the warm lighting, open kitchen in the back, cute tables, and friendly folks. wait. i think i used the word cute probably one too many times.
(4)
David W.
Outstanding service, wonderful dinner. The rabbit & duck, never better. wonderful desserts. Highly recommend.
(5)
Rob T.
The food was delicious; the waitstaff was exceptional, and the ambiance is very nice. Great date spot. Try the escargot.
I went to Bistrot La Minette for lunch with a friend last week and every encounter was a pleasant surprise. Their lunch special is insanely good. For $15, I had a sumptuous split pea soup and a Nicoise salad. In between each course we had little treats, compliments of the chef. The ambience rivals the food. Every detail is articulately cared for, from the quaint bar to the copper pots at the back of the restaurant. The staff was very friendly. Even though they were busy, took very good care of us.
(5)
Lauren M.
We love French food so when we were in Philly for the night (and had gotten some of the other staples earlier in the day), we decided to come here based on the reviews. We were right on time for our reservation and a table in the front was open when we walked in, but the host asked us to sit at the bar. The place is not very big and after waiting for 15-20 minutes and being seated at the same table that was open when we walked in, I made my husband asked what the deal was. They were hoping another table was going to open up. That's fine, I realize this table was near the front, and the tables on either side were occupied, but it would have been nice if we had been given the option - 'look, we have this table open now, but it looks like we'll have a better one opening up in a few minutes, do you want to wait?'. We were an 8:30 res as it was, so it wasn't like they were turning all the tables again after us. Anyway, that started it off a bit poorly, then our waitress wasn't very good. She didn't have personal recommendations for wine, sort of went with whatever my husband asked about. Then throughout the night, there were times when she was just gone. Finally when we were trying to get our check, we see her at the front bar drying dishes, chatting away with another server. We were just far enough away that we couldn't get her attn, as there was another table between us and the bar, so we waited, and waited, she never looked over, it was like she was a bartender, not our server. Unfortunately the service spoiled the experience for us, but I'll get into the food too. I had escargots to start, my husband had a salad. Both were fine, not my favorite escargot, in fact, they were already shelled which was the first time I'd seen that, but was convenient! I had the duck confit which I really enjoyed and I can't remember what my husband had , but he liked it as well. Overall, the food was fairly good, especially my main course, but hopefully they tighten up the service a bit more.
(3)
Roseanne F.
My husband, daughter and father-in-law wandered in five minutes until closing, desperate for a meal (we had just flown in, hungry and tired). I expected to be treated like an interloper, but when we asked if we could still get dinner, we were welcomed warmly and without hesitation, like they were actually pleased to see us. (My pet peeve is restaurants who say they are open until, say, 10:30, but if you walk in at 10:15, they give you the stink-eye and the bum's rush. Just say that you close at 10:00, then, and save us both some trouble.) We were just beginning our vacation, on our way to New York for a few days, and I have to say, this was the best dining experience we had the entire trip, including a Jean George joint in NYC, and restaurants which cost twice as much. Not to say that BdM is inexpensive, because it is not. But considering the quality of food, the adorable atmosphere and the fantastic service, it was a great value. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable and courteous. He knew his shit. I had the freshwater sardines app. The little fillets were charred to perfection and tasted of woodfire and yum. The lemon vinagarette was just so. Next, I had the trout menuire with haricorts verts and fingerling potatoes: simple, classic deliciousness. My husband had the cassoulet with a duck drumstick and assorted other meats. He said it was one of the best things he's ever had. I didn't have dessert, but it looked wonderful (some kind of donuts with raspberry sauce and ice cream). We were the last people left in the room, but not once did we get a nudge out the door. As we left, I felt like we were dinner guests, not customers. Corny as it sounds, you could see there is a lot of love in this place. (Also, the waiter ran two blocks to where our car was parked to return a forgotten scarf...sweet!) If I lived in Philly, this would be my favorite place. We couldn't stop talking about it for days.
(5)
Carol K.
This place is an absolute gem. I don't think it's possible to get a dish here that isn't superb. We've been several times now and while the service can be a tad slow in actually getting you to order, the servers are always fast and attentive in removing plates, checking on your meal, etc. The food is -- well, it's amazing, frankly. The foie gras is fantastic and the ouef de pecheur tastes way better than any poached egg dish has a right too. (I literally could not stop exclaiming about how good it was -- even as I shoveled it in my face. Just order it. Trust me.) Entrees were all excellent as well, though in my experience, they tend to do fish slightly better than red meats. We've always gotten an amuse bouche to start and a small desert tasting comped, which is a nice touch -- especially since we never have room to actually order desserts (which look awesome). The space itself is very nice. Inside dining room is classic Paris bistro, and the outdoor "garden" is lovely in the evening. Can't recommend this place enough.
(5)
Tasha P.
I took my mom here - she was visiting from California. We love French food so I'm always on the lookout for great places to eat. This place surpassed our expectations! Service was exceptional, food was incredible. The servers recommended a delish merlot for me. I had the mussels - served on toast with a poached egg and in a white sauce, and the scallops served with potatoes and capers. Mom had the trout with fingerling potatoes and lemon sauce. We sat out in the "garden" and, although there were a few other tables seated, it was quiet. We had a marvelous time and left with very full bellies. I'm anxious to try their "Family Dinner" they were advertising on the menu. I'm already planning my return visit...this time with my husband!
(5)
Liz M.
So happy to have finally made it here; it did not disappoint. Loved the foie gras, the trout, and the sardines. Adored the rabbit--can't wait to have that again. The service was impeccable. They really make you feel welcome. The tables for two against the wall are a little crowded, but it is a French bistro, so I guess that's part of the whole experience. Overall a great dinner.
(5)
Daniel S.
Four of us decided to eat here last night - in the mood for a French bistro experience. There are two that sit across the street from each other and, after checking out the menus, Bistrot La Minette won out. We came in without a reservation around 8:30 on a Saturday night and we were seated within 5 minutes. This is not to say the place was empty - it was pretty full and lively and, frankly, we were happy for our good luck! The ambiance is what first drew us in. The decor is like looking in the windows of a bistro in Paris - without being kitschy. Once inside it was easy to relax and imagine that we had been transported to a different time and place. The lower light cast by wrought iron lamps and bulbous chandeliers, the ornate claw-footed side board where long house-made baguettes were being cut for each table, the decorations that look like they had been taken from the basement of the farmhouse down the road. It all worked together to make your senses accept you were no longer in Philly. Our waiter, Kane, was excellent - explaining the specials and guiding us through the house favorites as well as his own. I think we all went with specialties of the house and no one was disappointed! We all shared and tasted and everything here was absolutely delicious. For mise en bouche we got sardines with roasted red peppers, escargot, mussels in tarragon sauce, and a salad vert with a great mustard vinaigrette. Each of these was great in not only the flavors but the presentation as well. For our main courses we ordered the chicken, rabbit and duck. Again, they may sound like simple dishes but the layers of flavor took each to a new level. Everything was perfectly cooked and presented beautifully. If you are a dessert person, do not skip the last course just because you may be feeling like you could pop from the incredible meal you have had up to this point. Take it slow and enjoy it - the perfect ending to a great dining experience. There is an outdoor garden area that can seat about 30. In the summer they show French movies twice a week out there with dinner service. We didn't see it in action but definitely will before the end of the season! I absolutely recommend Bistrot La Mienette and am looking for an occasion to try it again soon!
(5)
Jay F.
Excellent in every way - food, service, atmosphere! Highly recommend.
Bread was soft and fluffy. Escargot was delicious, could have been the slightest bit saltier. Beef cheeks were so tender but too salty. The highlight of the dish was the roasted vegetables in it. Their natural sweetness really came through. The pasta in the rabbit dish tasted homemade and fresh. The rabbit was succulent and tender. The millefeuille is excellent because the pastry is slightly burnt and has a caramel taste. The tarte tatin is way too sweet. One of the most authentic French places I've been to outside of France.
(4)
Matthew L.
Like being in Paris, but the convenience of paying with USD. Update: moved from 4-5 stars because I'm not sure why I listed it at 4 to begin with. If you're a fan of personal space, this isn't really the place for you. A strong Parisian vibe emanates from this restaurant, from the decor to the food. Portions are larger than in France, though not very large by American standards. The food is excellent across the board and I look forward to my next visit. Best French food in this price range that I've found in the city.
(5)
Paul B.
For a French Bistro... this is as good as it gets in Philly! And beyond. Kane the bartender was excellent! Thank you Kane (forgive me if I'm getting your name wrong). The service and food are both excellent. The space is quaint and charming. They are doing it right there! Excellent!
(5)
Nancy L.
Absolutely delicious french food.
(5)
Amy C.
Service was awesome! Steak was really good and had a different taste that's bound to leave an impression. The duck confit was too overcooked and salty, not to mention appears unappealing. Appetizers are appetizing but very tiny dishes that make you feel bad for eating and not leaving enough for the other person. We had creme brulee for the final dessert and it was amazing but by that time we were too stuffed to finish. This is a good place to bring a date as the servers will respect your space and create a romantic atmosphere for couples. Boyfriend and I planning to come back for the steak :).
(4)
Duy N.
Went here for my birthday and absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was just perfect. It was a little place that made me feel I was on an alley strip in France somewhere. The food was outstanding. Fresh and simple. My date and I are still trying to find time to come back. Hopefully soon!
You know the scene from This Is Spinal Tap, where Nigel Tufnel is trying to explain how the amplifier for his guitar is louder and better than other amps because his volume dial goes past ten, and all the way up to eleven? Well, Bistrot La Minette is why Yelp ratings need to go all the way up to six. Food, service, setting--all fantastic. Killer selection of French liquor and wine. If you're look for a place to have a romantic evening or an intimate dinner with friends or to have a special meal with your parents or to remind yourself of your trip to Paris, Bistro La Minette is your place.
(5)
Amy L.
I was the first to arrive for my friend's birthday dinner. I was greeted by a very friendly hostess and she offer me a seat at the bar while I wait for my party. As soon as I sat down I looked at the wine list and ordered a glass of wine. When served, I asked for a napkin and the waiter said they don't have any and told me I can go to the bathroom and use toilet paper...WTHECK???? I was surprised, then I asked him for a cloth napkin and then he told me I can't spit my gum into it. Seriously???? I wouldn't be that disgusting and rude. I wanted to wipe the corners of my mouth. At that point, I no longer wanted to deal with the bartender/waiter. What restaurant bar doesn't have a napkins?? The decor inside was nice. Our party order the set menu and a bunch of additional apps. The scallop was delish but the rest the food was okay...nothing truly memorable. The portions seemed to be un-proportional. For example, we all had a stew and my bowl barely had any liquid while my friend had a lot. When the fish came, my friend had the smallest cut compared to the rest of our party. Toward the end of our dinner, the waiter dropped a tray of forks and spoons behind us by accident and scared the crap out of us but did not apologize.
(2)
Asuka N.
I'd come once to Bistrot La Minette a few years ago, but I forgot most of the food experience (not to mention writing a review), so I was looking forward to going back and having another go at this French-styled restaurant just south of South Street. It's got dim lighting, frames on pictures and chandeliers that give it more of an Old World feel, and French pop music playing in the background. That said, it's not overly stuffy, largely due to the waiter - I don't know his name, but he was exceptional. He was familiar with the dishes yet not overly pushy about which ones he felt were the best, and, perhaps best, he knew his way around the wine list and how each glass we were looking at tasted. It's very impressive, given that most of the time when I'm at a restaurant, waiters tend to be clueless about wines or rely on sommeliers to give wine advice. From what I can recall (and what the waiter said), the menu was quite different from what was available a few years back, but I definitely feel like this was a substantially better dining experience than in the past. For appetizers, the sea scallops were pretty standard, but properly cooked - enough to hold the form, but not done too much to make them rubbery. I tried the specialty of the restaurant, the mussels with poached eggs - and wow, was that delicious. The tarragon sauce works well with seafood with a briny edge like mussels, and the egg yolk helps to add another layer to the sauce, but without making it overly heavy. It's really a dish that fits in as well with dinner as it would on a brunch menu. For the entree, I ordered the lamb and tomato stew, which was incredibly delicious. It looks quite daunting from the onset given how big the lamb looks in the pot, but it falls off the bone very easily and has a tenderness akin to braised short ribs. The tomato adds a strong base, and the bread crumbs and duck confit help to add depth to what would otherwise be a very meaty stew. My fiancee had one of the Valentine Day's specials - the filet with foie gras. The filet itself was done really well, but adding small pieces of foie helps to bring out the fattiness and juiciness of the steak. Dessert was splitting the Mille Feuille aux Framboises, which was a delectable way of finishing the meal...it's a very light pastry, filled with similarly light vanilla cream that lets the raspberries and the raspberry sauce fill the dessert with rich, fruity sweetness. Throughout the meal, both the Bordeaux blend and the Rhone blend (which has a touch of spice and is quite jammy, as the waiter said) both worked very well across the appetizers and the red-meat main courses. And, lest I forget, the bread appears to be sliced from a freshly-made baguette, with the rich creamy French butter that I am incredibly fond of. While I came away happy, but not blown away, by my last meal here, I feel like Bistrot La Minette has refined their menu to a higher level. Everything we ate here was delicious, and despite the French reputation for heavy foods, we were happily full - but not crushingly stuffed - when we walked out. The prices are pretty reasonable as well, with most entree items running around $25-30. I'd love to come back and try the new menu out when the season changes.
(5)
Steven W.
Bistro La Minette is the perfect date spot. Amazing service, food, and wine selection. I have been to Paris and the food here is reminiscent of my favorite bistro in Montmartre. I love that they have some of the French country style cuisine like Coq au Vin which is the best thing I have had there. You will not be disappointed with anything you order.
(4)
Sara S.
My boyfriend and I came to Bistrot for our four year anniversary and it was spectacular! Everything from the ambiance, to the service and the delicious food was perfect...it was a very unique and authentic French experience! There is seating out front overlooking the sidewalk and street, inside and also the back courtyard. I highly recommend sitting in the back courtyard, it was so charming! Round lights were strung above the tables and beautiful pots overflowing with colorful flowers dotted the ground. It was a very romantic place for dinner, but would also be fun with a bunch of friends for an upscale dinner! Our server Mike was outstanding- he was so knowledgeable and friendly and you could tell her wanted to make our dinner enjoyable. We started off with their pitcher of wine- it was a very clever idea to serve wine in a clay pitcher! Sidenote: The owner's uncle makes the pitchers in Maine. Then, another server brought out complimentary little round toasted baguette pieces topped with homemade olive tapenade YUM! This wa followed by the best tasting bread I've ever had (the recipe is from the owner's wife's aunt who lives in Leon, France) and butter topped with fleur de sol. The crust was crunchy and flaky yet the interior was soft. We ordered escargot and a homemade pasta dish for appetizers, these were also fabulous! They serve the escargot in cute little pots about the size of your thumb (also homemade by the chef's uncle) and it was delicious. Sometimes I like escargot, other times not, but Bistrot had these little escargots marinated in this unbelieveable sauce of olive oil, garlic and olives and it was to die for! We both ordered the beef for our entrees (entrees range in price from $20-$27)- served with little home made gnocci potato puffs, WOW! Everything really was mouth-watering. They ran out of the potato au gratin, so the server asked the chef to whip up something special that is not on the menu- homemade mac and cheese with 4 cheeses, including Brie. Again, fabulous!! The night ended with two complimentary chocolate truffles. The dessert menu also looked delicious but we were too full. Highly recommend for a romantic night on the town or even with couples, friends, family! This truly was an authentic, French bistro experience (we passed several tables of people speaking French...so you know it is the real thing!) I was a little sad to leave- it was a wonderful night!!
(5)
Adrienne C.
Such a wonderful meal! It was so great to eat at a yummy restaurant in Philly that was not Italian or farm-to-table / New American. The ambiance is adorable, the food is amazing and the service is friendly. Biggest tip - if it says "puff pastry" somewhere (first course, dessert, whatever), get it. It's pretty much guaranteed to be amazing. The goods: wild mushroom puff pastry, beef tartare, rabbit with house-made tagliatelle and stuffed quail. The desserts were also good - again, go wtih the puff pastry. Def must try again!
(5)
Kim A.
Amazing. Went for the anniversary dinner with a friend. The mushroom and artichoke soup with foie gras was smooth and creamy. The mussels and duck confit, delicious. The salmon poached in duck fat, the steak, the bacon wrapped harticort verts, fantastic. Everything was just amazing. This was my first time here but not my last!
(5)
Barbara Ann R.
I was treated to a birthday dinner here, and what a treat it was! I lived in France for many years and miss my "comfort food" so much - in this case escargots to start and then lapin w house-made tagliatelle (ok, so maybe the pasta wasn't totally French, but it was good, and the rabbit was as well, if a tad dry). A tarte aux oranges confits sauce chocolate for dessert. The wine list seemed inordinately pricey, but the house wine by the carafe was more than adequate, and reasonably priced. Yummy cafe and dessert wines as well. I don't live in Philadelphia, but hope to visit regularly & will try to come back when I do (though I think it will be for their prix fixe as I'll be footing the bill).
(4)
Christine D.
Have the escargot and grilled sardines. Everything from food to the service was excellent! Best kept secret in Philadelphia. Cool place to hangout for after work drinks.
(5)
Tess G.
I really liked this place. Wish they had one in NYC area. Reasonably priced French bistro food. Not at all stuffy but served by the polite, knowledgeable, serious souls you'd find in fine dining. The servers seemed to really be proud of the food. Very good sign. What to try: - Foie gras - Super smooth and the hazelnut and fig sauces it came with really set it off against the paper thin brioche slices - Cassoulet - Delicious. Crispy duck skin, buttery soft beans and chunks of lamb. Perfect for a winter night. - Beef cheeks - Normally I don't fall for the restaurant trick of serving cheap cuts for above-average prices. But I had a good feeling about this place and my gamble paid off. The beef cheeks were actually the size of tiny tenderloins but richer. The dish came with soft pillows of French gnocchi. I don't know the difference between French and Italian gnocchi but these were larger than Italian gnocchi but just as light. Best part of the dish was the sauce pooled at the bottom. Unbelievably delicious with the wine and richness of the beef cheeks. Worth ordering this dish just for that sauce. More details: - They make their own bread. Crusty baguettes that come out every 15 minutes and sliced in the dining area. Served with perfectly salted, room temp butter. SOOOO GOOOOOD. - Great at details: Amuse bouche of tiny gourgere will with some really good cheese. Ended the meal with homemade chocolates. Makes you feel welcome from beginning to end. - We came at a night where they were having a 4-course dinner to celebrate the Anjou wine region. It was an absolute steal at $50 with wine pairings. But the regular menu looked so good that we had to try it. I can only assume it was popular since the place was packed by 7pm on a Wednesday night. My only complaint? Cheese plate was good and they had a nice selection. I just wish it came with jam/jelly/sweet paste instead of butter lettuce. It was good but not what I wanted for an after-dinner cheese plate. p.s. The place is quite charming. Feels like it belongs in a town outside of Paris - not overly done. Cozy but not so small that its impossible to get a table. Lighting is not bright but brighter than candle light so you can see their food. Bathroom has the neatest vanity - looks like an enormous vanity but with double sinks. No paper towels - washcloths to dry your precious little hands. Very romantic.
(5)
Rob C.
Omg. Really good! Do go now. Food , service wonderful!
(5)
Ahmad C.
My wife suggested (after reading Yelp reviews) that we should try this out on V-Day. Initially we couldn't find a free table till 10:30pm (notwithstanding, we booked a table for two) and checked with the restaurant if we can come in a little earlier. I received a call few minutes later that they have bumped us to 8:30pm after a cancellation. This was beyond expectations and I give them full marks for this! Not a huge fan of the tacky South St district but the restaurant is in a quieter (acceptable) area on 6th St. Moving on to the food. Loved the complimentary cheese puffs. For first course we ordered Pan Seared Scallops (a tad bland for me, though my wife liked it and argues there was subtle smokiness) and Escargots (excellent). Second course was one of the best cooked meal I've had recently - I ordered the Trout and my wife went with Salmon (both were excellent). Ended the meal with apple tart w/ caramel ice cream and complimentary chocolates. Last but not the least, the bread deserves a special mention.
(4)
Christine B.
So so good. I went here with some fellow yelpers to celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. We had a 4 course dinner with wine pairings. Only complaint is that the waiter did not explain the wine pairings, but the food was delicious. First up was french onion soup. Definitely my favorite french onion. There was such great flavor, and the cheese, and soggy crouton were delicious. Second course was a pike filled dumpling type dish. I don't recall the french name. It was light and airy, and topped with a tasty crawfish brown butter sauce. Next was a veal stew. It was great. Finally, a walnut tart. The perfect end to the meal, the crust was buttery and flaky, and the filling wasn't overly sweet. Also, as other have mentioned the bread and butter is awesome.
Never been to a French Restaurant but I wanted to go and the fellow agreed to my request, after some good review reading we booked the date for late december. My date got stuck in SUPER traffic on the Saturday before NYE and we were late. I called and they were totally cool with pushing us back an hour so he could get into the city to pick me up. Very low key quiet place. We managed to get seated RIGHT before it got super busy. Hard to park outside of the local pay-parking areas. Especially on a saturday. I ordered a little half jug of wine for me an it was descent. We both got sides of the macaroni and cheese which was amazing. My guy got the rabbit but I got the quail stuffed with sausage and the most amazing spinach I have ever had in my life. Seriously, it was SO good. We got desserts and just had a really good time. I would go again to perhaps try one of their special menus.
(4)
Robert B.
I found the meal to be wonderful overall. The experience slightly below some other restauarant experiences. I had a warning to not order salad and stuck with it. The ambianec is charming and warm. We were given a choice of seating with our reservation and decided to go outside in the garden with a wonderful evening. There we remained in a quiet area without a lot of noise. I'm sure as it gets later than our reservation it is bustling. The inside definately was. But, being able to be outside and have a nice quiet cozy meal was special. The food, we started with an amuse of puff pastry with cheese. A wonderful small bite sized wonder. I ordered an onion tart and my wife the signature Mussels. I loved the tart, it had complexity of flavors. I only wish more sauce was available. It was a nice addition of a tart note to the rest. I tasted the creamy sauce for my wifes dish and it was heavenly as well. For dinner, we ordered Rabbit and a Short Rib special with jumbo snails. You have to order something with snails at a French restaurant. I had the rabbit and it came with pasta. It was tastey. I wished for more sauce as teh rabbit was dry on its own. Maybe I should have sliced it up and into the pasta? I also thought it needed some texture. My wife had the short ribs. It was exactly what one would expect. We both had the snails and noticed a slightly smokey/burned taste as the result of grilling. It was a first for us and we would order snails again in the future. We ended with two different tart desserts. I had an apple tart with caramel ice cream. My wife a lemon tart with a berry ice cream. Neither was overly sweet. My ice cream melted quickly and basically became a sauce for the tart. A chocolate ganache bon bon was the final course and was on the house. The pleasant reward for the evening was the price. It was not over the top. This alone makes it a place you would welcome returning to.
(4)
Dan K.
Wonderful ambiance with great service. My girlfiend and I went for valentines day. Our waiter was very knowledgable and made a french menu accessible. One of the best meals I've ever had. Cocktails were excellent as well. I will definitely go back again soon!
(5)
Allison B.
I feel truly honored that I was able to eat at Bistrot La Minette in the dining salon. I had just been hired to work at a nonprofit in town. Their Christmas party was the next day, and they kindly invited me along. We sat at a long table in a private room. I knew no one, and was trying to make small talk with the people that would soon be my co-workers. That was easy to do with the succulent and fabulous food that was constantly coming out from the kitchen and put in front of us. First- the bread and butter. Do you know how many restaurants screw this one up? The bread at La Minette was some of the best table bread I have ever had, period. Let me preface this by saying I had no idea this was going to be a three course meal, so I ate the first courses as if they would be my last, which was a mistake. I was so painstakingly full by the end of it! First there were cheese puffs and marinated mushrooms, served with toothpicks. Then were was a divine carrot salad enhanced with citrus, beet salad and a ham and cheese quiche. Seems like lunch, no? Little did I know it would be followed by a scalloped potato tart, perfectly sauteed string beans, and roasted chicken that fell from the bone. Dessert was chocolate cake with strawberry sorbert- my mouth is watering at the thought of it. Everything. Was. Delicious. I hope and pray I have the opportunity to eat at Bistrot La Minette again!
(5)
Karim N.
One of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. I came here in a group of 4 during restaurant week and was just blown away. A very memorable evening. The appetizers were probably my favorite part of the meal, especially the escargot and fishermans style poached egg with taragon cream, which was so wonderfully simple and complex at the same time.The foie gras was solid, but a little boring. The main courses did not disappoint. I had the beef cheek bourginon, my friend had the duck confit with white beans. It was all spectacular. The wine list was solid too. The ambience was friendly and romantic, but not stuffy. Definitely the best bistrot style French food in Philly as far as I can tell.
(5)
Owen R.
Bistrot La Minette wears many hats - it can be neighborhood bistro or a romantic date spot. A thoughtfully curated wine list is coupled with professional table tending to form a foundation for a memorable meal. Mussels with a tarragon crème sauce is totally evocative of a French fisherman's lunch. While the rabbit with tagliatelle gets the word of mouth headlines, there are other choices to consider like duck, beef cheeks or lamb shank. Cozy - and stylish with a pressed tin ceiling and rouge baguette seating. Seating hint: there are two (2) top tables in the front window and one slightly larger in the other window. The bread is made in house which means its warm and spectacular - try not to spoil your dinner.
(4)
Sarah W.
This is literally my favorite restaurant in the city! The service is always impeccable, and I've never had a bad dish here! Even though everything on the menu is good, I secretly come here for the bread. It's warm and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I could eat an entire baguette easily! The food is so high quality, but the atmosphere is casual and homey, which makes it an easy go-to restaurant for special occasions and Wednesday night dinners alike. Love love love!
(5)
Nicole L.
Bistrot La Minette will remain in my memories even when I move out of Philly - it's the kind of place you wish you could take along with you from city to city. We came here in September for my husband's birthday on the recommendation of a friend who couldn't stop raving about the restaurant. So it was me, hubs and his best friend - and we left completely amazed by the experience. First of all, the restaurant has that old charm French feel without being snobby. We were dressed pretty nicely for the occasion, but people were coming in with athletic gear and were completely at home. The ambient music was French jazz, muted enough to add to the atmosphere but not loud enough that it hurt the conversation. We were seated a couple of tables away from the open kitchen. Some people are put off by open kitchens, but we're foodies and we love watching people cook. Our server was lovely and had many helpful recommendations about the wine list and the menu. The kir royale I ordered was what I expected it to be - crisp and bubbly without being overly sweet. Hubs and best friend shared a bottle of wine recommended to us and loved it. Another server came around and served us a little amuse bouche - a parmesan puff - which was complimentary and just delicious. The escargot (a personal favourite) was delightful and came served in nine individual tiny pots topped with a flat crouton. I had the duck topped with seared foie gras and fingerling potatoes - a little on the rich side, but what do you expect with seared duck and more duck on top? Hubs stopped talking as soon as his steak frites arrived - the look of intent concentration on his face was almost hilarious. Hubs' best friend had the pork chop with haricots vert, which he was initially hesitant with, but was utterly satisfied. And let's just say that dessert was out of this world. The opera cake. Enough said. We tried the clatoufis too but it didn't hold a candle to that opera cake. I didn't even mind the street parking or the difficulty of finding it on a Saturday night near South Street - it's completely worth the hassle. Go there, enjoy the experience, hold it tight in your memories.
(5)
Sara B.
went here last night for the movie night, had great food, great setting, great movie and out of this world service :) It started to drizzle before the movie was set to start so we went and sat inside, but then our waiter (who knew I was really excited for the movie) came over and let us know it had stopped drizzling and he would be happy to move us back outside and set up the movie (even if we were the only ones out there) - we went back out and some other tables did too - a lovely, romantic evening. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Kenneth F.
All i can say is those mussels are Ah-may-zing! I wish I could upload the pictures but they came out too dark to be useful damnnnnn it. Came here for the special priced menu on Sunday for $35. While not the cheapest meal, compared to the normal a la carte prices - what a steal! There is also house wine which is very well priced if you want to get some drink on without breaking the bank. Go check it out! There is also a courtyard in the back which opens up when the weather is nice so keep that in mind when spring and summer come up!
(5)
Kathleen D.
I love having Bistrot la Minette in my neighborhood. I love that it's down the street, making the block even more adorable.Though tonight...tonight, trudging home in the rain, the sight of it made my face twist into a bitter wince. "Look at them in there, clinking wine glasses. I bet those bastards are eating Flammenkuche." That's a delicious. Alsatian style "pizza." Think about caramelized onions, lardons, creme fraiche. Think about it and weep. I'm not a jealous person, except for people's meals. Seriously, that's the only thing. I tried to stop myself from dwelling on the fact that while some are enjoying delectable, plump escargots tonight, I am not. I shivered in the rain like some urchin-wretch-thing, and peered up into the windows as I passed by. I reminded myself that I owe Bistrot La Minette more than a few good reviews. I love the special menu prix fixes, presented like "a visit to." We've enjoyed a night in the Basque country last year, and then a trip to Alsace Lorraine, to name a couple. $35 or 50 with wine pairings, and it's a swell deal if you're askin me. The wine pairings have been excellent in our experiences. I learned that I love gewurztraminer, who knew? I know what you're thinking about me. "It's not like it was a long shot. It's booze, ain't it, sister?" I'll remind you that I have refined taste. And I learned how to pronounce "gewurztraminer." Anyway, I definitely recommend the French regional dinners for sure. The food is delicious and beautifully prepared. I already mentioned how I nearly flew into a jealous rage at the thought of the Alsatian pizza and the wonderful, buttery snails. Now and then we'll just stop in for those two appetizers and a drink or two. I can recommend the duck breast with blood orange gastrique. Same for the Lapin Roti a la Moutarde. Dijon mustard braised rabbit, you were the first bunny that I've ever bitten. I love the atmosphere, the decor... It's feels super French and special, yet comfortable neighborhood-place all at once. Dig the long red banquette that runs the length of the dining room. I dig that my husband always lets me sit on that side! I think that the streetlight bulbed chandeliers are so cool. Outdoor seating in the warmer months is pretty lovely. OH and speaking of lovely, and warmer months- Bistrot La Minette plays French films- a dinner and French film al fresco. It's pretty nice. It's something to sigh about. Ahhhhh.... There's a lot to love about this place; lotsa stuff happening, events highlighting wonderfully authentic French foods... Bistrot La Minette, you're a good restaurant-neighbor. Many times we'll be leaving after a meal and I'll begin to hum a medley of Edith Piaf tunes as I float home...not because any of the songs played in the restaurant. Not at all cause they didn't. I just grew up watching cartoons, and that's what cartoons do they when they're feeling swoony in France.
(4)
K. A.
Outstanding in every way. Peter Woolsey and his sous chefs are simply inspired. They have a seasonal menu that becomes "Provencale" in the summer, which I haven't tried yet, but for which I can assuredly be counted on to return. This place is unpretentious, yet measures up to the absolute highest standards of cuisine as set by the likes of Alice Waters, Georges Perrier and Fernand Point, and it's all right here in Philadelphia! If this place were in any other city, you would need to make reservations a month in advance. The location is a little off the beaten path, with a frowsy exterior. Once inside, however, you enter a different world- one of civility and charm, with a bit of a thrift shop/antiquaire feeling, with art and objects arranged in a very personal way, as one might have at home. It is all very personal and intimate. Including the service. You feel special. You are special. And if you bring a date here, do not do so lightly, because you may end up getting married afterward, confusing your feelings for the person with your feelings for the food. It's that good. La Minette proves that you don't need "location" and you don't need marketing glitz, or some clever "theme" (a la Parc) to make a great restaurant. You need one thing: passion. And you need to know how to cook. Woolsey, you can be proud of what you have done. My new favorite in Philadelphia. La Minette: seductive mistress to my long time companion Rouge.
(5)
Mary M.
This is perhaps my favorite restaurant to go with my boyfriend on a special occasion or date night. I find the warm classic French decor very romantic. The last time we visited the restaurant was for their 2 year anniversary in which they offered 4 courses for $22 (pre fixe menu), the escargots appetizer was the star of that meal. Their menu changes frequently based on what is in season. They also do special pre-fixe dinner nights such at the one mentioned above, usually focusing on a region of France. I highly recommend the pitcher of house white wine; it is traditional French white table wine that tastes divine and a sweet price ($12 for small pitcher). I've never had anything on the menu that I didn't like. The dijon-braised rabbit is a stand-out entree. I have yet to dine in the courtyard out back but with the Fall officially here I will be waiting until next year. That doesn't mean I won't be back before then. Get a little dressed up and make the night special - this place is the perfect back-drop for it!
(5)
Peter S.
Consistently wonderful across the board with food service and atmosphere.
(5)
Vincent F.
For my money this is the best French in Philadelphia. I only put 4 stars since I don't know shit about French food so I can't say this is really the best in the city. However, I love it there. The food is tasty, the ambiance is awesome and the service is perfect. I would totally go back again.
(4)
Ashley G.
I have to say I really love this place. It's so charming, the food was delicious, definitely pricey but a great spot for that special occasion dinner or a "not so often" date night. We split the escargot and the mushroom puff pastry appetizer, both were incredible, so flavorful, and good portions. We each had a cocktail (the cocktail Normand was like candied apples in a glass, the other one I had was a black currant liqueur with rye, it was very strong but I enjoyed it) For main course I had the rabbit which was very good but I must say the star of the night were the beef cheeks, they were excellent. The dessert hands down get the puff pastry with raspberries it was like heaven on a plate..we got some complimentary after dinner drinks because we were celebrating a birthday, and these delicious chocolate truffles that melt in your mouth. The waiter was fantastic, overall a beautiful evening I highly recommend this place!
(5)
A E.
I eat a lot, and sometimes I get complacent. This place completely rocked that to its core. Every time someone tells me that I'm being too nitpicky, I will reference them to this place because excellence was seen all around. I went for brunch, and it was the best one I can remember. The bread was fresh baked, and by that I don't mean that it had been baked that morning. I mean that they told me that I had to wait a little because the delicious crusty bread was still cooling and was still hot when they brought it out to me. The coffee was a delicious dark roast that somehow wasn't too bitter. And that's not even counting what I ordered. I heartily recommend the prix fix menu for brunch, as it lets you have three courses for $25. Considering that' above the cost of a few two course combos it's not too much of a stretch to go for three. I can't find what I had for my first course on their online menu, but it was a piece of toast topped with creamy cheese, figs, more cheese, greens and balsamic vinegar. It wasn't a perfect dish, but the flavor all stacked pretty well together and I was happy. And then the duck arrived and knocked me out of the park. Seriously, this one is an absolute knockout. I could not think of a single thing that anyone, ANYONE could have done to improve this dish. The duck meat was perfectly cooked: tender and juicy and covered in a decadently crisp skin, giving it an additional textural layer along with the intense savory flavor. My mouth is watering just writing about it. The potatoes were...well, not just cubed, but rounded at the edges and soaked up all the juices while still maintaining their own flavor. The hert covert was at just the right texture, and their flavor was subtle but enjoyable...and this is from someone who doesn't *like* green beans. To finish off, I had the tarte tatin. The bottom layer was crisp, even under the layer of apples and ice cream, even when they started to ooze as I broke it open. It sucked up the fruit juice and cream, letting me savor every bit of it. If I had to make one nitpicky thing, it's that food took a while coming out. Now, I don't mind waiting as long as I did for such high quality fare but the floor was pretty quiet when I walked in, with only two other tables. It could be that they were still ramping up for the main onslaught, but it still took me awhile to complete the experience. If you are in a rush...don't be. Cancel or postpone what you had planned, so you can sit back and enjoy this.
Took my husband here for his birthday. If you are just a couple try to snag the solo table right to the left when you walk in by the windows it is so intimate. The service was fantastic. We has scallops and the pecheur, which was mussels on toast with poached egg and the sauce for this was incredible. We had the rabbit and duck for entrees. GET THE RABBIT!!!!! Mustard braised and delectable. Then for dessert the chocolate pot de creme! Cannot do it justice, definitely go for exquisite French cuisine!
(5)
Karin R.
I echo all of the praise in the four and 5 start ratings. I would simply like to add a note about how dog-friendly they are. It is so nice to be able to sit outside with your dog away from the sidewalk.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Absolutely a dream. Came here for a low-key bachelorette party dinner. Waiter was charming and helpful, food was amazing, and the outdoor seating was perfect. It started to rain and they had a table inside waiting for us. I still crave that foie, despite having it many times before. I would also highly recommend the duck.
(5)
Lan G.
My boyfriend and I went there for one of their movie nights on Friday. How can you not feel relaxed watching a good french movie, drinking wine and eating some good dessert? I was able to make a reservation for their outdoor garden area where they play the movie. It is a very cute place with lights hanging between the walls. We have had dinner beforehand, so we decided to go with wine, appetizer and dessert. We had Pinot Noir and shared the sardine appetizer. I enjoyed the appetizer. The flavor is very clean and simple, but you can taste the sardine very well. The Pinot Noir is on a lighter side. For dessert, I got the opera cake. It was heavenly! We couldn't resist but noticed how wonderful the food smelled from the table next to us. We will have to come back here again for their entrees.
(5)
Ray L.
Love this place! The service is really great here. Friendly servers and very attentive. I've been here twice, both for the movie nights (which I highly recommend). Both times I've had truly great food accompanied by truly great service. The best part is, I think this place is reasonably priced. It's not exactly cheap in that you can go here all the time, but given the quality of the food, I'd have to say I can't complain. I had the roasted half Giannone chicken when I last went (about 2 weeks ago). Delicious!
(5)
Teri M.
Just to clarify, it's been a year since I ate here for my anniversary dinner, but my memory of the place still stings. I remember the foie gras was pretty damn good. The experience of having chartreuse with my meal was amazing as well. The escargot was my first experience and I told the waiter it tasted like...well....dirt. He could not argue, of course, because even if you say it tastes "earthy" and of "minerals" it basically means the same thing. Unfortunately, I was unpleasantly surprised when my entree came because my fish was REALLY salty. When I told the waiter he took my plate and came back to tell me the chef tasted it and he didn't think it was salty at all. The waiter then told me the chef wanted me to pay the check and leave. I was mortified and totally freaked out. The waiter laughed and said it was just a joke. This was SO not funny. It was actually my first experience with "fancy French cuisine" and here, on my special trying-French-for-the-first-time anniversary dinner, I was so freaked out I went to the bathroom and sobbed for 5 minutes under the influence of a horrible sense of humor and chartreuse before I could calm myself down and finish my dining experience. Needless to say, I will not ever be back. What a shame, most of the food was pretty wonderful.
(3)
Jac C.
A wonderful little French place that was surprisingly crowded and a bit on the loud side. The food was fantastic! Escargot was spot on, the fish course I had was somewhat over salted, which made the following course seem under salted, but besides that, dinner and desert was excellent!
(4)
Sara M.
Most often, when restaurants receive the grandeur of rave reviews such as Bistrot La Minette, I am set up for disappointment. Thankfully, this was not the case for my dinner last night. The ambiance of the restaurant is very authentically French-bistro, without trying too hard as some restaurants do. The restaurant is set on 6th street just off of South. The sophisticated crowd is casually elegant. For a Saturday night at 7:30, I was surprised at how few people were there. Summer in the city means most city-folk head to the beach, but I was still unprepared to see all of the empty tables after reading so many good things. It did begin to pick up after 9:00. They have a lovely outdoor dining area in the front where we chose to sit and enjoy the beautiful evening last night. The area can be tricky for the wait staff to navigate and the tables are a bit too small to accommodate the large plates that the restaurants use, bit I still recommend it if you are there earlier in the night. If you are dining past 9, I would skip it. The location is unfortunately right in the outcast of the assiduous South Street nightlife, and the colorful, noisy passersby don't quite fit with the scene at Bistrot La Minette. My husband and I started our meal with two of their Kir Royales, along with the Bouchees a la Reine puff pastry appetizer and the Heirloom Tomato salad. The mushroom puff pastry appetizer is not to be missed (!!) while the heirloom tomato was only so-so. For our entrees, I chose the very unadventurous yet quite delicious Charlotte au Morbier (cheese bread pudding) while my husband couldn't pass on the Steak au Poivre. My entree was quite good, though it was fairly small and I felt it could have used more than a couple of small beets on the side. Perhaps I could have ordered one of their gratins or haricot verts as a side dish, but in all honesty, the cheesy pastry was rich enough to sustain me. My husbands steak was crusted in crushed peppercorns and pan-seared to perfection. We had angel food cake waiting for us at home, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to try one of their desserts after dinner had been so good. The hubby and I shared the Mille Feuille with raspberries which was so incredible, I had to fight the urge not to take the whole plate and lick it clean. Our server was amiable, but at times scarce. This could be because the outdoor seating area is somewhat undesignated and we may have been an addition to his full load, but we waited for 15 minutes before we could even put a drink order in. Our final bill for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 3 drinks, and dessert- without tax and tip- came to just under $130. Though the portions were a bit small, it was the perfect amount of food and well worth every cent. I cannot wait to go back and try many of the other items on the menu that sounded so tempting (but will definitely have the mushroom puff pastry appetizer again!).
(5)
J K.
I almost thought I was in France at Bistrot La Minette! This is a truly authentic French bistro located just a few steps off of South Street. Enjoyed the prix fixe beaujolais nouveau dinner, which was a bargain at $45 per person including a bottle of wine for two! The meal and wine were both delicious! Will be back to sample more of the menu. Highly recommend!
(4)
Frank F.
Solid, solid, solid. Very good French bistro food. The classics. Good service, good food, great ambiance. The bread was really excellent.
(4)
Tyler R.
Bistrot La Minette is a charming place with wonderful food, drink and staff. I would give the place 5 stars, but 1) we didn't eat a main course (though the food smelled amazing), 2) they didn't give our table bread (there were people who ordered less than we did and got bread even though our server promised it was coming out of the oven), and 3) I was overcharged on a glass of wine ($11 instead of $9). My girlfriend and I came here to watch a French movie, eat some light bites (sardine appetizer), and enjoy wine with dessert (pinot noir and malbec with opera cake and tart tatin). First, the sardine fillets were lovely, though a little small. They are paired with roasted red peppers. It was tasty and well worth ordering. The opera cake was also delicious and paired nicely with the pinot noir. The tart tatin (baked apple tart) was good, but it wasn't constructed well. I don't know if it sat too long, but my ice cream melted onto the plate by the time I could take my first bite. It was mostly a hard-to-eat apple tart with a puddle of vanilla ice cream. Could have been executed better, or I just might not know tart tatin-- both are very valid. I will be going back to Bistrot La Minette, and I will update this review. Until then, I would definitely suggest going for a date, for good food, or for the experience.
(4)
Scott H.
Such a charming spot--feels very authentic and transports you to Paris. Excellent food and wine selections, great atmosphere and service, and an incredible selection of Calvados for an after dinner drink.
(5)
ADL A.
First, my husband and I are as picky as they come. We enjoy when food needs no seasoning to melt in your mouth. That being said, I had originally planned our trip here on movie night ( Mondays and Thursdays at 8pm) however since Southwark was closed, and we couldn't find Salt and Pepper, we decided to make it a special night. Not only do they have a magnificent selection of drinks, but the servers were knowledgeable and attentive and before even asking have told you their favorites. We started with the tomato salad, which was just as sweet and light as fine summers day. After a class of 5$ French bier - tasty but I would have liked to try one of the champagne drinks if I had a time machine - I ordered the Alaskan halibut with haricot verts and fingerling potatoes which, along with being presented naturally, tasted as mouth watering as it looked. We were presented with, at different points in our meal, little palette stimulator's - cheese puffed pastry on one occasion and homemade chocolate pieces on another - both were just right. The dessert is to die for. Whether you. Choose the cake or the ice cream - don't skip this one because you are too full. The atmosphere reminded me of a similar Bistrot Saint Michael's S
(5)
Stella H.
I went for their 3 year anniversary and recently went back and both times were fantastic. The food is rich and delicious, their wine/beer selection is a nice complement and the servers are very attentative and courteous. Must get the mussels with poached egg appetitizer, it is amazing!!!
(4)
Theresa W.
Charming, YUM, and so so reasonably priced. The place almost borders on cliche, but the inside really does look and feel like a little family run bistro in the French countryside. I came for lunch with two others on a Saturday and the restaurant had a few tables filled but wasn't that busy. Our server, who was the server for all the tables was welcoming, polite, and knew his way around the wine list and the menu. I had the apple-y cinnamon-y cocktail which was just ok, but they also had cider! The menu offers both prix fixe (2 and 3 courses) and a la carte options. It's easy to have a nice meal for under $20 not counting drinks, and there's no need to stick with the prix fixe for budget purposes. We all tasted each other's dishes and the standouts were the rich escargot, my delicious duck confit with crispy crackling skin, and the chocolate mousse. It wasn't the best duck confit I've ever had but it was well done. The chocolate mousse was extremely decadent--I definitely had no hope of finishing it. We also sampled their seasonal sorbets, which were refreshing and really captured the flavors of the fruits used. Blackcurrant was my favorite.
(4)
AB H.
We had a lovely light French dinner at BLM! We liked sitting outside on a summer evening. The night started with an amuse bouche of cheese puffs, which were lovely, albeit a bit salty. My kir royal was delicious, not too sweet! We had the mushrooms and puff pastry, which was very rich and yummy. We sopped up the extra sauce with the fresh French bread the kitchen makes daily. Next up was the tomato tart, which was tangy and creamy, and fresh green salad. We tried the three sorbets, of which two were just OK (peach and currant) and an amazing scoop of strawberry. To top it all off, the waiter brought us complimentary small glasses of the French version of port. What a great way to end a classic meal. I look forward to coming back and trying more dishes.
The host cancelled my reservation when I told him I made it on opentable. He said that the restaurant gets charged $7 per reservation. Apparently my $120 tab for dessert and drinks wasn't enough to cover their loss. My sole reason for choosing this place was the fact that I could make a reservation with opentable last minute. Guess who's not coming back? Oh not to mention, that I ordered a glass of absinthe and louched it to my particular taste. Apparently, the waitstaff did not approve of the way I like to pour ice water over the intact sugar cube and decided to interrupt me and crush the cube on my spoon. No offense, but if you're not drinking it and not paying for it, back off. The service at this place is Appalling. Had I not been with my girlfriend and her mother, I would have went across the street for better service.
(1)
benjamin J.
Im too drunk and full to write a whole book about it. But, The poached egg appetizer on toasted bread and creamy muscles on top, I cannot stop thinking about it. So good. The escargot was also amazing, little shot filled with garlic and butter. I was cleaning em out with bits of bread. Drinks, tartare, rabbit, duck, quail, were all great. This place is dope and is not overly priced.
(5)
Suzanne H.
A slice of France right here in Philly! Enjoyed the French Classic comfort dishes ; cassoulet , Beef Bourguignon and escargot. The place is cozy and un pretentious. Service was professional and helpful. I felt the food was prepared nicely however a little heavy handed on the salt.
(4)
Ann V.
Went here last night for their anniversary celebration. The food here is quite wonderful! The staff was also very attentive and friendly. Definitely a nice addition to the city. I hope they have many more anniv to come!
(4)
Dave B.
Wow. Wow. WOW! Only thing better than a fantastic meal is one in which you get paid to do so (went on Small Business Saturday). From the decor to the meal to the service, this is a terrific restaurant worthy of your business. The restaurant is small but has ample seating, which is a little crowded on the right side of the room. Adjacent conversations can be easily ignored unless your neighbors have no manners. Our waiter was attentive to our needs. The dinner was staggered perfectly, beginning with french bread and very rich butter. Like the rest of the meal, the bread was fabulous. My meal consisted of the foie gras terrine and NY strip steak with a cappuccino and black coffee. My date's meal was an endives salad and trout with a half-pitcher of their house white wine. We split the apple tart with caramel ice cream. I tried everything we had except for the wine, so I feel comfortable commenting on everything. The foie gras is a terrine on a small brioche with a fig compote and salad. The salad was so-so. But the flavors of the terrine, fig and brioche compliment each other PERFECTLY. The terrine is fairly large in size. So large I almost wish it were smaller. Almost. The endives salad is topped with walnuts, pears, blue cheese and a vinaigrette dressing. Very nice. Especially the blue cheese. The NY strip is a hearty 8oz portion with a thick peppered crust. It comes with potatoes done au gratin and haricot verts wrapped in bacon. All wonderful components and very filling. The trout was a bit under seasoned, but overall it was a good dish. The apple tart left me happy that we decided to get dessert. The meal was finished with two chocolate truffles. A very nice touch. My cappuccino ranks among the best I've had at a restaurant. However the coffee tasted very watered down. I'm not going to knock down a 5-star meal for that though. The meal ran us a very reasonable $115 before tip. This is definitely a place I will grab dinner at again next time I'm in Philly.
(5)
Kara T.
Had a wonderful meal here. French atmosphere and attentive, fast service (which maybe isn't so French but was nice). Had wonderful scallop appetizer and the mushroom puff pastry (scallops won as being the better of the 2 but both were excellent). The fish we ordered for the main course was good but not excellent. However, the rabbit was divine, in a lightly creamed dijon sauce. (Despite how barbaric I sometimes feel consuming "Thumper" I do have a fondness for rabbit, which is rarely on menus). The mille-feuille dessert with raspberries was amazingly good. I left feeling like all my taste sensations had been satisfied with a very pleasant food buzz. Only downside was that tables were waaay to close together. I'm relatively fit and I could barely squeeze my butt into the banquet without sliding it across the neighboring table, which surely can't be up to health code standards, not to mention is rather unpleasant for all involved. Although they didn't overtly rush us, there was a sense that diners are moved in and out on a schedule to allow for the next reservations. We were not offered a coffee refill, which was the only service disappointment. Staff were attentive, knowledgeable about the food, and welcoming from the GM out front helping us with on-street parking to all the waitstaff. We'll be back!
(4)
Clara L.
I could easily say this was one of the best meals in Philadelphia. Move over Garces and Vetri. Here is Woolsey. Chef Woolsey has the mark of a great chef: the ability to bring out the best flavor of each ingredient of his dishes, while combining them to create depths of flavor that are greater than the sum of their parts. It is clear that he loves and respects his food, and wants to share that with his customers. Took advantage of the October tasting menu inspired by Burgundy. Absolutely wonderful dining experience. We had 4 courses for $35 without wine, and $50 with wine.. which is a steal! Of course I got the wine pairing. The food was rustic, fresh, seasonal, and effortless. The wine pairings accentuated the food perfectly, and added even more dimension to the food. I love wine, but I admit I am not an expert, and I'm not going to even pretend to remember what I wine I drank. The service was attentive and extremely thoughtful. I had to leave to refill the meter in between courses because my party had started the meal later than intended. Thanks to the servers, and my gracious party, who actually took back the 3rd course and replated it when I arrived. Bread clearly was baked on site and is crusty and yeasty goodness. The amuse bouche was a cheese puff. Delish. (I forget what they called it. Clearly, my knowledge of French cuisine is severely lacking.) The first course was a ham terrine served with a salad with a spicy mustard dressing. Surprisingly, I was more impressed with the salad than the terrine. The 2nd course was braised eel served with pearl onion, mushroom and a burgundy reduction. I'm used to eating eel served Japanese style, so this was an interesting experience. Because the sauce is not as sweet as the Japanese eel sauce, it brought out more of the fishiness. The onion, mushroom, and sauce were awesome on their own, but complemented and balanced the eel very well. The next was a sausage stew with potatoes, onion, and carrots. Again each element was cooked separately so the potato still tasted like a potato. It was served with a very fine homemade mustard sauce on the side. Tastes like something a grandma from Burgundy might serve. (Luckily, I like mustard, but the one drawback to the meal was that it had 2 courses with it for those who don't.) The dessert was an apple tart with cranberry sorbet. yum! But, when you go here you MUST MUST order the Raspberry Napoleon which was the SINGLE MOST SCRUMPTIOUS dessert I have eaten in this city. It tastes like heaven! We were served complimentary truffles, which were very good. The coffee is fantastic, and I am totally a coffee snob. Definitely cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Mike H.
Great French bistro feel. Food was impeccable (App: Escargots à la Bourguignonn, Entree:Mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle, rabbit jus and Faux Filet au Vin Rouge, Dessert: Tarte Tatin Upside-down apple tart, caramel ice cream), Service reminded me of France, i.e. stand-offish, and a little lax, not bad, but not attentive. Slow to the table to start, slow to get us a wine list, had to poor our own water and wine (not a big deal, but not what was expected, did not detract from out enjoyment of the meal or the evening).
(4)
Aaliyah P.
The "garden" at BLM is the perfect setting for a quiet nite out. We arrived @ 9:30 for movie nite. The main dining room was still busy with dinner patrons we were led past the open kitchen to the "garden". The ambiance was tre bien; mini lights hung from the ceiling, a few wall and window plants and the exposed brick wall added Philly charm to an old world cafe feel. We were seated along the brick wall every table filled. Out came the warm bread and salted butter- yum! We decided to get a few apps to split- the highly reviewed mussels in cream sauce, grilled sardines and bibb salad. The bibb salad came lightly dressed in a Dijon dressing. The sardines were grilled and came along side some sweet roasted red peppers. The sardines are fileted so bone free. They were exquisite ; char grilled to perfection and still moist. Finally the mussels, creamy tarragon sauce poured over mussels and topped with a poached egg. This dish is a must! I could have licked the plate clean. We washed down our food with a pitcher of white( Chardonnay , I'm usually not a fan but this was unoaked and very drinkable) dessert was just ok I tried something new the strawberry cake with carmel ice cream. It wasn't how I imagined cake to be it was served in a pie like dish and had the consistency of a pancake. Very few strawberries, the Carmel ice cream saved this dish. Finished with an espresso. Our server is always the same person and he always does a great job. I can never remember his name but he ususally works in the garden. I've been to BLM a few times (wine dinner a few months back and movie nights with my girls last summer) all of my experiences have been great. My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the movie posted online was not the movie they played. I and a few others had a sad face on when this was announced. We also never received our amuse bouche, every time I've ever been the chef sends out something small and a few other tables received what looked like a grouges( small French cheese puff ) the dessert wasn't bad but it wasn't the best thing either. A few things- $20.00 pitchers of wine (red or white) movies in the garden are mon, thurs @ 8:30 & fri @ 9:30 make reservations if you want to sit in the garden there aren't very many tables and on nice nites they will be full. Get the mussels (unless ur allergic or vegetarian) Of course I'll be back I'm a francophile in training !
(4)
Kathryn S.
Excellent! We have been here several times and it always exceeds our expectations. The food and service are impeccable.
(5)
Cliffe C.
Everything was delicious, but the Oeuf du Pecheur (poached egg with mussels and tarragon cream sauce) is not to be missed. Good service too.
(4)
Alex V.
We stopped in here for dinner last night and had an excellent meal. The fois grais special was exceptional, and my salmon tartare was very good as well. For our second courses we had the monkfish and the roasted chicken. Both were extremely high quality meals. The service was professional and friendly too. The atmosphere was nice too. Its a beautiful space, but yet you feel comfortable wearing casual clothing. Overall, I can highly recommend Bistrot La Minette.
(5)
Josh Q.
A wonderful place with amazing food, atmosphere and service. To start, the bread is one of the best I've had, soft and fluffy sourdough that's lightly crisped on the outside. Both the escargots and mussels and poached egg on toast were delicious appetizers, and happened to be excellent (albeit oily) dips for the bread as well. The main courses I tried were slightly disappointing compared to the rest of the meal - the trout was over salted, while the rabbit was fine but included no vegetables - but they were nevertheless worthy options. Finally, the raspberry puffed pastry dessert was one of top 5 desserts I've had, while the chocolate mousse was no pushover either. The other aspects of the dining experience were excellent as well. I expected a rather stuffy atmosphere when I entered, but it actually turned out quite nice and the service was very attentive and friendly. I happen to drink water very quickly and this is one of the few restaurants where my water never reached empty. Overall, a classic French cuisine that I have no regrets trying and will gladly experience again.
(4)
Adonia G.
The best French Restaurant in Philadelphia! Very reasonable prices and have incredible food!
(5)
Valerie Y.
Romantic, unpretentious, relaxed, classic French meal. Great menu featuring escargot, foie gras, rabbit, etc...Fantastique!
(5)
Bonnie J.
Best French restaurant I've been to in the city. I went here last night with my family and not a single part of the meal was less than fantastic. The meal started off on the right note with a complimentary cheese puff and bread basket. The baguette served before the meal was the best I've had outside of France. We even considered asking for one to go! I ordered the flammekeuche which was great, although perhaps a bit too many lardons--if such a thing is even possible. For my "plat principal" I had the boeuf bourguignon. The beef was perfectly cooked and the pommes dauphine were heaven-sent little puffs. The other people I dined with had the potage parmentier which elicited many praises. The poulet a la catalan was amazing. I normally don't order chicken when I dine out because I find it frequently the blandest option. However, when I tasted this chicken it was moist and abounding in flavor. One person got the prix-fixe menu which was a great value at $29, although the portions were expectedly tiny. Great for someone with a smaller appetite, not the best for my father. We split the haricots verts as an accompaniment which was a nice size to share and was cooked and seasoned to perfection. As far as service, our waiter was very attentive and no one's water glass was ever close to being empty. A slight complaint with the layout of the restaurant was the draft that shot right down the dining room every time someone entered the restaurant. The had a curtain to mitigate this but it still was a bit chilly. Bistrot La Minette is definitely on the expensive side, but when celebrating something special, it definitely didn't break the bank. The meal for 3 people including drinks was a reasonable $160.
(4)
Cassie D.
Everything was amazing! As an out of town diner, they were just accommodating as they can be. I had a reservation for a party of 2 and had a additional add on show up and they changed it up for me no problem. We got in and got a table closest to the "kitchen" (which was open and you could watch the chefs work their magic). I had the foie gras mushroom artichoke soup as my app which had truffle oil in it and it just melted in my mouth. The taste was amazing. The only downside is I wish instead of the 1.5 oz of foie was in smaller pieces than one large piece due to it being difficult to cut in a soup bowl. I also had the absinthe lemonade and it was delicious!!! The water was also refilled on a DIME. No delays from Brit/Britton (our server) My dining friend had the salmon tartar which reminded me of a sushi grade salmon tossed in mustard vinaigrette with lentils. It was delicious!!! The entree i got was the duck breast, with asparagus, and potatoes. The duck was cooked perfectly, and OH MAN THOSE POTATOES. They were the BEST potatoes I ever had in my life. They were fingerling and cooked in duck fat. They just exploded in my mouth with flavor! The only downside is that there were no asparagus which I was really hoping to have. Instead it was a bean mix which I don't really care for beans. That was the only reason I gave it a 4. Dessert was the mille feuille and it was perfect. The layers crumbled and tasted delicious. The berries were fresh and creme was amazing. They give you truffles at the end and the server (Britton/Brit) who was amazingggggg and was laid back with us told the chef that we were from out of town they drew "welcome!" on our truffle plate!!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited I almost fell out of my chair. I was super super happy with this dinner and will definitely come back to try the pre fixe menu they have on Sundays if I am ever in Philly again!
(4)
Barbara M.
This restaurant is one of my favorite so far!! The service was great, and they gave us home-made pastry and chocolate for free! the waiters were awesome as well. Food is so delicious!!!!! loved the environment =)
(5)
Lindsay D.
Everything at this restaurant was perfection. From the atmosphere, to the servers, to the food, my man and I were 100% happy with our experience here. Things not to miss about Bistrot La Minette? The absinthe selection, the mille feuille, and the escargot. Oh right, and the secret, off the menu rum. Hot damn was that shit good.
(5)
Justin D.
I, my wife, my sister and brother-in-law had dinner here and had a fantastic evening. All of the food was spectacular. The beef bourguignon was so tender it was like butter, the porkchop was moist and flavorful, and the cassoulet was excellent as well. The standout amongst our appetizers was the poached egg with mussels - the tarragon went far better with the mussel flavor than I would have thought. The house wine was good and very affordable. The service was helpful and informative without being intrusive. We look forward to returning again.
(5)
Tim R.
VERY awesome. If you don't already know, GO!
(5)
Amy C.
Service was awesome! Steak was really good and had a different taste that's bound to leave an impression. The duck confit was too overcooked and salty, not to mention appears unappealing. Appetizers are appetizing but very tiny dishes that make you feel bad for eating and not leaving enough for the other person. We had creme brulee for the final dessert and it was amazing but by that time we were too stuffed to finish. This is a good place to bring a date as the servers will respect your space and create a romantic atmosphere for couples. Boyfriend and I planning to come back for the steak :).
(4)
Duy N.
Went here for my birthday and absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was just perfect. It was a little place that made me feel I was on an alley strip in France somewhere. The food was outstanding. Fresh and simple. My date and I are still trying to find time to come back. Hopefully soon!
(4)
Rebecca O.
Excellent bistro. After just returning from Paris, I found Bistrot La Manette on a whim and it was a superior dining experience.
(5)
Mike W.
Wow is all I have to say. What an incredible experience. Only shortcoming was the table they tried to put us at first. Right next to the hostess stand. Get rid of that table! Food was phenomenal and service was very good. I will most definitely be back!
(5)
christina j.
I am so happy to have discovered during restaurant week. I truly enjoyed sampling the menu from the escargot, to the foie gras and braised beef checks. Everything was delicious including the dessert of caramelized puff pastry with raspberry. I have new appreciation for French food. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Grace T.
Tried this place with my husband for restaurant week and we thought it was really good! First course: Œuf de Pêcheur - I loved this! It had a poached egg on top of toast with a delicious cream sauce. There were 3 mussels in the shell and another 6 on top. Escargots à La Bourguignonne - My husband got esgargot. It was very garlic/ buttery. I had never had esgargot before so not sure how it compares to other places. Main course: Confit de Canard- I got the duck confit and thought it was really good. The skin was nice and crispy. Some bites of the duck seemed slightly dry to me, but all in all a very good dish. Paired nicely with the side of legumes, green beans, and arugula and a lemon-y sauce. Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde - My husband got the rabbit, which I tried a bite. The meat was very tender. It came with a side of pasta. Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises - This dessert was amazing! I'd come back here just to get it again. It had flaky caramelized puff pastry sheets with vanilla cream and raspberries in between. So good!
(5)
Julia L.
Came here for my birthday dinner and was pleasantly surprised with the ambience. I'm a sucker for unpretentious French food and Bistrot La Minette is a little taste of Paris in one of Philly's colorful neighborhoods. We were seated by the windows and greeted by our friendly waitress. We started with the escargot and it was delicious. The sauce was buttery and garlicky, but a little on the salty side. Perfect for sopping up the sauce with a piece of bread. The lamb shank was good and so was the braised beef short rib but there was that little something missing for it to be a five star for me. Definitely recommend for a good date night.
(4)
Julie W.
Friend and I came here for dinner during Restaurant Week. Nice seating outdoors - small but I preferred this to the interior setup, which was surprisingly (as many have commented) more casual than expected. Service was great and dishes came out with pace. TLDR: get the poached egg with mussels. Here's a breakdown: Appetizers: Œuf de Pêcheur (poached egg, toast, mussels) - egg poached perfectly, seasoning was on point, tarragon sauce was rich and creamy, mussels delicious. Best dish of the night. GET THIS. I'd love to have it for brunch as an entree. Terrine de Foie Gras au Poivre (foie gras pate, grilled peach) - nice chunk of foie gras, smooth, flavored. Entree: Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde (mustard braised rabbit with taglietelle pasta) - I wasn't expecting as strong of a mustard taste (my fault), but the meat was tendered and flavored. May be too salty for some people but I love salt. Confit de Canard (duck confit) - nice crisp on the duck, Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises (caramelized puff pastry, raspberries, pastry cream) - despite being neither a dessert nor raspberry person, I really enjoyed this! It was the perfect balance of sweet and tart, pastry was flaky and caramelized nicely. Verrine de Myrtille et Citron (lemon curd, almond cake, blueberries) - friend got this and it was too tart for me personally; refreshing but would pass.
(4)
David T.
I agree with the reviewer who talked about saltiness, but am not sure why that (and the Illy cups?) merit two stars for "La Minette." Maybe the coat check was too cool for her... So it's not the "Best place in Philly" but it's very good. It's some of the most authentic French bistro food you'll get in the US. Yes, some dishes are quite salty, but you'll get that in a nice place in Paris, too. The restaurant has beautifully flavored dishes and excellent drinks. It's expensive; but again, so is just about anywhere in a big city where you have great service and fine dining. So now that I've taken on the Yelpiverse, let me just say that this place is absolutely worth visiting; especially if you're missing your favorite little restaurant by the Seine. I had my own small quibbles (yes, salty, and they should carry classier sparkling water or make their own, and the food took just a little too long to get to us) but it's darn good and you can't go wrong there, which is more than one could say about most places.
(4)
Sydney T.
I came here with two friends last night for restaurant week. We came to the agreement that none of us would order the same thing so we could try each other's food and sample everything. The food overall was good. It wasn't mind-blowing like I was expecting it to be but it sure isn't a disappointment. First Course Escargots à La Bourguignonne - This dish's presentation was cute in that they gave you six individual tiny cups but it wasn't anything spectacular. It was flavorful with the herbs and butter however, the snails themselves felt a little firmer than it should have been (overcooked or not properly defrosted?). Although I thought it was okay, the group thought this was the worst of the three dishes. Tartare de Bœuf - This dish has raw beef mixed with various ingredients such as capers, chive, and truffles. It felt very light with a refreshing tang from the lemon dijon vinaigrette. Although it wasn't very memorable since the flavor was fairly subtle, it is a safe choice and hard to go wrong. My friends seems unimpressed with it but I liked quite a lot. Terrine de Foie Gras au Poivre - This was the group favorite. It was very rich with a texture you either love or hate (I loved it). It was served on top bread which felt like it was fried as it was somewhat crunchy yet still easy to slice through with a knife. It also came with a sweet sauce (which I usually don't like) that paired very well with the texture of the foie gras. This is definitely recommended if you want an experience. Main Course Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde - This was a rabbit dish. The meat was cooked really well but the key thing that made the dish was the delicious sauce it came with. It also came with some pasta that paired well with it. The others seemed to like it more than I but it might be because I didn't get to eat a whole lot of it. Daube a la Provençale - These wine braised beef short ribs were very good and went great with the tomatoes. The dish was very rich in flavor and went very nicely with some red wine. However, for such a nice place, this dish just seems too ordinary. You can go to other places to order the same thing. So even though it was great, I would order something else they have that you can't find anywhere else. Confit de Canard - Let me just say that I am not a fan of duck. There's just this certain taste unique to duck that I just don't like. I can still eat it but if you give me a choice of any other type of meat, I will take the other. That said, this dish was awesome! I don't know how they did it but I didn't taste that ducky taste in the meat. Additionally, the skin was crispy so it crunched with the meat as you ate it. This was definitely (and surprisingly) my favorite dish of the three. Dessert Verrine de Myrtille et Citron - If you have a sweet tooth, stay away from this dish. It's not to say that this dish isn't sweet but it was much more tart than sweet. I can't say it was bad but I found the tartness to be a little overpowering and unfortunately we couldn't finish eating this. Gâteau Mousse au Chocolat - Just a chocolate mousse cake. It isn't anything terribly exciting but I love chocolate so I couldn't go wrong with this. Plus there is some hazelnut inside the cake which was fairly subtle and didn't detract from the chocolateyness (is that a word?) of the cake. It is very rich though so a glass of milk would've been awesome with this. Mille Feuille aux Framboises - This was definitely the nicest looking dish of the three. It had flaky pastry with some kind of vanilla cream filling with raspberries scattered throughout. The texture of the pastry and cream worked perfectly together and once you swallowed it, you immediately want to take another bite. As for the rest of the restaurant. The decor was awesome. If felt like a homey French restaurant so you didn't need to dress too fancy for it (although you may feel out of place if you just wore a t-shirt and cargo shorts here). The service could've been better in my opinion. It wasn't as quick as I was expecting it to be and I even had to flag down the waitress a couple times (although the first time was our fault). All in all, I would definitely come back here for a date or even a group of friends as the atmosphere is very inviting to both.
(4)
Justin V.
Came here for Restaurant Week in Center City. They were offering a three course, prix fixe menu for $35 which included many items that are on the regular menu so I thought this would be a good opportunity to sample different thing son the menu. Lighting in this restaurant is very dim so pictures didn't come out great. Atmosphere was great, though. Between my roommate and I, we had seven courses, which included a supplemental side dish. The meal began with a side house-made bread and butter, both which were great. We also had gougères sent out by the kitchen which was a nice touch but were nothing too special. Œuf du Pêcheur - Fisherman's style poached egg, toast, mussels, tarragon cream: arguably the best dish of the night. Tasting the mussel alone with tarragon cream was great but after breaking up the perfectly cooked poached egg and mixing everything together, we were both very impressed. 5/5 Escargots à La Bourguignonne - Burgundy snails, garlic herb butter, croutons: I had high expectations for this dish and while it was good, it fell a little short. When I think of eatinting escargots, I think of eating them packed in a shell with a ton of herbs. Here, six (as opposed to the nine normally given) serve it in a little, individual quarter-sized bowl with a ton of butter/oil with very little herb and garlic. The crouton on top of the bowl was a nice touch. 4/5 Truite Meunière - Miller-style trout, green beans, fingerling potatoes, lemon brown butter, almonds: the weakest dish of the night. The trout was a little thin and was over-cooked as well. Texturally, it was too dry and lacked the creamy, flaky body that I'm used to. The fingerling potatoes were a nice addition and were on point. The lemon brown butter was good but may have been overly acidic which was fatiguing on the palette. 3/5 Confit de Canard Sauce Foie Gras - Duck confit, celeriac, carrots, black currants, foie gras sauce, red wine reduction: The duck confit was cooked very well with a crispy skin, though I would have preferred it a little crispier. Flavors were on point and the sweetness from the currants as well as the carrots mingled favorably with the savoriness of the duck. Unfortunately, I didn't get any foie gras flavor from the sauce whatsoever, which was disappointing to say the least. 3.5/5 Gratin de Pâtes Façon - Peggy Macaroni and cheese: The mac and cheese came out piping hot with a crispy exterior. It was exactly what I expected; creamy, luscious, and savory. 4/5 Mille Feuille aux Framboises - Caramelized puff pastry, vanilla pastry cream, raspberries: A must get! Everything was on point on this dish. Textural play between the pastry and cream was perfect. The raspberries added a slightly-sour touch to the dish which made it perfect. 5/5 Glaces et Sorbets - Daily selection of house-made ice creams and sorbets: I got the sorbet and I made a terrible mistake. Should have stuck to a more traditional french dessert as the three scoops I got were nothing to write home about. I'll leave it at that. 2/5 All in all, there is decent value to be had during Restaurant Week (despite some dishes being a little smaller than usual). Our meal totaled $100 for the both of us after tax and tip and most likely would have been around $120-$130 had it not been for the prix fixe menu. I would most definitely come here again!
Tremendously inviting space, staff hustling, lots of energy. The bistro fare is deliciously simple and done extremely well. Bravo, Chef Kenny - loved the red socks!
(3)
Schmidty W.
A restaurant week success!! I went here with my mom and sister for the first time last night, and I can definitely say that I'll be back. From their restaurant week menu I had the escargot, the duck, and the hazelnut mousse cake for dessert. All of the Portions were perfect and each aspect of my meal tasted amazing!!! Additionally, the decor is very beautiful and french, as it should be since this is a french restaurant, and the wait staff was AMAZING and very attentive, brining us complimentary cheese puffs before our meal and then complimentary chocolates to finish it off. The best part of the whole experience though had to be the absolutely delicious bread! We ate probably three baskets of this stuff, and it's made in house! Unfortunately, they don't have enough to sell, but it's worth it for the bread alone to go to this place, that's how good it is. :D
(5)
Rene L.
This place is amazing. We came in late for a drink and Frank the bartender was so amazing. It was closing but he was kind enough to get us a salad, and to make a drink which was great. My girlfriend and I both own businesses in Old City, and decided to return for the amazing salad. We got Frank as a server, and it was AMAZING. The bread off the charts. The desert too good for words. I still dream of it. The scallops the best ever. We are both foodies and just love good restaurants. It is on our list to return and though it is a bit pricey it is worth it for every reason here is!
(5)
Phil A.
As I told our server, "like dining in Paris without the ten-hour flight." We could find absolutely no fault with our whole experience. For starters, the service was excellent. There is nothing more that needs to be said about that. First course: Salmon tartare--authentic, fresh and delicious. Mushrooms in cream sauce with puff pastry--to die for. Delicious, rich, flavorful. House-made baguette: about as good as you can get stateside for this sort of thing. Bibb salad--fresh, flavorful, a little too heavy on the dressing, but we forgave since it tasted so wonderful. Main courses: Rabbit--very good. Homemade tagliatelle were a nice touch. Tender and flavorful. Chicken--exceptional. Sauce made with Macvin du Jura was out of this world. Morel mushrooms pushed it over the edge. Chicken was juicy, delectable. Dessert: Gateau Opera was extra rich and decadent. Intense chocolate flavor. Mille feulle aux framboises was delicious, but what really set it off was the quality of the whipped cream--extra rich and delicious. We finished off the evening with Calvados. They also have a nice selection of Armagnac and Cognac, so your digestif needs will be thoroughly attended to. If you enjoy traditional bistro fare such as you might find at Benoit or Allard in Paris, don't miss this one. Outstanding meal!
(5)
Kimberly Y.
Bistrot La Minette doesn't look like your average upscale restaurant. It's hard to miss that the lighting is brighter than usual and everything is yellow and red, very red. But I enjoyed the coziness of it. Our server tried to upsell everything (alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks, food, desserts), which worked but got pretty annoying. The kitchen ended up making a pretty bad mistake, but graciously and quickly fixed it. Made me wonder why we had to wait 20 minutes for food if they could whip up my dish again in just 3. My boyfriend and I had just eaten a few hours ago, so we weren't very hungry and just got a main course each. The portions are truly not that large, so don't even try to get away with just one plate for a normal meal. My trout was great, but not spectacular, though I did enjoy all the vegetables that came with it. My boyfriend liked his rabbit, but he almost choked on some small bones a few times. Not sure why it's one of the highest-rated restaurants in Philly, but it's definitely above average for a special occasion.
Love love love this place. I am in love with their homemade bread, which blows all over bread out of the water, and all their small plates. In particular I LOVE the oeuf du pecheur and it is a staple in all my meals here. In fact, I may just order a bunch of oeufs the next time I come as my full meal. Another impressive appetizer is the terrine de food gras. "Grape jelly" is an understatement and it never tasted so good! The main plates are incredibly heavy so if you are not starving they may be difficult to finish. I had le gasconade de jarret d'agneau the most recent time and housed the entire thing because the lamb just fell off the bones and the prunes and cornmeal were the perfect accompaniment to the bold flavor of the meat. Again, not recommended if you had a late lunch... I have to mention the mac & cheese side dish, or "gratin de pates facon peggy." I am a voracious eater of mac & cheese and this ain't my first rodeo. Nonetheless, Bistrot la Minette had the best mac & cheese I have ever had hands down, regardless if you like the potlucky four-real-cheese mac & cheese or the powdery goodness of Kraft's insta-mac. The mac & cheese here will fulfill all your cheesy fantasies. Bistrot definitely did their French culinary magic (technical term) to this basic dish and elevated it to divine.
(5)
Mike Z.
We felt like we were somewhere in France at some cafè. Really cool atmosphere and a European feel. The space is really cozy and has really cool French decorations thru out. Our waitress was really friendly and assisted us in making choices. First of all the bread was awesome!! It was so soft and freshly baked. We has escargot to start which was very flavorful. My gf ordered poached eggs with mussels and I had the omelet with herb covered potatoes. We really enjoyed our meals. I really enjoyed the relaxed environment and they really let us sit back and relax without rushing. I look forward to summertime so we can eat outside on their patio. This is a hidden gem.
(5)
Sasha O.
Fantastic meal! My boyfriend and I put in a reservation for restaurant week, and it was a brilliant decision. The restaurant upon entering was very beautiful with outdoor tables in addition to a very romantic and classy interior. The bathroom was also very sophisticated and neat in style. As for our service, it was perfect. Our server (his name may have been Andrew but I forgot) was incredibly helpful and polite. He explained the best dishes and was always coming around to refill our water, clean up, and offer more bread (which we ate 2 bins of!). The other waiters were also very helpful and polite! The food was phenomenal. Aside from the tasty homemade bread, we began with the poached egg/mussel dish and the escargot. Both were AMAZING and very unique! Our entres, the duck and the rabbit, were mindblowing, as well. I preferred the rabbit, which was perfectly tender and was coated with a delicious sauce with a side of pasta. The duck was crispy and delicious, but less of a standout to me. My boyfriend preferred this, so to each his own! The desserts, the raspberry cream dish and the chocolate cake, were perfect. They even served us chocolates upon leaving. One thing that really stands out is that we did not feel rushed. This was a welcome change to be able to sit and enjoy our meals and allow time to digest without feeling the staff pushing you out. Incredible restaurant and I would certainly return!
(5)
D. B.
This was by far one of the best meals I ever had in Philly. From the great service. The very reasonable prices and the quality of the food it was a great experience. Every bite was a delight. From the escargot to the main course. it was prepared expertly. I had the trout which was crispy, melt in your mouth with fingerling potatoes like no others. The pork chop my partner had was the tastiest ever. The prices were incredible for the meal and cant wait to go again. this truly is a not to be missed restaurant in the city. Ate outside on the deck and it was perfect. We had 3 courses with drinks. They have a happy hour during the week and it made it even a better value but would pay full price for this meal. Our favorite was the fountain restaurant at the four seasons but now its this restaurant. sorry to see the fountain go but love Bistro.
(5)
Lin Z.
Amazing classic French cuisine. And very nice service. I had the oeuf du pecheur for the first course, and truite meuniere for the main course, and almond cake for dessert. Superb! My friend had escargots for the first course, and mustard-braised rabbit for the main course, and mille meuille aux framboises for dessert. We also got Swiss chard as accompagnement. Very creamy! Best French food I've had so far. Highly recommended!
(5)
Lilli C.
The interior is like a cute little French bistro and the food is amazing. The escargot was buttery, garlicky and delicious. I dumped the excess sauce out of each little vestibule the escargot was in and sopped it up w/ the amazing French bread. The beef tartare was fantastic- it came with crostini that had been smeared with bone marrow. Both entrees, the halibut special that they told me was just flown from Nova Scotia the previous day with luscious roasted Jersey tomatoes and the duck confit were fantastic. I don't know why I had never been here before- I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Andi S.
I ordered the escargot with garlic and olive oil and the goat cheese omelet. Even the bread and butter were delicious. The high quality of ingredients used as well as the knowledge of preparation are what makes this place. The excellent service and ambiance doesn't hurt either. Our server was very professional. I look forward to returning.
(5)
Bri H.
What a cute & cozy place to hang out for happy hour! When I heard Bistrot La Minette was starting happy hour specials, I couldn't wait to check it out. The specials are available at the bar or outside area. My friend & I sat at the (tiny) bar. At our 5:45pm arrival time, the outside area was already full. The happy hour wine was $3, Kirs are $4 and beer is $2. All appetizers are half price and HH goes till 7pm. You also get some complimentary warm baguette slices & butter. I went with the wild mushroom puff pastry which was delicious. The escargots were tasty and presented in cute little individual pots with a crouton on top, but it was hard to get them out of the little pot without the crouton falling off. No big deal, more of a mild annoyance. Service was great and we were asked in what order we wanted our food to come out...even though we were just having happy hour snacks at the bar (classy!). Our bill was less than $50 and that got us 6 glasses of wine and 4 appetizers total. I'll be returning for happy hour and will absolutely be back to check out dinner.
(5)
Natalie D.
We visited this past Valentine's Day, and after dying to try it for over a year, I was very excited to go. That said, I left feeling let down. I must say the food was absolutely delicious. I got the grapefruit salad to start, and the salmon for my meal as well as the 11-layer cake for dessert. That's about where our nice night left off. The girl at the front handling coat check was extremely nice and friendly, and seated us promptly. It was a struggle to get into our seats as the tables are so close together, we were practically on the laps of the other diners. Our waiter, Seth, then came over to ask us what water we preferred. When he returned to take our drink orders, he seemed a bit put off that I ordered a soda (I do not drink very much, and not with a meal like this). Next, we ordered our appetizers, and my boyfriend attempted to pronounce the French names, trying but joking a bit as we do not speak French. Seth was not amused and proceeded to correct every single word my boyfriend said with his nose basically turned up in the air. Good for you Seth, you can say "mushroom" in French. I am not worthy of your presence (never mind that I do speak other languages). I didn't even try, ordered my grapefruit salad and was done with it. The grapefruit salad was delicious and refreshing, and my boyfriend's puff pastry with mushrooms was out of this world. It came time to order dinner, and when I placed my order for salmon, Seth asked me what temperature would I like it at. I had one of those moments of confusion where a common question didn't make sense for some reason, and I asked him for help. "What do most people choose?" I asked, and he replied with "well, that's why I'm asking you." .......okay so you can't even politely recommend something? I was clearly confused and instead of assisting me, he decided he needed to lecture me on how their salmon is sushi grade and only the 6% of the finest salmon exported from Canada. Then he actually said to me "if you were to go to a fine dining restaurant, you would know what temperature you like." EXCUSE ME?! I DO go to fine restaurants, but God forbid I had a momentary lapse. The second he left the table, I was ready to leave. He had made us both feel like unwanted children the entire night, when we had no reason to be treated in such a manner. After finishing my salmon and saying it was delicious, I got another lecture on how it's sushi grade and the finest to be imported to America. I then told him I do not order fish out a lot (which is true) because I have a stomach disorder that can ruin a night due to the wrong meal (which is also true). "Oh...well it's sushi grade from Vancouver!" .......Yes, Seth, I think I got that the first time around. Another young couple our age was then seated next to us, and the way he treated them made me even angrier. He attended to their every whim and need, and spent plenty of time talking with them quite friendly. Us, not so much...I guess our money - which we spent plenty of - was not good enough for him. We could not wait to get out of there, and honestly despite the amazing food, I am turned off from ever going back. Sorry, sir, but you are a damn waiter on South Street, not in the finest restaurant in Paris. You can get off your high horse now. Also, the 11-layer cake was so rich and sweet I could barely finish it. Oh well, it got me out of there faster.
(3)
Leslie P.
YAY, I AM A FAN! Bistrot La Minette is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. My new husband and I went last night for Restaurant Week based solely on reviews (and availability, thank goodness). When we pulled up, I thought, "Oh, it's one of these places." Right off South Street, I had driven and walked past Bistrot La Minette and Beau Monde et al, but for some reason, they never appealed to me. Well, I was wrong. The ambiance is so cute--warm, friendly, but romantic, too, without being stuffy. I think Yelp says the attire is "casual," which I think it is, but you can dress up if you want for sure. The menu for Restaurant Week is very similar to their regular menu. I know this because I asked the waitress for the regular menu after the main course because I thought, "This is one of those restaurants you bring out-of-town guests to." I was so pleased to see mains in the 20 dollar range and appetizers around $12. What an excellent price point for such deliciousness. This place is what Restaurant Week was designed for--try something you wouldn't normally try and then become ardent followers. We shared everything, so we had two appetizers, two mains, and two desserts. The fisherman's poached egg appetizer (has a much cooler French name this Spanish speaker cannot come close to type nevermind pronounce) was very tasty. We also shared the escargot. Their escargot is the real deal and tasty, so if you've had some lame escargot in the past (looking at you Bistro St. Tropez), don't let that keep you from the snails here. Our mains were so tender and rich. We shared the rabbit and the duck. I thought Ms. Potter was going to whack me on the head with a children's book, but they were so great. The duck, in particular, with its wine reduction was out of control good. The chocolate mousse dessert/cake was soft and rich, but not that kind of lock-jaw-rich, so, unfortunately, we ate the whole thing! We also shared some yummy dessert course cheese. Every plate was licked clean. Definitely going back and bringing friends and family. Yay! Also going to try brunch.
(4)
Ramon F.
We were greeted upon arrival. The restaurant was empty with the exception of a private party in the next room. We were sat in the center of the restaurant and I could see that if this restaurant was full, that the seating would be so close to other tables, I would be forced to hear and smell the next table. They even had to move the table out and to the side for my friend to get in, she's on the petite side. I've been to many restaurants like this in the past, so I don't know why I was surprised. All that being said, I thought that the service was very good. The timeliness of food was very good as well, as I did not feel rushed nor did I feel like it was moving too slow. The appetizers were the quail and the escargot, both were very good, I would recommend both. For entrees the lamb shank and the beef bourguignon. The lamb was ok, but not great, I guess you could say it was average. The beef was extremely salty and inedible, I wanted to send it back, but my friend told me not to. The server asked if we wanted it boxed up to go, but we politely said no thank you and left it at that. I personally think the chef would have like to know, as it was more than likely a mistake. we then had dessert, If you're in the mood for a heavier chocolate the mousse cake was perfect, served with coffee ice cream, which tasted like it was made in house, definite plus. If you want light and simple go with the raspberry and cream layered cake (sorry I don't know the exact name/description), both excellent though! My drink with dinner was sparkling lemonade which was very sour, but tolerable. With dessert I had an espresso which was of very good quality. Overall, I would have to say that this was more of a fail than success, as there are times that I go out and only have 1 course, not 3. Had this been true tonight, my night would have been ruined. The stars I give are for the great service, sorry chef :-(
(2)
Eunni C.
Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(
I've always wanted to try this restaurant when my husband and I used to live 2 blocks from here. We finally got to try it this past weekend for our anniversary. The wait so completely worth it! Let's break down the review based on the dishes we had! OEUF DU PECHEUR: This is a must try! I would come back to Bistro La Minette just to eat this dish. I may actually go back for happy hour and order 5 of these. The tarragon cream was delicious and not too heavy. I mopped up the sauce with the complimentary bread! ESCARGOTS: The dish came with 9 escargots topped with crouton. The escargots were tender and had the perfect amount of garlic. It was also very tasty but not more impressive than escargots at other French restaurants in Philly. CASSOULET DE TOULOUSE: So, this dish was a lot larger than I expected, which was a delightful surprise! There was so much meat with the duck confit sitting on top of beef stew (with a whole lot of beef), sausage, and a sausage patty. The duck was tender, and the skin was crispy. However, I wish the skin could just be a little crispier. My favorite part was actually the sausage lying underneath the duck. Yum! I had enough leftover for another meal. PORK T-BONE SPECIAL: My husband had the pork t-bone with ratatouille, which perfectly complemented the pork. The t-bone was cooked to perfect. The meat was tender and juicy, even when we heated up the leftover. GATEAU OPERA: This 11-layer almond cake tasted amazing. It was very rich and chocolate-y but not overly sweet. The whipped cream was so light and fluffy! I wish they gave us a bigger slice because I could definitely eat more of this! We came here on a Sunday night, so the restaurant was not busy at all. We had a nice and relaxed dinner without feeling rushed by the waitress. It was a wonderful evening!
(5)
Kelley H.
I've been here twice for Restaurant Week and each time was outstanding. In fact, my food was so good the first time I order the same appetizer and main course when I went back. My appetizer, the Oeuf du Pêcheur (Fisherman's Egg), had a delicious tarragon cream sauce, and way more mussels than I was expecting. My main course, the Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde (Roasted Rabbit with Mustard), was amazing. Tender rabbit, handmade tagliatelle, and a divine mustard sauce. My tastes of the Flammekeuche and roasted duck entree were also delicious. The desserts were not quite as amazing as I was hoping they would be (this time I tried the Mille Feuille and chocolate mouse cake), but they were still very good. Bistrot la Minette's ambiance is also spot on. It's chic and French without being stuffy or pretentious. Basically, I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Judy T.
My friend and I came here because I've been wanting to try Bibou for the longest and failed to get a reservation both convenient for him and I because it's always booked. So I looked for another French inspired restaurant and much to my satisfaction it lived up to it's high reviews. I love it here. The decor and ambiance is rustic and sweet. The menu is just big enough to see some items that I definitely wanted to try but not so big I wouldn't know where to start or what is worth tasting. At first after being seated for our reservation, we weren't greeted with menus or anything for at least 10-15 mins, which was a little confusing because it wasn't busy but the waiter explained there was confusion as to who was assigned to our table... It's ok Things happen, the meal made up for it We had the foie gras which was nicely prepared and very enjoyable. Truffle Mushroom soup special was amazing!! Every last bite was just as good as the last, light with delicate flavors. A beef tartare was soooo very good. I'm vietnamese so it reminded me of a vietnamese beef carpaccio just a different preparation but it was so good. Not chewy the beef tasted tender and fresh, the only way you should if you decide to venture out and have raw beef. Our main courses were the mustard braised rabbit which I was very apprehensive about eating, I'm an adventurous eater but some dishes make me second guess, let me say with the homemade pasta was so delicious. It had a similar taste to chicken but better! Some white meat and a lot of tender dark meat but not so.. Fatty tasting as chicken. We both decided it was our favorite dish!!! He had some sort of braised beef dish which was nice and tender but the rabbit was still our favorite. The dessert was the chocolate mousse cake which was heaven in your mouth for any sweets lover and it ended our spectacular dinner. Couldn't have been happier!
(4)
Natalie M.
I was really looking forward to trying this place and while it was good, it wasn't amazing. However, our appetizers were delicious; we ordered the mushroom starter and butternut squash soup, both were incredible and the bread was also very good. For an entree I ordered the halibut and while it was good, there was something missing and it just wasn't flavorful enough, also it was on the dry side. The warm lighting and decor creates a pleasant ambiance, but the tables are pretty close together so the waitress was often bumping into my partner. Bonus: the chocolates provided at the end of the meal are great! Can't say I'd go back.
(4)
Kira B.
Discovered this gem last night and felt like I fell into the kindest, tastiest spot in Paris. INCREDIBLE service (they doted on my kid in the cutest ways - and anticipated our every need). Food was amazing - quick service, artfully plated, and totally delish. We'll be back!!
(5)
Ali W.
Bistrot la Minette is an amazing find. Hidden a block away from the crowds on South St this restaurant is a gem. The food was flawless and very authentically French. The ambiance was very romantic and quiet. There are about five tables outside to people watch and enjoy your food. I will be back here again!
(5)
Zhanna R.
The best bread and Escargots à la Bourguignonne + unique selection of cheeses +French vines. I had vine from Corsica there! I love all their menu but escargots and winter root soup are my favorites. I keep going back and honestly compare other places by standards they set for my taste buds. Prix fixe courses are not to be missed. Bon appetit :)
(5)
Abbie D.
Great food, great ambiance and exceptional service. The chestnut foie gras soup was incredible.. Poached egg with mussels = rediclous! Butter poached salmon was perfectly cooked medium rare, silky smooth delicious flavor atop wilted spinach aside of a OOC potato pancake! Dessert was the raspberry puff pastry and chocolate mousse both were over the top!! Great job Bistrot team!! I could go on but I'm so full and need my bed...
(5)
Laura B.
If you're reading this, stop and just go to Bistrot La Minette already. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city; super friendly and helpful service, great ambiance and DELICIOUS food. Did I mention the food is delicious? Cause it is. Three words. Œuf du Pêcheur You will never need to eat anything else in life once you've had this dish. Ok, now please do yourself a favor, put down your phone or laptop and go.
(5)
Lucy T.
Great date spot, very casually chic. Food is impeccable every time. Service is professional and non-invasive. On the more standoff-ish European side of service than the chatty, get-to-know-you brand of American service I can sometimes find intrusive. Dying to try the big family-style dinner they do in the side room. Next special occasion, maybe?
(5)
Nancy N.
One of my favorite places in philly...tucked away in queens village, this French bistro feels like it should be in France. The is rich and hearty so don't attempt to go here if you are on a crash diet or want something light. It is so well worth the layers upon layers of rich goodness. Perfect for a romantic date or small dinner with friends.
(5)
Melissa W.
If you judge a French restaurant by its bread, Bistrot la Minette wins straight off the bat. The baguettes are delicious. If you judge a French restaurant by its atmosphere, this place is pretty nice. Cute and kind of elegant but not at all stuffy. It's a little taste of France right here in Philly, complete with people at the next table overpronouncing everything on the menu with obnoxious French accents (maybe I'm just jealous I don't speak French). But really the best way to judge a French restaurant is by its food, and by that measure this place is solid. I'd probably give it four stars, but the foie gras special they had the night I went deserves an extra star all on its own. It was this foie gras and Earl Grey terrine with some sort of (Meyer?) lemon sauce, topped with blood oranges and crushed hazelnut. I don't generally like Earl Grey, nor do I generally like liver very much, but the flavors of this dish were out-of-this-word. It melted in your mouth and was somewhat like eating solid butter, albeit deliciously flavored butter that you can't stop eating no matter how disgusting it may feel to be eating solid butter. If they happen to offer this dish the next time you go, throw all your morals to the wind and order it without hesitation. The boeuf bourguignon was tender and delicious, the cassoulet had fantastic flavor, and the trout was light and tasty. For dessert, the raspberry cream pastry was delicious. The pear poached in wine was interesting, but not as good as the other one. Regardless, everything was well-done and well-executed, and the pricing was reasonable for fancy French food. The service was nice, and the restaurant was very busy (so make a reservation). Can't wait to come back for the Sunday night pre-fixe - if eating there on another day is any indication, Sundays must be an amazing deal.
(5)
Kara K.
Probably one of the best meals of my life - by far certainly one of the best French meals - and I worked in France. This place is just amazing. Great ambiance, very good service and the food is just incredible. I went with my boyfriend a few weeks back to celebrate our anniversary and they gave us a special dessert with chocolates on a plate with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate sauce - and this was after our first round of desserts. Nice touch. Even if it wasn't for this, the meal was just awesome. We ordered six different dishes and all of them were outstanding. Just GO.
(5)
Jason H.
A very nice French Bistrot. The chef/owners do a good job of varying the menu, and regularly have themed menus focusing on an ingredient or region of France. The atmosphere is very nice, and is themed to resemble a French Bistrot, with marble tables and copper cookware hanging from the kitchen proscenium. A good place for a date or quiet family dinner; they have outdoor seating in the nicer weather.
Fantastic restaurant. Great food, great service, great ambience. One feels that they are a guest and much thought and work has gone into creating a memorable experience. My wife and I are vegan and the chef was so accommodating to create a fantastic dinner for us. He said that if he had advanced notice it would have been even better which is a claim we are prepared to test in the future.
Excellent date spot! When I came into this restaurant, I felt transported to a Parisian cafe, complete with the absurdly close together tables and (somewhat) rushed service. I can't help but say that these things add to the atmosphere. This place is a classy ass establishment. It's adorable. It's delicious. Eat the escargot, eat the braised rabbit, DEFINITELY eat the duck. Maybe enjoy some classy wine or French cocktails. Definitely only bring an attractive, articulate dining companion. That way, you can both be poised and posh together. Eat chocolate cake. Leave feeling incredibly happy.
(4)
Christine L.
Charmingly decorated bistro, good food, memorably good service. I went sometime in the fall, but still the atmostphere remains lovely in my mind and the service outstanding. Super comfortable and relaxed feel, no rushing in the pacing of the meal. Appetizers were delicious and well-portioned. First time having escargots, and it was really, really delicious - a very memorable introduction, not scary at all. The squid ink pasta was really fun, simple flavors but also a first for me. I don't remember much about the entrees - Rabbit and Duck - but I do remember being really pleased that we had picked both. Definitely a good spot if you're looking for a high-quality and not-stuffy date spot.
(4)
Kyle B.
Went for Restaurant Week. Everything was spot on. Favorites were the Beef Tartare and the Trout. Service was perfect.
(5)
Jason C.
Went out with a group of 4 and loved the restaurant. Great ambience and location. Was surprised there weren't more people there on a weekend evening. Service was good and food came out relatively quickly. We got an order of escargot for the table which was delicious (and much more than the usual 6 pieces I'm used to!). I got the cobia which was lightly seared and tender, over saffron rice which was rich and buttery. The other members of our group got the roast duck and steak special which they liked as well. Got Chocolate mousse cake for dessert which was decent as well. Would have loved to explore more of the cocktail/drink menu but definitely enjoyed the couple of gin cocktails I ordered.
(5)
Michelle C.
I went here for an anniversary dinner and ordered the rabbit and the lamb, and chocolate mousse for dessert. The food was delicious, but the romantic atmosphere, view of the kitchen from the seating, and excellent service were also highlights of our dining experience. Very reasonably priced for the quality.
(5)
Nimmmy A.
When you walk in you get a lovely feel for great ambience and a romantic vibe. My boyf surprised me for dinner to celebrate our one year. And I was a little iffy about french food because my taste is a bit more on the spicy side, I was surprised to have enjoyed my food as much as I did. There was a creamy sauce that came with the chicken that complimented both the chicken and the rice very well. It was the delicacy of the flavors that was subtle but to a decent degree. My boyfriend loved his salmon and the way it was cooked as well. But I'm sure we'd both agree that the Mac and Cheese was the best. We also had fois gras which melted right in your mouth. All in all there is great service and even better food.
(5)
Nate E.
Best restaurant in Philly. Order blind- it doesn't matter what you get, it will be excellent. I go with the wine poached egg for brunch, and fisherman's egg and seasonal beef cheek for dinner. **I really hope that Chef Peter Woolsey's continued ownership keeps him close enough to operations, even as he exits the kitchen, so we don't have another kitchen failing after a successful chef's exit (e.g. Stateside)...
(5)
Mandy H.
Came here for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner with my new beau. What's more romantic than a French restaurant? I don't think anything is. I love the look of this place with the marble topped tables and parisian decor. It really felt like I was in Paris when I was inside. We each had a glass of their flavored champagne. I had the framboise and my main squeeze had the pear. The framboise was yummy, but the pear was incredibly refreshing! We got a bottle of rose with dinner, but I was still thinking about that pear chamapagne... To start we shared the fois gras, which was perfectly buttery and melt in your mouth worthy. We also went with the poached lobster special and the Cassoulet De Toulouse. The poached lobster was covered in a white, creamy sauce that really worked with the sweet lobster. It was the antithesis of the Cassoulet De Toulouse, which is a hearty, salty lamb stew. I'm a big fan of switching back and forth between savory and sweet, so this was my kind of combo. Finally we had the the tarte tatin apple tart with caramel ice cream which was very good. I will have to try Bistro La Minette for their brunch. And lunch. And dinner again.
(5)
Ellie L.
we celebrated early V day here. this was best french restaurant ive been to. we had salad, ouef de pacheur as appetizer and cassoulet, salmon as entree. portion size was perfect. their baguette was very good too. we had a lovely night and cant wait to go back!
I struggle to find any flaws with our experience here last night. E and I got all dressed up to celebrate three years of extreme happiness and settle in for what we knew would be an incredible meal. To begin, do not neglect to order a cocktail or some wine, it's just that kind of place. You earned it. I got a French 75, probably my favourite cocktail of all time, and it was spectacular. E also enjoyed his Sazerac and we both went for a second round. The table bread is such a highlight here. I know how odd that sounds, but you'll understand, trust me. We ate 2 entire little tin buckets full of bread (and we didn't even have to ask for the second bucket, it was offered. Bonus points). For appetizers we both ordered the escargots, which came in adorable little clay pots with garlicky butter. Delicious, but I still think Cochon's rendition is the best in the city. It was a good value though, with 9 perfect tender little morsels for $12, and it was very rich. E was hoping for oysters but there were none to be had. Since we were feeling celebratory, we also got the Flammenkuche to share. Here is where the service really started to set itself apart- without asking, they made this a mid-meal course and served it after we finished the escargots instead of shoving it on the small table with everything else. A small thing, but meaningful. Get the Flammenkuche! Good lord it may have been the best thing we had. Oniony and cheesy and bacony, with a crisp crust, oh my... I went for the rabbit as my entree and E got the pork loin. The rabbit was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The meat was so tender and moist and flavourful, the tagliatelle firm and springy, so rich... If anything it was maybe a tad salty but I didn't mind. E let me steal a bit of his and it was also really tasty, especially the pomme puree. If you love mashed potatoes, order this dish. A side crock of gratin cauliflower rounded out the mains nicely and was executed flawlessly. Even though we were stuffed, when you're at a great French restaurant it would be a huge mistake to not order dessert. We chose the creme brulee and orange tart, but only had one bite of the tart because that creme brulee might be the best dessert I've ever put in my mouth. Impossibly smooth and creamy with just enough sweetness but not too much. We ate all of it even though we were full beyond belief. Total damage for this feast, including 4 cocktails, was about $150 before tax and tip. You could get it under $100 easily by restraining yourself a bit more than we did, so this place is worth checking out even for a normal date night. Atmosphere is romantic and classy but somewhat casual- you wouldn't feel super out of place in jeans, but the Flyers jersey is probably pushing it. The place is TINY (although not super loud even though it was crowded) and the kitchen is open, so it gets a bit fragrant. Leave your furs at home unless you fancy some expensive dry cleaning bills. Service was very attentive from start to finish. No small detail was missed. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Sal P.
Delish, scrumcious, and yummo. Everything top notch. Main courses were the beef, trout, and rabbit. The apps were french onion soup, goose liver and mac n cheese. really rich but oh so good. Dessert was kind a of a deconstructed cheesecake - pretty good. The ambience was nice and the service excellent. Also, the bread and butter was really good. Love that butter.
(5)
Eileen T.
We moved to the area about a year ago and have passed Bistrot La Minette hundreds of times on our bikes, always commenting that we should try it. Well, tonight we did, for restaurant week. It was exceptional. The atmosphere and decor reminded us of a favorite bistro of ours in Paris. We started the evening with glasses of sparkling wine, and each had a glass of Pinot Noir with our entrees. We were offered a gougere that was tender and nicely flavored with gruyere as an amuse bouche. A vintage enameled pot was placed on the table holding several slices of warm baguette -- crispy and flaky crust with a tender, moist mie. The butter served with the baguette was a delight. (They bake the bread on prem.) Braised short ribs with a decadent, rich jus; roasted rabbit served with homemade tagliatelle and a perfectly balanced, rich and creamy mustard pan sauce; a lovely pea soup; a tomato tart that my husband and I nearly fought over when I wanted to renege on sharing it with him; creamy and luscious rice pudding with berries; three-cheese (Delice de Bourgogne, Comte, and a bleu that I can't remember) mac-and-cheese. This meal was a wonderful surprise. We enjoyed it so much that we made another reservation on our way out. I've worn hearing aids most of my adult life and my husband often requests that we be seated at a different table that would facilitate my hearing the conversation at the table. Not only did the maitre 'd graciously change our table, when we made the reservation as we left, I noticed that he had made a note under my name indicating that I had hearing difficulties. He explained that he wanted to be sure he would seat me at an appropriate table next time we visit. All of the service was unobtrusive, respectful, and timely. $156.00 with tax and a generous tip. This is going to be a regular for us. Don't miss eating at this lovely place.
Like sitting 3,600 miles away....So reminiscent. Loved the atmosphere, the service, the food was delightful!
(5)
David P.
Just an awesome restaurant all around. Great food, decent prices, excellent service. It isn't formal, so dressy casual, and jackets both work well there. I've been a number of times over several years and it never disappoints. My last visit started with mussels in a cream broth over bread with an egg on top. Totally decadent and delicious. The leg of Lamb was tender and perfectly cooked. Leave room for desert. My only quibble is that the wines are a bit pricey for the menu. My feeling is that you should be able to get a decent bottle for about $2x the entrees. They need more selections in the $40-60 range.
(5)
Jung K.
Delicious. Also went for RW menu, which is such a great deal. Charming, cute space - smelled delicious as soon as we walked in. Appetizers that I tasted: foie gras and escargot. Both equally delicious, but the escargot was just REALLY REALLY delicious. 6 escargot in their own little pots, filled with butter and garlic. Small crunchy crouton on top of each little pot. Entrees: I have the cassoulet (like a meaty stew - mine had duck and sausage) with beans and other hearty food items in the pot. Also tried the trout (seasoned well, although not my favorite) as well as the beef bourgignon (delicious). We also tried the two sides: 1. buttered green beans with shallots 2. mac and cheese. On point with the side dishes as well - all empty plates by the time the server came to get our plates. Note on the service - it's on point. Our water glasses were always filled, and the bottle of wine we shared was reasonably priced and yummy. dessert: all were delicious. had the apple tarte, the 'cream puff,' which was more like a strawberry napoleon cream dish of happiness, and then the chocolate mocha sponge cake. Looking forward to going back for regular menu, enjoyed every bit of my meal and experience.
(5)
Ann T.
Went to Bistro La Minette for the first time during Philly Restaurant Week. It was a $35 three course menu. My husband had the escargots as an appetizer and I had a salad. The escargots was well prepared in a garlic butter sauce. We both enjoyed the short ribs for a main course. They were tender and meaty served in a rich red wine sauce. One of the best versions of short ribs I've experienced in a restaurant. for dessert I had the chocolate mousse cake and my husband had the rice pudding. what can you say about chocolate mousse cake except "Yum." The wines were pricey but nice. Service was excellent. We will definitely return!
(4)
Bill W.
Finally made it here, but for breakfast. It was pretty good, I'd like to return for dinner. Not the best breakfast in the city but still pretty good. They have a nice outdoor area that is great for a weekend morning.
(4)
Tina D.
Went there on restaurant week and was happily find there great service, awesome french cuisine and good-old-fashion design! The menu for restaurant week consider a lot of dishes from regular menu and the sizes was pretty good. At the start of third course i was already full! This places really gives you an idea how french cuisine is! And they doing their best at it! Me and my friend choose for dinner : 1) Escargots a la Bourgaignonne/ Salade D'Endives 2) Lapin Roti a la Moutarde/ Cassoulet de toulouse 3) Assiette de fromages/ Mille Feuille aux framboises All dishes made me completely fall in love with this cuisine and this cozy restaurant! If you want to try some not ordinary, high quality and tasty food you better come here! This restaurant is great place for dates! I was really pleased when the main chef come to our table to talk and ask how was our dinner! Thank you! They did a great job! Love it!
(5)
Alanna B.
Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome food. Front start to finish - wonderful food! Even the butter they give with your bread can be consumed by itself (however I wouldn't recommend it.) I have been there twice, and I can honestly say I NEED to go at least once a month. I have sampled from their current Fall 2012 menu - which I presume will be changing in a few weeks for the Winter season. TIP: Make reservations on OpenTable for points! Ask for tap water - free (but they also have "speciality" water too). Wine and Beer selection (by glass and bottle). Appetizers: Awesome pizza, fanstastic cheesy, buttery raviolis, great escargot, and fantastic mussels. Entrees: I never had quail or rabbit in my life, but if you are interested in trying it, this is the place. The Duck Confit is the BEST I have ever tasted. Desserts: I have said this is the "best" ever...but if there is one dish that really calls my name throughout the day, it's their creme brulee. O-M-G.....You MUST order this dish. I could go back every day just to have one. *Dreamy mood* You will not be disappointed. Join their mailing list too!
(5)
Adam F.
Bistrot La Minette is an excellent choice for casual French fare with great service and ambiance. They even gave us a light puff pastry and chocolates complimentary. - Escargot was very good, 9 pieces in individual little pots - Tartare was quite flavorful - Duck confit was amazing, cooked so well - Rabbit with homemade tagliatelle was excellent as well Great wine options for those with fancy palates. For those on a budget, the house wine was pretty decent and affordable, also with options for half bottle or full bottle. Deserts looked great too.
(5)
Chuck G.
Excellent traditional French bistro. The food was spectacular and the service was great (not too overbearing, but attentive). Went with wife and we each had an app, an entree, and shared dessert (no wine). Price: was reasonable ($111 after tip and tax). We had: poached egg with mussels, sweetbreads, rabbit, trout, and sorbet assortment. Everything was excellent. Highly recommended.
(5)
Michael W.
First time and we were blown away. Don't let french food intimidate you if you have never had it. If you have, this restaurant is one of the best, PERIOD. Food is outstanding, service is wonderful and price/value is perfect. Great for date night, friends or groups(they have a private dining room). Also you can bring your own however there is a corkage. Put this place on your list in Philly either for lunch or dinner. BTW they make their own bread. You'll never order bread at another restaurant again.
(5)
Sharandy O.
I went there for the first time during restaurant week and it was amazing! First of all, the service is superb. So well mannered and helpful. I ordered the poached egg and mussels for my first course and it was delicious. It was a lot of food. It could have been a meal on it's own. My friend got the escargot and loved it. I had the rabbit for my main course which was amazing. Tender, juicy and oh so flavorful! I had never had rabbit before so this is definitely going to be hard to beat. For dessert I had the cream puffs with the raspberries: delicious. This place gets five stars from me. Loved it
(5)
Sarah F.
Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.
(5)
Anita B.
Everything was super yummy! I would return the service was excellent and the atmosphere is adorable
(4)
Lindsay L.
Saltier than the French food I'm used to in NYC. Overall the food is good but not remarkable. The presentation really nice and service excellent. Not much intimacy in the seating so you can't really have a private conversation. We ended up talking with the people next to us. I would go to dine with family or a group, but not for a date.
Bread was soft and fluffy. Escargot was delicious, could have been the slightest bit saltier. Beef cheeks were so tender but too salty. The highlight of the dish was the roasted vegetables in it. Their natural sweetness really came through. The pasta in the rabbit dish tasted homemade and fresh. The rabbit was succulent and tender. The millefeuille is excellent because the pastry is slightly burnt and has a caramel taste. The tarte tatin is way too sweet. One of the most authentic French places I've been to outside of France.
(4)
Jaime H.
There were three in our partay - the boy, his dad, et moi. We dined here last Saturday evening to celebrate the dad's birthday. We had a reservation and I arrived before the fashionably tardy boys. The hostess gave me a choice between being seated immediately (sans full party) or waiting for the boys at the bar. I chose to be seated and seated I was. Heather was our server and was appropriately attentive. We drank one pitcher each of the blanc (appetizers) and rouge (entrees) table wines which were perfectly enjoyable. For appetizers we shared the foie gras (very good), the escargot (solid), and the salmon tartare (also solid). Heather consistently replenished our bread and butter which was quite delightful. For the main course the bf ordered the rabbit dish (not game-y, good) served with a wonderful pasta, I had the standard poulet roti (best ever!!), and the birthday boy had 'the best beef bourguignon of his life.' I am still dreaming of my dish - a basic French offering, but done properly as it was here, it is quite spectacular. We managed to find room for dessert given the nature of the occasion and ordered the Mille Feuille aux Framboise (good, we heard it was tres popular), the tarte tatin (best I've had yet! caramel ice cream!), and the pot de creme au chocolat (good). Overall, the food was very good - there were a few standout dishes: the foie gras, the poulet roti, the beef bourguignon, and the tarte tatin. The service was outstanding as well. My only complaint, and it's not truly a complaint is that we were not forewarned how hot the escargot pots were. Minor, but yet important, detail. Regarding the food, I felt the salmon tartare was caper-heavy. All in all - great experience and we shall return!
(4)
Peter M.
This was my first experience with French food. For an appetizer I got Œuf du Pêcheur Fisherman's style poached egg, toast, mussels, tarragon cream. It was ok but apparently I'm not a fan of runny egg for dinner. The sauce and mussels were awesome but the egg took over and made it just so so For my entree I had Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde Mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle, rabbit jus. This was my first time trying rabbit and boy oh boy have I been missing out. Sweet Baby Jesus!! It seems to me that the cuter the animal the tastier it is. I mean I new veal was delicious but apparently Peter Cottontail is on the same level. I'd feel bad but that bastard stole Farmer MacGregor's vegetables So he had it coming imo.
(4)
Agnes M.
Meal was great but music was blasting! Do not confuse ambiance music and a night club at club med! Not sure that the wait staff knew that...
(2)
Sara B.
went here last night for the movie night, had great food, great setting, great movie and out of this world service :) It started to drizzle before the movie was set to start so we went and sat inside, but then our waiter (who knew I was really excited for the movie) came over and let us know it had stopped drizzling and he would be happy to move us back outside and set up the movie (even if we were the only ones out there) - we went back out and some other tables did too - a lovely, romantic evening. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Kenneth F.
All i can say is those mussels are Ah-may-zing! I wish I could upload the pictures but they came out too dark to be useful damnnnnn it. Came here for the special priced menu on Sunday for $35. While not the cheapest meal, compared to the normal a la carte prices - what a steal! There is also house wine which is very well priced if you want to get some drink on without breaking the bank. Go check it out! There is also a courtyard in the back which opens up when the weather is nice so keep that in mind when spring and summer come up!
(5)
Susanna L.
Omg! This is the best french place I have ever gone to in Philadelphia!! The place has a nice homey feeling to it and our waiter was very friendly. Was kind to explain anything on the menu and filled our water constantly when it was empty. The food was wonderfully good. I got the duck and my friend the rabbit. I expected the meat to be gamy, but surprisingly I tasted nothing of it. It was soo good!!! So good that I couldnt pass up dessert, which was an upside down apple cake. Omg what a wonderful finish. Will come back here with friends or family another time. Highly recommend it!
(5)
Dave H.
Dining here made me feel like I was back in France - and I've traveled there a bit. Little touches like the music, the "push" and "pull" signs on the doors, and a server from Marseilles (okay, not such a little touch) worked together nicely. Since it was a sleepy Sunday, we easily got a table for two. Table bread and butter were quite good, and their escargot hit the spot, pleasantly buttery and full of flavor. We shared a pitcher of wine, and my co-conspirator enjoyed their prix fixe menu while I put down a plate of duck breast (magret du canard; $27), cooked medium with a celery root puree, glazed turnips, and a delightful foie gras sauce. Their plating was more austere than expected, but thankfully Chef Woolsey didn't disappoint. Pricing is fancy French, but it's a good value if you're used to that sort of thing.
(4)
Jenn W.
I have passed by this plenty of times. Curious as what to expect. My friend I haven't seen in awhile had mentioned it to me. So he made reservations on Sunday . Parking wasn't too bad, we opted to sit outside, since it was beautiful day. The water came in Carafe, small little delicate touches to everything. It was Unanimous, prefix menu was best for your $$, 25.00 pick 3 courses from each area. I got this Spinach Dumplings that were delightful in a tomato base sauce, my friend got a cured pork belly, cured into almost like a ham /prosciutto served on a bruschetta. Homemade bread & butter, it was great!!! main entree: duck confit with potatoes in light butter sauce with string beans, Yum!!! The Duck confit was alot bigger then ones I 've had. It was falling of the bone, with consistency like crispy pork skin!!! OH my!!!!! Friends entree: was Sole filet's with string beans, potatoes. Then we finished it off with dessert, course mine was Creme Brulee, little over done not softer texture that I would like , he wanted Mille-feuille , but they were out, so he got the trio of sherbets!!! It was excellent. All in all, Glad he picked this, our waiter was great, very knowledgeable. Great thing is when sitting outside, get a free show , 3 out of 3 people could not Parallel park at all..kept hitting the cars. Ha-ha!!! It was very vintage look inside, old world French, great place to take your date or friend for birthday , etc. Portions are small, but just right for me, with Prefix, alot for me. (* 3 courses) I'd go back!!
(4)
Tina C.
We went there for our wedding anniversary because of all the fabulous reviews but we were somewhat disappointed. The interior felt like a dining hall and only had about 3 tables on a Thursday night. The homemade bread was very good and my tarte de tomate was pretty good but my canard confit was too salty and my husband's rabbit was just meh. The worst was the gratin de courgette which completely missed the mark with sliced zucchini in cream and some slab of cheese on top. I don't think the price equal the quality. I'm not going back.
(2)
Jim B.
My wife and I both agree that this is the best place for French food in the city. It's relaxed, casual, and romantic. "Down to earth" shall we say, and yet so much more. Any dining experience comes down to three things: food, service, and ambiance - I cannot fault BLM on any of those points, and we've had consistently good meals throughout the years with nary a hiccup.
(5)
Aneesh B.
Enjoyed an excellent meal here with friends on a special date night with old friends. Service was attentive, helpful, polite, and not at all intrusive. Great cocktails - I enjoyed their Sazerac and the missus, as usual, enjoyed some bubbles before dinner. Our friends enjoyed some Belgian beer and champagne as well. We enjoyed the foie gras appetizer, the salade nicoise, the Daube Provencal, the chick peas (which were garlicky and perfect - like eating all the ingredients for hummus in non-blended form), and the monkfish. My entree (Daube) paired quite nicely with a GSM Rhone blend from the wine list, which always makes me happy. For dessert we all shared the pot de creme and the mille feuille with pastry cream and raspberries. Probably the leats impressive part of the meal but still a fine ending to a lovely evening. I am usually not in love with French bistro fare. It usually seems so commonplace these days. But La Minette was different and thoughtful, so I would definitely dine here again. It is located in what seems to be a little French pocket of the City near South street which I didn't even know was there. Will be a pleasure to return and explore some more.
(4)
R. M.
This is a great place for lovebirds. Bistrot La Minette is extremely romantic and the food is wonderful. You can't get away with just ordering an entree here. So order from appetizer to dessert and everything in between. I also like that it is a little off the beaten path.
(5)
Julia C.
Went here for restaurant week a while back and I was impressed! The service was impeccable, the ambience was cozy and the food was, in a word, divine. I had the escargot for my first course, which was nice and garlicky, and the rabbit as the entree. Hoping I can come back again soon to try some of their wine pairings!
(5)
David Q.
This is an upscale French restaurant yet is not super fancy. It is great French food without the stuffiness of the stereotypical French restaurant. I took my girlfriend here for a belated Valentine's day dinner and I was not disappointed, even after getting the $100+ bill, it was worth it. Everyone is so nice. It's definitively worth going for special nights. I'll definitely be coming back.
(5)
Stella N.
My favorite french bistro in Philly. Great for a date night or with a group! Great ambiance, food, drink, and service.
I had never heard of this place, but I went with it based on the stellar Yelp reviews and also the 1,000 OpenTable points. It turned out to be awesome! Our server was really talking up the Picpoul de Pinet white wine, so I tried it, liked it & ordered it. Afterwards I realized they had carafes of house wine for $11 or $12 & each glass of picpoul was $9, so I would totally order the carafe next time. But no biggie, I guess it was my fault for being trigger happy with ordering. I have never had escargot and I really wanted to try it here, but we chickened out and ordered the mussels & egg app. It was amazingly delicious, almost like a runny egg on toast covered in alfredo sauce and perfectly cooked mussels (and I don't even really like mussels). We were sopping up the sauce with our bread, yum! I saw someone else who ordered the escargot and they were prepared in little egg cups (you weren't wrestling them out of a shell a la Pretty Woman) and I wished we had tried them. For entrees my husband had the duck, which was *amazing*, and I had the steak, which was good but extremely peppercorn-y. The waiter warned me of this in advance and I said that it was ok because I like spicy, but it was almost ridiculously too much peppercorn. I just scraped them off. The steak was cooked perfectly though, like dictionary-definition of how I ordered (medium well). We had the macaroni and cheese side dish and it was amazing. For dessert we had the apple tarte tatin and it was good, but pretty small and a very small amount of ice cream. Husband had a cappucino and enjoyed it. With the check they brought two dark chocolate truffles which were yum. There was outdoor seating out front, but the hostess told us about the garden in back and it was adorable. We really liked sitting there and weren't too close to other people that way. Service was great, our server was a very quiet talker but attentive and helpful. Just a great place to try!
(5)
Candice B.
I came here recently for an indulgent date night. From the moment we were seated to the moment we exited through the front door, we had nothing but extraordinary service. Our server was very pleasant, a little chatty (but not too much!) and helpful. We ordered from the special summer Provencale menu and were treated to very light but flavorful dishes - rabbit for me and lamb for my boyfriend. We split an escargot appetizer and snacked on a complimentary cheesy puff pastry. And of course, the bread and butter is not to be missed! French cuisine doesn't make me weak in the knees, but this was outstanding food. For dessert, we took suggestions from our server and were not disappointed. The meal ended with complimentary chocolate, and a lovely walk afterwards. I was told by a friend that the house wine is pretty darn good, so we opted for a pitcher of house white. I am not a wine snob so my opinion doesn't mean much here, but I enjoyed it.
(5)
Sara H.
This place has become my new tradition for taking my mom here on Mother's Day. We came here last year on a whim of trying to find a new place to discover. We didn't have reservations but were seated in their lovely outside garden terrace area. The food was delicious, the service was amazing and it was really pleasant sitting outside in a small nook type of garden. I love authentic French food, and this place is exactly that. Their menu was fixed for Mother's Day but it was impressive. We are going here again tomorrow and probably will keep making it a tradition every year on the same day. Bon Appetit!
(5)
Brian M.
Took my parents here awhile back for a nice dinner out. This is a place I've been meaning to get to for awhile, that I still follow their event schedule closely and definitely mean to come back to again soon. If only Philly didn't have so many great food options this is the kind of place you can get a consistently good meal over and over again without ever being bored. As it was Sunday I took advantage of their awesome prix fixe. Everything the table had was enjoyed, although no one was overwhelmingly excited about anything. It's just a solid, well prepared French country meal. Along with the Sunday prix fixe they also have a number of specials for movies, free wine, etc. if you follow them on Twitter/Facebook. Highly recommended even if you just plan to go once and follow for a couple weeks prior.
(4)
Brittany M.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. My boyfriend found this restaurant by searching for the best mac and cheese in Philadelphia. We decided to come check it out for drinks and dinner. The appetizers and the fresh sliced french bread were a great start. I had the steak and we shared a side of mac and cheese and everything was amazing. The food and service were both excellent.
(5)
Carlo M.
Went here for my birthday dinner on the Friday before Labor Day, and it was a wonderful experience. I'm not sure how busy this place gets on a normal weekend, but because it was Labor Day weekend, I'm going to assume that it was emptier than normal. We had reservations for two at 8pm, but we could've easily sat down at any number of tables inside or outside. We chose the outside. It was beautiful night out, and we got a little section of the patio all to ourselves since the place wasn't that crowded. The service was excellent. Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, the specials, and the drinks, and she was able to answer all of our questions effortlessly. The food was very good. We were treated to an amuse-bouche, which tonight was a small pastry filled with warm gruyere. That was followed by the fresh, house-baked bread, which is one of the better breads I've had. For an appetizer, we started with the escargot. It was so delicious, and we found ourselves dipping the bread into the oil. For entrees, we had the steak au poivre with a cognac-based glaze & she had the Daube Provencal, which was Provencal-style braised beef. The steak au poivre was excellent, and I could definitely taste the hint of cognac. It's something I had never had, so it was interesting and very good. The Daube was also good, though I definitely preferred my steak. For dessert, be sure to get the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. It's a caramelized puff pastry with vanilla pastry cream & raspberries. It's not what you expect from a puff pastry, and apparently it's the staff's favorite dessert. It was an excellent recommendation. To close out the night, the staff brought out a plate with some chocolate truffles & "Happy Birthday" drizzled in chocolate. It was a nice end to the evening. The drinks were awesome. Try the Aviation & the Boulevard St. Germain.
(4)
Panina H.
Came here for restaurant week with the dude and had a good experience. The food is good, the restaurant is cozy, and the service is excellent. Maybe Yelp hyped it up for me, leading me to think this would be an incredible experience, but I'm not going to lie - it wasn't memorable. The food: -Escargot- 8 adorable little cups filled with garlic/butter oil, snail, and a little crouton to top it off. It was good, but nothing impressive. I was really excited about this dish, so it was rather disappointing for me to say the least. -Farmer's poached egg on toast with mussels- A couple of Yelp reviews convinced me that this was going to be a wonderful dish so I insisted the dude order for his appetizer. Even though I knew he didn't like mussels, I was sure this dish would change his mind. Nope! After eating one mussel, it was confirmed that he still didn't like them. There were A LOT of mussels, which I ended up eating. They were good, but I've better. Having eaten half of the dude's appetizer, I dared not touch his poached egg on toast. He said it was really good, but he could have been lying just to spare my guilt for pushing him to order a dish that was just average. -Beef cheeks- Beautiful presentation, fresh ingredients, tender meat, and bold flavor. It looks like a small portion, but it does fill you up. Not over stuffing you, but just enough to leave you feeling satisfied. The dude enjoyed this (thank goodness!) and said it reminded him of a Korean dish his grandma used to make. -Lamb/Duck/Sausage Casserole- A very hearty stew that you would enjoy on a cold winter's night. It's very comforting, a classic homey type of dish. The duck and lamb were very tender, but my sausage was overcooked. It was a solid dish, but again, nothing special. -3 Cheese Macaroni- We ordered this side dish for $8, but it was quite bland and the dude thought it smelled bad. Well, the fancier the cheese, the stinkier it is. -Upside down apple tart- The dude only liked the ice cream, which is surprising because he loves apple pie. He ate one slice of apple and just left the rest on the plate. -Layered puff pastry with raspberries- This was only thing that "wowed" me at Bistrot la Minette and I probably would go back just to eat this heavenly dessert again! I'm not big on sweets, I prefer savory or tart flavors, so this light dessert was perfect for my palette. The layered pastries were thin and flakey, lightly salty because of the caramel coating. The cream was not too thick or sweet, but rather airy and tart. The raspberries were fresh and chilled, just a perfect topping for this dessert. It was definitely my favorite dish of the night, highly recommend! Besides the mixed feelings on the food, the service and atmosphere is great! The waiters don't mess around, always clearing plates, bringing out food as soon as it's done, refilling drinks, changing utensils on the table... just stand out service! They also do coat checks and have a small, but nice bar area in the front. One thing to note is their bathroom is unisex. It's not that weird once you realize a guy or a gal could be entering when you're washing your hands. It's only weird (and awkward) if you or the other person walking in doesn't know.
(3)
Mike E.
Great meal, great service. I've lived really close by for years, but only finally came here for the first time with my girlfriend and my folks last Friday night. Right away, I was impressed right away with the level of attention we got and the fact that we weren't treated like some sort of fungus for being relatively casually dressed relative to the general demeanor of the room. Lots of great options on the food menu and wine list (including several good bottles to choose from in the $30-50 price range), and we didn't have any trouble finding something that sounded great (even my girlfriend, the vegetarian). My dad and I both ordered the stuffed porc roti (to my thinking, the obvious choice), but when they came out, our orders were both underdone. Like, REALLY super-rare, which I love in a steak but probably isn't optimal for piggies. We each gave it a shot, trying to be open-minded, but finally called the waiter over to let him know that we wanted to send it back for another round. He agreed it was underdone, and took it away. I didn't really expect much besides another five minutes in the oven - both the ladies were already most of the way toward finishing their meals, but them's the breaks and we're not big complainers. Instead, the manager comes over and apologizes profusely on both his behalf and that of the chef, and tells us that both our pork entrees will be on the house, along with comped desserts for everybody. Oh, and instead of just cooking up our bitten porc roti, they made us fresh plates with fresh entrees. Holy cow! Oh yeah, and everything was delicious. So yeah - great meal, definitely worth the money, in a very classy but unpretentious environment that didn't look down on me being slightly hobo-esque that evening. Will certainly be back. Oh, and if you like cocktails, order the Aviation - it kicks ass.
(5)
ben c.
Wow, who knew this place existed! My girlfriend and I have been bookmarking a lot of resturants lately. Too bad we're both too busy to eat out as often as we would like. We came here for restaurant week and it was a first visit for both of us. It's sort of hidden but once you find it, you will never forget where it is. We were greeted at the door and taken to our table. The restaurant has a nice and comforting feel to it. The kitchen is partially open and you can see/hear/smell all the cooking going on which adds to the environment and feel of the place. The food is really delicious and delicately prepared and the service was very fast. Some of the items we ordered were baguette, poached eggs with mussels, escargot, trout, mushroom puff pastry, upside-down apple tart with caramel ice cream and caramelized puff pastry with raspberry. Some of the foods were a tad too salty for our liking and we linked it with the high volume of patrons being that it was restaurant week. Still, even at full capacity, this shouldn't have occurred. Another thing that we both noticed and were sort of bothered by was the waiters/waitresses were standing around like hawks. They clean up the plates as soon as we put them down or finish them, it's almost a big startling and overly uncomfortable. Again, we figured they wanted to move diners through to accommodate their reservations but this too shouldn't have happened. We agreed to come back again in the future to try things outside the set menu and really give this place a taste test. Hopefully the taste of the foods and the service will represent this place for what it really is. Still, I will give it 5 stars for still an exceptional evening dining experience. Save room for the desserts, your tummy will thank you.
(5)
Cath R.
My husband and I came here for dinner and it was a great experience. It is located right off South Street and the atmosphere was true to a french bistro and hte waiter service was fantastic. We started off with the snails and the scallops and i agree with another poster - do not leave here without trying the snails- they were delicious. The scallops were also great, but we were definitly fighting over the snails. I then had the steak and I think he had the duck (it's been a few weeks since we went). Then for dessert we shared the puff pastry which we devoured pretty quickly. We highly recommend the restuarant - we would just not recommend ordering a cocktail and stick with the wine. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes for our table (even having reservations - but no big deal) and we went to the bar. my hisband ordered an Szarec - sure, maybe not the best thing to order at a French Bistro - but they should at least know how to make one. All the ingredients were poured over the glass of ice and not stirred or shaken - it was the worse drink ever. But the service at the table, wine and food made up for 1 bad drink.
(4)
Elaine L.
Wonderful restaurant and ambiance. Came here for a dinner on a Saturday night with my boyfriend and we absolutely enjoyed everything. The place is small but very cozy. Super romantic indeed. The food was wonderful and seemed true to the French cuisine. Portion sizes weren't ridiculous and the service was pretty good. It's been a while since we've been but I remember that we got the escargot and oysteres. The presentation of the escargot was pretty memorable in that I've never seen escargot in single cups but always in a dish with divets in the middle. The oysters were clean and fresh - almost as if they were just brought in from the ocean. Thankfully, it wasn't too briney but I would say we've had better. I remember that my boyfriend and I shared the duck confit and another pork dish (he's more of the pork man --) Both of which were wonderful. The meat was super juicy and tender (just how meat should be) - and the flavors were sublime! Nothing was too overwhelming and despite the manipulations to the material, I think the natural flavors of the duck and the pork shined through. Overall, great date place but it is small so reserve early!
(5)
Ian F.
Amazing classic Bistro fare. Try the Limonade and Absinthe cocktail, and anything with puff pastry.
(5)
Juliana K.
DELICIOUS! Duck pate was melt in your mouth! It has a little crunch too since it was layered with croutons. WOW. Salads were good and light. Beef cheeks entree was amazing. The red wine sauce it was in was full bodied flavor. The beef cheeks were tender, fatty, and yummy. Gnocchi with the entree was creamy. The veal special was great. Veal was tender. Veggies were cooked perfectly. Two things they let us try complimentary was a delicious little gruyere bread puff and some chocolates at the end. The honey ice cream is soo amazing and smooth. Coffee is also of high quality. Great meal. Service was good. Waiter was very knowledgeable. Will definitely come back.
(5)
David B.
I have a soft spot in my heart for French food. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Paris and I am found of the stylings of Julia Child. When I lived in Philly, the place to go for French food was Le Bec Fin. Alas, I never made it. So, I was please to experience the food stylings of Bistrot La Minette. I found this wonderful establishment through all of you, my fellow Yelpers. I was in town on business and dining alone, so I wanted something special. La Minette fit the bill. The dining room is a a single large space. It wasn't too busy the Sunday I was there but imagine that it could get very loud on a busy evening. My waiter was quick and efficient but a little cold. The wine list is not terribly large but they have carafes of a house red and white with a decent selection available by the glass. I opened the meal with mussels out of their shells (well there were three in their shells for garnish) in a cream sauce topped with a poached egg. Yum! I decided to go with a French classic for my entree: Cassoulet. It came in its own little crock and was filled with yummy goodness. The stew was rich and tomatoey with lardons, sausage, and lamb. The duck confit was fabu. I had a simple dessert, house made ice cream with a cup of tea. A very nice meal. I look forward to going back with my hubby and reliving our honeymoon in Paris!
(4)
Bill G.
I agree with the 4 & 5 star reviews here so I will not restate the obvious. What I will say is the Braised Duck is fantastic and the cheese & caulifower side was a delight. I highly recommend the place and have been back twice. Oh and I reluctantly tried the house pour pichet (to the rest of us a pitcher of wine) and got the bordeaux blend. well worth the $22 as opposed to some of the other marked up wines below $50. You will NOT be disappointed.
(5)
Victoria L.
French food may be my favorite cuisine, and Bistrot la Minette did not disappoint. The freshly made baguettes and butter are addicting. My friend and I shared the mushroom puff pastry appetizer, which was rich and earthy. I got the ravioli because the vegetarian options were slim. It was nicely al dente with a carrot puree that was surprisingly amazing (because I'm not a huge fan of carrots). My friend got the duck and said it was good as well. We couldn't pass up dessert after hearing the ice cream flavors: vanilla, caramel, and a toasted flavor - the last being the best. I can't wait to come back and try other things.
(4)
Kim S.
Fantastic food, service and environment. Minette has traditional French food but delivers it impeccably! During restaurant week they served healthy portions and even gave us lots of freebies. Don't miss the foie gras terrine, probably the best terrine I've had. A lot of people rave about the mussels and although I think they're good, I wasn't impressed and probably wouldn't order them again. Mike is a fantastic server. I cannot wait to go here again!
(5)
Jay F.
Excellent in every way - food, service, atmosphere! Highly recommend.
You know the scene from This Is Spinal Tap, where Nigel Tufnel is trying to explain how the amplifier for his guitar is louder and better than other amps because his volume dial goes past ten, and all the way up to eleven? Well, Bistrot La Minette is why Yelp ratings need to go all the way up to six. Food, service, setting--all fantastic. Killer selection of French liquor and wine. If you're look for a place to have a romantic evening or an intimate dinner with friends or to have a special meal with your parents or to remind yourself of your trip to Paris, Bistro La Minette is your place.
(5)
Amy L.
I was the first to arrive for my friend's birthday dinner. I was greeted by a very friendly hostess and she offer me a seat at the bar while I wait for my party. As soon as I sat down I looked at the wine list and ordered a glass of wine. When served, I asked for a napkin and the waiter said they don't have any and told me I can go to the bathroom and use toilet paper...WTHECK???? I was surprised, then I asked him for a cloth napkin and then he told me I can't spit my gum into it. Seriously???? I wouldn't be that disgusting and rude. I wanted to wipe the corners of my mouth. At that point, I no longer wanted to deal with the bartender/waiter. What restaurant bar doesn't have a napkins?? The decor inside was nice. Our party order the set menu and a bunch of additional apps. The scallop was delish but the rest the food was okay...nothing truly memorable. The portions seemed to be un-proportional. For example, we all had a stew and my bowl barely had any liquid while my friend had a lot. When the fish came, my friend had the smallest cut compared to the rest of our party. Toward the end of our dinner, the waiter dropped a tray of forks and spoons behind us by accident and scared the crap out of us but did not apologize.
(2)
Asuka N.
I'd come once to Bistrot La Minette a few years ago, but I forgot most of the food experience (not to mention writing a review), so I was looking forward to going back and having another go at this French-styled restaurant just south of South Street. It's got dim lighting, frames on pictures and chandeliers that give it more of an Old World feel, and French pop music playing in the background. That said, it's not overly stuffy, largely due to the waiter - I don't know his name, but he was exceptional. He was familiar with the dishes yet not overly pushy about which ones he felt were the best, and, perhaps best, he knew his way around the wine list and how each glass we were looking at tasted. It's very impressive, given that most of the time when I'm at a restaurant, waiters tend to be clueless about wines or rely on sommeliers to give wine advice. From what I can recall (and what the waiter said), the menu was quite different from what was available a few years back, but I definitely feel like this was a substantially better dining experience than in the past. For appetizers, the sea scallops were pretty standard, but properly cooked - enough to hold the form, but not done too much to make them rubbery. I tried the specialty of the restaurant, the mussels with poached eggs - and wow, was that delicious. The tarragon sauce works well with seafood with a briny edge like mussels, and the egg yolk helps to add another layer to the sauce, but without making it overly heavy. It's really a dish that fits in as well with dinner as it would on a brunch menu. For the entree, I ordered the lamb and tomato stew, which was incredibly delicious. It looks quite daunting from the onset given how big the lamb looks in the pot, but it falls off the bone very easily and has a tenderness akin to braised short ribs. The tomato adds a strong base, and the bread crumbs and duck confit help to add depth to what would otherwise be a very meaty stew. My fiancee had one of the Valentine Day's specials - the filet with foie gras. The filet itself was done really well, but adding small pieces of foie helps to bring out the fattiness and juiciness of the steak. Dessert was splitting the Mille Feuille aux Framboises, which was a delectable way of finishing the meal...it's a very light pastry, filled with similarly light vanilla cream that lets the raspberries and the raspberry sauce fill the dessert with rich, fruity sweetness. Throughout the meal, both the Bordeaux blend and the Rhone blend (which has a touch of spice and is quite jammy, as the waiter said) both worked very well across the appetizers and the red-meat main courses. And, lest I forget, the bread appears to be sliced from a freshly-made baguette, with the rich creamy French butter that I am incredibly fond of. While I came away happy, but not blown away, by my last meal here, I feel like Bistrot La Minette has refined their menu to a higher level. Everything we ate here was delicious, and despite the French reputation for heavy foods, we were happily full - but not crushingly stuffed - when we walked out. The prices are pretty reasonable as well, with most entree items running around $25-30. I'd love to come back and try the new menu out when the season changes.
(5)
Steven W.
Bistro La Minette is the perfect date spot. Amazing service, food, and wine selection. I have been to Paris and the food here is reminiscent of my favorite bistro in Montmartre. I love that they have some of the French country style cuisine like Coq au Vin which is the best thing I have had there. You will not be disappointed with anything you order.
(4)
Sara S.
My boyfriend and I came to Bistrot for our four year anniversary and it was spectacular! Everything from the ambiance, to the service and the delicious food was perfect...it was a very unique and authentic French experience! There is seating out front overlooking the sidewalk and street, inside and also the back courtyard. I highly recommend sitting in the back courtyard, it was so charming! Round lights were strung above the tables and beautiful pots overflowing with colorful flowers dotted the ground. It was a very romantic place for dinner, but would also be fun with a bunch of friends for an upscale dinner! Our server Mike was outstanding- he was so knowledgeable and friendly and you could tell her wanted to make our dinner enjoyable. We started off with their pitcher of wine- it was a very clever idea to serve wine in a clay pitcher! Sidenote: The owner's uncle makes the pitchers in Maine. Then, another server brought out complimentary little round toasted baguette pieces topped with homemade olive tapenade YUM! This wa followed by the best tasting bread I've ever had (the recipe is from the owner's wife's aunt who lives in Leon, France) and butter topped with fleur de sol. The crust was crunchy and flaky yet the interior was soft. We ordered escargot and a homemade pasta dish for appetizers, these were also fabulous! They serve the escargot in cute little pots about the size of your thumb (also homemade by the chef's uncle) and it was delicious. Sometimes I like escargot, other times not, but Bistrot had these little escargots marinated in this unbelieveable sauce of olive oil, garlic and olives and it was to die for! We both ordered the beef for our entrees (entrees range in price from $20-$27)- served with little home made gnocci potato puffs, WOW! Everything really was mouth-watering. They ran out of the potato au gratin, so the server asked the chef to whip up something special that is not on the menu- homemade mac and cheese with 4 cheeses, including Brie. Again, fabulous!! The night ended with two complimentary chocolate truffles. The dessert menu also looked delicious but we were too full. Highly recommend for a romantic night on the town or even with couples, friends, family! This truly was an authentic, French bistro experience (we passed several tables of people speaking French...so you know it is the real thing!) I was a little sad to leave- it was a wonderful night!!
(5)
Adrienne C.
Such a wonderful meal! It was so great to eat at a yummy restaurant in Philly that was not Italian or farm-to-table / New American. The ambiance is adorable, the food is amazing and the service is friendly. Biggest tip - if it says "puff pastry" somewhere (first course, dessert, whatever), get it. It's pretty much guaranteed to be amazing. The goods: wild mushroom puff pastry, beef tartare, rabbit with house-made tagliatelle and stuffed quail. The desserts were also good - again, go wtih the puff pastry. Def must try again!
(5)
Kim A.
Amazing. Went for the anniversary dinner with a friend. The mushroom and artichoke soup with foie gras was smooth and creamy. The mussels and duck confit, delicious. The salmon poached in duck fat, the steak, the bacon wrapped harticort verts, fantastic. Everything was just amazing. This was my first time here but not my last!
(5)
Barbara Ann R.
I was treated to a birthday dinner here, and what a treat it was! I lived in France for many years and miss my "comfort food" so much - in this case escargots to start and then lapin w house-made tagliatelle (ok, so maybe the pasta wasn't totally French, but it was good, and the rabbit was as well, if a tad dry). A tarte aux oranges confits sauce chocolate for dessert. The wine list seemed inordinately pricey, but the house wine by the carafe was more than adequate, and reasonably priced. Yummy cafe and dessert wines as well. I don't live in Philadelphia, but hope to visit regularly & will try to come back when I do (though I think it will be for their prix fixe as I'll be footing the bill).
(4)
Christine D.
Have the escargot and grilled sardines. Everything from food to the service was excellent! Best kept secret in Philadelphia. Cool place to hangout for after work drinks.
(5)
Tess G.
I really liked this place. Wish they had one in NYC area. Reasonably priced French bistro food. Not at all stuffy but served by the polite, knowledgeable, serious souls you'd find in fine dining. The servers seemed to really be proud of the food. Very good sign. What to try: - Foie gras - Super smooth and the hazelnut and fig sauces it came with really set it off against the paper thin brioche slices - Cassoulet - Delicious. Crispy duck skin, buttery soft beans and chunks of lamb. Perfect for a winter night. - Beef cheeks - Normally I don't fall for the restaurant trick of serving cheap cuts for above-average prices. But I had a good feeling about this place and my gamble paid off. The beef cheeks were actually the size of tiny tenderloins but richer. The dish came with soft pillows of French gnocchi. I don't know the difference between French and Italian gnocchi but these were larger than Italian gnocchi but just as light. Best part of the dish was the sauce pooled at the bottom. Unbelievably delicious with the wine and richness of the beef cheeks. Worth ordering this dish just for that sauce. More details: - They make their own bread. Crusty baguettes that come out every 15 minutes and sliced in the dining area. Served with perfectly salted, room temp butter. SOOOO GOOOOOD. - Great at details: Amuse bouche of tiny gourgere will with some really good cheese. Ended the meal with homemade chocolates. Makes you feel welcome from beginning to end. - We came at a night where they were having a 4-course dinner to celebrate the Anjou wine region. It was an absolute steal at $50 with wine pairings. But the regular menu looked so good that we had to try it. I can only assume it was popular since the place was packed by 7pm on a Wednesday night. My only complaint? Cheese plate was good and they had a nice selection. I just wish it came with jam/jelly/sweet paste instead of butter lettuce. It was good but not what I wanted for an after-dinner cheese plate. p.s. The place is quite charming. Feels like it belongs in a town outside of Paris - not overly done. Cozy but not so small that its impossible to get a table. Lighting is not bright but brighter than candle light so you can see their food. Bathroom has the neatest vanity - looks like an enormous vanity but with double sinks. No paper towels - washcloths to dry your precious little hands. Very romantic.
(5)
Rob C.
Omg. Really good! Do go now. Food , service wonderful!
(5)
Ahmad C.
My wife suggested (after reading Yelp reviews) that we should try this out on V-Day. Initially we couldn't find a free table till 10:30pm (notwithstanding, we booked a table for two) and checked with the restaurant if we can come in a little earlier. I received a call few minutes later that they have bumped us to 8:30pm after a cancellation. This was beyond expectations and I give them full marks for this! Not a huge fan of the tacky South St district but the restaurant is in a quieter (acceptable) area on 6th St. Moving on to the food. Loved the complimentary cheese puffs. For first course we ordered Pan Seared Scallops (a tad bland for me, though my wife liked it and argues there was subtle smokiness) and Escargots (excellent). Second course was one of the best cooked meal I've had recently - I ordered the Trout and my wife went with Salmon (both were excellent). Ended the meal with apple tart w/ caramel ice cream and complimentary chocolates. Last but not the least, the bread deserves a special mention.
(4)
Christine B.
So so good. I went here with some fellow yelpers to celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. We had a 4 course dinner with wine pairings. Only complaint is that the waiter did not explain the wine pairings, but the food was delicious. First up was french onion soup. Definitely my favorite french onion. There was such great flavor, and the cheese, and soggy crouton were delicious. Second course was a pike filled dumpling type dish. I don't recall the french name. It was light and airy, and topped with a tasty crawfish brown butter sauce. Next was a veal stew. It was great. Finally, a walnut tart. The perfect end to the meal, the crust was buttery and flaky, and the filling wasn't overly sweet. Also, as other have mentioned the bread and butter is awesome.
Never been to a French Restaurant but I wanted to go and the fellow agreed to my request, after some good review reading we booked the date for late december. My date got stuck in SUPER traffic on the Saturday before NYE and we were late. I called and they were totally cool with pushing us back an hour so he could get into the city to pick me up. Very low key quiet place. We managed to get seated RIGHT before it got super busy. Hard to park outside of the local pay-parking areas. Especially on a saturday. I ordered a little half jug of wine for me an it was descent. We both got sides of the macaroni and cheese which was amazing. My guy got the rabbit but I got the quail stuffed with sausage and the most amazing spinach I have ever had in my life. Seriously, it was SO good. We got desserts and just had a really good time. I would go again to perhaps try one of their special menus.
(4)
Robert B.
I found the meal to be wonderful overall. The experience slightly below some other restauarant experiences. I had a warning to not order salad and stuck with it. The ambianec is charming and warm. We were given a choice of seating with our reservation and decided to go outside in the garden with a wonderful evening. There we remained in a quiet area without a lot of noise. I'm sure as it gets later than our reservation it is bustling. The inside definately was. But, being able to be outside and have a nice quiet cozy meal was special. The food, we started with an amuse of puff pastry with cheese. A wonderful small bite sized wonder. I ordered an onion tart and my wife the signature Mussels. I loved the tart, it had complexity of flavors. I only wish more sauce was available. It was a nice addition of a tart note to the rest. I tasted the creamy sauce for my wifes dish and it was heavenly as well. For dinner, we ordered Rabbit and a Short Rib special with jumbo snails. You have to order something with snails at a French restaurant. I had the rabbit and it came with pasta. It was tastey. I wished for more sauce as teh rabbit was dry on its own. Maybe I should have sliced it up and into the pasta? I also thought it needed some texture. My wife had the short ribs. It was exactly what one would expect. We both had the snails and noticed a slightly smokey/burned taste as the result of grilling. It was a first for us and we would order snails again in the future. We ended with two different tart desserts. I had an apple tart with caramel ice cream. My wife a lemon tart with a berry ice cream. Neither was overly sweet. My ice cream melted quickly and basically became a sauce for the tart. A chocolate ganache bon bon was the final course and was on the house. The pleasant reward for the evening was the price. It was not over the top. This alone makes it a place you would welcome returning to.
(4)
Allison B.
I feel truly honored that I was able to eat at Bistrot La Minette in the dining salon. I had just been hired to work at a nonprofit in town. Their Christmas party was the next day, and they kindly invited me along. We sat at a long table in a private room. I knew no one, and was trying to make small talk with the people that would soon be my co-workers. That was easy to do with the succulent and fabulous food that was constantly coming out from the kitchen and put in front of us. First- the bread and butter. Do you know how many restaurants screw this one up? The bread at La Minette was some of the best table bread I have ever had, period. Let me preface this by saying I had no idea this was going to be a three course meal, so I ate the first courses as if they would be my last, which was a mistake. I was so painstakingly full by the end of it! First there were cheese puffs and marinated mushrooms, served with toothpicks. Then were was a divine carrot salad enhanced with citrus, beet salad and a ham and cheese quiche. Seems like lunch, no? Little did I know it would be followed by a scalloped potato tart, perfectly sauteed string beans, and roasted chicken that fell from the bone. Dessert was chocolate cake with strawberry sorbert- my mouth is watering at the thought of it. Everything. Was. Delicious. I hope and pray I have the opportunity to eat at Bistrot La Minette again!
(5)
Karim N.
One of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. I came here in a group of 4 during restaurant week and was just blown away. A very memorable evening. The appetizers were probably my favorite part of the meal, especially the escargot and fishermans style poached egg with taragon cream, which was so wonderfully simple and complex at the same time.The foie gras was solid, but a little boring. The main courses did not disappoint. I had the beef cheek bourginon, my friend had the duck confit with white beans. It was all spectacular. The wine list was solid too. The ambience was friendly and romantic, but not stuffy. Definitely the best bistrot style French food in Philly as far as I can tell.
(5)
Owen R.
Bistrot La Minette wears many hats - it can be neighborhood bistro or a romantic date spot. A thoughtfully curated wine list is coupled with professional table tending to form a foundation for a memorable meal. Mussels with a tarragon crème sauce is totally evocative of a French fisherman's lunch. While the rabbit with tagliatelle gets the word of mouth headlines, there are other choices to consider like duck, beef cheeks or lamb shank. Cozy - and stylish with a pressed tin ceiling and rouge baguette seating. Seating hint: there are two (2) top tables in the front window and one slightly larger in the other window. The bread is made in house which means its warm and spectacular - try not to spoil your dinner.
(4)
Jason C.
Very good! Charming room, nice music and very good food. Try the poached egg and mussels first-- it's delicious. The lamb shank was good, but a little bit tough. Still, it had plenty of flavor, so I'm not complaining. All in all, I was quite impressed.
(4)
Nicole L.
Bistrot La Minette will remain in my memories even when I move out of Philly - it's the kind of place you wish you could take along with you from city to city. We came here in September for my husband's birthday on the recommendation of a friend who couldn't stop raving about the restaurant. So it was me, hubs and his best friend - and we left completely amazed by the experience. First of all, the restaurant has that old charm French feel without being snobby. We were dressed pretty nicely for the occasion, but people were coming in with athletic gear and were completely at home. The ambient music was French jazz, muted enough to add to the atmosphere but not loud enough that it hurt the conversation. We were seated a couple of tables away from the open kitchen. Some people are put off by open kitchens, but we're foodies and we love watching people cook. Our server was lovely and had many helpful recommendations about the wine list and the menu. The kir royale I ordered was what I expected it to be - crisp and bubbly without being overly sweet. Hubs and best friend shared a bottle of wine recommended to us and loved it. Another server came around and served us a little amuse bouche - a parmesan puff - which was complimentary and just delicious. The escargot (a personal favourite) was delightful and came served in nine individual tiny pots topped with a flat crouton. I had the duck topped with seared foie gras and fingerling potatoes - a little on the rich side, but what do you expect with seared duck and more duck on top? Hubs stopped talking as soon as his steak frites arrived - the look of intent concentration on his face was almost hilarious. Hubs' best friend had the pork chop with haricots vert, which he was initially hesitant with, but was utterly satisfied. And let's just say that dessert was out of this world. The opera cake. Enough said. We tried the clatoufis too but it didn't hold a candle to that opera cake. I didn't even mind the street parking or the difficulty of finding it on a Saturday night near South Street - it's completely worth the hassle. Go there, enjoy the experience, hold it tight in your memories.
(5)
Kathleen D.
I love having Bistrot la Minette in my neighborhood. I love that it's down the street, making the block even more adorable.Though tonight...tonight, trudging home in the rain, the sight of it made my face twist into a bitter wince. "Look at them in there, clinking wine glasses. I bet those bastards are eating Flammenkuche." That's a delicious. Alsatian style "pizza." Think about caramelized onions, lardons, creme fraiche. Think about it and weep. I'm not a jealous person, except for people's meals. Seriously, that's the only thing. I tried to stop myself from dwelling on the fact that while some are enjoying delectable, plump escargots tonight, I am not. I shivered in the rain like some urchin-wretch-thing, and peered up into the windows as I passed by. I reminded myself that I owe Bistrot La Minette more than a few good reviews. I love the special menu prix fixes, presented like "a visit to." We've enjoyed a night in the Basque country last year, and then a trip to Alsace Lorraine, to name a couple. $35 or 50 with wine pairings, and it's a swell deal if you're askin me. The wine pairings have been excellent in our experiences. I learned that I love gewurztraminer, who knew? I know what you're thinking about me. "It's not like it was a long shot. It's booze, ain't it, sister?" I'll remind you that I have refined taste. And I learned how to pronounce "gewurztraminer." Anyway, I definitely recommend the French regional dinners for sure. The food is delicious and beautifully prepared. I already mentioned how I nearly flew into a jealous rage at the thought of the Alsatian pizza and the wonderful, buttery snails. Now and then we'll just stop in for those two appetizers and a drink or two. I can recommend the duck breast with blood orange gastrique. Same for the Lapin Roti a la Moutarde. Dijon mustard braised rabbit, you were the first bunny that I've ever bitten. I love the atmosphere, the decor... It's feels super French and special, yet comfortable neighborhood-place all at once. Dig the long red banquette that runs the length of the dining room. I dig that my husband always lets me sit on that side! I think that the streetlight bulbed chandeliers are so cool. Outdoor seating in the warmer months is pretty lovely. OH and speaking of lovely, and warmer months- Bistrot La Minette plays French films- a dinner and French film al fresco. It's pretty nice. It's something to sigh about. Ahhhhh.... There's a lot to love about this place; lotsa stuff happening, events highlighting wonderfully authentic French foods... Bistrot La Minette, you're a good restaurant-neighbor. Many times we'll be leaving after a meal and I'll begin to hum a medley of Edith Piaf tunes as I float home...not because any of the songs played in the restaurant. Not at all cause they didn't. I just grew up watching cartoons, and that's what cartoons do they when they're feeling swoony in France.
(4)
Michelle L.
Straightforward french food in a really cute setting. I'm sorry, but I thought the food was overall simple and forgettable-- I love simple food, but it was nothing impressive that I would want to return to. Thought the bill was too high, that's fo sho. Service was great; I got the impression the restaurant really runs well.
(3)
Dan S.
Nothing special. Good, friendly service. Food was good but not great. It was not crowded the night we were there so the energy was low.
(3)
K. A.
Outstanding in every way. Peter Woolsey and his sous chefs are simply inspired. They have a seasonal menu that becomes "Provencale" in the summer, which I haven't tried yet, but for which I can assuredly be counted on to return. This place is unpretentious, yet measures up to the absolute highest standards of cuisine as set by the likes of Alice Waters, Georges Perrier and Fernand Point, and it's all right here in Philadelphia! If this place were in any other city, you would need to make reservations a month in advance. The location is a little off the beaten path, with a frowsy exterior. Once inside, however, you enter a different world- one of civility and charm, with a bit of a thrift shop/antiquaire feeling, with art and objects arranged in a very personal way, as one might have at home. It is all very personal and intimate. Including the service. You feel special. You are special. And if you bring a date here, do not do so lightly, because you may end up getting married afterward, confusing your feelings for the person with your feelings for the food. It's that good. La Minette proves that you don't need "location" and you don't need marketing glitz, or some clever "theme" (a la Parc) to make a great restaurant. You need one thing: passion. And you need to know how to cook. Woolsey, you can be proud of what you have done. My new favorite in Philadelphia. La Minette: seductive mistress to my long time companion Rouge.
(5)
Mary M.
This is perhaps my favorite restaurant to go with my boyfriend on a special occasion or date night. I find the warm classic French decor very romantic. The last time we visited the restaurant was for their 2 year anniversary in which they offered 4 courses for $22 (pre fixe menu), the escargots appetizer was the star of that meal. Their menu changes frequently based on what is in season. They also do special pre-fixe dinner nights such at the one mentioned above, usually focusing on a region of France. I highly recommend the pitcher of house white wine; it is traditional French white table wine that tastes divine and a sweet price ($12 for small pitcher). I've never had anything on the menu that I didn't like. The dijon-braised rabbit is a stand-out entree. I have yet to dine in the courtyard out back but with the Fall officially here I will be waiting until next year. That doesn't mean I won't be back before then. Get a little dressed up and make the night special - this place is the perfect back-drop for it!
(5)
Peter S.
Consistently wonderful across the board with food service and atmosphere.
(5)
Vincent F.
For my money this is the best French in Philadelphia. I only put 4 stars since I don't know shit about French food so I can't say this is really the best in the city. However, I love it there. The food is tasty, the ambiance is awesome and the service is perfect. I would totally go back again.
(4)
Ashley G.
I have to say I really love this place. It's so charming, the food was delicious, definitely pricey but a great spot for that special occasion dinner or a "not so often" date night. We split the escargot and the mushroom puff pastry appetizer, both were incredible, so flavorful, and good portions. We each had a cocktail (the cocktail Normand was like candied apples in a glass, the other one I had was a black currant liqueur with rye, it was very strong but I enjoyed it) For main course I had the rabbit which was very good but I must say the star of the night were the beef cheeks, they were excellent. The dessert hands down get the puff pastry with raspberries it was like heaven on a plate..we got some complimentary after dinner drinks because we were celebrating a birthday, and these delicious chocolate truffles that melt in your mouth. The waiter was fantastic, overall a beautiful evening I highly recommend this place!
(5)
A E.
I eat a lot, and sometimes I get complacent. This place completely rocked that to its core. Every time someone tells me that I'm being too nitpicky, I will reference them to this place because excellence was seen all around. I went for brunch, and it was the best one I can remember. The bread was fresh baked, and by that I don't mean that it had been baked that morning. I mean that they told me that I had to wait a little because the delicious crusty bread was still cooling and was still hot when they brought it out to me. The coffee was a delicious dark roast that somehow wasn't too bitter. And that's not even counting what I ordered. I heartily recommend the prix fix menu for brunch, as it lets you have three courses for $25. Considering that' above the cost of a few two course combos it's not too much of a stretch to go for three. I can't find what I had for my first course on their online menu, but it was a piece of toast topped with creamy cheese, figs, more cheese, greens and balsamic vinegar. It wasn't a perfect dish, but the flavor all stacked pretty well together and I was happy. And then the duck arrived and knocked me out of the park. Seriously, this one is an absolute knockout. I could not think of a single thing that anyone, ANYONE could have done to improve this dish. The duck meat was perfectly cooked: tender and juicy and covered in a decadently crisp skin, giving it an additional textural layer along with the intense savory flavor. My mouth is watering just writing about it. The potatoes were...well, not just cubed, but rounded at the edges and soaked up all the juices while still maintaining their own flavor. The hert covert was at just the right texture, and their flavor was subtle but enjoyable...and this is from someone who doesn't *like* green beans. To finish off, I had the tarte tatin. The bottom layer was crisp, even under the layer of apples and ice cream, even when they started to ooze as I broke it open. It sucked up the fruit juice and cream, letting me savor every bit of it. If I had to make one nitpicky thing, it's that food took a while coming out. Now, I don't mind waiting as long as I did for such high quality fare but the floor was pretty quiet when I walked in, with only two other tables. It could be that they were still ramping up for the main onslaught, but it still took me awhile to complete the experience. If you are in a rush...don't be. Cancel or postpone what you had planned, so you can sit back and enjoy this.
(5)
J K.
I almost thought I was in France at Bistrot La Minette! This is a truly authentic French bistro located just a few steps off of South Street. Enjoyed the prix fixe beaujolais nouveau dinner, which was a bargain at $45 per person including a bottle of wine for two! The meal and wine were both delicious! Will be back to sample more of the menu. Highly recommend!
(4)
Frank F.
Solid, solid, solid. Very good French bistro food. The classics. Good service, good food, great ambiance. The bread was really excellent.
(4)
Tyler R.
Bistrot La Minette is a charming place with wonderful food, drink and staff. I would give the place 5 stars, but 1) we didn't eat a main course (though the food smelled amazing), 2) they didn't give our table bread (there were people who ordered less than we did and got bread even though our server promised it was coming out of the oven), and 3) I was overcharged on a glass of wine ($11 instead of $9). My girlfriend and I came here to watch a French movie, eat some light bites (sardine appetizer), and enjoy wine with dessert (pinot noir and malbec with opera cake and tart tatin). First, the sardine fillets were lovely, though a little small. They are paired with roasted red peppers. It was tasty and well worth ordering. The opera cake was also delicious and paired nicely with the pinot noir. The tart tatin (baked apple tart) was good, but it wasn't constructed well. I don't know if it sat too long, but my ice cream melted onto the plate by the time I could take my first bite. It was mostly a hard-to-eat apple tart with a puddle of vanilla ice cream. Could have been executed better, or I just might not know tart tatin-- both are very valid. I will be going back to Bistrot La Minette, and I will update this review. Until then, I would definitely suggest going for a date, for good food, or for the experience.
(4)
Scott H.
Such a charming spot--feels very authentic and transports you to Paris. Excellent food and wine selections, great atmosphere and service, and an incredible selection of Calvados for an after dinner drink.
(5)
ADL A.
First, my husband and I are as picky as they come. We enjoy when food needs no seasoning to melt in your mouth. That being said, I had originally planned our trip here on movie night ( Mondays and Thursdays at 8pm) however since Southwark was closed, and we couldn't find Salt and Pepper, we decided to make it a special night. Not only do they have a magnificent selection of drinks, but the servers were knowledgeable and attentive and before even asking have told you their favorites. We started with the tomato salad, which was just as sweet and light as fine summers day. After a class of 5$ French bier - tasty but I would have liked to try one of the champagne drinks if I had a time machine - I ordered the Alaskan halibut with haricot verts and fingerling potatoes which, along with being presented naturally, tasted as mouth watering as it looked. We were presented with, at different points in our meal, little palette stimulator's - cheese puffed pastry on one occasion and homemade chocolate pieces on another - both were just right. The dessert is to die for. Whether you. Choose the cake or the ice cream - don't skip this one because you are too full. The atmosphere reminded me of a similar Bistrot Saint Michael's S
(5)
Stella H.
I went for their 3 year anniversary and recently went back and both times were fantastic. The food is rich and delicious, their wine/beer selection is a nice complement and the servers are very attentative and courteous. Must get the mussels with poached egg appetitizer, it is amazing!!!
(4)
Theresa W.
Charming, YUM, and so so reasonably priced. The place almost borders on cliche, but the inside really does look and feel like a little family run bistro in the French countryside. I came for lunch with two others on a Saturday and the restaurant had a few tables filled but wasn't that busy. Our server, who was the server for all the tables was welcoming, polite, and knew his way around the wine list and the menu. I had the apple-y cinnamon-y cocktail which was just ok, but they also had cider! The menu offers both prix fixe (2 and 3 courses) and a la carte options. It's easy to have a nice meal for under $20 not counting drinks, and there's no need to stick with the prix fixe for budget purposes. We all tasted each other's dishes and the standouts were the rich escargot, my delicious duck confit with crispy crackling skin, and the chocolate mousse. It wasn't the best duck confit I've ever had but it was well done. The chocolate mousse was extremely decadent--I definitely had no hope of finishing it. We also sampled their seasonal sorbets, which were refreshing and really captured the flavors of the fruits used. Blackcurrant was my favorite.
(4)
AB H.
We had a lovely light French dinner at BLM! We liked sitting outside on a summer evening. The night started with an amuse bouche of cheese puffs, which were lovely, albeit a bit salty. My kir royal was delicious, not too sweet! We had the mushrooms and puff pastry, which was very rich and yummy. We sopped up the extra sauce with the fresh French bread the kitchen makes daily. Next up was the tomato tart, which was tangy and creamy, and fresh green salad. We tried the three sorbets, of which two were just OK (peach and currant) and an amazing scoop of strawberry. To top it all off, the waiter brought us complimentary small glasses of the French version of port. What a great way to end a classic meal. I look forward to coming back and trying more dishes.
The host cancelled my reservation when I told him I made it on opentable. He said that the restaurant gets charged $7 per reservation. Apparently my $120 tab for dessert and drinks wasn't enough to cover their loss. My sole reason for choosing this place was the fact that I could make a reservation with opentable last minute. Guess who's not coming back? Oh not to mention, that I ordered a glass of absinthe and louched it to my particular taste. Apparently, the waitstaff did not approve of the way I like to pour ice water over the intact sugar cube and decided to interrupt me and crush the cube on my spoon. No offense, but if you're not drinking it and not paying for it, back off. The service at this place is Appalling. Had I not been with my girlfriend and her mother, I would have went across the street for better service.
(1)
benjamin J.
Im too drunk and full to write a whole book about it. But, The poached egg appetizer on toasted bread and creamy muscles on top, I cannot stop thinking about it. So good. The escargot was also amazing, little shot filled with garlic and butter. I was cleaning em out with bits of bread. Drinks, tartare, rabbit, duck, quail, were all great. This place is dope and is not overly priced.
(5)
Suzanne H.
A slice of France right here in Philly! Enjoyed the French Classic comfort dishes ; cassoulet , Beef Bourguignon and escargot. The place is cozy and un pretentious. Service was professional and helpful. I felt the food was prepared nicely however a little heavy handed on the salt.
(4)
Ann V.
Went here last night for their anniversary celebration. The food here is quite wonderful! The staff was also very attentive and friendly. Definitely a nice addition to the city. I hope they have many more anniv to come!
(4)
Lady B.
Romantic, special place. The food is fantastic and the service is the best I have ever experienced. The outdoor patio area is gorgeous, especially at night. I highly recommend it for a nice date night out.
(5)
Rick A.
Great little spot off of south street. The atmosphere, food and service were all great. I took my lady friend here for a special occasion because she loves French Bistros. I am a little but of a picky eater and I did not have any trouble finding a great meal. Overall it was Very Good but a little pricey for a casual dinner. I would visit this place for a special occasions but not all the time.
(4)
J P.
A damn near perfect meal. Quality was there, service was cordial, our reservation time was perfect for a great late evening dinner. We started with a pitcher of the house wine and the scallops which were delectable. I ordered the lobster, and my wife had the rabbit. Both were amazing. We ended with the Tarte au Citron (Lemon Tart, Cassis Sorbet) and Mille Feuille aux Framboises (Carmelized Puff Pastry, Vanilla Pastry Cream, Raspberries) and some coffee. We all felt fat and happy. This place is very cute and very hip without being hipsterish. This is a great date spot and with its great service and food it will leave you in the mood for a great night.
(4)
Dave B.
Wow. Wow. WOW! Only thing better than a fantastic meal is one in which you get paid to do so (went on Small Business Saturday). From the decor to the meal to the service, this is a terrific restaurant worthy of your business. The restaurant is small but has ample seating, which is a little crowded on the right side of the room. Adjacent conversations can be easily ignored unless your neighbors have no manners. Our waiter was attentive to our needs. The dinner was staggered perfectly, beginning with french bread and very rich butter. Like the rest of the meal, the bread was fabulous. My meal consisted of the foie gras terrine and NY strip steak with a cappuccino and black coffee. My date's meal was an endives salad and trout with a half-pitcher of their house white wine. We split the apple tart with caramel ice cream. I tried everything we had except for the wine, so I feel comfortable commenting on everything. The foie gras is a terrine on a small brioche with a fig compote and salad. The salad was so-so. But the flavors of the terrine, fig and brioche compliment each other PERFECTLY. The terrine is fairly large in size. So large I almost wish it were smaller. Almost. The endives salad is topped with walnuts, pears, blue cheese and a vinaigrette dressing. Very nice. Especially the blue cheese. The NY strip is a hearty 8oz portion with a thick peppered crust. It comes with potatoes done au gratin and haricot verts wrapped in bacon. All wonderful components and very filling. The trout was a bit under seasoned, but overall it was a good dish. The apple tart left me happy that we decided to get dessert. The meal was finished with two chocolate truffles. A very nice touch. My cappuccino ranks among the best I've had at a restaurant. However the coffee tasted very watered down. I'm not going to knock down a 5-star meal for that though. The meal ran us a very reasonable $115 before tip. This is definitely a place I will grab dinner at again next time I'm in Philly.
(5)
Kara T.
Had a wonderful meal here. French atmosphere and attentive, fast service (which maybe isn't so French but was nice). Had wonderful scallop appetizer and the mushroom puff pastry (scallops won as being the better of the 2 but both were excellent). The fish we ordered for the main course was good but not excellent. However, the rabbit was divine, in a lightly creamed dijon sauce. (Despite how barbaric I sometimes feel consuming "Thumper" I do have a fondness for rabbit, which is rarely on menus). The mille-feuille dessert with raspberries was amazingly good. I left feeling like all my taste sensations had been satisfied with a very pleasant food buzz. Only downside was that tables were waaay to close together. I'm relatively fit and I could barely squeeze my butt into the banquet without sliding it across the neighboring table, which surely can't be up to health code standards, not to mention is rather unpleasant for all involved. Although they didn't overtly rush us, there was a sense that diners are moved in and out on a schedule to allow for the next reservations. We were not offered a coffee refill, which was the only service disappointment. Staff were attentive, knowledgeable about the food, and welcoming from the GM out front helping us with on-street parking to all the waitstaff. We'll be back!
(4)
Clara L.
I could easily say this was one of the best meals in Philadelphia. Move over Garces and Vetri. Here is Woolsey. Chef Woolsey has the mark of a great chef: the ability to bring out the best flavor of each ingredient of his dishes, while combining them to create depths of flavor that are greater than the sum of their parts. It is clear that he loves and respects his food, and wants to share that with his customers. Took advantage of the October tasting menu inspired by Burgundy. Absolutely wonderful dining experience. We had 4 courses for $35 without wine, and $50 with wine.. which is a steal! Of course I got the wine pairing. The food was rustic, fresh, seasonal, and effortless. The wine pairings accentuated the food perfectly, and added even more dimension to the food. I love wine, but I admit I am not an expert, and I'm not going to even pretend to remember what I wine I drank. The service was attentive and extremely thoughtful. I had to leave to refill the meter in between courses because my party had started the meal later than intended. Thanks to the servers, and my gracious party, who actually took back the 3rd course and replated it when I arrived. Bread clearly was baked on site and is crusty and yeasty goodness. The amuse bouche was a cheese puff. Delish. (I forget what they called it. Clearly, my knowledge of French cuisine is severely lacking.) The first course was a ham terrine served with a salad with a spicy mustard dressing. Surprisingly, I was more impressed with the salad than the terrine. The 2nd course was braised eel served with pearl onion, mushroom and a burgundy reduction. I'm used to eating eel served Japanese style, so this was an interesting experience. Because the sauce is not as sweet as the Japanese eel sauce, it brought out more of the fishiness. The onion, mushroom, and sauce were awesome on their own, but complemented and balanced the eel very well. The next was a sausage stew with potatoes, onion, and carrots. Again each element was cooked separately so the potato still tasted like a potato. It was served with a very fine homemade mustard sauce on the side. Tastes like something a grandma from Burgundy might serve. (Luckily, I like mustard, but the one drawback to the meal was that it had 2 courses with it for those who don't.) The dessert was an apple tart with cranberry sorbet. yum! But, when you go here you MUST MUST order the Raspberry Napoleon which was the SINGLE MOST SCRUMPTIOUS dessert I have eaten in this city. It tastes like heaven! We were served complimentary truffles, which were very good. The coffee is fantastic, and I am totally a coffee snob. Definitely cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Kristen S.
I'm reviewing this place again. I wish I could afford to eat here all the time. I also wish I could give it six stars. We went for dinner and a movie last night. Chef came out to talk to everyone in the courtyard about the movie, we had our usual amazing service and perfectly executed food, great wine, fantastic ambiance, and all around perfect evening.
(5)
Aaliyah P.
The "garden" at BLM is the perfect setting for a quiet nite out. We arrived @ 9:30 for movie nite. The main dining room was still busy with dinner patrons we were led past the open kitchen to the "garden". The ambiance was tre bien; mini lights hung from the ceiling, a few wall and window plants and the exposed brick wall added Philly charm to an old world cafe feel. We were seated along the brick wall every table filled. Out came the warm bread and salted butter- yum! We decided to get a few apps to split- the highly reviewed mussels in cream sauce, grilled sardines and bibb salad. The bibb salad came lightly dressed in a Dijon dressing. The sardines were grilled and came along side some sweet roasted red peppers. The sardines are fileted so bone free. They were exquisite ; char grilled to perfection and still moist. Finally the mussels, creamy tarragon sauce poured over mussels and topped with a poached egg. This dish is a must! I could have licked the plate clean. We washed down our food with a pitcher of white( Chardonnay , I'm usually not a fan but this was unoaked and very drinkable) dessert was just ok I tried something new the strawberry cake with carmel ice cream. It wasn't how I imagined cake to be it was served in a pie like dish and had the consistency of a pancake. Very few strawberries, the Carmel ice cream saved this dish. Finished with an espresso. Our server is always the same person and he always does a great job. I can never remember his name but he ususally works in the garden. I've been to BLM a few times (wine dinner a few months back and movie nights with my girls last summer) all of my experiences have been great. My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the movie posted online was not the movie they played. I and a few others had a sad face on when this was announced. We also never received our amuse bouche, every time I've ever been the chef sends out something small and a few other tables received what looked like a grouges( small French cheese puff ) the dessert wasn't bad but it wasn't the best thing either. A few things- $20.00 pitchers of wine (red or white) movies in the garden are mon, thurs @ 8:30 & fri @ 9:30 make reservations if you want to sit in the garden there aren't very many tables and on nice nites they will be full. Get the mussels (unless ur allergic or vegetarian) Of course I'll be back I'm a francophile in training !
(4)
Kathryn S.
Excellent! We have been here several times and it always exceeds our expectations. The food and service are impeccable.
(5)
Cliffe C.
Everything was delicious, but the Oeuf du Pecheur (poached egg with mussels and tarragon cream sauce) is not to be missed. Good service too.
(4)
Meghann p.
This place is so adorable...from the second you walk in the door..everyone is so nice and friendly! The coffee is really good Mussels amazing Pate Gratin (Mac and cheese but way better) is delicious and so cheesy Quiche is so tasty Chicken so delicous Salad Nicoise -so fresh I will definitely be back for dinner Service was fantastic and the waitress made wonderful recommendations
(4)
Shannon C.
Great service and great food. The duck fat poached salmon was the best salmon I've ever had, as was the escargot. Large wine selection. Simple & elegant food.
(5)
Josh Q.
A wonderful place with amazing food, atmosphere and service. To start, the bread is one of the best I've had, soft and fluffy sourdough that's lightly crisped on the outside. Both the escargots and mussels and poached egg on toast were delicious appetizers, and happened to be excellent (albeit oily) dips for the bread as well. The main courses I tried were slightly disappointing compared to the rest of the meal - the trout was over salted, while the rabbit was fine but included no vegetables - but they were nevertheless worthy options. Finally, the raspberry puffed pastry dessert was one of top 5 desserts I've had, while the chocolate mousse was no pushover either. The other aspects of the dining experience were excellent as well. I expected a rather stuffy atmosphere when I entered, but it actually turned out quite nice and the service was very attentive and friendly. I happen to drink water very quickly and this is one of the few restaurants where my water never reached empty. Overall, a classic French cuisine that I have no regrets trying and will gladly experience again.
(4)
Adonia G.
The best French Restaurant in Philadelphia! Very reasonable prices and have incredible food!
(5)
Valerie Y.
Romantic, unpretentious, relaxed, classic French meal. Great menu featuring escargot, foie gras, rabbit, etc...Fantastique!
(5)
Bonnie J.
Best French restaurant I've been to in the city. I went here last night with my family and not a single part of the meal was less than fantastic. The meal started off on the right note with a complimentary cheese puff and bread basket. The baguette served before the meal was the best I've had outside of France. We even considered asking for one to go! I ordered the flammekeuche which was great, although perhaps a bit too many lardons--if such a thing is even possible. For my "plat principal" I had the boeuf bourguignon. The beef was perfectly cooked and the pommes dauphine were heaven-sent little puffs. The other people I dined with had the potage parmentier which elicited many praises. The poulet a la catalan was amazing. I normally don't order chicken when I dine out because I find it frequently the blandest option. However, when I tasted this chicken it was moist and abounding in flavor. One person got the prix-fixe menu which was a great value at $29, although the portions were expectedly tiny. Great for someone with a smaller appetite, not the best for my father. We split the haricots verts as an accompaniment which was a nice size to share and was cooked and seasoned to perfection. As far as service, our waiter was very attentive and no one's water glass was ever close to being empty. A slight complaint with the layout of the restaurant was the draft that shot right down the dining room every time someone entered the restaurant. The had a curtain to mitigate this but it still was a bit chilly. Bistrot La Minette is definitely on the expensive side, but when celebrating something special, it definitely didn't break the bank. The meal for 3 people including drinks was a reasonable $160.
(4)
Cassie D.
Everything was amazing! As an out of town diner, they were just accommodating as they can be. I had a reservation for a party of 2 and had a additional add on show up and they changed it up for me no problem. We got in and got a table closest to the "kitchen" (which was open and you could watch the chefs work their magic). I had the foie gras mushroom artichoke soup as my app which had truffle oil in it and it just melted in my mouth. The taste was amazing. The only downside is I wish instead of the 1.5 oz of foie was in smaller pieces than one large piece due to it being difficult to cut in a soup bowl. I also had the absinthe lemonade and it was delicious!!! The water was also refilled on a DIME. No delays from Brit/Britton (our server) My dining friend had the salmon tartar which reminded me of a sushi grade salmon tossed in mustard vinaigrette with lentils. It was delicious!!! The entree i got was the duck breast, with asparagus, and potatoes. The duck was cooked perfectly, and OH MAN THOSE POTATOES. They were the BEST potatoes I ever had in my life. They were fingerling and cooked in duck fat. They just exploded in my mouth with flavor! The only downside is that there were no asparagus which I was really hoping to have. Instead it was a bean mix which I don't really care for beans. That was the only reason I gave it a 4. Dessert was the mille feuille and it was perfect. The layers crumbled and tasted delicious. The berries were fresh and creme was amazing. They give you truffles at the end and the server (Britton/Brit) who was amazingggggg and was laid back with us told the chef that we were from out of town they drew "welcome!" on our truffle plate!!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited I almost fell out of my chair. I was super super happy with this dinner and will definitely come back to try the pre fixe menu they have on Sundays if I am ever in Philly again!
(4)
Barbara M.
This restaurant is one of my favorite so far!! The service was great, and they gave us home-made pastry and chocolate for free! the waiters were awesome as well. Food is so delicious!!!!! loved the environment =)
(5)
Lindsay D.
Everything at this restaurant was perfection. From the atmosphere, to the servers, to the food, my man and I were 100% happy with our experience here. Things not to miss about Bistrot La Minette? The absinthe selection, the mille feuille, and the escargot. Oh right, and the secret, off the menu rum. Hot damn was that shit good.
(5)
Justin D.
I, my wife, my sister and brother-in-law had dinner here and had a fantastic evening. All of the food was spectacular. The beef bourguignon was so tender it was like butter, the porkchop was moist and flavorful, and the cassoulet was excellent as well. The standout amongst our appetizers was the poached egg with mussels - the tarragon went far better with the mussel flavor than I would have thought. The house wine was good and very affordable. The service was helpful and informative without being intrusive. We look forward to returning again.
(5)
Alison S.
Just wow. So we went the other night for dinner, as they were ranked in the top 50 in Philly of 2012. Date had rabbit for the main course, said it was fantastic. I had the Duck Confit, which was melt in your mouth amazing. I have a few food allergies, and one of them is dairy. Well, French food = butterific, so the waiter wasn't certain which appetizer would be best so he went to ask the chef. Upon returning, he informed us that the chef advised that it would be best if he could MAKE UP A DISH FOR ME. Ummm ok if you insist, LOL! It was a scallops dish and it was to die for. Seriously, what a great experience, all around. Customer service, food, drinks, knowledge of the food by the waiter.. all of it was fantastic. 5 stars!!!
(5)
Mr P.
Was always intrigued by this place every time I walk by. Stop in for a quick dinner last night. Since it was the long holiday weekend, the place was half empty. Got a table right away without fuss. The waiter was friendly but not intrusive. Love how they make the place look like a french bistro, soft lighting and lots of red. Now the food, As a rule, for any new places, we always order appetizers, this way you can try more things and it give you an idea how good the food is. fois grais was very good, the green salad was perfectly dressed, mussels in cream sauce with an egg was not what I expected but very good, sardines was a little strange in the sense that it was filleted and sheered not too crazy about it, the bread is probably one of the best baguette I found in Philly, just like in France crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will be back
(4)
Matt S.
Most enjoyable restaurant experience I've ever had! Let me be fair in stating that this review is for a visit I had almost a year ago to the day. I never got around to writing the review but I think about this place from time to time and decided to review it. My wife and I were in Philly (from San Diego) on our 5 year anniversary/honeymoon trip last May, upset that our travel agent had put us in a.....roach motel we decided to have a nice fancy dinner. Bistrot La Minette (at the time) was the only 5 star restaurant we found and went on our way. I'll admit, driving through that neighborhood at night was a little scary, it looked like Main Street of a crackhead ghost town, we weren't expecting the place to be nearly as good as the reviews had let on...boy were we mistaken. Upon entering we couldn't believe how wonderful the atmosphere was, low lights, candlelight, very few people, we felt really under dressed, but were treated like royalty! I wish I could remember our waiter's name, he was a younger African American guy, he should teach classes on how to wait tables. He promptly pulled out our chairs, placed the napkins in our laps, handed us our menus and proceeded not only to tell us what the specials of the day were, but told us his favorite menu item, the most popular item, and the chef's specialty. This alone blew me away, this is how waiters are supposed to act, none do. After telling us the specials he walked off and returned with a glass bottle of ice cold water and two complimentary creme puffs to eat while we decided on our dishes. Once our wine order was placed he promptly returned, poured a small bit for myself and waited for my approval before continuing to pour my wife's glass, beyond professional, he gave us space without avoiding us, catered to our every need without being pesky, couldn't have asked for better service. I ordered the rabbit with dijon glaze, my wife got some kind of local fish (can't remember the name) I'm not even going to go into how delightful, flavorful, and enjoyable the food was, if my tongue had an ass it would have been thuroughly kicked by this food, it was purely spectacular! After we ate we were in such awe of what we'd just consumed, I did something I never do (since I'm extremely critical and hate everything) we told our waiter "please, send our compliments to the chef" he did, and the chef (Steve or Steven) came out and talked to us. As a cook (not chef) myself I loved this! I loved I was so stoked that he came out to talk to us, during the corse of the conversation we'd mentioned that we were from San Diego, naturally he asked why we were in town. After we talked a few minutes later our waiter came back out with a large plate with candles on it, on the plate, our chef had put 4 in house made chocolates, decorated the plate with chocolate drizzle and wrote "Happy 5th Anniversary" in chocolate! He didn't have to do that, but that won our hearts forever. Needless to say we left a stupidly large tip. If I remembered more clearly I would go into detail about how wonderful the food was, but to me, this top notch food was only second the the extraordinary service we received, it's really too bad we live 3,000 miles away.
(5)
DOPETASTIC Q.
Bastille Day Let me assert first that this was one of my favorite restaurants in Philly, having been there on numerous occasions previously with both large and small groups. Bastille day was a Total let down, and I don't employ these words lightly. Both the normally impeccable food and service was missing. While the soup course and appetizer buffet were good, they did not make up for the ill-presented, chewy and dry lamb that we were served. Wine pairings did not arrive with food, and instead of a relaxing, chill atmosphere the air was tense and chaotic, a difficult environment. No one bothered to explain to us what was on our plates, the wines we were drinking. Perhaps my previous experiences here have spoiled me, and my expectations were too high. But this has been the only time I was not greeted like an old friend and served as an esteemed guest. As you can imagine, the experience was jarring and disappointing. I'm contemplating on going back again during a non-special event maybe just to make sure that this was a 1 time issue. But it sure felt like the restaurant traded a bit of soul for a bit of profit. Poor form chaps, poor form.
(1)
Robert T.
The Bistrot never disappoints. Have been eating there for years, and missteps in the kitchen are extremely rare, if ever. No detail is too small to escape notice, and the staff are as lovely as anywhere in town. A go-to place in any season, for any occassion. This is one of those place where everything's good. Some personal faves are the Flammenkuche, snails, soups, and sardines. The baguettes are killer too. And the $20 pitchers of wine are a great deal, although the house cocktails are also tough to resist.
(5)
Mike H.
Great French bistro feel. Food was impeccable (App: Escargots à la Bourguignonn, Entree:Mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle, rabbit jus and Faux Filet au Vin Rouge, Dessert: Tarte Tatin Upside-down apple tart, caramel ice cream), Service reminded me of France, i.e. stand-offish, and a little lax, not bad, but not attentive. Slow to the table to start, slow to get us a wine list, had to poor our own water and wine (not a big deal, but not what was expected, did not detract from out enjoyment of the meal or the evening).
(4)
Alex V.
We stopped in here for dinner last night and had an excellent meal. The fois grais special was exceptional, and my salmon tartare was very good as well. For our second courses we had the monkfish and the roasted chicken. Both were extremely high quality meals. The service was professional and friendly too. The atmosphere was nice too. Its a beautiful space, but yet you feel comfortable wearing casual clothing. Overall, I can highly recommend Bistrot La Minette.
(5)
Sarah W.
This is literally my favorite restaurant in the city! The service is always impeccable, and I've never had a bad dish here! Even though everything on the menu is good, I secretly come here for the bread. It's warm and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I could eat an entire baguette easily! The food is so high quality, but the atmosphere is casual and homey, which makes it an easy go-to restaurant for special occasions and Wednesday night dinners alike. Love love love!
(5)
Vicki H.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, and I must say it was great. I had the escargots and the coq au vin. He had the scallops and the porgy. All of the food was excellent, the escargots may be the best I've had, and I lived in Paris. They were delicious. One star is being held for service...our server was a bit inattentive, and there was a mix-up where our appetizers were forgotten. they brought them out after our entrees, and put desserts (one for him and one for me, plus one our server insisted we try) and 2 glasses of dessert wine on gratis to make up for it. The chef also came out and apologized. He seemed very hands-on, which is great. Despite the mix-up, which they handled as well as could be expected, this was really a delicious meal, with beautiful ambiance. We'll be back!
(4)
Chris B.
Seems to be picking up on the Bistro wave, but La Minette is a great arrival...across from Beau Monde, that corner of 6th & Bainbridge is starting to look a wee bit Parisian. This place is so new you can still smell the paint drying in the tastefully decorated bathroom. A splash of red cushioned booths and bright yellow walls, the long narrow dining room was packed with couples and families enjoying a Friday night. Menu was a good spread of french bistro classics with a few stunners thrown in to boot. They sell carafes of wine, which a couple seated next to us was liberally helping themselves to; the guy was leaning over his date's plate a scooping up mouthfuls of potatoes off her chicken...it must've been that good. as you can tell from such detail, seating is tight. My wife ordered the Summer Tomato Tart; a small selection of tasty ripened beauties served on a flaky, buttery disc of pie-dough, it was a great dish. Accompanying it was a bit of greens laced with a tarragon vinaigrette. I had the Flammenkuche...which I found out later is THE dish of Alsace. Think of it as France's answer to pizza margarita; the caramelized onions and crispy pork lardons were served atop a flatbread laden with creme fraiche. I read another review of the place who complained about the mushiness of the dish, but it seems they corrected and served it up crispy. While good, I'd probably cut it up before serving...it was hard to eat with a knife & fork, so I eventually opted to go pizza fingers on it. Several other entrees looked good; I had my eye on the Lamb Shanks that were pouring out of the kitchen. We were stuffed though and went with dessert only, a Pot de Creme served with lightly sweetened whipped cream. The Pot de Creme had a mocha-like firm custard, not the chocolate bomb we were expecting, but very smooth...kind of like the after meal coffee in a cup.
(4)
Felicia K.
I was so pleased with this place. Lovely atmosphere, great service, delicious food. Not even that pricey if you don't pile on the alcohol, but we did because they had an excellent selection. I tried French (alcoholic) cider for the first time... dry, wonderful, a far cry from some of the stuff they sell here called "cider." They have three types of absinthe, some interesting specialty cocktails, and of course a huge wine list. As for the food... we started out with the mushroom soup and the fried cheese over green beans and cauliflower with a lemon vinaigrette. Both were excellent... the mushroom soup is what I imagine when I imagine the ideal mushroom soup. The fried cheese with the cool, crisp veggies and bite of the vinaigrette was lovely. For the entree, boyfriend had the rabbit over tagliatelle and I had the ravioli. Both were wonderful. Dessert was thin wafers of flaky pastry layered with thick cream and raspberries. Light and delicious. We left incredibly satisfied and happy. It's nice to be impressed.
(5)
Paul M.
Consistently great food and friendly service. The place to dine in Society Hill and South Street area.
(5)
Elise K.
We were so disappointed in our experience here after meaning to dine here for such a long time and finally venturing down there. We attended the Beaujolais Nouveau wine dinner - a prix fixe with wine pairing. It was the service that really ruined the evening for us. Our server was never around for us or for his other two tables, and when we flagged him down, we had to ask him for the wine pairings that came with the courses that other servers or runners had brought us. By the end of the meal, after he had dropped our check, he completely disappeared. We sat, chatted and finished our wine for about 15 minutes, and he never returned. I don't know what Peter Woolsey looks like, but an authoritative-looking guy from the kitchen in a chef's jacket was bantering with the bartender, so there was no hope of getting anyone's attention over there, and we eventually were able to flag down another server to pay our bill. We literally never saw our own server for the last 20 minutes that we were at dinner, and he couldn't have gone home without closing out his final table, so who knows what he was doing. Courses consisted of a French onion soup, pike with crayfish and mushrooms, veal and cream stew and a caramel walnut tart. The elegant veal and cream stew saved this from being a one-star review; neither I nor my dining partner are dessert people, but we both loved the tart with homemade-tasting vanilla bean ice cream, but it was a lot of money to spend ($75/person) for such terrible service. We may or may not be back - it could have been an off night, but we were really left wondering what all the hype was about. We wished we had gone for a nice dinner elsewhere - there are so many other great choices in Philadelphia that most places can't afford to exasperate their clientele, but maybe Bistrot La Minette is just so popular that it can.
(2)
Pamela S.
Best meal I've had in Philadelphia. My boyfriend and I dined at Bistro La Minette one Sunday. It wasn't very busy. We sat in the "garden" in the back of the restaurant, alone, but loved it. Our server, Kane, was just fantastic. So professional, courteous, and helpful. At times he felt like a ninja, filling our water and dropping the check without the slightest intrusion. As for the food, oh my god, the food! To start we ordered the heirloom tomato salad and the "euf de pecheur" (poached egg, mussels, and a creamy sauce), a must-order. Then, we had a lemon crusted Halibut with a side of macaroni and cheese and pan-seared foie gras over an apple tatine (?) paired with Les Pins' Monbazillac. Dessert consisted of a mille feuille aux framboises and L'opera. Everything was wonderfully timed, wonderful tasting, and really, for lack of a better word, ridiculous. Would definitely go back. Again, and again and again ...and again.
(5)
Nicole V.
We just returned from a marvelous meal. It was my husband's birthday and they were wonderfully accommodating. The service was excellent and his special birthday meal (the envy of neighboring tables) was absolutely perfect. Thank you, Bistrot La Minette, for one of the top five Philly dining experiences we've had in nearly 20 years of eating well in this city.
Took my husband here for his birthday. If you are just a couple try to snag the solo table right to the left when you walk in by the windows it is so intimate. The service was fantastic. We has scallops and the pecheur, which was mussels on toast with poached egg and the sauce for this was incredible. We had the rabbit and duck for entrees. GET THE RABBIT!!!!! Mustard braised and delectable. Then for dessert the chocolate pot de creme! Cannot do it justice, definitely go for exquisite French cuisine!
(5)
Karin R.
I echo all of the praise in the four and 5 start ratings. I would simply like to add a note about how dog-friendly they are. It is so nice to be able to sit outside with your dog away from the sidewalk.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Absolutely a dream. Came here for a low-key bachelorette party dinner. Waiter was charming and helpful, food was amazing, and the outdoor seating was perfect. It started to rain and they had a table inside waiting for us. I still crave that foie, despite having it many times before. I would also highly recommend the duck.
(5)
Lan G.
My boyfriend and I went there for one of their movie nights on Friday. How can you not feel relaxed watching a good french movie, drinking wine and eating some good dessert? I was able to make a reservation for their outdoor garden area where they play the movie. It is a very cute place with lights hanging between the walls. We have had dinner beforehand, so we decided to go with wine, appetizer and dessert. We had Pinot Noir and shared the sardine appetizer. I enjoyed the appetizer. The flavor is very clean and simple, but you can taste the sardine very well. The Pinot Noir is on a lighter side. For dessert, I got the opera cake. It was heavenly! We couldn't resist but noticed how wonderful the food smelled from the table next to us. We will have to come back here again for their entrees.
(5)
Ray L.
Love this place! The service is really great here. Friendly servers and very attentive. I've been here twice, both for the movie nights (which I highly recommend). Both times I've had truly great food accompanied by truly great service. The best part is, I think this place is reasonably priced. It's not exactly cheap in that you can go here all the time, but given the quality of the food, I'd have to say I can't complain. I had the roasted half Giannone chicken when I last went (about 2 weeks ago). Delicious!
(5)
Teri M.
Just to clarify, it's been a year since I ate here for my anniversary dinner, but my memory of the place still stings. I remember the foie gras was pretty damn good. The experience of having chartreuse with my meal was amazing as well. The escargot was my first experience and I told the waiter it tasted like...well....dirt. He could not argue, of course, because even if you say it tastes "earthy" and of "minerals" it basically means the same thing. Unfortunately, I was unpleasantly surprised when my entree came because my fish was REALLY salty. When I told the waiter he took my plate and came back to tell me the chef tasted it and he didn't think it was salty at all. The waiter then told me the chef wanted me to pay the check and leave. I was mortified and totally freaked out. The waiter laughed and said it was just a joke. This was SO not funny. It was actually my first experience with "fancy French cuisine" and here, on my special trying-French-for-the-first-time anniversary dinner, I was so freaked out I went to the bathroom and sobbed for 5 minutes under the influence of a horrible sense of humor and chartreuse before I could calm myself down and finish my dining experience. Needless to say, I will not ever be back. What a shame, most of the food was pretty wonderful.
(3)
Jac C.
A wonderful little French place that was surprisingly crowded and a bit on the loud side. The food was fantastic! Escargot was spot on, the fish course I had was somewhat over salted, which made the following course seem under salted, but besides that, dinner and desert was excellent!
(4)
Sara M.
Most often, when restaurants receive the grandeur of rave reviews such as Bistrot La Minette, I am set up for disappointment. Thankfully, this was not the case for my dinner last night. The ambiance of the restaurant is very authentically French-bistro, without trying too hard as some restaurants do. The restaurant is set on 6th street just off of South. The sophisticated crowd is casually elegant. For a Saturday night at 7:30, I was surprised at how few people were there. Summer in the city means most city-folk head to the beach, but I was still unprepared to see all of the empty tables after reading so many good things. It did begin to pick up after 9:00. They have a lovely outdoor dining area in the front where we chose to sit and enjoy the beautiful evening last night. The area can be tricky for the wait staff to navigate and the tables are a bit too small to accommodate the large plates that the restaurants use, bit I still recommend it if you are there earlier in the night. If you are dining past 9, I would skip it. The location is unfortunately right in the outcast of the assiduous South Street nightlife, and the colorful, noisy passersby don't quite fit with the scene at Bistrot La Minette. My husband and I started our meal with two of their Kir Royales, along with the Bouchees a la Reine puff pastry appetizer and the Heirloom Tomato salad. The mushroom puff pastry appetizer is not to be missed (!!) while the heirloom tomato was only so-so. For our entrees, I chose the very unadventurous yet quite delicious Charlotte au Morbier (cheese bread pudding) while my husband couldn't pass on the Steak au Poivre. My entree was quite good, though it was fairly small and I felt it could have used more than a couple of small beets on the side. Perhaps I could have ordered one of their gratins or haricot verts as a side dish, but in all honesty, the cheesy pastry was rich enough to sustain me. My husbands steak was crusted in crushed peppercorns and pan-seared to perfection. We had angel food cake waiting for us at home, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to try one of their desserts after dinner had been so good. The hubby and I shared the Mille Feuille with raspberries which was so incredible, I had to fight the urge not to take the whole plate and lick it clean. Our server was amiable, but at times scarce. This could be because the outdoor seating area is somewhat undesignated and we may have been an addition to his full load, but we waited for 15 minutes before we could even put a drink order in. Our final bill for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 3 drinks, and dessert- without tax and tip- came to just under $130. Though the portions were a bit small, it was the perfect amount of food and well worth every cent. I cannot wait to go back and try many of the other items on the menu that sounded so tempting (but will definitely have the mushroom puff pastry appetizer again!).
(5)
Keith D.
Every course was perfectly crafted. I can't use enough positive adjectives. In one word, phenomenal. Get the mussels. You won't regret it. I promise.
(5)
Darlene S.
My boyfriend had made online reservations for my birthday back in May and requested to be seated outside if it did not rain, and on the day of, we arrived late and instead were seated inside despite it not raining, however, we realized that all of the patrons were indoors anyway so we didn't mind. Our waiter was great! He was very knowledgeable about the menu at the time, and even recommended us some menu items per course for our dinner including wine pairings but we somehow managed to order something other than what was recommended. I do not remember what my boyfriend ordered for his mise en bouche but I ordered some kind of noodle pasta in a creamy sauce with herbs, and it was very good. And during our mise en bouche, a server had come by with a plate of fried goat cheese balls as complimentary and they were absolutely to die for. As for the second course, my boyfriend had like a steak with fries and I had lamb with ratatouille. The fries that came with my boyfriend's entree were different from fries you'd find anywhere, there were only a few of them but they actually tasted and felt like potatoes. It was also the first time I ever had lamb and although I enjoyed it later on that night I found out that lamb may not sit too well with my stomach and have since avoided eating lamb, however, it was still a meal/an experience to remember. As for wine, we had the house wine but I do not remember the names. My boyfriend had been complaining that I wasn't drinking mine and then when I proceeded to do so, I noticed there was a bug of some sort floating in my cup and a restaurant personnel quickly attended to the matter, and replaced the glass with no charge at all.
(5)
Grant C.
impeccable and Amazing. Exactly what you want in a neighborhood French Bistro. My girlfriend never had French food before and Bistrot La Minette did not disappoint. The wine was reasonably priced and tasty. The waiter was friendly and knowledgable. He did not try and up-sell us and gave us frank and honest advice. The food was delicious. The mussels served with poached egg was by far the star of the meal. We should have ordered two portions -that's how good it was and with no hyperbole. We also as an appetizer the escargot and it too was very good. Each escargot was served in an individual ceramic thimble-sized pot with garlic butter and a side of toast. For the main courses, we shared rabbit and the monkfish. My gf thought the rabbit was a little gamey, but I thought it was cooked to perfection. We both enjoyed the monkfish; it was light and fresh. We enjoyed the Mille Feuille Aux Framboises for desert and it was out of this world. There is a prix fix dinner on Sundays for around $30 that we are excited to try. I highly recommend this dinner. Romantic but not stuffy. Thumbs up. I give it 5 stars and have officially found my go-to French restaurant in Philly.
(5)
Charles R.
Had dinner and lunch here and it's always very good. Only 2 spots in this town that serve true French food and this and Bibou are it. Lunch is very pleasant at this time of year when you can sit outside, relax and enjoy a wonderful piece of sole or the rich, but oh so good confit. Dinner is also hard to beat. Fresh baquette's with butter at room temperatue to start, and the salad nicoise has great taste. So many times restaurants serve this dish, but it can be very bland. The lamb was tender and I've yet to find a dish here that isn't extremely well seasoned. Never had dessert, but nice wines by the glass and good service.
(4)
Greg B.
I felt as though I was on the set of Amelie - the warm and very European setting, the French country wine pitcher, the collection of kitschy art on the walls, the pristine stem and silver ware, the FOOD. I'm not sure if Bistrot La Minette strives to be super traditional or authentic, but I really appreciate their culinary take on French. Really, this place was simply outstanding. You can tell they really give a damn about the customer experience and the owner seems to have a vision which transcends making a quick buck. I'll check out their famous outdoor courtyard dining arrangement later, after my Spring allergies calm down. Highly recommended. If you took a girl on a first date here and you don't get at least a goodnight kiss, you are a sucker.
(5)
sun b.
Yummy, great service. Too bad they ran out of the creme brulee. =(
(4)
Mark S.
This was like in a nightmare. My wife and I were visiting Philadelphia over the weekend of October 25. We have travelled the world, and had high expectations based on the reviews. We did not care about the price, but wanted to have a great time. We walked for a mile in this windy day to get to the Minette for lunch. The first surprise once we entered the place was the smell of the bathroom coming into the eating area. The second was nobody came to greet us. After waiting for several minutes, I moved inside the restaurant, which by the way was more than half empty at 1 pm on this Saturday afternoon. In front of the table, I asked a waiter if this is a self-seating place. He replied someone will be with you shortly. He came back after serving his customer, and pointed us to the table in front of which we were waiting. As soon as we were seated, he came back and asked if we wanted any water. We took a a Perrier that he served us immediately. After looking into the menu, and the customers around us, we had already doubts that we made the right choice. We decided to go for it anyway as we were there, so we waited. We waited, and waited, for a time that seemed like an eternity. Nobody came to us. Not to serve us any bread, and butter, or ask if we wanted a glass of wine. Not even to acknowledge our presence. All seemed very estrange. We were so disconnected from that reality that when we stood up to leave, nobody came to ask us why. In front of the door, we waited for more than 5 minutes, making all kinds of sign to attract someone's attention so we can at least pay for the bottle of Perrier we have been served. Nothing. No one. I would have left them $5 and leave, but did not have any change. We decided to leave. Moved toward the door, still making gestures, hoping someone would come and take us out of this nightmare. Nothing. We left and walked to the Red Owl, where we had a great time amongst many real people.
(1)
Mortimer S.
La Minette is a warm, inviting, classy place. It's not so fancy that it's a "really special occasion"-only restaurant but it's nice enough for you to feel like you're treating yourself. The ambience is very classical homey old France without being precious, and the same goes for the menu. Everything we had was very well-prepared. I ordered a duck breast with foie gras sauce and red wine chassis with turnips and celery root puree. My dining partner had the rabbit (which I also sampled) and both were quite good. The portions are also very French (small) so if you're a glutton this isn't the place to go. I admit than I'm a bit of a glutton myself but that's not the point really. Yet I can't help but saying that I would have liked more celery root and turnips with the entree. There was plenty of meat but I wanted something to render it a bit more filling. Both of us started with the mushroom soup, which had no shortage of strong, earthy flavor and was topped with a parsley/creme fraiche sauce which I would have liked more of. We had an amuse bouche of a little comte cheese puff (not bad) and were also given complimentary chocolates at the end of the meal, after we split a dessert which was aptly described by my friend as "a French tiramisu." We had no problems with service. They were out of the wine we ordered but had another similar one to take its place (which wasn't on the menu). It's solid food, and I imagine that most of the time one couldn't go wrong with this place. But it didn't blow me away. The menu is almost too traditional and may not hold my interest for a return trip anytime soon with all the other restaurants in Philly I have yet to go to. Regardless I hold La Minette in fairly high esteem.
(4)
Melanie Z.
Amazing! I mean over-the-top good. The food: Like other reviewers have said, the bread is so good it's addicting. My boyfriend got the Sunday prix fixe, which was an amazing deal for $29. Artichoke and mushroom soup, a trio of salads with carrot, lentils, and beets, bacon and mushroom stuffed roast chicken, and creme caramel and chocolate mousse. The salads were the weakest course, but even those were delicious. I had the escargot, the mussels, the brown butter fluke, and the raspberry and pastry cream puff pastry dessert. Everything was delicious, but I could have eaten three more of the dessert. I was so stuffed from pigging out on the bread, but I couldn't stop eating. My boyfriend and I cleaned every plate. The food wasn't pretentious at all. Simple but done perfectly and with tons of butter! The service: When we walked in, the host asked us if we'd like to sit in the garden in the back. I was worried that there'd be bugs or noise from the street, but the walls were tall, and it felt like what I bet being in a cafe in Paris is like. Our waiter was excellent, and the service was timed perfectly. We took his recommendations for my entree and dessert, and they were both great!! Great experience overall, and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Alla G.
This is a great neighborhood bistro. The food is tasty, the atmosphere is relaxed and authentic, and the service is knowledgeable, professional and friendly. We were started of with some delicious, hot bread and some salted butter. I don't usually care for the table bread but this was exceptional. The mushroom puff pasty appetizer was good but not memorable. The Branzino was perfectly prepared, and probably best Branzino I've had. Hubby enjoyed his Dijon mustard rabbit. The chocolate tart with wild strawberry sherbet was good, but I would have preferred fresh berries instead of the sherbet. And the complimentary truffles that came with the check were divine and a nice finishing touch. Would definitely recommend this place and look forward to returning on either a movie night or just to enjoy the outside garden on a beautiful evening.
(4)
Hee Jin C.
Love this place! It offers a solid variety of dishes from northern France, and it's NOT pretentious. Bistrot offers hearty, but incredibly delicious food that are very carefully prepared. I had the blood orange duck - it's not super fancy, but juicy and simple, just how I like it. We ordered a jug of wine (the wine comes in a jug! I'm in love!) and it blended wonderfully with the meal. I think someone mentioned something about the bread here - VERY TRUE. Best table bread I've had. So soft and chewy, and comes with slightly melted salted butter that goes wonderfully with the bread. Try it out!
(4)
Kenny N.
I was super stoked to go to this place, and after all the great reviews who wouldn't be. However, my excitement has now turned to disgust. Maybe people don't understand what good food is? First off let me start out by saying, I've been to the majority of great restaurants in Philly and NYC. I like to think I have a pretty decent palette when it comes to food. This paired with working a few food shows for TV makes me a pretty decent judge when it comes to restaurants. Secondly, when I go out I want to have food that I can't make at home, the whole "I want to be wowed..." OK, on with the review. Firstly, the wait staff was awful. Our waiter in particular didn't have a clue as to what he liked on the menu, and every time we mentioned something a look of disgust came over his face. Feeling very unsure we ordered anyways. We started out with an Endive salad and the "house special" Mussels in a tarragon cream sauce with a poached egg. The salad was ok (I could make it myself) and the mussels were drenched in the cream sauce making the taste overwhelmingly rich. Our main courses were the scallops (appetizer) and the salmon. Both dishes left a dull thud on your taste buds. Again I could have easily made these dishes at home. Bottom line this place was the biggest waste of money and time. I honestly can't see them lasting very long in the city when you have restaurants like Tulula's Garden and Fond (to name a few).
(1)
Leah G.
I happened to be eating here the night of the flash mob on South Street. The staff didn't miss a beat. We, as outdoor diners, were quickly ushered inside and the doors were locked. The meal continued as if nothing had happened outside. It was wonderful. The escargot and the chicken were my choices and both were delicious. I will be sure to be back.
(4)
Rachel Danielle S.
Mon Dieu! Fantastique! I walked into this bistro and was back in France.... The night I was here, along with a la carte fare, they were featuring a dinner from the Gascony region, which at $35, included 4 courses - for a mere $15 more - wines to go with them! And, I hate to sound soooo Americaine, but, I ask: How CAN you beat THAT!? I truly enjoyed each course, as it was enhanced by the server's description beyond the description elegantly offerred on the little paper menu. The region was explained to us: the foods, ingredients, a bit of the culture, the people, etc., so that you could really get a bit of a feel of the featured place. (My salad included duck heart. Where else can you get such an item?) The wines featured alongside the foods were also deliciously pontificated upon, with the server inquiring whether we could indeed taste the delicate or not so delicate notes. We were encouraged to try both the dish and the wine separately, and then together. And it was grewat fun! Not the least pretentious. I loved how involved the service was - it really enhanced the whole dining experience, and it was such an unexpected touch. A featuredd (and recommended) cocktail: The Minette en L'Air. I throughly enjoyed the Kir, never having had it en France...it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways - on it's own or with a flavor...like Chambord. Bon Appetit!
(5)
Shel K.
It was our second time here and we brought another couple with us. It is always great to have dinner with them especially in such a wonderful restaurant. Our server was very attentive and did not rush us at all. The beers that my husband and his friend ordered were delicious and I am not a beer drinker. My coffee and French 75 cocktail did not disappoint either. Once we put our orders in, the waiter brought us a plate of small cheese puff bread, compliments of the chef. It was light and a nice way to start our meal. The bread and butter was delicious as well - perfect texture of soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The first course was delicious. We went with the mussels and ravioli. My husband's main course was the duck which was cooked to perfection, especially the skin. I tried rabbit for the first time and it was juicy with a light but flavorful taste. The tagliatelle that went with my dish was a great accompaniment. Dessert was amazing. I ordered the apple tart with caramel ice cream where the flavors blended well without an overpowering sweetness. Complimentary chocolates were a great ending to our amazing meal. We stayed a little bit longer just talking to our friends after we paid and the waiter continued to fill our glasses with water. With great food and great service, this restaurant deserves 5 stars the second time around.
(5)
Steve P.
Best all around French experience in the City. Excellent food, good wine list and friendly and attentive staff. Movies in the outside space are a summer treat. Desserts out of this world.
(5)
Erin G.
We were lucky enough to score a late reservation for 4 on Valentines day - the staff was very helpful on the phone, called to confirm, super pleasant. The restaurant is adorable, and we at in the back room at one end of a long table - not private, but just one other group further down. It felt quiet and romantic, while the main room bustles more. Our waiter (wish I remember his name) was amazing - very knowledgeable, polite, and full or real suggestions (and not just trying to sell what the kitchen wanted to get rid of) Like most french places, my vegetarian choices were pretty limited to cheese-based dishes - but oh how lovely they were. I pillowly gnocchi that disappeared beneath a velvety sauce, a constructed morbier bread pudding with a chilled beat salad, house wine. I would definitely return.
(4)
Rachel U.
I needed a place close by that could handle a big group, and Bistrot took great care of us! They have a private 'salon' that can seat 20, but it was booked for our night so they set up a nice spot for us in the main room. I was contacted the week leading up by Brad, who turned out to be our waiter for the night, with a limited menu of their most popular dishes so as not to overwhelm the kitchen. Originally they were going to do a price fix for us, and worked to bring the price down a bit from their standard fixed menus, which I really appreciated. We ended up taking it but w/ ala carte prices to give people options. When we got there Saturday night, the table was set up with little individual menus, and Brad patiently and enthusiastically described, in detail, everything on the menu, several times as we had some late-comers. He and the rest of the floor staff were excellent, and really made the experience great, taking excellent care of everyone at the table despite a busy Saturday night crowd. The food was excellent; stuffy French food this is not. It was accessible, tasty, and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The kitchen sent out an amuse for the table; little cheese puffs which were warm and tasty, tho the flavor did remind several of us of cheez-its. Personally, I got the french gnocchi (for which I feel they should find a french name), and the trout which could have used a bit of something, but was tasty nonetheless. The real wow came with dessert; a bunch of us got the mille feuille, which wasn't much to look at, but incredibly yummy! And, since we were there for hubby's birthday, they brought out a plate of truffles and candied oranges for the table, with a little candle in it of course.
(4)
Deb O.
Best food in the city. Attentive service. Fine french dining without pretentions. Unreal scallops. Bread to die for.
(5)
Ali W.
MMM OOOH YES(insert various moans of pleasure). That was me, on New Years Eve at midnight, my first 2010 mouthful was of buttery vinegary almondy Truite Meuniere. Our tres french 10:45 dinner at Bistrot La Minette was perfect, absolutement magnifique! We arrived a bit early and had cocktails at the tiny bar (a champagne with a splash of St Germaine and a Sazerac), and it was at the very first, just so very pleasant, we were greeted warmly, had a nice chat with the bartender and were seated before our res time. We were snuggled into a sweet little two top with a super comfy banquette, It was so charming, every thing the napkins, the water bottles, the cute little bread bucket, the server...he was just sweet and happy and though probably exhausted from the long night, we saw no sign of it. We polished off our bucket o' baquette in moments, it was perfect, the butter was even special. When our server informed us that it would be a few minutes till another loaf came out of the oven, I was happy to wait. As a first course we had Terrine de Foie Gras (NYE special) and Flammenkuche (Alsatian tart of creme fraiche, bacon & onions). Le foie, what can I say, it was heavenly, it was so good I ate it in teeny tiny lady like bites so I could make it last, it was all I could do not to faint with pleasure. I offered the Bf a bite, but only because I love him, and he was like oh my god, is that mayonnaise...now he was referring to the texture which was so ridiculously unctuous. In exchange for the wee bite I was given a large slice of flammenkuche,,sweet, bacony creamy..chewy..is there a french word for umami?. To counteract the enormous amount rich fattiness we had just eaten we ordered a Salade Verte to share as a mid course. (Hoping that french paradox would happen, the salad would magically erase the-foie-bacon-cremefaiche calories) It was simply wonderful, soft boston lettuce tossed with a dijon-y vinaigrette and chopped chives. Perfect Simple. We brought a bottle of Moet White star with us ($20 corkage, totally reasonable) and got a pitcher of house wine ($20 so reasonable!) with the entrees , which was totally decent, drinkable and came in the cutest little stoneware vessel. Now my Truite Meuniere, I will say I was perhaps une petite dissapointed that it did not come out whole on a sizzling copper plate, boned sur la table, they way Julia Child's first one was, but I quickly got over that once I tasted it . Ahh mon dieu, it was just so good, and was served on what I can only describe as a hillock of haricot verts, with a few fingerlings scatted about. I was soo happy to have a generous amount of veg on my plate, j'adore les haricot verts! I am so tired of the singular fava bean, the duet of asparagus, the lone lump of spinach. As wonderful as my trout was my greedy eyes were drawn to the perfectly cooked Entrecote de Boeuf (rib eye) across the table from me, nor could I keep my hands off the adorable little casserole of potatoes gratin. Despite a warning from both our server and my Bf that the plate was hot I practically lunged for it. The Steak was so delicious, it was just so delicious..it was the last bite of 2009, a delicious ending to a really awful year. Did I mention that it was delcious? At midnight they brought around glasses of champagne and we all toasted, there were no silly hats or noise makers or singing of auld lang syne, which was fine, it would have detracted from our eating There was no way we were leaving without dessert and though I had planned on cheese, I had not planned on the generous portions, a cheese plate could've killed me so we split a Chocolate Pots de Cream..which was as we came to expect perfect.. ( did I growl at the busboy when he tried to take what he thought was an empty plate away?..maybe) Our server brought us a small complimentary taste of caramel ice cream and pear sorbet...he said to make up to the wait for our first course, but we never noticed the time. The pear sorbet really no way to describe it without the obvious.. it was like biting into an incredibly juicy ripe pear that just happened to be frozen, I slipped teaspoon of it into my glass of champagne..I suggest doing the same. We smuggled the lovely chocolates, that arrived with the check (so reasonable!), in our pockets for later.. left the remainder of our bottle ofchampagne for our server and went out into the the new year full of good cheer and good food and hope for the future. La Minette gave us some of that hope, it was warm and friendly, delicious and above all gracious. Grace is an underestimated quality and one that truly makes a difference. Merci Beaucoup La Minette et Une Bonne Annee!
(5)
Dan K.
Wonderful ambiance with great service. My girlfiend and I went for valentines day. Our waiter was very knowledgable and made a french menu accessible. One of the best meals I've ever had. Cocktails were excellent as well. I will definitely go back again soon!
(5)
Bobby P.
Salmon is good. Duck fat is good. Salmon cooked in duck fat is amazing! Sure all the health benefits are probably canceled out, but you're in a French restaurant so you clearly don't give a shit (at least for this meal). If you do, you'll have to temper your expectations for a healthy meal. Everything is fatty and/or cooked in more fat. Even, nay especially the side vegetables with all their buttery goodness. So why just 4 stars with all that fatty goodness, you ask? Unfortunately while I was reveling in my salmon swoon, my wife was working over a steak that was equally big on flavor and gristle. It was disappointing since every other aspect of our dining experience, from service to dessert, was exceptional.
(4)
Melissa R.
My mom was coming into town and she requested a French restaurant, as she had never been to a French dining establishment. I choose Bistrot La Minette as I had seen its Philly Mag award for Best Outdoor Dining and I knew it was going to be a nice weekend. Originally, I requested outdoor seating, but it ended up being chillier than we anticipated, so they accommodated us by moving inside. On a warmer evening, it would have been lovely to sit in the courtyard. Food was fantastic, if you love French food. The muscles and egg dish was savory and I loved the pickles and spicy Dijon mustard that came with the chicken liver and pork terrine. The Alsatian "pizza" was just okay. The entrees were classic French dishes. I got the Trout Mueniere, which was light and lemony. My boyfriend got the Tourbot and my mom, the chicken, two of the safer dishes on the menu. If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say Authentic. It felt like I was back in Paris. If you are a foodie and love French cuisine I would highly recommend it. My mom and boyfriend who aren't as adventurous with food, could have done without.
(4)
Michele C.
What a gem of a place this is! My husband took me here on our two-year anniversary and it was easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. First of all, we picked quite possibly one of the most beautiful nights to come here. When I saw the tiny little deck area with tables set up outside, I knew we had to sit there. I was glad we did. It made the experience even better. This place is small, intimate and chic - it takes you back to France. It's so comforting you just want to linger. We were each greated with a complimentary cheese puff to pop in our mouths at the get go. Very nice. And then, the bread. Ahhh the bread. The freshly baked bread is worth the price of admission. That bread - hot and crusty - coupled with some wine and cheese - would have sealed the deal for me. But luckily, the night was still young. We didn't get appetizers, though they all looked delicious. For the main course, I ordered the roasted chicken with rice pilaf. The chicken was delicious - the skin crackling and tasty - if not a little bit dry. But still good. The basmati rice it was served with was SO good. I don't know what they did to make it taste that great but bravo. My husband ordered the strip steak. He asked for it medium rare but it clearly came out medium well. Still, it was quite tasty, even if not exactly done to his liking. It was accompanied by potato "balls" and spinach. Both were tasty. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable. However, we ordered a side of mac and cheese that never arrived at our table. Still, it was a minor misstep as we had already filled ourselves up with so much bread we realized we didn't need it anyway. The desserts are homemade and delicious. Save room for them. I got the rice pudding, which was served in a bowl surrounded by fresh berries. The pudding was a little skimpy, but delicious, and the berries were ripe and tasty. My husband got a layer cake with coffee and homemade whipped cream that was just divine. We were ready to leave when the waiter rushed outside with a plate decorated in chocolate that said "happy anniversary" on it. There were two chocolate truffles on it. Delicious. And a nice way to end the night. Prices were reasonable. Food was delicious. Atmosphere - can't be beat. I will definitely be back.
(3)
Gustavo B.
One of my favorites restaurants in Philly. Classy romantic place with superb food !! Enjoy.
(5)
Timothy D.
Went back for their Dinner in Perigord fixed menu and had a ball. Prunes, poached eggs, duck, and some truly badass wines were served up and had us smiling. Excellent service and inspired food.
(5)
Lee G.
As good as it gets! this is currently my fav place to eat. great service, amazing food and french film nights in the back patio! (can't wait!) We always order the house wine and a few first course plates. Try the sardines grrillees if you like sardines or not, not too salty or fishy, just perfect! the mussels are yummy too served with a poached egg and a sweet tarrgon sauce. The escargot is served in individual pots in a buttery garlic sauce that is delicious!
(5)
Larry C.
Nothing to fret about the food. The decor is nice and quaint but the food is very average. The appetizers were good and we had oeuf pecheur which was nicely flavor with tarragon and a benedict sauce and tarte paysane. The entree were very average, nothing fantastic very middle of the road. We had lapin and duck confit. The duck was too salty and was supposed to be prepared with anis but did not taste anything. It was dry and not the best choice of meat (thigh). The rabbit meat was flavorless and dry. The piece of meat here was a leg which was just like the duck thigh...dry. This a good passable restaurant. The food was so uninspiring that we skipped desserts. Would not return there better in Philly.
Great place. I'll start by saying that the one time I went, it was around $75 a person (dinner for two), but we did get a 30 or 40 dollar bottle of wine (which was a delicious pinot noir). Service was great (except for one blip, see below), and the waiter was very good about offering suggestions and letting us know what was most popular on the menu. Had the gnocchi as an appetizer - French gnocchi isn't as good as Italian gnocchi, but this was okay. Wouldn't recommend if you're a big gnocchi fan. For the main course I ate the mustard-braised rabbit. Very tasty, but you'd be surprised how much it tastes like chicken (seriously). For that reason, I will never eat rabbit again. Tried it. Nothing special (generally speaking). They must do it very well at this place, though. Dessert was a bit disappointing; not because it wasn't fantastic, but because the waiter brought out the wrong item. Not to worry, it was very very good and the perfect ending to a very good meal (baked sliced apple and caramel ice cream). One of the cool things about this place is that when you walk in, the host (who seemed to be either the manager or owner, or someone close to the business) took our coats and hung them. When we left, he chatted with us to see how we enjoyed the meal. Cool guy. Cool place. Check it out.
Definitely not worth it. Bad service and overcooked food. This place is a huge rip-off.
(1)
Johnny K.
We stumbled upon this restaurant while visiting Philly. Wow, what a delight! Beautiful food, lovely outside courtyard in the rear. Excellent service. Really spectacular!
(5)
Stefanie G.
My husband and I went for lunch to celebrate the one year anniversary of our engagement. Last year's review was more like Melmoth K's. Lunch today just wasn't up to par- the service was friendly enough, but especially slow and there were little touches missing (crumbs left on the table, finished plates sitting in front of us too long, beverages left unfilled). The food was also just ok. The duck was dry, the macaroni and cheese was a bit oily and the quiche Lorraine was heavy on salt. The best thing we had was the side of creamed swiss chard. My husband enjoyed his escargot, too. Dessert was also a 50/50 toss up- the vanilla cream and raspberry layered pastry was amazing, the pain perdu wasn't that great (the caramel ice cream was heavenly, however). The thing is, you just can't beat is the price ($25 for any app, entree and dessert on the menu). But when we've been to Bistrot La Minette for the prix fixe dinner menu, we've left feeling like we stole something. Today I was relieved we didn't pay "full price".
(2)
Jon D.
La Minette's movie night is a must-do experience, a vacation in itself. Movies are shown on the rear patio and take you to another place, helping you forget that Fat Tuesday's & Johnny Rockets are just a few blocks away. Maybe it was the two pitchers of wine, Audrey Tautou on the big screen, or the quaint decor between the neighboring warehouses, but I felt taken far away. The food was delicious. Bread was crusty & fluffy (though not quite as good as Parc's - sorry!); the escargot appetizer served as a perfect & delicious introduction to snail, which i'll absolutely have again; the sea bass had crunchy skin atop tenderly cooked fillets; the polenta dumplings were buttery & fluffy; the sorbet was rich and fresh. And - dangerously - the house pitchers of wine were a reasonable $20.
(5)
Pallavi A.
I made a reservation for lunch and reached a half hour late! But, I called ahead and the owner who picked up was very nice about it. Bistrot La Minette is a perfect little french cafe in the South Street area. The staff was super friendly and helped us in choosing from the menu. The ambiance of this place was great- cozy and well lit. A nice lunch altogether.
(4)
Scot G.
My wife and I decided to try Bistrot La Minette last night after reading the many great reviews and seeing it on many 'best of' lists for foodies in Philly. Sadly to say we came away disappointed with the entire experience. There was some good - the place is very cosy inside and really does feel like a little bistro in Paris. Also, the grilled sardine first course was excellent - well prepared and delicious. Things pretty much went downhill from there. We ordered four dishes and asked for them to come out one at a time. They brought them out two at a time without a word. We told them we were sharing everything, but instead of bringing us share plates, they just brought two dishes out at a time and separated them between us. Worse though was the food. It wasn't terrible as much as it was sub-par. We had the salmon tartar, the squash soup and the duck breast entree. Each dish was unbalanced. The salmon tartar had just a little too much going on and was a bit on the sweet side for an appetizer. The soup was even sweeter - the nuts in it and the broth tasted closer to a dessert than something savory or appropriate as a First Course. The duck breast was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was also way too sweet and didn't have anything to balance itself with. My wife puked after the evening and I felt a little uncomfy in the stomach. Overall, dishes that weren't balanced, overly sweet, etc. / mediocre service and an unsatisfactory meal. I would skip this one.
(2)
Frank S.
Delicious straight forward food - charming restaurant and service. This is going to be a very dry review. Simply put, we just had a great time with delicious food and great service. Very nice bistro, not over decorated, it just doesn't feel fake. With only half the restaurant filled on a Wednesday night, two friends and I had ample space and time without being pushed or being squeezed. We had grilled sardines with red pepper (delicious) and flammkuchen (Alsace flatbread, little drier than it's original siblings, but very tasty). Entrees sampled were leg of lamb, duck breast and the entrecote. All meat was done perfectly, the sides were awesome (the gratin rivals Nan), dishes are prepared not too heavy. We shared ice cream and sorbets for dessert, which is too sweet for me, but the flavors were greattt (rhubarb, caramel, cassis). The wine and menu selection is just the right balance and size to fulfill all desires and not let you be overwhelmed. Actually the homemade chocolate that came with the bill was fantastic and their espresso was very good, too. I put down four stars in the beginning, just changed to 5 now after I can not find anything in my memory worth downgrading a star. Bottomline, if I have to choose between Bistrot La Minette and Parc, where food, service and ambience are totally overrated (loud, cramped, attitude, rush), I don't even have to blink. They offer french movie nights on Mondays during August and family style french dining for 4-20 people for $45 to $65 per person. We will try that soon. Disclaimer: This is not eclectic french 9 course five star dining, it is a bistro!!
(5)
Julie M.
I first decided to try this bistro as a place to celebrate a personal advancement. The restaurant is just off South Street and is noticable at first because of a tiny deck out front. It continues to be just as cozy as you enter. It is an intimate place, with a nice amount of ambient noise but not too loud. The food is quite a find. Lamb, chicken, dumplings, steak, onion tarts, all cooked perfectly. The ingredients are sometimes a bit upscale but the final dish isn't very fussy. Every dish is perfectly seasoned and well balanced. I never have room for dessert. As an aficionado of beers, they manage to have a decent local selection of beer with a couple seasonal options. I recently went back a second time and it confirmed my previous opinion. If you are looking for a special treat, the Bistrot is worth the price.
(4)
Alex S.
For an upscale French place it lacks creativity. The dishes are fairly mundane and so is the taste. The food lacks the "Wow" factor that I would expect from a high-end French place. The food is otherwise good. I would give it 4 stars if it billed itself as an "American" food establishment. If you're looking for a taste of great French food, you won't find it here. The service is OK but nothing special.
(3)
Molly M.
The scallops were fantastic as was the bread and butter. Yum.
(4)
Simon E.
Exquisite. Food, atmosphere and staff were top notch. We rang late with a reservation for 7, still managed to fit us in. A good wine list, and the caraffes of house wine are excellent value if you don't want to go overboard. A lot of the non-BYOB Philly restaurants could learn a thing or two from Bistrot La Minette on this front. The food was outstanding. I had the grilled Sardines to start and then the Lamb stew for main. The lamb blew any other Lamb I've had out of the water, so tender but so much flavour packed in. Other friends had snails, which were done well. One friend had the Filet special, which whilst by far the most expensive thing on the menu, he still claims it is the best value steak he has had in the city. Sure, the food isn't cheap but at this quality level, it never will be. I can't recommend this place enough. I'm sure I'll be back soon, especially as the outdoor seating is apparently now open.
(5)
Katia S.
What a fantastic meal. The scallops were divine and the half chicken was perfectly done. The atmosphere was cozy yet still vibrant and the service was attentive. We're definitely going back for the pre-fixe menu and I would love to try the courtyard when the weather warms up.
(4)
Brett V.
I had planned on going to Beau Monde (across the street from Bistrot) for a first date but it was a Monday and to my embarrassment it was closed. Thankfully Bistrot La Minette, with its recently completed outdoor seating area, was there to save the day. If you're looking for authentic French food served in a cozy bistro setting without all the pretentiousness this is the place for you. We were greeted at the door and quickly shown to our choice of outdoor seating. Fresh bread arrived shortly accompanied by deliciously creamy butter lightly topped with sea salt. A salmon spread amuse bouche on toast came out next. It was very pleasant and light. We shared a puff pastry wild mushroom appetizer, which was flaky savory and delicious, followed by entrees of vegetarian dumplings and duck breast with white asparagus and lentils. The duck was perfectly cooked and tender; the dumplings melted in your mouth. For dessert we split the homemade ice cream and sorbet (you get your choice of 3 that change daily). The caramel ice cream was rich but not to sweet. The sorbets were on the tart side - just the way i like them. Although Bistrot is certainly not the cheapest place in town and the portions are not huge the quality and attention to detail justify the price. If you're looking for a cheaper option try the prix fixe lunch for $14. The only thing that others might take issue with is the fact that our server was fairly clueless with her mastery of French. That said, she knew the menu inside and out and competently answered all the questions we had.
(4)
Fred C.
The room is charming . . . old, old with exposed wood floors, high ornamented metal ceilings and an exposed brick wall. The service was a bit slow, but the servers were efficient and cheerful. The pea soup was disappointing, very bland and we had to season it with lots of salt and black pepper; even then it wasn't great. The quiche was very good. The food notwithstanding, it was a pleasant lunch. Goes to show what ambiance and cheerful service can accomplish.
(4)
Stephen S.
Came here for a celebratory dinner with a group of friends. We went a little overboard with what we ordered, but it allowed me to really experience the menu and what they offered. One of my friend's was a Parisian native who said it was as authentic as a meal as she's had in the states. Some of the traditional dishes were modified a bit, but she said most French bistrots would be making similar modifications to seem chic and cool. I thought the Soupe de Potiron was truly special and would highly recommend it amongst the entrees. I will say that the macaroni and cheese was so good that we ordered it twice. For dessert we ordered everything and I will say the Gateau l'Opera was the table favorite. The service was pretty good. We shared the side room with another party which was nice when we were alone but a little frustrating when they came in. It felt like their birthday party was overwhelming us and there were several times that we had to stop our dinner conversation because the other group was so loud. I really question the wisdom of seating two parties in the side room as it feels private enough that one feels they were out of the main restaurant.
cute. cute, cute, cute. one wintry cold night (did i mention it was snowing??), i came here with a friend. a charming french bistro with tasty food and good people. i even liked things i didn't think i would...like sardines! quail was done well, and so was the monkfish. the alsatian pizza is to die for. you can tell the chef-owner and his wife put their heart and soul into the place, from the warm lighting, open kitchen in the back, cute tables, and friendly folks. wait. i think i used the word cute probably one too many times.
(4)
David W.
Outstanding service, wonderful dinner. The rabbit & duck, never better. wonderful desserts. Highly recommend.
(5)
Rob T.
The food was delicious; the waitstaff was exceptional, and the ambiance is very nice. Great date spot. Try the escargot.
(5)
Peter W.
Pros. Great food, Great value. I had the pate and lamb, my wife had the rabbit and creme brulee. Serving sizes were perfect. Really enjoyed the evening. Cons: Service a little slow - but that's a bit nit picky Will definitely recommend it to friendst
(4)
Thomas B.
Short: Great service, great food and drink, wonderful setting. A must. Went to La Minette on a Thursday night for dinner. Thankfully the heat broke and we were able to sit outside comfortably in the setting sun. We started with a bottle of Rose that was perfectly crisp and tart. Our server nailed the flavor, "tastes like unsweetened strawberry juice." For our first course we ordered the octopus salad and tomato salad. Both came out quickly and were flavorful and perfectly assembled. They marinate the octopus for 9 hours in the tomato broth and only remove it when ordered, to grill. Very tender and flavorful. The tomato salad was light and refreshing. We sopped up all of the broth from the tomato salad with the very good sliced baguette they provided as well... amazing to get such flavor from the simple ingredients. For main courses we ordered the braised rabbit and the Halibut. The rabbit loin was slightly dry on one side but the leg was fantastic, the wine sauce it came with was dark and complex and the mushrooms caramelized pearl onions added to the flavor of the rabbit. The house-made tagliatelle with the rabbit was buttery and a good texture. The halibut was the best either of us have ever had; crusted with lemony breadcrumbs, perfectly cooked and fresh. The saffron sauce was excellent and haricot verts were a suitable accompaniment. For dessert we ordered the lemon tart and sorbet selections. Both were wonderful. The meal was reasonably priced for what you received. The wine was around $40/bottle, first courses in the mid-teens, entrees were mid-$20s and desserts were under $10. If you ordered house wine (or no wine, ha) and only an entree this would be a suitable 'any time' destination, but you can certainly make it spendy, too. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a casual romantic setting with fantastic food. A+
(5)
Jaycee H.
Read about it being one of the best in the city and I love French food. So gave it a try. Upon entering I was surprised at the professional service and parisian decor. I thought this is going to be good and It was. Foie Gras yes please, and the mussels with poached egg over toasted baguette excellent. My rabbit entree was the best I've had, and there are some reasonably priced wine options of decent quality. The service is top notch, in a city where we have to settle for mediocrity with attitude, the waiters and host here are quite professional, just wish they wouldn't offer up their favorite items on the menu, frankly it means nothing to me what you like, I'm going to order what I like. If I want a suggestion I'll ask for it.
(4)
Wyn F.
Went here for lunch. Pretty sure I ordered from their Prix Fixe menu. The food was amazing, the atmosphere spot on. The service was attentive, and every detail of our meal was delicious and artfully prepared. I enjoy Parc, but it comes in a distant second to this friendly gem of a restaurant. Please try out Bistrot La Minette! I wish I could eat like I did there daily! PS- I would say it is good for well-behaved kids.
(5)
B B.
Very. Good. The night we dined was the sous-chef's last night and, according to our waiter, everyone had been celebrating for a couple of days so there would be no specials. Oh well! He should have lied -- anything other than "we're a little hung over to pump out a special or two, but we can cook the menu in our sleep, so don't you fret, mon ami" Turned out to be a non-issue. First, the bread was awesome. "Hello leettle bread, do you know how special you are?" I always notice awesome bread. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meals. The big winner was the Oeuf du Pechur (poached egg w/mussels in tarragon cream sauce). How tasty are you!? I had the duck leg confit w/ foie gras and it was damned fine. Excellent foie. Service was attentive. Lovely room. Low points: The "recommended" special gingerbeer-champagne cocktail I ordered was room temp ("bleccch"). And two in our party, who ordered the roasted pork chop (and loved it while eating it), got the "poo's" later that night, so maybe the sous-chef should have left a day earlier.
(3)
Elena S.
I would like to give this place 4.5 stars (please change this feature!) for a delicious, well-executed meal last night with my lovely mother-in-law. The setting is intimate, authentic bistro, without any of the slightly contrived quality of Parc (although I really like Parc). There is a tiny bar in the front where we waited for our table while enjoying the beginning of our delicious bottle of Sancerre. The wait staff were warm and friendly, and the whole environment felt professional but relaxed. Compared with a recent experience at Lotus of Siam in NY, this was a welcome change of ambiance and I was digging it as soon as I walked in the door. When we were seated, the bartender magically transformed into our waiter. And he was attentive and knowledgeable, but never intrusive. Water was efficiently and regularly filled, food was perfectly timed and just the right temperature, and, most importantly, everything tasted wonderful. I started with the escargot, which was buttery-garlicky deliciousness with great texture. It came in maybe 9 or 10 tiny pots, and I soaked up the remainder of the sauce with the fabulous housemade bread they serve with soft butter. My mother-in-law started with the foie gras, which she enjoyed, but found a bit too rich for her taste. We both had the fluke cooked in brown butter with brussel sprouts for our main, which was fabulous and definitely my favorite of the evening. Everything about the dish was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and went together perfectly. We finished with the opera cake, which was also an outstanding way to go out. The prices are in the mid-20s for entrees with a few special items in the 40s, but I think the price is right for the quality of the food. All in all, a wonderful experience and will definitely be back.
(4)
Turku I.
I love Bistrot la Minette for its unpretentious ambiance (particularly in the summer), courteous staff, the exciting and dynamic menu, and the unfailing perfection of every dish that is put in front of me. The host (owner?) is always polite and accommodating. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and the aperitifs always seduce. On summer nights, don't miss out on the cozy and romantic patio with the angel lights overhead. (We've never been to the Sunday movie screenings but would love to go). They serve French bistrot fare, adjusted to season, but the chef is careful to steer clear of the cliches of what passes for French bistrot food ici. Bistrot la Minette has quickly become our go-to French joint in the city.
(5)
Maggie G.
Ben and I just got married and had our wedding luncheon here. It was everything we had imagined and totally thrilled us. The chef and manager (co-owners) are incredibly helpful and seemed sincerely enthusiastic about accommodating us. They prepared a menu at the price we wanted and that would suit our party comprised of real vegetarians, pescovegatarians and carnivores. All of our guests were shocked at how delicious everything was and at the gorgeous and comfortable interior. Three days later I am still salivating at the mere thought of the potato leek soup. My friend Karl, whom I have almost NEVER heard rave about food, said that the Grenoble style ravioli had changed his food-outlook for life. At the end of the meal Ben and I disassembled the top of the croque en buche (a traditional French wedding desert, basically a tower of creme puffs wrapped in spun sugar--AMAZING!) which was far and away the best wedding desert I've ever had. It was crunchy and sweet and flavorful with multiple textures, served with delicious cold sweet tart cassis sorbet. Oh yum. I wish I could post pictures of our wedding on Yelp just to further prove how perfect it all was. Obviously, we will have to come here every year for our anniversary. Hell, we may even decide to celebrate on a monthly basis.
(5)
Ali C.
My fiance and I ate at Bistrost La Minette last night and LOVED it! Warm ambiance and friendly staff. We ordered the Œuf du Pêcheur (mussels), the Salade Bettraves avec ses Croûtes de Chèvre Chaud (beet salad), and the Boeuf Bourguignonne (beef entree). The mussels were AMAZING!! You must order this, it was our favorite of the night! I would have licked my plate clean if it was socially acceptable :) The beet salad and beef entree were delicious as well! Yum, yum, yum!
(5)
barbara k.
We were visiting from Seattle, and 2 Phila friends recommended Bistro La Minette. We went there with one, and were so happy we did, especially as the next night we went to another French restaurant that was not very good. I started with the beet salad, with a citrus vinaigrette that was indescribably delicious. One of the best salads I've ever had. I had the foie gras special for a main, as I knew with the richness I wouldn't want or need anything else. Fabulous! The others had Truite Meuniere and "the chicken", and both said they were great. Unfortunately we did not have dessert, which I'm sure was also excellent. The ambiance was lovely, and quiet enough that we could talk, since we had a lot of catching up to do. Overall, a great evening!
(5)
M N.
One of my favorite spots in Philly. Every time I go to Philly I try to go to this place and enjoy their poached egg with mussel. It is beyond perfect. I have been to many French restaurants but never tasted anything like this. Their entrees are also very delicious. Everything I tried was perfect. I was also surprised they cooked the rabbit meat to be so tender and juicy. I know it's not that easy. It's not a cheap place but quality comes with a price so definitely worth it!
(5)
Ken B.
Excellent drinks, excellent food, excellent service. Pricey but that's ok once in a while for an experience this good. Have the sweetbreads.
(5)
Lucy Y.
Had the best night here. The staff was very attentive and helpful. The ambience was romantic but not too crowded because the restaurant was a good size. Try the French beers! The chestnut honey one was especially yummy. We got the onion and potato soup, grapefruit and endive salad, lamb shank, duck confit and the raspberry mille feuille for dessert and they were all delicious! We were celebrating a special occasion and they even sent over complimentary truffles at the end. Perfect experience
I'm not a huge French cuisine fan, but I must say this restaurant is spot on. The food was amazing and their beer list is very interesting with several hard to find French beers. Definitely try the lamb shank! Will be back for sure.
(5)
Trev S.
Everything here was well prepared and delicious, great wine, reasonably priced. My girlfriend and I had a full, several course meal. Waitstaff was really friendly and well mannered. All in all a great experience. I would highly recommend for a special night out.
(5)
Elva L.
i think of our meal here the other night as one of the best i've had in at least a few weeks, maybe months. to start, we received a little gift from the chef: a cheese ball, eh, okay. i am impressed that they coaxed some complex flavor out of whatever cheese they used and rendered it ubiquitous in the puffy dough. that must be harder that it looked/tasted. anyway, it was unexpected, but i didn't feel like it changed or enhanced our dinner. complimentary bread and butter: not much to say here, only that the bread was served warm and the butter soft. surprisingly many restaurants cannot manage to serve bread and butter properly. BLM did, good for them. starters: The Boy had pea soup, which I did not taste. I'm pretty specific about what color things have to be before I can eat them, and green soup is not on my list of acceptable color/texture combinations. I had the burgundy snails to start, um, gorgeous plate! insanely buttery, salty lead and a healthy trail of herbs per bite and the cutest little disc of CRISPY crouton in EACH container. you can very much see the amount of work put into each bite. additionally, it was served in TINY individual ceramic cups, rather than the kind of ramekin-like dish you normally see with escargot holes. main course: the special was a fresh caught halibut. our waiter explained it was only caught the day before, and i made up my mind that i couldn't not try it. i mean, this is probably the closest any of us will get to playing god-- to eat something that was alive only the day before?? sign me up! the halibut was cooked perfectly-- masterfully browned to a crisp on top, and a milky, tender flesh that was piping hot under. there is a difference between blasting a piece of fish on high heat for a short amount of time and letting it rest to near room temperature and cooking some more so as to Not overcook it, and what i got, which was a delicate filet cooked and served at impressively controlled doneness and temperature. The Boy had lamb shank which was just about melt in your mouth. I couldn't stop eating it, was already full, and did not want to offer up bites of my blissful fish for trade... it was rough. dessert: i will always go for creme brulee as long as it's available, so i forced the chocolate mousse cake on the boy (who didn't want dessert, I KNOW! blasphemy!!). the creme brulee was denser than i am used to, but the amount of sweetness was the perfect complement. As in, the sweetness matched the texture divinely so that the custard was still an absolute delight. The chocolate mousse was well executed, but not remarkable in my biased opinion. My only gripe was with the pistachio ice cream, which tasted to me rather like how some hand lotions smell. I did not care for it though it came at the recommendation of our waiter and I was excited to have it. speaking of whom, when we asked to have the lamb shank bone wrapped for our dog, he informed us that bones that have been cooked are likely to splinter and cause harm. this is something i did not know about, and i am glad he brought it to our attention and deterred us from making a potentially devastating mistake. kudos to this guy.
(5)
Alessia K.
This gem continues to be our favorite place in the city to get an amazing meal in such a wonderful atmosphere. It is such a charming restaurant with a friendly staff and the kitchen turns out some serious food. We met the chef at a Cook event and he was gracious enough to come over and say hi to us during our most recent dinner. I will continue to recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
(5)
Tina K.
The BEST dining experience I've had. 'Nuff said. The service was impeccable. Our glasses were never empty, and the waiters were friendly and professional. My boyfriend and I were really impressed with the amuse-bouche; it was still warm, fresh, crispy, and overall delicious. They gave a basket of bread, which was also very tasty. Hands down the best bread I've ever had--better than from bakeries! I ordered escargot and foie gras with a side of pommes anna. The foie gras was simply divine. I would go there again just to get more foie gras (and bread!). The raspberry mille crepe was also delicious. The atmosphere was upscale but still pretty casual. I really liked the soothing ambience and the clean-and-classy bathroom. Yay to clean bathrooms! Overall, I really recommend Bistrot La Minette. I would suggest making a reservation at least a day in advance if you don't want to go there at 5:30 because the reservations are often full for later times on the same day.
(5)
Hoang T.
Received an email update regarding the restaurant's new April specials. Decided to head there for happy hour on a Wednesday. I've been there for dinner and I'll give dinner 5 stars too. Happy hour was great!!! It's really a slice of France in philly... Although I've never been to France.. I've studied the language and culture for years. The house red (wine) was delicious and not too light given it was a happy hour special. We ended up ordering snails, AMAZING AS ALWAYS... First timers must order this. Especially escargot lovers. Beef tartare... Not the best I had but definitely a very good dish if you like beef served this way. The scallops were cooked well and were just great. The mussel with poached egg was prob the highlight for me. It was truly a rich dish that hit many notes and I'd even argue one of the best appetizers in Philadelphia... It definitely screams French!! Creamy buttery sauce mushrooms mussels and baguette!!! What more could you ask for? Service is top notch!! For both happy hour and dinner. The wait staff are definitely a notch above the rest of Philly's establishments. The place is clean and just really nice overall. Can't wait to go back when it's warmer to sit outside on their patio. And to make my review more over the top.... I would vote bistro Philly's top 5 restaurants.
(5)
Cole S.
I'm not surprised that Bistrot La Minette came up as #1 when searching for French Restaurants in Philadelphia. I ate here in late March with my cousin and found the cuisine to be among the best this side of the Atlantic. I had to check my ticket stub to make sure the plane actually landed in Philadelphia instead of Paris. This is an establishment that surpasses my trifecta of requirements for five yelp stars; service, food, and atmosphere. My cousin eats at Bistrot La Minette often and the servers recognized her. That type of personal connection always impresses me. Throughout the whole meal, I felt as if we were VIP guests. The food was excellent. I just can't say enough about how wonderful everything tasted. As expected, the wine was perfect. Finally, the ambiance was perfect. This wasn't a place that merely served French style food. It was a full on French restaurant plucked from the streets of Paris. If you're in Philadelphia. Eat here.
(5)
Lianna N.
I havent been to France, but IF I did go, I imagine it would be a fine experience like this one. Our waiter was charming and mischievous; choosing me to be the targets of his jests and banter. He teased and played with us all night, and his rich french accent didn't leave anything to be desired. The setting was intimate, and queens village off of penns landing was a perfect location to tuck this little gem of a bistro. Parked a block away in a lot that costed $15 for after 5pm. I didnt want to circle endlessly looking for parking. It's also across the street from THE best creperie! Anyhow I digress. The food was excellent, and I was most looking forward to the escargot. The little pots of creamy garlicky butter toast bits with the escargot leaves my mouth watering in it's memory. I dunked chucks of the free bread into the delicious butter till I greedily devoured every cholesterol ridden morsel. And then I did something really unclassy. I licked the edge of the pot. I hope no one saw. The rest of the meal unfolded less eventfully. I did the duck confit/lamb stew which was rich hearty and filling. I sampled off everyone else's plate to make sure I had a well rounded experience. I captured most of the dishes we tried in photos. I left floating on a little cloud. My wallet was empty, but my heart was full. Merci, Bistrot La Minette.
(4)
David H.
When my wife and I first dined here...she just smiled. She lived in France for many years. We have both dined many times in Paris and other areas of France and Europe. A true experience in the quality, outcome of the product, ambience, and overall cost. Nothing more needs to be said. Keep up the good work.
(5)
Kara S.
The best French cuisine I've ever had. Went this fall for a weekend lunch seating and it was absolutely empty. As a result, my party got VIP service all the way. I couldn't believe how well priced this place was. You can watch the chefs work in the kitchen from your table and the waiter knows his specials. Everything felt lush and romantic and beautiful. I had about four courses, and loved it all. I practically licked my plate. That's normal right? What do you absolutely have to order? Escargots, Tartine aux Figues et Fromage Blanc (figs, bread, cheese and dips), and creme brulee. My party also had the fish and a chicken dishes. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with ordering at this restaurant. We even got a table side visit from the main chef himself. You'll love this place for a fun lunch with friends, a romantic date night or a cool hangout around cocktail hour I imagine. Do not pass up a chance to visit this place!
(5)
Lindsay V.
I've never had French cuisine before, but I am so glad I came here to try it. M and I came here for Restaurant Week: since we didn't know if we would like it, we didn't want to pay full price for our first time here. We arrived just in time for our reservation and were seated promptly. They also have coat check (yay!). Our waiter gave us some time to decide on drinks (I got a glass of pinot grigio and M got a Kronenbourg 1664), then proceeded to take our food order. I ordered the mussels with tarragon creme and poached egg and the mustard braised rabbit. M got the root vegetable soup and boeuf bourguignon. Before our food came out, we were served cheesy profiteroles, compliments of the chef! The mussels were TO. DIE. FOR. They were incredible. I couldn't stop fawning over them. I would have licked the sauce from the plate if I were slightly less classy (let's face it, I'm not too classy to begin with). I am normally not a big fan of egg, the taste always turns me off, but I ate that whole poached egg. It was wonderful. The rabbit was good. I've never had rabbit before so unfortunately, I have nothing to compare it to. The pasta it came with was perfectly done and was served in a nice, buttery sauce. M's soup was really good and surprisingly light. His boeuf bourguignon was especially tasty, too, but it was a small portion. For dessert, M order the opera cake and I ordered the puff pastry with raspberry sauce. My dessert ended my meal perfectly -- the raspberry sauce provided enough tartness to cut through the richness of the rest of my meal. M's opera cake was tasty, but heavy. I'm glad I didn't order it. The service was great. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. In our past Restaurant Week experiences, it seemed like the waitstaff was turned off by us, which made for an awkward experience. It wasn't like that at all at Bistrot La Minette. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Arianna K.
This is one of my faves for consistently good food and nice atmosphere. Delish wine and cocktails-the butter! I dream of their bread and butter. This is french comfort food!
(5)
Katie L.
I've been a fan of Bistrot La Minette for a long time, but this was my first time dining there for brunch. I was surprised to learn of their $25 prix flxe lunch menu, and as you well know, any chance to over-indulge will not be overlooked by yours truly. Started with the charcuterie plate which featured bacon-wrapped pork terrine (drool), rabbit liver mousse (swoon), and duck rillettes (quack.) Had the oeufs en meurette for my entree, which was covered in the kind of red wine shallot sauce that makes you want to lick the plate. The eggs were perfectly poached & the accompanying mushrooms, pearl onions, and lardons were delightful. Finished with the poached pear that just melted in my mouth. When I'm asked what my favorite French restaurant is in Philadelphia, I'm always tempted to say La Minette, and this meal might have sealed the deal.
(5)
Evelina E.
AMAZING! My boyfriend made surprise reservations here for our anniversary. Apparently reservations were a little tricky a week ahead of time and after experiencing dinner tonight I completely understand why! We started with Frog Legs and a Salad - both fantastic (my boyfriend refuses to eat salad but actually liked this salad!). For our main course I had the Faux Filet Sauce au Poive (black pepper-crusted New York strip with pomme puree and bacon-wrapped haricot verts) which was not only the best steak either one of us has ever tasted, but honestly the best meal I've ever had! My boyfriend had the duck, which was new tonight so I cant give a better description because it's not on their menu yet, but it was as delicious as the steak. We kept trading bites because neither of use was willing to give up a bite without an equal trade - haha :P We're grad students so we can't afford fancy meals that often but this was definitely worth it! We'll certainly be back the next time we have a special occasion.
(5)
Moe W.
I try to go to Bistrot La Minette as often as my budget allows. It's my favorite restaurant in Philly. Everything from the pleasant greeting at the door to the perfectly wonderful crust on the bread to the intermezzo treats....SUPERB! Can't wait to try the special evening menus!
(5)
Ky T.
Dined here for restaurant week jan 2015. Loved everything and booked another dinner that same week. This restaurant has some of the best bread and butter. The baguette slices are served warm with amazing french butter. I can't stand when restaurants give you cold bread! My meal was great but what made me want to come back immediately was my girlfriends beef bourguignon. They used short rib and it was melt in your mouth delicious! Definitely give this place a try!
(5)
Melissa P.
Went for their 4th anniversary prix fixe dinner and it was AMAZING. One of the best dining experience I've had in Philly. Great place, adorable atmosphere, cozy but not on top of each other table. Really good service. The Vichyssoise was soo good. For appetizers we chose the Bouchees a la Reine and the salmon tartar-both delicious. We tried the coq au vin (OMG. IT WAS SO GOOD) and the Daube provencale (the gnocchis were like little puff of heaven,and the meat-SO TENDER). The cheese plate for dessert was so good we packed half of it to go home. The flourless chocolate cake was great too. Can't wait to go back when I can afford it any not worry about the prices!
(5)
Claire S.
Had an absolutely perfect birthday dinner here last Saturday. Great food, great atmosphere, great wine list. The duck cassoulet was impeccable, and all of the bread is made in-house. Who could ask for more? Oh wait, there is more, because it is black truffle season and you can add them to any dish! It was my birthday and one of the members of my party must've said something to the staff because they treated me like an absolute princess the whole night. Also, my father, who is a classically trained French chef, swears this is one of the most authentic French restaurants in Philadelphia. I'd eat here again in a heartbeat.
(5)
Patricia H.
I wanted to update my review of Bistro La Minette. I have been here several times since 2012 and always have a great experience. They have an amazing new happy hour special with $2 beer, $3 wine (good French wine!) , and $4 kirs. All appetizers are 50% off during the happy hour. I think it's the best deal in Philadelphia. My husband and I ordered the pea soup, which was amazing, a mushroom puff pastry, and seas scallops. Everything was delicious. Another thing that really sets the restaurant apart is the outstanding staff. All the servers are very knowledgeable about the food and many it seems have worked there fora while. They are very attentive but not too ov erbearing. I don't feel rushed but they were very prompt with providing more drinks as needed. The restaurant itself is really cute and has a great atmosphere.
(5)
Yiwen S.
we came for restaurant week back in january, and even though it was RW, i was STILL impressed with the food. that says something about this restaurant. probably one of the best bread baskets i've ever tried. rivals that of parc, which was my favorite up until now. the inside has kind of a rustic feel to it, kind of like being in the french countryside. and the space is much larger than i imagined. service is top notch here. and the menus change seasonally. that being said, here comes the food: 1. foie gras - pretty typical foie, but not the best i've had. 2. escargots - neat presentation in separate pots, made it difficult to eat though. 3. beef bourguignon - SO.DELICIOUS. beef cheeks so tender it melts in your mouth. also, the medley of veggies that it's served with is great at enhancing the flavor of the beef. 4. lamb cassoulet - i'm not usually a fan of overly stew-based dishes, but this one was amazing. i think the duckfat breadcrumbs really topped off the flavor for me. that's right, DUCKFAT breadcrumbs. 5. tarte tatin - nice balance of sweet (caramel ice cream) and tarte (upside down apple tart) flavors. 6. mille feuille - basically a caramelized puff pastry with raspberries. unique and delicious in every sense of the word. normally i would give this place 4-4.5 stars if i'm judging on food alone. but what puts it over the top for me is that our server was able to recommend the best cote du rhone i've had to date. dining is a wholistic experience, and should be graded as such.
(5)
Brian C.
I absolutely love this place. I've been here a few times and every single time i've been very pleased. the service is very attentive, the food is delicious, and if you're available in the summer, try out the movie and dinner out in the back patio. Honestly all the food is good, but a few standouts: - Œuf du Pêcheur - a generous portion of mussels in a lovely, balanced creamy and acidic sauce. - Mille Feuille aux Framboises - crispy, light puff pastry filled with raspberries and cream. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Philly!
Excellent! Parfait! Just got up from a superb brunch here. You can get an app, main and a desert for 25 which is a steal given the quality of the food. I had the potage st. Germain for my app, omelette basquaise for my main and the orange tarte for my dessert. All of my dishes were cooked to perfection and I could tell that freshness and quality of ingredients are a top priority at this bistro. The crown jewel of the meal was my tarte. It came with a rich chocolate ice cream that really complimented the sour quality of the tarte. Magnifique! Our table also ordered a plate of haricots verts that were cooked in brown butter. Really tasty. Can't wait to come back to try dinner.
(5)
Carolyn F.
I came here for my birthday: it was a tasty meal, but didn't blow me away. I love the decor and service is very attentive. The drinks were probably my favorite part. The Vesper cocktail is outstandingly unusual, a delicious mix of lavender gin and pepper vodka. My partner and I ordered the rabbit and the lamb. Both were well-prepared, but neither dish made me want to come back for more. The creme brulee was generously portioned and yummy.
(3)
John P.
Took my girlfriend out for a valentines day dinner here (yes, I'm finally writing a review four months later). I understand that Valentine's day usually places a huge burden on kitchen and service, but I was unimpressed with Bistrot la Minette's performance, given its great reviews. The food was definitely solid, I had the escargot and duck; however it was nothing superb, when compared to other French bistrots I've visited in the US (mainly in NYC) and when prices are taken into consideration. Don't remember what I had for desert. Service was mediocre, nothing special. This was to be expected because it was Valentines Day. What really got me was that we sat closest to the door (which had a flap that was supposed to keep cold air out). This flap did a horrible job, as every time someone would walk in, a rush of cold air would hit my girlfriend and I, completely ruining the atmosphere for us. We asked to be reseated, but as it was too busy we decided against waiting to switch. We even thought about putting on our bulky winter jackets at the table. In sum--good, but overpriced food, decent service, and horrible flap at the front door! If you get the table next to door in winter be sure to move! To the management: you need to add another door/mechanism to keep cold out during winter (perhaps my food would've tasted better were I not worrying about the next person to open the door).
After walking in, we soon discovered that this place is the perfect date spot for a cold winter evening! It has a great cozy upscale feel with wonderful food. We both started with some tasty bubbly cocktails. If you love some bubbly than this is the place for you. They have plenty of options. We then split the grilled quail with wilted arugala and a sherry au jus and it was lovely. Yes, quail is always tough to eat because it's just so tiny but the flavors were really tasty. It was a very fall dish. My only wish was that the quail came with more of a grilled texture but all and all, great start. I should also mention that the bread and butter was awesome. I loooove a french baguette and they serve a great one! For our entrees we went with the seared duck breast and the butter poached salmon. The duck was perfect. I love a seared duck breast and this dish had every component I love in a duck dish. Perfectly medium rare, sweet and savory with a creamy puree to pair. Great. Very rich but well worth the richness! The salmon was also a winner. It was more on the rare side which is fine by me with the perfect buttery flavor. The other components all paired well with the dish and didn't take anything away from the salmon. With the cold winter months upon us, absolutely check this place out!
(4)
Angie M.
This is the BEST place in Philly!! We had dinner here last Saturday night with 18 guests: they were from New York City, London, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle and Philadelphia. You could say the world's greatest Foodie cities! And EVERY PERSON LOVED your restaurant! They raved!!!!!!!! The service was EXTRAORDINARY and SEAMLESS! The group wanted to make sure David was acknowledged. He was on top of his game! And the Food was just PERFECT! I don't even know what words would really capture how great the entire experience was! AND as a local, I was just proud.
(5)
Anthony S.
Sadly, this year I could only go to one place this year for restaurant week. Fortunately, I ended up at Bistrot La Minette. I happened to tell some friends I was going here, and they said if you haven't had escargot that this is the place to try it. Never having tried escargot, I felt obligated to get it as my first course. The flavor was buttery and garlicy, and who can complain about that?! For the main course, I had the lamb shank. It was ridiculously tender, served in a little broth with root vegetables. We got a carafe of the house red wine, which was perfect to wash down the delicious hunks of lamb. And finally, for dessert I had the poached pear (in red wine and with black currants--are you kidding me??! Yes please!). If you know me, you know how much I love pear. And this was definitely the perfect dessert.
Atmosphere is wonderful. Food is average. Bread is excellent. If you are looking for a cafe in this neighborhood to have a nice long hang out lunch to catch up with friends, I would consider going here. It is the kind of place that makes you want to sit and talk for hours. If I were looking for excellent French food, this is not the first place that comes to mind. I went for lunch so cannot comment on dinner. I had a lyonnaise salad that was not good. I couldn't finish it. The frisee was wilted, the egg tasted soft boiled slimy rather than nicely poached, the dressing was nothing, there was no zing. My partner had trout that was good. I noticed they had a private little dining room which could be great for events.
(3)
Felix P.
I went here during a huge snow storm. The staff was super friendly and didn't let the bad weather get in the way of offering great food and service. The also understand wine pairing very well. Overall the food paired with the experience is 5 star.
(5)
Danni M.
I've been a uber fan of this place for ages. It has been my go to place for event dinners, anniversaries, birthdays and when friend s drop in from out of town, but lately, I've been hitting them for appetizers and drinks during happy hour in the week. Although all the food is fab, especially the food they roll out for specialty events like Bastille Day and special paring menu, their standard menu always works for me. Food is seasonal (as it should be) but luckily for me the gorgeously garlicky escargot, to their Oeuf de peucher (mussels in tarragon cream with a poached egg) have permanent residence on the menu, which is a very good thing. An they do brunch that should make the surrounding eateries hang their heads in shame.. Peter Woolsey's food and culinary reputation have seen him branch out to La Peg, but Bistrot will always have a place in my heart for great service and fabulous food that after eating, imbues me with a sense of sated bliss.
(5)
Adam K.
Wonderful French Restaurant, 1.romantic, 2. great service, 3. Great food 4. Great wine and drinks So easy to sum up this wonderful gem!
(4)
John M.
Anime. I have no friends so of course I'd be writing yelp reviews. Before the food even came I knew it was good. This guy came over to us with these samples and said complements from the chef. That was the first time that ever happened to me. My fellow table occupants were not as excited as I was. The first course was delicious. The main courses were also delicious I only wish they had crepes.
(5)
Theresa A.
THE. PERFECT. DATE. RESTAURANT. If you are trying to decide where to go for a lovely, fabulous, delicious, memorable dinner--look no further than Bistrot La Minette. Every single part of our dinner was worth raving about. Our server, Edward, was FANTASTIC! Our appetizers--the Heirloom Tomato Salad and Pea & Parsley Soup were INCREDIBLE. Our entrees--the 1/2 Roast Chicken and Braised Short Rib were YUM! Our dessert--the piece de resistance!--the Creme Brulee with fresh Blackberries and the Peach Tart with homemade Apricot Sorbet--WOW! Stop reading my review and go make a reservation!!!! (but eat inside since the building next door is currently under construction and isn't too picturesque at the moment)
(5)
Steve C.
Everything is amazing here. I dream of the Oeuf du Pecheur. I chose here for my Valentine's Day date this year. This was after failing, believing the hype about another place further up the South St last year. The service is amazing, The floor manager immediately attended to us, made us feel welcome, seconds after we were seated. That's not one of the reasons I visit a restaurant, and fortunately they knocked all the reasons I do out of the park. Every course was incredible, engaging, and the perfect amount of food. The favorite familiar items were there, along with perfectly chosen items for the occasion. The cocktails followed the same script. It's the kind of place, where you feel like you owe them a favor when you leave. The service and food is that good, with zero pretentiousness. You've had such a good experience after you've left, you want to go back for every meal, and think of them as great friends.
(5)
G C.
Quaint place, not large but not small that everyone's squished. Has a french feel. Came here thinking it's byo but waiter then mentioned there's a $15 per bottle corkage fee which we took us by surprise. In the end we just opened one bottle so it was okay. I got the poached egg with mussels which was so yummy and creamy with the toast. Then I got the duck confit which was cooked in a casserole style with break crumbs and beans. So delicious. I had a taste of my friend's beef cheeks which was so soft and the rabbit tasted delicious as well. For dessert i had the mille feuille with raspberry which was divine. I am partial though because i love flaky consistencies.
(4)
Matthew L.
Like being in Paris, but the convenience of paying with USD. Update: moved from 4-5 stars because I'm not sure why I listed it at 4 to begin with. If you're a fan of personal space, this isn't really the place for you. A strong Parisian vibe emanates from this restaurant, from the decor to the food. Portions are larger than in France, though not very large by American standards. The food is excellent across the board and I look forward to my next visit. Best French food in this price range that I've found in the city.
(5)
Paul B.
For a French Bistro... this is as good as it gets in Philly! And beyond. Kane the bartender was excellent! Thank you Kane (forgive me if I'm getting your name wrong). The service and food are both excellent. The space is quaint and charming. They are doing it right there! Excellent!
I went to Bistrot La Minette for lunch with a friend last week and every encounter was a pleasant surprise. Their lunch special is insanely good. For $15, I had a sumptuous split pea soup and a Nicoise salad. In between each course we had little treats, compliments of the chef. The ambience rivals the food. Every detail is articulately cared for, from the quaint bar to the copper pots at the back of the restaurant. The staff was very friendly. Even though they were busy, took very good care of us.
(5)
Lauren M.
We love French food so when we were in Philly for the night (and had gotten some of the other staples earlier in the day), we decided to come here based on the reviews. We were right on time for our reservation and a table in the front was open when we walked in, but the host asked us to sit at the bar. The place is not very big and after waiting for 15-20 minutes and being seated at the same table that was open when we walked in, I made my husband asked what the deal was. They were hoping another table was going to open up. That's fine, I realize this table was near the front, and the tables on either side were occupied, but it would have been nice if we had been given the option - 'look, we have this table open now, but it looks like we'll have a better one opening up in a few minutes, do you want to wait?'. We were an 8:30 res as it was, so it wasn't like they were turning all the tables again after us. Anyway, that started it off a bit poorly, then our waitress wasn't very good. She didn't have personal recommendations for wine, sort of went with whatever my husband asked about. Then throughout the night, there were times when she was just gone. Finally when we were trying to get our check, we see her at the front bar drying dishes, chatting away with another server. We were just far enough away that we couldn't get her attn, as there was another table between us and the bar, so we waited, and waited, she never looked over, it was like she was a bartender, not our server. Unfortunately the service spoiled the experience for us, but I'll get into the food too. I had escargots to start, my husband had a salad. Both were fine, not my favorite escargot, in fact, they were already shelled which was the first time I'd seen that, but was convenient! I had the duck confit which I really enjoyed and I can't remember what my husband had , but he liked it as well. Overall, the food was fairly good, especially my main course, but hopefully they tighten up the service a bit more.
(3)
Ted M.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Bistrot la Minette is a unique gem. Owner/Chef Peter Woolsey trained in France for two years before opening the place. Their atmosphere is very realistic and the menu often includes more obscure dishes found mainly in home cooked meals Their mustard braised rabbit leg is a favorite of mine and not to be missed. They also have a great selection of French beers which are often hard to find in Pennsylvania. The location is a bit of a distance from many of the better known restaurants, but definitely worth the trip
(5)
Katrina C.
I was here last week on a date, and I think this place is fabulous! I had a special - Filet and my date had a chicken and duck dish. We started with a mushroom puff pastry and I had a soup. Creme Brule was fabulous and the service was exceptional!! This place certainly is out of my normal budget, but for a special occasion, I think it's great!
My husband, daughter and father-in-law wandered in five minutes until closing, desperate for a meal (we had just flown in, hungry and tired). I expected to be treated like an interloper, but when we asked if we could still get dinner, we were welcomed warmly and without hesitation, like they were actually pleased to see us. (My pet peeve is restaurants who say they are open until, say, 10:30, but if you walk in at 10:15, they give you the stink-eye and the bum's rush. Just say that you close at 10:00, then, and save us both some trouble.) We were just beginning our vacation, on our way to New York for a few days, and I have to say, this was the best dining experience we had the entire trip, including a Jean George joint in NYC, and restaurants which cost twice as much. Not to say that BdM is inexpensive, because it is not. But considering the quality of food, the adorable atmosphere and the fantastic service, it was a great value. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable and courteous. He knew his shit. I had the freshwater sardines app. The little fillets were charred to perfection and tasted of woodfire and yum. The lemon vinagarette was just so. Next, I had the trout menuire with haricorts verts and fingerling potatoes: simple, classic deliciousness. My husband had the cassoulet with a duck drumstick and assorted other meats. He said it was one of the best things he's ever had. I didn't have dessert, but it looked wonderful (some kind of donuts with raspberry sauce and ice cream). We were the last people left in the room, but not once did we get a nudge out the door. As we left, I felt like we were dinner guests, not customers. Corny as it sounds, you could see there is a lot of love in this place. (Also, the waiter ran two blocks to where our car was parked to return a forgotten scarf...sweet!) If I lived in Philly, this would be my favorite place. We couldn't stop talking about it for days.
(5)
Carol K.
This place is an absolute gem. I don't think it's possible to get a dish here that isn't superb. We've been several times now and while the service can be a tad slow in actually getting you to order, the servers are always fast and attentive in removing plates, checking on your meal, etc. The food is -- well, it's amazing, frankly. The foie gras is fantastic and the ouef de pecheur tastes way better than any poached egg dish has a right too. (I literally could not stop exclaiming about how good it was -- even as I shoveled it in my face. Just order it. Trust me.) Entrees were all excellent as well, though in my experience, they tend to do fish slightly better than red meats. We've always gotten an amuse bouche to start and a small desert tasting comped, which is a nice touch -- especially since we never have room to actually order desserts (which look awesome). The space itself is very nice. Inside dining room is classic Paris bistro, and the outdoor "garden" is lovely in the evening. Can't recommend this place enough.
(5)
Tasha P.
I took my mom here - she was visiting from California. We love French food so I'm always on the lookout for great places to eat. This place surpassed our expectations! Service was exceptional, food was incredible. The servers recommended a delish merlot for me. I had the mussels - served on toast with a poached egg and in a white sauce, and the scallops served with potatoes and capers. Mom had the trout with fingerling potatoes and lemon sauce. We sat out in the "garden" and, although there were a few other tables seated, it was quiet. We had a marvelous time and left with very full bellies. I'm anxious to try their "Family Dinner" they were advertising on the menu. I'm already planning my return visit...this time with my husband!
(5)
Liz M.
So happy to have finally made it here; it did not disappoint. Loved the foie gras, the trout, and the sardines. Adored the rabbit--can't wait to have that again. The service was impeccable. They really make you feel welcome. The tables for two against the wall are a little crowded, but it is a French bistro, so I guess that's part of the whole experience. Overall a great dinner.
(5)
Daniel S.
Four of us decided to eat here last night - in the mood for a French bistro experience. There are two that sit across the street from each other and, after checking out the menus, Bistrot La Minette won out. We came in without a reservation around 8:30 on a Saturday night and we were seated within 5 minutes. This is not to say the place was empty - it was pretty full and lively and, frankly, we were happy for our good luck! The ambiance is what first drew us in. The decor is like looking in the windows of a bistro in Paris - without being kitschy. Once inside it was easy to relax and imagine that we had been transported to a different time and place. The lower light cast by wrought iron lamps and bulbous chandeliers, the ornate claw-footed side board where long house-made baguettes were being cut for each table, the decorations that look like they had been taken from the basement of the farmhouse down the road. It all worked together to make your senses accept you were no longer in Philly. Our waiter, Kane, was excellent - explaining the specials and guiding us through the house favorites as well as his own. I think we all went with specialties of the house and no one was disappointed! We all shared and tasted and everything here was absolutely delicious. For mise en bouche we got sardines with roasted red peppers, escargot, mussels in tarragon sauce, and a salad vert with a great mustard vinaigrette. Each of these was great in not only the flavors but the presentation as well. For our main courses we ordered the chicken, rabbit and duck. Again, they may sound like simple dishes but the layers of flavor took each to a new level. Everything was perfectly cooked and presented beautifully. If you are a dessert person, do not skip the last course just because you may be feeling like you could pop from the incredible meal you have had up to this point. Take it slow and enjoy it - the perfect ending to a great dining experience. There is an outdoor garden area that can seat about 30. In the summer they show French movies twice a week out there with dinner service. We didn't see it in action but definitely will before the end of the season! I absolutely recommend Bistrot La Mienette and am looking for an occasion to try it again soon!
(5)
FoodForHerSoul d.
The place is adorable and charming. The bread and butter were perfect. Bread was freshly baked and cut, warm, and the crust was a little bit buttery. The butter was a little sweet and salty and not cold! YAY for room temperature butter! We were here at 5:30pm on a Wednesday and there was only one other table dining there. I loved seeing the cooks in the little french kitchen in the back with the wonderful french music playing. We only ordered two things because we had an appetite to save. My boyfriend got the Vol-au-Vent appetizer (Puff pastry with lobster, shrimp, crayfish, scallop, english peas and an american sauce) and I had the Vegetable tart with Jerusalem artichoke puree, oven-roasted tomatoes, wild mushrooms zucchini, frisee, beurre blanc. Mine was unbelievably good. (I liked his too but mine I think was by far the better dish) The tart was just perfect from the crust, to the little salad on the side; every bite made me want another and I think I could have eaten 5 of these. There was nothing boring about this but nothing overwhelming either. The buerre blanc just brought everything together and if I'm ever in Philly again I am coming here and trying so much more. If it ends up disappointing me next time, at least the bread and butter make me happy.
(5)
Jared S.
Def a 4.5er. I went here FOREVER ago. Can't recall it that well. It was really good though. The mussels still haunt me. They are FANTASTIC. Get them. Everything else was above average. I got the cassoulet. Very nice. I had leftovers due to the powerful and filling french flavors. The inside is cute like Paris Bistro imitationish, but they pull it off. We were seated right by the door if I recall, but it wasn't awful and someone has to sit there I guess. The place wasn't over crowded table was in general though, which is always nice especially for bistro type spots. I will be returning for sure. Someday...as it is not exactly cheap. They do have a 4 course menu Sunday nights for 29 I believe. I think that I'll check that out the next time I return.
(4)
Steve J.
Went here for National Escargot Day and had a really nice time. My girlfriend loves escargot and when I saw that had a special pre-fixe menu with all snails I knew I had to take her. We sat outside in the back garden area and it was really quiet and romantic. All of our courses were good, but nothing amazed me. I really would love to go back and try the regular menu sometime.
(4)
Donnie V.
Very traditional French food, very well done and with excellent service. We loved the atmosphere and the food.
(4)
Nick B.
I had a nice dinner outside in the front of the restaurant patio. My first course was roasted quail with leak stuffing and vinegar shallot jus. I have never had quail before but pleasantly (or maybe pheasantly ok...... bad joke haha) surprised. The bird was roasted perfectly and the stuffing blended well and added to the flavor. For the main course I had red-wine spice-braised rabbit. Also a first for me and was very good. The staff was professional and timely. I will probably go back again when I am in town.
(5)
Amy B.
I'm certainly their Number 1 fan. Maybe its my growing love for french food or that it's within walking distance in my hood but I simply can't get enough of this place. The decor is intimate and charming. So for those romantics out there...this is your place!! The music selection and volume is subtle yet present. OH and The Food! I have yet to walk away feeling hungry or disappointed. From the beet salad to the rabbit or lamb shank (I'm a creature of habit) my belly is happy. I often would just go there for a drink or five on the outside patio or go have dinner and a movie on Monday's and Thursday's (All french subtitled films of course). The service is friendly yet professional which in those parts are true treasures. So if I'm setting high expectation for you...I am!! You can tell'em I sent you ;-)
(5)
Michelle H.
Bistrot La Minette is one of my favorite spots in the whole city. Delicious, carefully crafted and beautifully presented dishes, lovely warm atmosphere, plus they have a bar. (I love BYOBs as much as the next girl, but sometimes I enjoy a good cocktail before dinner.) My husband and I used to go there a lot before we had kids, but after having kids we've only gone there once or twice. Well yesterday we decided to go there for an early supper and to take the girls with us. The staff welcomed us, set up two high chairs, and brought us plenty of bread and a quick order of macaroni au gratin for the girls. Then when our entrees came out, one of my girls suddenly vomited up the entire contents of her stomach. I was holding her at the time and it went all over her shirt, my pants, and the floor. It was disgusting and it was everywhere. It was clumpy and gooey and there was spinach in there from lunch... just gross, and it stunk to high heaven. I hustled her off to the bathroom to try to clean her up. Moments later, the manager knocked on the door with a pile of clean towels for me to use. By the time I emerged, the mess at our table was cleaned up. I was mortified so I kept apologizing, but they downplayed it and refused to make a big deal out of it. After we got home and put the girls to bed, I wrote them an email apologizing again and thanking them for not making us feel worse than we already did. Today I received this email from the owner: "Please, no apologies necessary. Children get sick. My son has vomited on that very floor two or three times. We hope to see you here soon." And this email from the general manager: "I just wanted to reiterate what Peter has already said. And next time you come back please bring the kids. We want families to feel welcome here." I am so used to getting unfriendly or indifferent service, especially when I have my kids in tow. This was such a refreshing change. So I wanted to publicly recognize this perfect jewel of a restaurant that just got even shinier and lovelier in my eyes.
(5)
Jack N.
Having eaten at many of Philly's finest French restaurants I'd say Bistrot La Minette is the best . The servers are incredibly knowledgeable and professional. Dishes such as the rabbit and escargot are prepared perfectly. .
(5)
Nora C.
They were great when they first opened. I had the worst food and worst experience with service ever the last two times I ate there. If I have had good food and service, then have one bad experience, I give it a second chance, but not a third! Very, very disappointing.
(1)
Erin P.
With Bistrot la Minette on one corner, Beau Monde across the street, and Coquette down the street, we think that the area around 6th and Bainbridge in Philadelphia should be called the French Quarter. Last Thursday, Bistrot la Minette had a special tasting menu with wine pairings for $50. We were really excited to sit in the new courtyard in the back. Soft french bread with salted butter staved off our hunger while we waited for the first course. Next was an olive tapenade amuse bouche that tasted like standard olive tapenade with a good salinity. The first course was fish soup with toast pieces topped with pureed potatoes and shredded cheese. The soup had a rich and full briny seafood taste. I thought it was a bit too strong but the toasts cut the fishy taste for me perfectly. This course was served with a rose from Chateau Mourlet. It was like pulling teeth getting that little bit of information from the waiter! These scallops were the best scallops we've ever had. The seasonings were simply salt and olive oil, served with diced vegetables (summer squash, red pepper, onion) AKA Ratatouille as per the chalk menu in front- far more helpful than our waiter. We were served a Viognier with this course. When I asked where it was from, the server said: "um, Provence." Thanks. I didn't pry. The wine was surprisingly and overly sweet. The beef stew, Provencal style, was very tasty. The beef fell apart. Some of it was extremely tender but a few random pieces had gotten a bit too dried out. Cooked with the beef were perfectly roasted fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, and olives. The sauce was rich but was used in just the right amount. The beef came with a Cotes du Rhone. By this point we had given up asking for any additional information about what we were being served. Our final drink was St. Germain liquer and Savignon Blanc with spritzer and ice. Dessert was a creamy creme brulee with a rich berry sorbet filled with bits of caramel. The sorbet was so dark it looked like chocolate. Besides the scallops, this was my favorite course. The moral of this restaurant adventure was that the food was delicious but the service should have been much better. A trained monkey could have served us our wine and food. None of the dishes were explained to us. "This is fish soup." "These are scallops." "Viognier is a grape. This is Viognier from, um, Provence." Um, thanks. But we have no idea exactly what that was, nor the Cotes du Rhone that was served with the beef. One of the appealing aspects of a tasting menu is that you don't always know what you are getting until it is set in front of you, but then you usually have a trained server explain the food and drink in detail. We'll go back, but only when we can order and know what it is that we are eating and drinking.
(3)
Ryan D.
After reading such good reviews on Bistrot La Minette I took my sister and mom there on a friday night and it did not disappoint. Food was amazing, service very good and overall ambiance very lovely. Sure it may not be the best fine french dining on the east coast but for a reasonably priced local place off south street, very well done indeed.
(5)
Evelyn G.
try the brunch! awesome bread...le fini
(5)
Max T.
Recommend for anyone looking for an authentically French restaurant. Menu has a lot of choices if you're not a huge fan of sometimes very rich and heavy French food.
I am so confused by how this restaurant is rated so high. The food itself was cooked well, but the sauces were funky. They ruined the meal. Between us we had the Halibut, Hare and a pea soup. The best part was the pea soup. I wouldn't go back here.
(2)
Nick R.
Just moved around the corner and I am so pumped that this place exists. I love the french bistro experience... great food without the stuffiness of fine french dining... Moved back down to the area from NYC suburbs and have been here twice already. First Visit Pitchers of wine for the special lady friend and me Heirloom Tomato App for the wife and foie gras for me. Both Amazing... Pan-seared NY strip for the wife and braised rabbit for me. Again, Both Amazing! Second Visit Pitchers of wine Split the Euf de pecheur (Sorry if I butchered the speling) Very good, not as good as the previous but only because we liked the previous two so much. NY strip for the wife again.... and I went with a special which if I remember correctly was similar to their duck option (pan roasted duck breast, white asparagus, black truffle?) with additional features including foie gras and duck confit... Awesome again. This is quickly turning into my favorite philly spot.
(5)
Tracy D.
This was by far one of the best meals that I ever had. The mussels appetizer was definitely one of the best things I ever ate and would highly recommend getting it. I am a sucker for anything with a poached egg. My girlfriend got the escargot and that was good but it's just not really my thing. The bread and butter was incredible and I had to stop myself from filling up on it. I then ordered the poached salmon cooked in duck fat. The flavors were incredible but my salmon was a bit undercooked. I traditionally like fish cooked medium but this was still a little jelly like on the inside. I was so full that I didn't even tell them because I didn't want them to cook me another piece. We shared the carmelized puff pastry dessert and that was yummy. The server was wonderful and very helpful. I went on a weeknight at 8:30 so there wasn't a crowd just a couple tables. It was relaxing and romantic and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic place to eat dinner.
(5)
Jon S.
Had late lunch with my daughter there Friday. My second visit. We were the only customers. Sat at the cheery table by the bar and front window. We had their $14 two plate lunch specials (to which we added their ice cream sampler and sorbet sampler for $5 each.) Just astonishingly good hearty food (duck) and well made (quiche), plus interesting salads. On both visits we were very well treated by friendly and smart wait-staff. Very nice house wines in custom made carafes and we had a well turned out Kir Royal too. Understated bistro antiques. Waiting for the rain to stop so that we can go back for their free French movie night in the open air back "room". Love this place. Easy daytime parking on the next block South.
(5)
Bill E.
Took my wife there for the October tasting menu inspired by Burgundy. It was excellent and not overpriced at all for a multiple course meal. The ambiance of the place makes it a great place to bring your lady and to have a wonderful evening. I like when the service at a restaurant makes the experience laid back and worry free, when I am out w the wife the last thing that I want to do is chase down the waiter when I need another drink or another glass of wine and this place left me satisfied and will definitely be back when they have their next tasting menu night.
(5)
Allitia D.
There is nothing quite like a dinner at La Minette--the go-to place for haute rustique French. Savory, beautiful, assured plates. Silky smooth maitre de table and wait staff in long linen aprons. Connoisseur cheeses, and desserts of exquisite form and superlative tastes. Tonight was typical: delightful people, delightful neighboring tables, fabulous oeufs en meurette, egg-shell french bread with salted butter, crisp white wine, buttery vinaigrette over billowy bibb lettuce, sunny warm yellow room, bustle without hassle, heaven!
(5)
Scott H.
I can't say anything bad about my meal. The cheese plate was awsome and so was the escargot. Good wine selection and great service. I will be back !
(5)
jennifer y.
I was told this place rocked...and was good as Bistro 7, which I ADORE, but I can't agree! So I'm going to have to go back, but I'll do it when someone else is paying. Cause I just dropped $120 and I feel very let down, and I hate that. I love good food and a great meal is truly the highlight of a day or week. Please, please don't order the Coquille St. Jacques, diver scallops. They were sandy, and their lovely taste, and preparation was overshadowed by the heavy orange flavors in the dish. Its a shame cause the flavor was delish. The steak was very good, but I ordered it medium rare, but I got a Medium, to medium well steak. The potato side dish was good but overly salty. Additionally, I LOVE harricot vert...but not these. Both myself and my date were shocked. They tasted so stunningly bad. The garlic soup, was fine. But I wouldn't do again. Order the Alzacian pizza instead. It's like yummy carbonara on a thin-crust. Surprisingly good.
(2)
Trauts N.
Good. Very good. Had the rabbit. All 4 of us enjoyed the meal and the ambiance. Would go back.
(5)
Scout S.
Good wine list. However, I ordered the beef bourguignon and it was SUPER salty (and I'm a salt person) and ALL beef and maybe one pearl onion... where were the carrots and potatoes? Or is that too American?
(3)
Joshua L.
I haven't written any review on yelp, but I had to write about this one. so I just signed up for yelp. I took my girl friend here and we were seated in the back garden. It was nicely decorated and food was excellent as other reviewers mentioned before. What suprisemd me was their service. I left my credit card behind. They called me within an hour (probably looked up my phone number on reservation list) even before I became aware of it. I couldn't go back to restaurant because of my schedule and they mailed it to me the same day I talked to a manger over the phone. and it came a couple days later. The waiter made me very comfortable and did't interrupt our conversation much nor pressured me to order more food.
(5)
anne l.
We checked out this new bistro (what's with the t?) last weekend after reading the harrowing story of what the owner went through to get the place set up. You know what? It's pretty damn good and I hope it succeeds for him! The atmosphere is busy french bistro - feels good - not too fussy. Food is truly excellent and the service was wonderful. Very attentive without being in your face. Sometimes I found the decor trying too hard, and the unisex bathroom scene isn't for everyone. Don't miss the potatos dauphin (or something like that - they're with cream and cheese). and try a pastis instead of your usual cocktail while you're at it.
(4)
Read T.
LOVE that this south philly restaurant is not a byob. The service and food are impeccable. The portions are a smiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge on the small side (especially in the seafood category), and so that's always just a little disappointing.
(4)
Pink T.
Possibly the best meal I've had in Philadelphia. Only James comes close in terms of the food, but the atmosphere and service at Bistrot La Minette is superior. Bistrot La Minette is a French bistro in Philadelphia. Not an approximation or replica of one, but an actual, authentic French bistro (sans the Gauloises smoke). As such, there's no pretension or holding up of appearances, because the staff is not faking it. One feels relaxed, at ease, at home eating here. And the food was great. The type of place you could enjoy for an appetizer and glass of wine, a nice date, or family-style dinner (they conveniently have a private room that can seat up to 20). After a delicious amuse-bouche of salmon rillette that was so buttery smooth and flavorful, my date and I had the salmon tartare. This was fantastic, covered with toothy lentils. The fish was chopped perfectly, and evenly, and was fresh and delicious. We also split the Alsatian Flammkueche, which is essentially a small pizza-like item--great, great dough covered in caramelized onions and lardons and cooked in heavy cream. That's obviously going to be delicious, but the dough was the best part, chewy, crisp, i could still taste the cornmeal on the bottom. It's in my top 10 favorite food items in the city. For dinner we had the lamb stew and the rabbit. The stew was great with large chunks of lamb braised in white wine and fresh beans. Well cooked and light. I enjoyed the rabbit with mustard sauce over a bed of fresh tagliatelle. The rabbit was tender and appropriately fatty with nicely colored skin. The mustard sauce was smooth and perfect. I could eat that on everything. The tagliatelle was good, but didn't add much to the dish. I would've preferred mashed potatoes or some grilled vegetables instead. For dessert we ate the beignets--doughy, but not oily, balls covered in cinnamon sugar and served with raspberry sauce and homemade ice cream. What really elevated our meal was great service, including by the maitre'd who showed us around the restaurant, including the new outdoor seating, and talked about the plans for the space. I will personally do my best to keep this place in business. 5 Stars. Without equivocation.
(5)
Grace L.
My meal here tonight has to be the best meal that I've had in Philadelphia in recent memory. So awesome was this meal that I had to sign up for Yelp to review it. I went with three other friends. 2 of us ordered the 4 course menu (sardine appetizer, haricot vert and duck confit salad, fillet, and the opera cake.) I ordered the tomato terrine and trout while another friend ordered the mussels appetizer and the tarragon chicken. The bread was delicious, the kir royales were delightful and each successive dish that came out did not disappoint. We were all deliriously giddy by the end of our meal. However, the only thing that holds me back from giving this a full five star rating was the service. Our waiter was a complete jerk. He was rude and condescending. I almost felt like he expected us to thank him for having had the privilege of being served by him. This was especially disappointing as this was actually my birthday dinner celebration. Everyone else from the host to the other waiters and busboys seemed to be perfectly pleasant. Other than the rude server, I completely fell in love with the food here and would love to go back.
(4)
Maria C.
Amazing food. Great service. Intimate space. I've been here a few times over the past couple of months and have to say each time I leave, I am planning my next trip back. Each time I've dined at Bistrot, our party has been the last to leave...literally shutting the place down. And the staff continues to smile, no dirty, "get the hell out of here" looks from them. The chef (Peter Woolsely) is equally as gracious as his staff, stopping by each table to chat throughout the service. I'm so happy that this place is consistently busy and receiving such great feedback because he seems like a genuinely nice, hardworking guy who deserves the praise! The food...well, the food is amazing. Simple, yet unique. The rabbit is by far one of the better dishes on the menu, in my opinion, and worth a try even if you are hesitant about well, eating rabbit. Portion sizes are substantial yet not so small that you feel like you paid a lot for nothing. Of course for dessert, the creme brulee...
(5)
Panda N.
Philadelphia has few French inspired restaurants that I can compare to, but I came here on my birthday and had a lovely experience. It was quite busy on a Friday, so I strongly recommend reservations. Though we had one, we were not seated immediately upon arrival, but I'm not one to complain about waiting.... I work in the service industry and these things just happen. We sat at the bar where we ordered drinks while we waited, the bartender was friendly and informative on the different wines and specialty cocktails. When finally seated, we were offered a warm cheese ball from our server and a detailed explanation of specials and menu items. Duck being my favorite I had the terrine de foie gras and the confit de canard. The foie gras was beautifully plated and was absolutely mouth watering. It was perfect with the baguette and a little dollop of the fig compote that accompanied it. The terrine was a perfect balance of rich, smooth, delicate, and savory. As for my confit de canard, it was almost boring. Though it is something traditionally prepared I am assuming, it just didn't really make me want to eat it again and again. My boyfriend being a pastry chef he prepared my birthday cake which was bittersweet because the dessert menu looked amazing. After 2 courses and two bottles we almost hit the $300 mark after tip. Definitely not a cheap eat, but it is a fabulous place to take someone for a special occasion. The ambiance was dark and romantic. A perfect place for good wine and conversation. Our meal was a little over 2 and a half hours which is something I feel that many diners do not always get to take advantage of. I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and enjoying every bite of my food without being thrown my check and the server taking away my plate at every chance. I hope to come back to Bistrot La Minette!
(4)
Dee H.
We had a fantastic french dinner here, thanks to the recommendations by the yelp reviewers. Our party had the semolina dumplings, the rabbit and the duck entrees. All wonderfully savory and delicious. We followed with a lovely trio of capuccino, raspberry puff pastry with cream, and chocolae mousse cake with sorbet. The maitre d and wait staff were the most wonderful gentlemen. My daughter and a young friend with us absolutely adored the interior and the wash rooms (and nobody minded the young ladies' casual dress). A super ending to our day of touring beautiful Philadelphia.
(5)
Lilly P.
I had been looking forward to coming here for almost a year, and finally went on my Birthday yesterday. My friend and I made reservations for 2:30. When we arrived, we were told to hurry up and order fast because they didn't have time and were prepping the kitchen for dinner. The waiter literally stared us down as we were forced to pick something off the menu while our coats were still on! He then demanded we pay him while we were still eating, and never brought me my cafe au lait because "the espresso machiene is broken" Hello! its just coffee and milk! He finally brought it after I had eaten my dessert. Overall, the service was just so rude and they treated us like crap from the get-go. I have never experienced servers this rude - even in France. In the end he actually appologized to me - for the rude service. But it didn't matter, he had already ruined our meal - which was not even that good to begin with.
(1)
Julia S.
yum.yum.yummm. i went here with my boyfriend last night on the early side at 6pm. we sat in their lovely outdoor patio in the back. i have to say, i am always impressed when a restaurant serves an amuse bouche!! our waiter was wonderful: he was so knowledgeable of the menu (all ingredients and cooking methods), he suggested numerous dishes that would go well with our wine choice, and he was friendly and attentive. the atmosphere was wonderful: french music, patio with candles and string lights, and flower boxes. now...the food...WAS AMAZING. we started with the scallops and asparagus soup. then i had the rabbit (my first time!) and my boyfriend had the daurade. both were DELICIOUS...especially the rabbit dish. the daurade was more rustic and the rabbit was more hearty. THEN the dessert. oh myyyyy. SOOO yummy. we ordered the lemon tart with cassis sorbet--one of the yummiest combinations i have had. then...since I know one of the cooks...we were given the unbelievable mille feuille with raspberries, on the house. i can say that this was hands down one of the best desserts of my LIFE. the vanilla cream was to die for. basically, the service is impeccable. the food is beautifully plated and perfectly executed, and the atmosphere is romantic and unpretentious. i will definitely go here again.
(5)
Meg R.
I'd have to echo all the praises sung of La Minette. Contrary to Parc, feels as though you're on a stage set, La Minette "is" what it makes itself out to be - a cozy, not overly pretentious, full of deliciousness French Bistro. The maitre d' greets you, friendly and accomodating. The wait staff, knowledgeable without being aloof. The Prix Fix menu can be ordered w/ or w/o wine, which makes it affordable if you don't want to spend more than $30/person. I had lamb stew with the lamb dripping off the bone as though it had been stewed for days, in a tomato and bean soup, and the portions surprisingly hearty; there was little room for desert. I did try someone else's Creme Brulee....it is worth getting here - the best I've had in a long time. Oh and I have to mention that the sinks in the bathrooms are my favorite - the water comes out in a ribbon; it feels so luxurious; you'll have to try it out to know what I'm saying. La Minette succeeds in paying attention to the subtle details. This is a great place to while away the hours with a loved one or group of friends or family.
(5)
Gordon B.
Awesome restaurant! Had dinner here on a Saturday night, prime time. Arrived at the scheduled time for our reservation and we were immediately greeted and shown to our table. Food was fantastic. The mussels with a poached egg was maybe one of the best dishes I've had in awhile. I could eat it every day for breakfast and never tire of it! Tasted everbody elses dishes and they were perfect (foie gras, Alsatian "pizza" and escargot to name a few). Main course for me was the rib eye. This dish finally puts to rest the conundrum of haricot vert not having enough bacon! Wrapped in bacon and grilled, wonderfully tasty! The rib eye was of top notch quality and cooked perfectly. Desserts were delicious as well, but being that I had my fair share of wine I can't be too specific. Staff was friendly and extremely helpful. Always there when you need them and not there when you don't. I can't wait to return!
(5)
Jonny S.
NIce place. Great decor. Lots of mustard used in their dishes but I liked it. I was hungry so I had a lot to eat. I also (inexplicably) was fond of the red aprons worn by the wait-staff.
(4)
Mia F.
This was such a great find. My friends suggested we go to Bistrot La Minette because on Monday and Thursday evenings at 8:30pm in the Spring and Summer you can sit on the outdoor patio and take in a french film (complete with subtitles) while you enjoy your meal. It's the closest you'll feel to sitting in a french cafe in Philadelphia. The food was amazing (I had the rabbit) but the experience alone was worth the trip.
(5)
Daniel V.
This place has a nice decor and though the food is quite tasty, especially the fresh baked bread, our experience was completely ruined by the terrible service. It was our 2 year wedding anniversary, and we chose to celebrate it at this place. We were very excited to eat at Bistrot La Minette, but were greeted and served by a curt asshole of a waiter. It's really too bad. I know it was just poor luck of the draw, but I won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)
Nicholas M.
I was reminded again last night how good this charming restaurant is. Every aspect of the restaurant excels. Our waiter was polished, helpful, and attentive. The meal was so good. We had the mussels with egg (Oeuf du pecheur), the green salad, cauliflower gratin, and the chicken entree. The meal was just as good as my first meal here years ago. I don't know why it has taken me so long to get back. I won't make that mistake again.
(5)
Amanda F.
Thank you, thank you, Bistrot la Minette, for one of my favorite birthday dinners ever. :) First of all, a note about the service--which was unfailingly nice, courteous, and professional, from the guy at the front desk to our waiters. They called to confirm my online reservation and when I called them back, they told me that not only could we sit in the lovely back courtyard if we wanted, but if we didn't want to watch the French movies they project on the wall on Mondays (!!) they would hold a seat for us out front instead--but no pressure, we could decide when we got there. When we did arrive, the man at the front not only remembered talking to me, he was amusingly nonjudgmental about my complete lack of phone skills. And our waiters throughout the meal were perfect: they explained the menu but not too much, they were always there when you needed to ask for something but were not too intrusive, and basically just contributed a lot to an already fantastic meal. This may seem like a lot of superlatives, but I really enjoyed myself in all aspects of the dinner. The outdoor courtyard deserves all of the accolades that blogs and magazines have heaped upon it. It's small and narrow, but they pack a lot of tables in, and not so close as they seemed to be in the dining room. Fairy lights are strung across the top of it, enclosing it but leaving a view of the sky open. The tables, a gray-stained wood, complimented the gray stucco walls nicely. The yard hummed with good conversation as people ate, and later, transformed into an adorable outdoor movie theatre, a background for an early Audrey Tautou movie. If the weather is good DEFINITELY try and sit back here--it was fantastic. Also, to the woman I was sitting next to, if you are on Yelp, I apologize for not holding a better conversation... by that time I'd had a little bit of the delicious house blanc. Oops. We decided to do the September fixed price menu, and although everything was great, I definitely want to save up the money and do La Minette proper. The meal began with the complimentary gougere, which was crispy on the outside and warm and savory on the inside. The bread, also, was just as it should be; a crispy outside that shattered when you bit into it, and cool, soft fluffy butter. We went through two baskets of it and I'm sure only embarrassment stopped us from eating more. As for the main meals, I ordered the tomato terrine, trout in a lemony brown butter sauce, and the creme brulee. My boyfriend ordered the potato leek soup, the half-roasted chicken, and the chocolate mousse cake. So between us, we'd tried everything on that little menu, and everything was fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect from the tomato terrine, but it was a slice of what looked like tomatoes pressed in a loaf shape. In between the two main sections were slivers of basil and aged balsamic vinegar. It was a little odd looking but surprisingly good. I tasted a spoonful of the soup and it was hearty, creamy, and satisfying. I LOVED the main course: two thin trout fillets, with the crispy skin still attached, atop haricots verts and fingerling potatoes, in a tart brown butter sauce. I normally don't even like green beans but I ate everything. And my boyfriend, who doesn't eat fish usually, tried a bite of my entree and liked it. Ah, the power of good cooking. There are two types of creme brulees: those that focus on a higher burnt sugar content to those that seem more about the custard. Personally I am in favor of more burnt sugar, hence the lower, wider ramekins are preferred. Bistro La Minette gets it right: and as a bonus the custard was chilled when brought out. I couldn't eat all of it, though, because although the portions of the rest of the meal were perfectly sized, the richness of the custard (and the combination of a bottle and a half of wine) proved too much for me. I also didn't try my boyfriend's cake but it looked beautifully arranged on the plate. With the check, two cold chocolate truffles were brought out, which I thought was an adorable touch. All in all, everything was wonderful! I am definitely going to save up so that I can go back and experience the restaurant properly...partially because I spent a large portion of the dinner eyeing my neighbors' rabbit enviously, but mostly because it was such a lovely evening.
(5)
Allyson P.
Amazing! Drinks, appetizer, entrees all made perfectly. Worth the price for a special occasion - and they have specials that aren't too costly too!
(5)
Tough Crowd T.
Had dinner with friends last Saturday evening and enjoyed the experience. I was stunned, however, how expensive the meal turned out to be. It reminded me why I typically prefer BYOs to full service restaurants. We had four appetizers (truffle pasta, sardines, beet salad and mussles), four entrees (duck, rabbit, steak and dorade), two drinks/glasses of wine each and two desserts (lemon tart and opera cake) and our bill came to $360, all in. Everything was fine, but nothing was outstanding or remarkable. As frequently the case, the appetizers outshined the entrees, except for the truffle pasta, which was mediocre. The sardines are very good, indeed, but have been on the menu since the restaurant opened. The mussles were very good, and so was the beet salad, but not particularly creative or pushing the culinary envelope in any way. Of the desserts, the lemon tart was actually quite poor -- the crust was cold and too hard and the custard was too runny. The opera cake was delicious though. I will have dinner here again, but will either order more carefully or make it into a parents-in-law dinner night out.
(4)
jen m.
we had a mishap occur with a coat rack falling on our table and thusly breaking a wine glass and spraying red wine on some of us, but nevertheless i am giving this place 5 stars for the great food and the service which was exceptional (despite the coat rack). it's saying a lot of me to forgive the fact that one of our party's shirt was stained from the wine and we had to get all new appetizers because ours was filled with broken glass. but our waiter, kane, was very knowledgeable and friendly. the other waitstaff were very courteous. they gave us free wine for the mishap. and all in all it was a pleasant experience. i would return.
(5)
Penelope K.
Very disappointing. Nothing tasted fresh-it all seemed warmed over. Brutalist service (Just because the French are reputed to be rude?), small portions of overly salted and buttered food, lamb seriously undercooked (we asked for medium, this was less than blue) and poor cut, Sardines limp and inferior despite being touted as plat de la maison, Rhubarb sorbet tasted like salt and nothing else. Back garden is a heat sink between two high walls and very loud if a large party is next to you. I would not return.
(1)
Tom W.
My wife and I were staying in Philly over night and wanted to celebrated with a nice meal. While this restaurant was on the pricier end for us, it was definitely worth the money. We loved the atmosphere, it had a hip French feel with out being pretentious. We really enjoyed the French music that was playing: it was edgy enough to be interesting without being obnoxious. We have both spent some time in France, so some of the lyrics made us laugh. We refrained from wine, but ordered appetizers. The Alsatian Pizza, which has onion, lardon (like bacon but better) and creme fraiche (like sour cream but better), was excellent. The escargot were deliciously tender, each in their little pot of garlic butter. For our main course, my wife got the Duck and I got the Salmon. It was hard to discern which entree was better, we both enjoyed picking from each other's plates. The salmon was very buttery -- the mash potatoes were a little salty, though that did not detract much from the experience as a whole. I must say also that our server was excellent. Very attentive without being obstructive.
(5)
Meredith B.
I was looking forward to dinner, but meh sums it up. Nice ambience. Started with amuse bouche of Lilliputian sized gougere. My appetizer was soupe parmentier which was supposed to be a puree of winter root vegetables. The dominant taste was cream. Who doesn't love cream, but was there potato, celery root, parsnip, onion? I couldn't discern any particular vegetable. Husband had the oeufs pecheur, poached egg with cream sauce and mussels. That was the best dish of the evening. For main I had boeuf bourgignon. For $27 I expected some richness and depth of flavor, but this was a lackluster stew, with no wine or mushroom flavor. Very bland other than the crispy lardons on top. Husband got mustard sauced rabbit with tagliatelle. Fairly tender, but sauce with little dijon flavor, tagliatelle not homemade, in all just an ok dish. Skipped dessert (2 mediocre courses and we cut our losses) and had coffee which came with a couple of cute chocolates. I would have given 3 stars, but given the prices, the food should be more than mediocre, plus I got a stomache after the meal, before we even made it home. Other reviewers seemed to love it but I just don't get.
(2)
steven g.
excellent food preparation and plating; knowledgeable, courteous and well-trained wait staff; varied selection of menu offerings...al in all, a worthy experience
(5)
tilla e.
The space is really lovely. We were there with a toddler and felt welcomed, which isn't always the case. The food was very good but not amazing. The pea soup was excellent as were the scallops. I had the rabbit. It came in two pieces - the leg being cooked perfectly but the thigh was a little dry. It was also just a "hare" too salty (couldn't help myself, sorry). All in all, I would go back.
(4)
Rudy M.
A great French restaurant! Everything I have had there was delicious: "escargots", fish, duck, etc. You'll have much choice, and the menu is renewed from time to time. The service is very professional, the winelist satisfying, the place very charming, both classy and relaxed. There is a terrace on the street, but I definitely prefer the retro atmosphere inside. As many French restaurants in the US, this one tends to be pricey. So spare and enjoy!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Abbie D.
Great food, great ambiance and exceptional service. The chestnut foie gras soup was incredible.. Poached egg with mussels = rediclous! Butter poached salmon was perfectly cooked medium rare, silky smooth delicious flavor atop wilted spinach aside of a OOC potato pancake! Dessert was the raspberry puff pastry and chocolate mousse both were over the top!! Great job Bistrot team!! I could go on but I'm so full and need my bed...
(5)Ali C.
My fiance and I ate at Bistrost La Minette last night and LOVED it! Warm ambiance and friendly staff. We ordered the Œuf du Pêcheur (mussels), the Salade Bettraves avec ses Croûtes de Chèvre Chaud (beet salad), and the Boeuf Bourguignonne (beef entree). The mussels were AMAZING!! You must order this, it was our favorite of the night! I would have licked my plate clean if it was socially acceptable :) The beet salad and beef entree were delicious as well! Yum, yum, yum!
(5)Ali W.
Bistrot la Minette is an amazing find. Hidden a block away from the crowds on South St this restaurant is a gem. The food was flawless and very authentically French. The ambiance was very romantic and quiet. There are about five tables outside to people watch and enjoy your food. I will be back here again!
(5)Zhanna R.
The best bread and Escargots à la Bourguignonne + unique selection of cheeses +French vines. I had vine from Corsica there! I love all their menu but escargots and winter root soup are my favorites. I keep going back and honestly compare other places by standards they set for my taste buds. Prix fixe courses are not to be missed. Bon appetit :)
(5)barbara k.
We were visiting from Seattle, and 2 Phila friends recommended Bistro La Minette. We went there with one, and were so happy we did, especially as the next night we went to another French restaurant that was not very good. I started with the beet salad, with a citrus vinaigrette that was indescribably delicious. One of the best salads I've ever had. I had the foie gras special for a main, as I knew with the richness I wouldn't want or need anything else. Fabulous! The others had Truite Meuniere and "the chicken", and both said they were great. Unfortunately we did not have dessert, which I'm sure was also excellent. The ambiance was lovely, and quiet enough that we could talk, since we had a lot of catching up to do. Overall, a great evening!
(5)M N.
One of my favorite spots in Philly. Every time I go to Philly I try to go to this place and enjoy their poached egg with mussel. It is beyond perfect. I have been to many French restaurants but never tasted anything like this. Their entrees are also very delicious. Everything I tried was perfect. I was also surprised they cooked the rabbit meat to be so tender and juicy. I know it's not that easy. It's not a cheap place but quality comes with a price so definitely worth it!
(5)Ken B.
Excellent drinks, excellent food, excellent service. Pricey but that's ok once in a while for an experience this good. Have the sweetbreads.
(5)Lucy Y.
Had the best night here. The staff was very attentive and helpful. The ambience was romantic but not too crowded because the restaurant was a good size. Try the French beers! The chestnut honey one was especially yummy. We got the onion and potato soup, grapefruit and endive salad, lamb shank, duck confit and the raspberry mille feuille for dessert and they were all delicious! We were celebrating a special occasion and they even sent over complimentary truffles at the end. Perfect experience
(5)Elva L.
i think of our meal here the other night as one of the best i've had in at least a few weeks, maybe months. to start, we received a little gift from the chef: a cheese ball, eh, okay. i am impressed that they coaxed some complex flavor out of whatever cheese they used and rendered it ubiquitous in the puffy dough. that must be harder that it looked/tasted. anyway, it was unexpected, but i didn't feel like it changed or enhanced our dinner. complimentary bread and butter: not much to say here, only that the bread was served warm and the butter soft. surprisingly many restaurants cannot manage to serve bread and butter properly. BLM did, good for them. starters: The Boy had pea soup, which I did not taste. I'm pretty specific about what color things have to be before I can eat them, and green soup is not on my list of acceptable color/texture combinations. I had the burgundy snails to start, um, gorgeous plate! insanely buttery, salty lead and a healthy trail of herbs per bite and the cutest little disc of CRISPY crouton in EACH container. you can very much see the amount of work put into each bite. additionally, it was served in TINY individual ceramic cups, rather than the kind of ramekin-like dish you normally see with escargot holes. main course: the special was a fresh caught halibut. our waiter explained it was only caught the day before, and i made up my mind that i couldn't not try it. i mean, this is probably the closest any of us will get to playing god-- to eat something that was alive only the day before?? sign me up! the halibut was cooked perfectly-- masterfully browned to a crisp on top, and a milky, tender flesh that was piping hot under. there is a difference between blasting a piece of fish on high heat for a short amount of time and letting it rest to near room temperature and cooking some more so as to Not overcook it, and what i got, which was a delicate filet cooked and served at impressively controlled doneness and temperature. The Boy had lamb shank which was just about melt in your mouth. I couldn't stop eating it, was already full, and did not want to offer up bites of my blissful fish for trade... it was rough. dessert: i will always go for creme brulee as long as it's available, so i forced the chocolate mousse cake on the boy (who didn't want dessert, I KNOW! blasphemy!!). the creme brulee was denser than i am used to, but the amount of sweetness was the perfect complement. As in, the sweetness matched the texture divinely so that the custard was still an absolute delight. The chocolate mousse was well executed, but not remarkable in my biased opinion. My only gripe was with the pistachio ice cream, which tasted to me rather like how some hand lotions smell. I did not care for it though it came at the recommendation of our waiter and I was excited to have it. speaking of whom, when we asked to have the lamb shank bone wrapped for our dog, he informed us that bones that have been cooked are likely to splinter and cause harm. this is something i did not know about, and i am glad he brought it to our attention and deterred us from making a potentially devastating mistake. kudos to this guy.
(5)Alessia K.
This gem continues to be our favorite place in the city to get an amazing meal in such a wonderful atmosphere. It is such a charming restaurant with a friendly staff and the kitchen turns out some serious food. We met the chef at a Cook event and he was gracious enough to come over and say hi to us during our most recent dinner. I will continue to recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
(5)Tina K.
The BEST dining experience I've had. 'Nuff said. The service was impeccable. Our glasses were never empty, and the waiters were friendly and professional. My boyfriend and I were really impressed with the amuse-bouche; it was still warm, fresh, crispy, and overall delicious. They gave a basket of bread, which was also very tasty. Hands down the best bread I've ever had--better than from bakeries! I ordered escargot and foie gras with a side of pommes anna. The foie gras was simply divine. I would go there again just to get more foie gras (and bread!). The raspberry mille crepe was also delicious. The atmosphere was upscale but still pretty casual. I really liked the soothing ambience and the clean-and-classy bathroom. Yay to clean bathrooms! Overall, I really recommend Bistrot La Minette. I would suggest making a reservation at least a day in advance if you don't want to go there at 5:30 because the reservations are often full for later times on the same day.
(5)christina j.
I am so happy to have discovered during restaurant week. I truly enjoyed sampling the menu from the escargot, to the foie gras and braised beef checks. Everything was delicious including the dessert of caramelized puff pastry with raspberry. I have new appreciation for French food. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Hoang T.
Received an email update regarding the restaurant's new April specials. Decided to head there for happy hour on a Wednesday. I've been there for dinner and I'll give dinner 5 stars too. Happy hour was great!!! It's really a slice of France in philly... Although I've never been to France.. I've studied the language and culture for years. The house red (wine) was delicious and not too light given it was a happy hour special. We ended up ordering snails, AMAZING AS ALWAYS... First timers must order this. Especially escargot lovers. Beef tartare... Not the best I had but definitely a very good dish if you like beef served this way. The scallops were cooked well and were just great. The mussel with poached egg was prob the highlight for me. It was truly a rich dish that hit many notes and I'd even argue one of the best appetizers in Philadelphia... It definitely screams French!! Creamy buttery sauce mushrooms mussels and baguette!!! What more could you ask for? Service is top notch!! For both happy hour and dinner. The wait staff are definitely a notch above the rest of Philly's establishments. The place is clean and just really nice overall. Can't wait to go back when it's warmer to sit outside on their patio. And to make my review more over the top.... I would vote bistro Philly's top 5 restaurants.
(5)Cole S.
I'm not surprised that Bistrot La Minette came up as #1 when searching for French Restaurants in Philadelphia. I ate here in late March with my cousin and found the cuisine to be among the best this side of the Atlantic. I had to check my ticket stub to make sure the plane actually landed in Philadelphia instead of Paris. This is an establishment that surpasses my trifecta of requirements for five yelp stars; service, food, and atmosphere. My cousin eats at Bistrot La Minette often and the servers recognized her. That type of personal connection always impresses me. Throughout the whole meal, I felt as if we were VIP guests. The food was excellent. I just can't say enough about how wonderful everything tasted. As expected, the wine was perfect. Finally, the ambiance was perfect. This wasn't a place that merely served French style food. It was a full on French restaurant plucked from the streets of Paris. If you're in Philadelphia. Eat here.
(5)Lianna N.
I havent been to France, but IF I did go, I imagine it would be a fine experience like this one. Our waiter was charming and mischievous; choosing me to be the targets of his jests and banter. He teased and played with us all night, and his rich french accent didn't leave anything to be desired. The setting was intimate, and queens village off of penns landing was a perfect location to tuck this little gem of a bistro. Parked a block away in a lot that costed $15 for after 5pm. I didnt want to circle endlessly looking for parking. It's also across the street from THE best creperie! Anyhow I digress. The food was excellent, and I was most looking forward to the escargot. The little pots of creamy garlicky butter toast bits with the escargot leaves my mouth watering in it's memory. I dunked chucks of the free bread into the delicious butter till I greedily devoured every cholesterol ridden morsel. And then I did something really unclassy. I licked the edge of the pot. I hope no one saw. The rest of the meal unfolded less eventfully. I did the duck confit/lamb stew which was rich hearty and filling. I sampled off everyone else's plate to make sure I had a well rounded experience. I captured most of the dishes we tried in photos. I left floating on a little cloud. My wallet was empty, but my heart was full. Merci, Bistrot La Minette.
(4)Melissa W.
If you judge a French restaurant by its bread, Bistrot la Minette wins straight off the bat. The baguettes are delicious. If you judge a French restaurant by its atmosphere, this place is pretty nice. Cute and kind of elegant but not at all stuffy. It's a little taste of France right here in Philly, complete with people at the next table overpronouncing everything on the menu with obnoxious French accents (maybe I'm just jealous I don't speak French). But really the best way to judge a French restaurant is by its food, and by that measure this place is solid. I'd probably give it four stars, but the foie gras special they had the night I went deserves an extra star all on its own. It was this foie gras and Earl Grey terrine with some sort of (Meyer?) lemon sauce, topped with blood oranges and crushed hazelnut. I don't generally like Earl Grey, nor do I generally like liver very much, but the flavors of this dish were out-of-this-word. It melted in your mouth and was somewhat like eating solid butter, albeit deliciously flavored butter that you can't stop eating no matter how disgusting it may feel to be eating solid butter. If they happen to offer this dish the next time you go, throw all your morals to the wind and order it without hesitation. The boeuf bourguignon was tender and delicious, the cassoulet had fantastic flavor, and the trout was light and tasty. For dessert, the raspberry cream pastry was delicious. The pear poached in wine was interesting, but not as good as the other one. Regardless, everything was well-done and well-executed, and the pricing was reasonable for fancy French food. The service was nice, and the restaurant was very busy (so make a reservation). Can't wait to come back for the Sunday night pre-fixe - if eating there on another day is any indication, Sundays must be an amazing deal.
(5)Kara K.
Probably one of the best meals of my life - by far certainly one of the best French meals - and I worked in France. This place is just amazing. Great ambiance, very good service and the food is just incredible. I went with my boyfriend a few weeks back to celebrate our anniversary and they gave us a special dessert with chocolates on a plate with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate sauce - and this was after our first round of desserts. Nice touch. Even if it wasn't for this, the meal was just awesome. We ordered six different dishes and all of them were outstanding. Just GO.
(5)Nancy N.
One of my favorite places in philly...tucked away in queens village, this French bistro feels like it should be in France. The is rich and hearty so don't attempt to go here if you are on a crash diet or want something light. It is so well worth the layers upon layers of rich goodness. Perfect for a romantic date or small dinner with friends.
(5)Jason H.
A very nice French Bistrot. The chef/owners do a good job of varying the menu, and regularly have themed menus focusing on an ingredient or region of France. The atmosphere is very nice, and is themed to resemble a French Bistrot, with marble tables and copper cookware hanging from the kitchen proscenium. A good place for a date or quiet family dinner; they have outdoor seating in the nicer weather.
(4)Steph S.
This restaurant truly deserves a 5-star rating after the excellent service my friends and I experienced recently. I had been here once for Restaurant week having had the foie gras, and Creme brûlée which were absolute perfection (I wish I could remember the entree but it was just as delicious). My friends informed me that Bistrot La Minette started a happy hour with half off appetizers and $3 wine from 5:30-7 so the 5 of us attended ordering nearly all the appetizers on the menu along with their house red and white Bordeaux. The appetizers we ordered were escargot, foie gras, Noix de St Jacques Poêlées au Champagne, Bouchées à la Reine, and Tartare de Bœuf au Couteau. The escargot was so amazing we ordered it twice and as I'm writing this wish we had ordered another round of the noix de st Jacques poêlées au champagne - it was just too good!! There was a company gathering in their private room making the service very slow. As a consolation the bartender gave us complimentary glasses of Bordeaux and a complimentary glass of dessert wine to go with our desserts. The only drawback to this happy hour is it's only in the front of the restaurant at the bar and the 2 tables near the entrance so you'd need to get there early if it got busy. Lucky for us it was a rainy day. Whether it's a new happy hour or a yummy French restaurant, I highly recommend this place.
(5)Ralph K.
Fantastic restaurant. Great food, great service, great ambience. One feels that they are a guest and much thought and work has gone into creating a memorable experience. My wife and I are vegan and the chef was so accommodating to create a fantastic dinner for us. He said that if he had advanced notice it would have been even better which is a claim we are prepared to test in the future.
(5)Amy C.
My bf and I decided to try this place out for restaurant week. We definitely do not regret this at all! We got the fisherman's poach eggs and escargot as appetizers. OMG! I'm usually not a big fan of escargot and I have to admit, that was the best that I ever had! My bf always gets escargot at different restaurants and I would sample it from his place and not really like it. My bf even said that was one of the best escargot that he ever had. For our entrees, we got the beef short ribs and duck confit. The beef short ribs was good. The duck confit was sort of dry? But pretty flavorful. As for appetizers, we got creme brûlée and puff pastry with cream. We would definitely come back!
(4)Jessica S.
Excellent date spot! When I came into this restaurant, I felt transported to a Parisian cafe, complete with the absurdly close together tables and (somewhat) rushed service. I can't help but say that these things add to the atmosphere. This place is a classy ass establishment. It's adorable. It's delicious. Eat the escargot, eat the braised rabbit, DEFINITELY eat the duck. Maybe enjoy some classy wine or French cocktails. Definitely only bring an attractive, articulate dining companion. That way, you can both be poised and posh together. Eat chocolate cake. Leave feeling incredibly happy.
(4)Christine L.
Charmingly decorated bistro, good food, memorably good service. I went sometime in the fall, but still the atmostphere remains lovely in my mind and the service outstanding. Super comfortable and relaxed feel, no rushing in the pacing of the meal. Appetizers were delicious and well-portioned. First time having escargots, and it was really, really delicious - a very memorable introduction, not scary at all. The squid ink pasta was really fun, simple flavors but also a first for me. I don't remember much about the entrees - Rabbit and Duck - but I do remember being really pleased that we had picked both. Definitely a good spot if you're looking for a high-quality and not-stuffy date spot.
(4)Kyle B.
Went for Restaurant Week. Everything was spot on. Favorites were the Beef Tartare and the Trout. Service was perfect.
(5)Jason C.
Went out with a group of 4 and loved the restaurant. Great ambience and location. Was surprised there weren't more people there on a weekend evening. Service was good and food came out relatively quickly. We got an order of escargot for the table which was delicious (and much more than the usual 6 pieces I'm used to!). I got the cobia which was lightly seared and tender, over saffron rice which was rich and buttery. The other members of our group got the roast duck and steak special which they liked as well. Got Chocolate mousse cake for dessert which was decent as well. Would have loved to explore more of the cocktail/drink menu but definitely enjoyed the couple of gin cocktails I ordered.
(5)Michelle C.
I went here for an anniversary dinner and ordered the rabbit and the lamb, and chocolate mousse for dessert. The food was delicious, but the romantic atmosphere, view of the kitchen from the seating, and excellent service were also highlights of our dining experience. Very reasonably priced for the quality.
(5)Nimmmy A.
When you walk in you get a lovely feel for great ambience and a romantic vibe. My boyf surprised me for dinner to celebrate our one year. And I was a little iffy about french food because my taste is a bit more on the spicy side, I was surprised to have enjoyed my food as much as I did. There was a creamy sauce that came with the chicken that complimented both the chicken and the rice very well. It was the delicacy of the flavors that was subtle but to a decent degree. My boyfriend loved his salmon and the way it was cooked as well. But I'm sure we'd both agree that the Mac and Cheese was the best. We also had fois gras which melted right in your mouth. All in all there is great service and even better food.
(5)Nate E.
Best restaurant in Philly. Order blind- it doesn't matter what you get, it will be excellent. I go with the wine poached egg for brunch, and fisherman's egg and seasonal beef cheek for dinner. **I really hope that Chef Peter Woolsey's continued ownership keeps him close enough to operations, even as he exits the kitchen, so we don't have another kitchen failing after a successful chef's exit (e.g. Stateside)...
(5)Mandy H.
Came here for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner with my new beau. What's more romantic than a French restaurant? I don't think anything is. I love the look of this place with the marble topped tables and parisian decor. It really felt like I was in Paris when I was inside. We each had a glass of their flavored champagne. I had the framboise and my main squeeze had the pear. The framboise was yummy, but the pear was incredibly refreshing! We got a bottle of rose with dinner, but I was still thinking about that pear chamapagne... To start we shared the fois gras, which was perfectly buttery and melt in your mouth worthy. We also went with the poached lobster special and the Cassoulet De Toulouse. The poached lobster was covered in a white, creamy sauce that really worked with the sweet lobster. It was the antithesis of the Cassoulet De Toulouse, which is a hearty, salty lamb stew. I'm a big fan of switching back and forth between savory and sweet, so this was my kind of combo. Finally we had the the tarte tatin apple tart with caramel ice cream which was very good. I will have to try Bistro La Minette for their brunch. And lunch. And dinner again.
(5)Ellie L.
we celebrated early V day here. this was best french restaurant ive been to. we had salad, ouef de pacheur as appetizer and cassoulet, salmon as entree. portion size was perfect. their baguette was very good too. we had a lovely night and cant wait to go back!
(5)Sabrina S.
It s an elegant and beautiful restaurant. I went to there with my girl, and we all like there.It s a good place for dating and hanging out with a small group of friends. Appetizer: Seafood with mushroom on the top of bread The dish was the best we had that night. With Sauce béchamel, the bread which was supposed to be cracked was perfectly chewing. Entree one: Rabbit Leg It is a house special there. However, the meat was tasted dry and not really plateful. Entree two: Pork Chop Similarly, the meat is not really special or excessively tasty. Garnishes were pretty good, juicy and fresh. Dessert: Raspberry pastry with lime creme The dessert was amazed us. Although both two entrees were just average level, the dessert was made us to like the place. Ps. All names on the menu are French, but you can read descriptions in English.
(4)Grace C.
Come here for the French film screenings. You're seated on the garden terrace and treated to a French cinematic creation (with English subtitles for all you non-francophones out there) as the sun dips down behind the walls of the restaurant, and the experience is stellar. The truite meunière is delicious - the toasted almonds they add to the trout, in my opinion, make the dish. I'm always a fan of nuts in main courses, and this place did not disappoint. The bar noir (pan-seared black bass) is also good. It's lighter on the palate - the broth reminded me of something I'd eat in a rustic country setting. It certainly adds to the homey French bistro vibe that this place exudes. Now for dessert. Some restaurants can really screw up crème brûlée (Parc's is embarrassingly awful) but Bistrot La Minette's version is delicious. The top layer cracks oh-so-satisfyingly with a tap of the spoon, and the cream itself is sweet and delicious. In short: GO! It's everything Parc is not - authentic, quaint, and effortlessly charming.
(5)Abby W.
I struggle to find any flaws with our experience here last night. E and I got all dressed up to celebrate three years of extreme happiness and settle in for what we knew would be an incredible meal. To begin, do not neglect to order a cocktail or some wine, it's just that kind of place. You earned it. I got a French 75, probably my favourite cocktail of all time, and it was spectacular. E also enjoyed his Sazerac and we both went for a second round. The table bread is such a highlight here. I know how odd that sounds, but you'll understand, trust me. We ate 2 entire little tin buckets full of bread (and we didn't even have to ask for the second bucket, it was offered. Bonus points). For appetizers we both ordered the escargots, which came in adorable little clay pots with garlicky butter. Delicious, but I still think Cochon's rendition is the best in the city. It was a good value though, with 9 perfect tender little morsels for $12, and it was very rich. E was hoping for oysters but there were none to be had. Since we were feeling celebratory, we also got the Flammenkuche to share. Here is where the service really started to set itself apart- without asking, they made this a mid-meal course and served it after we finished the escargots instead of shoving it on the small table with everything else. A small thing, but meaningful. Get the Flammenkuche! Good lord it may have been the best thing we had. Oniony and cheesy and bacony, with a crisp crust, oh my... I went for the rabbit as my entree and E got the pork loin. The rabbit was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The meat was so tender and moist and flavourful, the tagliatelle firm and springy, so rich... If anything it was maybe a tad salty but I didn't mind. E let me steal a bit of his and it was also really tasty, especially the pomme puree. If you love mashed potatoes, order this dish. A side crock of gratin cauliflower rounded out the mains nicely and was executed flawlessly. Even though we were stuffed, when you're at a great French restaurant it would be a huge mistake to not order dessert. We chose the creme brulee and orange tart, but only had one bite of the tart because that creme brulee might be the best dessert I've ever put in my mouth. Impossibly smooth and creamy with just enough sweetness but not too much. We ate all of it even though we were full beyond belief. Total damage for this feast, including 4 cocktails, was about $150 before tax and tip. You could get it under $100 easily by restraining yourself a bit more than we did, so this place is worth checking out even for a normal date night. Atmosphere is romantic and classy but somewhat casual- you wouldn't feel super out of place in jeans, but the Flyers jersey is probably pushing it. The place is TINY (although not super loud even though it was crowded) and the kitchen is open, so it gets a bit fragrant. Leave your furs at home unless you fancy some expensive dry cleaning bills. Service was very attentive from start to finish. No small detail was missed. Can't wait to return!
(5)Sal P.
Delish, scrumcious, and yummo. Everything top notch. Main courses were the beef, trout, and rabbit. The apps were french onion soup, goose liver and mac n cheese. really rich but oh so good. Dessert was kind a of a deconstructed cheesecake - pretty good. The ambience was nice and the service excellent. Also, the bread and butter was really good. Love that butter.
(5)David H.
When my wife and I first dined here...she just smiled. She lived in France for many years. We have both dined many times in Paris and other areas of France and Europe. A true experience in the quality, outcome of the product, ambience, and overall cost. Nothing more needs to be said. Keep up the good work.
(5)Kara S.
The best French cuisine I've ever had. Went this fall for a weekend lunch seating and it was absolutely empty. As a result, my party got VIP service all the way. I couldn't believe how well priced this place was. You can watch the chefs work in the kitchen from your table and the waiter knows his specials. Everything felt lush and romantic and beautiful. I had about four courses, and loved it all. I practically licked my plate. That's normal right? What do you absolutely have to order? Escargots, Tartine aux Figues et Fromage Blanc (figs, bread, cheese and dips), and creme brulee. My party also had the fish and a chicken dishes. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with ordering at this restaurant. We even got a table side visit from the main chef himself. You'll love this place for a fun lunch with friends, a romantic date night or a cool hangout around cocktail hour I imagine. Do not pass up a chance to visit this place!
(5)Wesley C.
Absolutely amazing. Seared fois gras, escargot, lamb shoulder, duck confit, creme brûlée, gateau, cafe. That was our meal, from start to finish. Pretty much like I don't think I can adequately describe this meal. Complex subtleties mixed with rich buttery boldness. Can I just say even their bread and butter is delicious?! Just delightful on the tongue and palate. BYO, but they also have some drinks to chose from if you want. We did both. lol and were VERY happy. You will not go wrong in coming here. And if you plan accordingly and bring enough people, you can even experience a "family style" french feast.
(5)Lindsay V.
I've never had French cuisine before, but I am so glad I came here to try it. M and I came here for Restaurant Week: since we didn't know if we would like it, we didn't want to pay full price for our first time here. We arrived just in time for our reservation and were seated promptly. They also have coat check (yay!). Our waiter gave us some time to decide on drinks (I got a glass of pinot grigio and M got a Kronenbourg 1664), then proceeded to take our food order. I ordered the mussels with tarragon creme and poached egg and the mustard braised rabbit. M got the root vegetable soup and boeuf bourguignon. Before our food came out, we were served cheesy profiteroles, compliments of the chef! The mussels were TO. DIE. FOR. They were incredible. I couldn't stop fawning over them. I would have licked the sauce from the plate if I were slightly less classy (let's face it, I'm not too classy to begin with). I am normally not a big fan of egg, the taste always turns me off, but I ate that whole poached egg. It was wonderful. The rabbit was good. I've never had rabbit before so unfortunately, I have nothing to compare it to. The pasta it came with was perfectly done and was served in a nice, buttery sauce. M's soup was really good and surprisingly light. His boeuf bourguignon was especially tasty, too, but it was a small portion. For dessert, M order the opera cake and I ordered the puff pastry with raspberry sauce. My dessert ended my meal perfectly -- the raspberry sauce provided enough tartness to cut through the richness of the rest of my meal. M's opera cake was tasty, but heavy. I'm glad I didn't order it. The service was great. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. In our past Restaurant Week experiences, it seemed like the waitstaff was turned off by us, which made for an awkward experience. It wasn't like that at all at Bistrot La Minette. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Arianna K.
This is one of my faves for consistently good food and nice atmosphere. Delish wine and cocktails-the butter! I dream of their bread and butter. This is french comfort food!
(5)Katie L.
I've been a fan of Bistrot La Minette for a long time, but this was my first time dining there for brunch. I was surprised to learn of their $25 prix flxe lunch menu, and as you well know, any chance to over-indulge will not be overlooked by yours truly. Started with the charcuterie plate which featured bacon-wrapped pork terrine (drool), rabbit liver mousse (swoon), and duck rillettes (quack.) Had the oeufs en meurette for my entree, which was covered in the kind of red wine shallot sauce that makes you want to lick the plate. The eggs were perfectly poached & the accompanying mushrooms, pearl onions, and lardons were delightful. Finished with the poached pear that just melted in my mouth. When I'm asked what my favorite French restaurant is in Philadelphia, I'm always tempted to say La Minette, and this meal might have sealed the deal.
(5)Stefano D.
I'm not a huge French cuisine fan, but I must say this restaurant is spot on. The food was amazing and their beer list is very interesting with several hard to find French beers. Definitely try the lamb shank! Will be back for sure.
(5)Trev S.
Everything here was well prepared and delicious, great wine, reasonably priced. My girlfriend and I had a full, several course meal. Waitstaff was really friendly and well mannered. All in all a great experience. I would highly recommend for a special night out.
(5)Evelina E.
AMAZING! My boyfriend made surprise reservations here for our anniversary. Apparently reservations were a little tricky a week ahead of time and after experiencing dinner tonight I completely understand why! We started with Frog Legs and a Salad - both fantastic (my boyfriend refuses to eat salad but actually liked this salad!). For our main course I had the Faux Filet Sauce au Poive (black pepper-crusted New York strip with pomme puree and bacon-wrapped haricot verts) which was not only the best steak either one of us has ever tasted, but honestly the best meal I've ever had! My boyfriend had the duck, which was new tonight so I cant give a better description because it's not on their menu yet, but it was as delicious as the steak. We kept trading bites because neither of use was willing to give up a bite without an equal trade - haha :P We're grad students so we can't afford fancy meals that often but this was definitely worth it! We'll certainly be back the next time we have a special occasion.
(5)Moe W.
I try to go to Bistrot La Minette as often as my budget allows. It's my favorite restaurant in Philly. Everything from the pleasant greeting at the door to the perfectly wonderful crust on the bread to the intermezzo treats....SUPERB! Can't wait to try the special evening menus!
(5)Ky T.
Dined here for restaurant week jan 2015. Loved everything and booked another dinner that same week. This restaurant has some of the best bread and butter. The baguette slices are served warm with amazing french butter. I can't stand when restaurants give you cold bread! My meal was great but what made me want to come back immediately was my girlfriends beef bourguignon. They used short rib and it was melt in your mouth delicious! Definitely give this place a try!
(5)Melissa P.
Went for their 4th anniversary prix fixe dinner and it was AMAZING. One of the best dining experience I've had in Philly. Great place, adorable atmosphere, cozy but not on top of each other table. Really good service. The Vichyssoise was soo good. For appetizers we chose the Bouchees a la Reine and the salmon tartar-both delicious. We tried the coq au vin (OMG. IT WAS SO GOOD) and the Daube provencale (the gnocchis were like little puff of heaven,and the meat-SO TENDER). The cheese plate for dessert was so good we packed half of it to go home. The flourless chocolate cake was great too. Can't wait to go back when I can afford it any not worry about the prices!
(5)Claire S.
Had an absolutely perfect birthday dinner here last Saturday. Great food, great atmosphere, great wine list. The duck cassoulet was impeccable, and all of the bread is made in-house. Who could ask for more? Oh wait, there is more, because it is black truffle season and you can add them to any dish! It was my birthday and one of the members of my party must've said something to the staff because they treated me like an absolute princess the whole night. Also, my father, who is a classically trained French chef, swears this is one of the most authentic French restaurants in Philadelphia. I'd eat here again in a heartbeat.
(5)Patricia H.
I wanted to update my review of Bistro La Minette. I have been here several times since 2012 and always have a great experience. They have an amazing new happy hour special with $2 beer, $3 wine (good French wine!) , and $4 kirs. All appetizers are 50% off during the happy hour. I think it's the best deal in Philadelphia. My husband and I ordered the pea soup, which was amazing, a mushroom puff pastry, and seas scallops. Everything was delicious. Another thing that really sets the restaurant apart is the outstanding staff. All the servers are very knowledgeable about the food and many it seems have worked there fora while. They are very attentive but not too ov erbearing. I don't feel rushed but they were very prompt with providing more drinks as needed. The restaurant itself is really cute and has a great atmosphere.
(5)Yiwen S.
we came for restaurant week back in january, and even though it was RW, i was STILL impressed with the food. that says something about this restaurant. probably one of the best bread baskets i've ever tried. rivals that of parc, which was my favorite up until now. the inside has kind of a rustic feel to it, kind of like being in the french countryside. and the space is much larger than i imagined. service is top notch here. and the menus change seasonally. that being said, here comes the food: 1. foie gras - pretty typical foie, but not the best i've had. 2. escargots - neat presentation in separate pots, made it difficult to eat though. 3. beef bourguignon - SO.DELICIOUS. beef cheeks so tender it melts in your mouth. also, the medley of veggies that it's served with is great at enhancing the flavor of the beef. 4. lamb cassoulet - i'm not usually a fan of overly stew-based dishes, but this one was amazing. i think the duckfat breadcrumbs really topped off the flavor for me. that's right, DUCKFAT breadcrumbs. 5. tarte tatin - nice balance of sweet (caramel ice cream) and tarte (upside down apple tart) flavors. 6. mille feuille - basically a caramelized puff pastry with raspberries. unique and delicious in every sense of the word. normally i would give this place 4-4.5 stars if i'm judging on food alone. but what puts it over the top for me is that our server was able to recommend the best cote du rhone i've had to date. dining is a wholistic experience, and should be graded as such.
(5)Nataly N.
In a world without consequences, I would eat the little cups of butter that come with the bread here by the spoonful. Many restaurants provide mediocre bread and butter when you order, but when you taste a freshly toasted slice of baguette at Bistrot La Minette, topped with thick, delicious, creamy butter, you know that BLM is bringing a taste of France to your palate. This place offers the most authentic French cuisine I've tasted in Philadelphia. I've been here twice now. I'd come here more often if it were closer to my neighborhood. BLM offers great 4-course prix fixe menus on a regular basis, exploring cuisines from all regions of France. My most recent experience was their 4-year anniversary dinner, which included a $30 menu (4 courses) and $4 drink specials: Drink - The Kir Royal au cassis and Lillet were both very good First Course - The Vichyssoise Glacée, a chilled potato and leek soup, was very light, silky, and refreshing. Second Course - The Terrine de Foie Gras (Duck liver) was very tasty and buttery in texture. The fig compote went very well with it. I thought the toasted brioche could have been replaced by a more firm toasted bread to provide more texture, but perhaps the dish was meant to focus more on the foie gras... The Bouchées à la Reine was also good, but I thought there was too much puff pastry and not enough sauce. As a result, the puff pastry was dry, and its taste overshadowed the taste of the wild mushrooms. Third Course - Both the Daube Provençal (beef stew) and Coq au Vin (wine-braised chicken) were tasty, though the beef and the chicken in these respective dishes were a bit too dry. Fourth Course - my favorite course! - The Mille Feuille aux Framboises was just as tasty as it was during my last visit, though not as well assembled. Gateau de Mousse au Chocolat and the strawberry sorbet that came with it were both delicious. These desserts were pretty solid. I've had similar desserts at above-average patisseries in France. While they were not the best I've had, the entire meal was a great deal for the quality of the menu. Forget about Restaurant Week when you can get 4 delicious courses here for $30-$35 on a regular basis.
(4)Peter C.
Excellent! Parfait! Just got up from a superb brunch here. You can get an app, main and a desert for 25 which is a steal given the quality of the food. I had the potage st. Germain for my app, omelette basquaise for my main and the orange tarte for my dessert. All of my dishes were cooked to perfection and I could tell that freshness and quality of ingredients are a top priority at this bistro. The crown jewel of the meal was my tarte. It came with a rich chocolate ice cream that really complimented the sour quality of the tarte. Magnifique! Our table also ordered a plate of haricots verts that were cooked in brown butter. Really tasty. Can't wait to come back to try dinner.
(5)Carolyn F.
I came here for my birthday: it was a tasty meal, but didn't blow me away. I love the decor and service is very attentive. The drinks were probably my favorite part. The Vesper cocktail is outstandingly unusual, a delicious mix of lavender gin and pepper vodka. My partner and I ordered the rabbit and the lamb. Both were well-prepared, but neither dish made me want to come back for more. The creme brulee was generously portioned and yummy.
(3)John P.
Took my girlfriend out for a valentines day dinner here (yes, I'm finally writing a review four months later). I understand that Valentine's day usually places a huge burden on kitchen and service, but I was unimpressed with Bistrot la Minette's performance, given its great reviews. The food was definitely solid, I had the escargot and duck; however it was nothing superb, when compared to other French bistrots I've visited in the US (mainly in NYC) and when prices are taken into consideration. Don't remember what I had for desert. Service was mediocre, nothing special. This was to be expected because it was Valentines Day. What really got me was that we sat closest to the door (which had a flap that was supposed to keep cold air out). This flap did a horrible job, as every time someone would walk in, a rush of cold air would hit my girlfriend and I, completely ruining the atmosphere for us. We asked to be reseated, but as it was too busy we decided against waiting to switch. We even thought about putting on our bulky winter jackets at the table. In sum--good, but overpriced food, decent service, and horrible flap at the front door! If you get the table next to door in winter be sure to move! To the management: you need to add another door/mechanism to keep cold out during winter (perhaps my food would've tasted better were I not worrying about the next person to open the door).
(3)Erica V.
The escargot was the best I've had. Served in petite stoneware pods with each snail floating in garlic butter and topped with a crunchy crouton, these had none of the off-putting earthy aroma I've experienced elsewhere. If you're an escargot virgin, Bistrot La Minette is the perfect place to [insert favorite euphemism for losing one's virginity]. C'était parfait. Desiring something vegetal, I ordered the leek ravioli. The pasta was supremely tender and the creamy carrot puree accompaniment smooth-as-silk. I found it difficult to refrain from licking my plate. C'était délicieux. The only middling moment in a meal that otherwise enticed all the senses was the cheese course. Because I don't know French cheeses well, I asked the server to select for me, explaining that I had a taste for something piquant (I wanted "smelly") and something creamy and mild. She brought two cow and one sheep's milk cheese, but I found all rather mild and similar in texture. Pas intéressant.
(5)Kira B.
Discovered this gem last night and felt like I fell into the kindest, tastiest spot in Paris. INCREDIBLE service (they doted on my kid in the cutest ways - and anticipated our every need). Food was amazing - quick service, artfully plated, and totally delish. We'll be back!!
(5)Oliver P.
Delicious, in a saucy kind of French way. The bar selections are very French -- lots of kirs, wines, and French cocktails. We split the beet salad and porcini tart four ways for starters. Both were very good, though half of us declared the beets the best and the others praised the mushroom tart. For dinner, we had the beef burgundy, the braised lamb, and the duck. The duck was served on puréed celeriac with fois gras wine reduction. Simply put, it was amazing. We ordered two, both medium rare. One came medium, and the other came very rare. I would recommend ordering the duck medium.
(5)Rebecca O.
Excellent bistro. After just returning from Paris, I found Bistrot La Manette on a whim and it was a superior dining experience.
(5)Mike W.
Wow is all I have to say. What an incredible experience. Only shortcoming was the table they tried to put us at first. Right next to the hostess stand. Get rid of that table! Food was phenomenal and service was very good. I will most definitely be back!
(5)Gordon B.
Awesome restaurant! Had dinner here on a Saturday night, prime time. Arrived at the scheduled time for our reservation and we were immediately greeted and shown to our table. Food was fantastic. The mussels with a poached egg was maybe one of the best dishes I've had in awhile. I could eat it every day for breakfast and never tire of it! Tasted everbody elses dishes and they were perfect (foie gras, Alsatian "pizza" and escargot to name a few). Main course for me was the rib eye. This dish finally puts to rest the conundrum of haricot vert not having enough bacon! Wrapped in bacon and grilled, wonderfully tasty! The rib eye was of top notch quality and cooked perfectly. Desserts were delicious as well, but being that I had my fair share of wine I can't be too specific. Staff was friendly and extremely helpful. Always there when you need them and not there when you don't. I can't wait to return!
(5)Jonny S.
NIce place. Great decor. Lots of mustard used in their dishes but I liked it. I was hungry so I had a lot to eat. I also (inexplicably) was fond of the red aprons worn by the wait-staff.
(4)Mia F.
This was such a great find. My friends suggested we go to Bistrot La Minette because on Monday and Thursday evenings at 8:30pm in the Spring and Summer you can sit on the outdoor patio and take in a french film (complete with subtitles) while you enjoy your meal. It's the closest you'll feel to sitting in a french cafe in Philadelphia. The food was amazing (I had the rabbit) but the experience alone was worth the trip.
(5)Daniel V.
This place has a nice decor and though the food is quite tasty, especially the fresh baked bread, our experience was completely ruined by the terrible service. It was our 2 year wedding anniversary, and we chose to celebrate it at this place. We were very excited to eat at Bistrot La Minette, but were greeted and served by a curt asshole of a waiter. It's really too bad. I know it was just poor luck of the draw, but I won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)Nicholas M.
I was reminded again last night how good this charming restaurant is. Every aspect of the restaurant excels. Our waiter was polished, helpful, and attentive. The meal was so good. We had the mussels with egg (Oeuf du pecheur), the green salad, cauliflower gratin, and the chicken entree. The meal was just as good as my first meal here years ago. I don't know why it has taken me so long to get back. I won't make that mistake again.
(5)Eileen T.
We moved to the area about a year ago and have passed Bistrot La Minette hundreds of times on our bikes, always commenting that we should try it. Well, tonight we did, for restaurant week. It was exceptional. The atmosphere and decor reminded us of a favorite bistro of ours in Paris. We started the evening with glasses of sparkling wine, and each had a glass of Pinot Noir with our entrees. We were offered a gougere that was tender and nicely flavored with gruyere as an amuse bouche. A vintage enameled pot was placed on the table holding several slices of warm baguette -- crispy and flaky crust with a tender, moist mie. The butter served with the baguette was a delight. (They bake the bread on prem.) Braised short ribs with a decadent, rich jus; roasted rabbit served with homemade tagliatelle and a perfectly balanced, rich and creamy mustard pan sauce; a lovely pea soup; a tomato tart that my husband and I nearly fought over when I wanted to renege on sharing it with him; creamy and luscious rice pudding with berries; three-cheese (Delice de Bourgogne, Comte, and a bleu that I can't remember) mac-and-cheese. This meal was a wonderful surprise. We enjoyed it so much that we made another reservation on our way out. I've worn hearing aids most of my adult life and my husband often requests that we be seated at a different table that would facilitate my hearing the conversation at the table. Not only did the maitre 'd graciously change our table, when we made the reservation as we left, I noticed that he had made a note under my name indicating that I had hearing difficulties. He explained that he wanted to be sure he would seat me at an appropriate table next time we visit. All of the service was unobtrusive, respectful, and timely. $156.00 with tax and a generous tip. This is going to be a regular for us. Don't miss eating at this lovely place.
(5)Angie K.
Wow! This place is charming and the food is amazing! Here are the dishes I tried, and everything was great in its own right: Bouchées à la Reine - puff pastry with mushrooms in a cream sauce *Œuf du Pêcheur - mussels on toast with tarragon cream and poached egg Escargots à la Bourguignonne - piping hot in a garlic butter Caille Farcie à la Sauce Vigneron - sausaged-stuffed quail Rôti de Porc aux Pruneaux - bacon-wrapped pork loin stuffed with prunes Tarte Tatin - upside down apple tart with caramel ice cream **Mille Feuille aux Framboises - caramelized pastry with cream and raspberries The ones with the stars were the best dishes that I had. I LOVED the raspberry pastry dessert...I could pound that every day. The dishes change seasonally, and I'll be back for the braised duck!
(5)Nancy P.
Like sitting 3,600 miles away....So reminiscent. Loved the atmosphere, the service, the food was delightful!
(5)David P.
Just an awesome restaurant all around. Great food, decent prices, excellent service. It isn't formal, so dressy casual, and jackets both work well there. I've been a number of times over several years and it never disappoints. My last visit started with mussels in a cream broth over bread with an egg on top. Totally decadent and delicious. The leg of Lamb was tender and perfectly cooked. Leave room for desert. My only quibble is that the wines are a bit pricey for the menu. My feeling is that you should be able to get a decent bottle for about $2x the entrees. They need more selections in the $40-60 range.
(5)Jung K.
Delicious. Also went for RW menu, which is such a great deal. Charming, cute space - smelled delicious as soon as we walked in. Appetizers that I tasted: foie gras and escargot. Both equally delicious, but the escargot was just REALLY REALLY delicious. 6 escargot in their own little pots, filled with butter and garlic. Small crunchy crouton on top of each little pot. Entrees: I have the cassoulet (like a meaty stew - mine had duck and sausage) with beans and other hearty food items in the pot. Also tried the trout (seasoned well, although not my favorite) as well as the beef bourgignon (delicious). We also tried the two sides: 1. buttered green beans with shallots 2. mac and cheese. On point with the side dishes as well - all empty plates by the time the server came to get our plates. Note on the service - it's on point. Our water glasses were always filled, and the bottle of wine we shared was reasonably priced and yummy. dessert: all were delicious. had the apple tarte, the 'cream puff,' which was more like a strawberry napoleon cream dish of happiness, and then the chocolate mocha sponge cake. Looking forward to going back for regular menu, enjoyed every bit of my meal and experience.
(5)Ann T.
Went to Bistro La Minette for the first time during Philly Restaurant Week. It was a $35 three course menu. My husband had the escargots as an appetizer and I had a salad. The escargots was well prepared in a garlic butter sauce. We both enjoyed the short ribs for a main course. They were tender and meaty served in a rich red wine sauce. One of the best versions of short ribs I've experienced in a restaurant. for dessert I had the chocolate mousse cake and my husband had the rice pudding. what can you say about chocolate mousse cake except "Yum." The wines were pricey but nice. Service was excellent. We will definitely return!
(4)Bill W.
Finally made it here, but for breakfast. It was pretty good, I'd like to return for dinner. Not the best breakfast in the city but still pretty good. They have a nice outdoor area that is great for a weekend morning.
(4)Tina D.
Went there on restaurant week and was happily find there great service, awesome french cuisine and good-old-fashion design! The menu for restaurant week consider a lot of dishes from regular menu and the sizes was pretty good. At the start of third course i was already full! This places really gives you an idea how french cuisine is! And they doing their best at it! Me and my friend choose for dinner : 1) Escargots a la Bourgaignonne/ Salade D'Endives 2) Lapin Roti a la Moutarde/ Cassoulet de toulouse 3) Assiette de fromages/ Mille Feuille aux framboises All dishes made me completely fall in love with this cuisine and this cozy restaurant! If you want to try some not ordinary, high quality and tasty food you better come here! This restaurant is great place for dates! I was really pleased when the main chef come to our table to talk and ask how was our dinner! Thank you! They did a great job! Love it!
(5)Alanna B.
Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome food. Front start to finish - wonderful food! Even the butter they give with your bread can be consumed by itself (however I wouldn't recommend it.) I have been there twice, and I can honestly say I NEED to go at least once a month. I have sampled from their current Fall 2012 menu - which I presume will be changing in a few weeks for the Winter season. TIP: Make reservations on OpenTable for points! Ask for tap water - free (but they also have "speciality" water too). Wine and Beer selection (by glass and bottle). Appetizers: Awesome pizza, fanstastic cheesy, buttery raviolis, great escargot, and fantastic mussels. Entrees: I never had quail or rabbit in my life, but if you are interested in trying it, this is the place. The Duck Confit is the BEST I have ever tasted. Desserts: I have said this is the "best" ever...but if there is one dish that really calls my name throughout the day, it's their creme brulee. O-M-G.....You MUST order this dish. I could go back every day just to have one. *Dreamy mood* You will not be disappointed. Join their mailing list too!
(5)Adam F.
Bistrot La Minette is an excellent choice for casual French fare with great service and ambiance. They even gave us a light puff pastry and chocolates complimentary. - Escargot was very good, 9 pieces in individual little pots - Tartare was quite flavorful - Duck confit was amazing, cooked so well - Rabbit with homemade tagliatelle was excellent as well Great wine options for those with fancy palates. For those on a budget, the house wine was pretty decent and affordable, also with options for half bottle or full bottle. Deserts looked great too.
(5)Chuck G.
Excellent traditional French bistro. The food was spectacular and the service was great (not too overbearing, but attentive). Went with wife and we each had an app, an entree, and shared dessert (no wine). Price: was reasonable ($111 after tip and tax). We had: poached egg with mussels, sweetbreads, rabbit, trout, and sorbet assortment. Everything was excellent. Highly recommended.
(5)Michael W.
First time and we were blown away. Don't let french food intimidate you if you have never had it. If you have, this restaurant is one of the best, PERIOD. Food is outstanding, service is wonderful and price/value is perfect. Great for date night, friends or groups(they have a private dining room). Also you can bring your own however there is a corkage. Put this place on your list in Philly either for lunch or dinner. BTW they make their own bread. You'll never order bread at another restaurant again.
(5)Sharandy O.
I went there for the first time during restaurant week and it was amazing! First of all, the service is superb. So well mannered and helpful. I ordered the poached egg and mussels for my first course and it was delicious. It was a lot of food. It could have been a meal on it's own. My friend got the escargot and loved it. I had the rabbit for my main course which was amazing. Tender, juicy and oh so flavorful! I had never had rabbit before so this is definitely going to be hard to beat. For dessert I had the cream puffs with the raspberries: delicious. This place gets five stars from me. Loved it
(5)Sarah F.
Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.
(5)Anita B.
Everything was super yummy! I would return the service was excellent and the atmosphere is adorable
(4)Lindsay L.
Saltier than the French food I'm used to in NYC. Overall the food is good but not remarkable. The presentation really nice and service excellent. Not much intimacy in the seating so you can't really have a private conversation. We ended up talking with the people next to us. I would go to dine with family or a group, but not for a date.
(3)Brian C.
I absolutely love this place. I've been here a few times and every single time i've been very pleased. the service is very attentive, the food is delicious, and if you're available in the summer, try out the movie and dinner out in the back patio. Honestly all the food is good, but a few standouts: - Œuf du Pêcheur - a generous portion of mussels in a lovely, balanced creamy and acidic sauce. - Mille Feuille aux Framboises - crispy, light puff pastry filled with raspberries and cream. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Philly!
(5)Jaime H.
There were three in our partay - the boy, his dad, et moi. We dined here last Saturday evening to celebrate the dad's birthday. We had a reservation and I arrived before the fashionably tardy boys. The hostess gave me a choice between being seated immediately (sans full party) or waiting for the boys at the bar. I chose to be seated and seated I was. Heather was our server and was appropriately attentive. We drank one pitcher each of the blanc (appetizers) and rouge (entrees) table wines which were perfectly enjoyable. For appetizers we shared the foie gras (very good), the escargot (solid), and the salmon tartare (also solid). Heather consistently replenished our bread and butter which was quite delightful. For the main course the bf ordered the rabbit dish (not game-y, good) served with a wonderful pasta, I had the standard poulet roti (best ever!!), and the birthday boy had 'the best beef bourguignon of his life.' I am still dreaming of my dish - a basic French offering, but done properly as it was here, it is quite spectacular. We managed to find room for dessert given the nature of the occasion and ordered the Mille Feuille aux Framboise (good, we heard it was tres popular), the tarte tatin (best I've had yet! caramel ice cream!), and the pot de creme au chocolat (good). Overall, the food was very good - there were a few standout dishes: the foie gras, the poulet roti, the beef bourguignon, and the tarte tatin. The service was outstanding as well. My only complaint, and it's not truly a complaint is that we were not forewarned how hot the escargot pots were. Minor, but yet important, detail. Regarding the food, I felt the salmon tartare was caper-heavy. All in all - great experience and we shall return!
(4)Peter M.
This was my first experience with French food. For an appetizer I got Œuf du Pêcheur Fisherman's style poached egg, toast, mussels, tarragon cream. It was ok but apparently I'm not a fan of runny egg for dinner. The sauce and mussels were awesome but the egg took over and made it just so so For my entree I had Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde Mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle, rabbit jus. This was my first time trying rabbit and boy oh boy have I been missing out. Sweet Baby Jesus!! It seems to me that the cuter the animal the tastier it is. I mean I new veal was delicious but apparently Peter Cottontail is on the same level. I'd feel bad but that bastard stole Farmer MacGregor's vegetables So he had it coming imo.
(4)Agnes M.
Meal was great but music was blasting! Do not confuse ambiance music and a night club at club med! Not sure that the wait staff knew that...
(2)Amanda F.
Thank you, thank you, Bistrot la Minette, for one of my favorite birthday dinners ever. :) First of all, a note about the service--which was unfailingly nice, courteous, and professional, from the guy at the front desk to our waiters. They called to confirm my online reservation and when I called them back, they told me that not only could we sit in the lovely back courtyard if we wanted, but if we didn't want to watch the French movies they project on the wall on Mondays (!!) they would hold a seat for us out front instead--but no pressure, we could decide when we got there. When we did arrive, the man at the front not only remembered talking to me, he was amusingly nonjudgmental about my complete lack of phone skills. And our waiters throughout the meal were perfect: they explained the menu but not too much, they were always there when you needed to ask for something but were not too intrusive, and basically just contributed a lot to an already fantastic meal. This may seem like a lot of superlatives, but I really enjoyed myself in all aspects of the dinner. The outdoor courtyard deserves all of the accolades that blogs and magazines have heaped upon it. It's small and narrow, but they pack a lot of tables in, and not so close as they seemed to be in the dining room. Fairy lights are strung across the top of it, enclosing it but leaving a view of the sky open. The tables, a gray-stained wood, complimented the gray stucco walls nicely. The yard hummed with good conversation as people ate, and later, transformed into an adorable outdoor movie theatre, a background for an early Audrey Tautou movie. If the weather is good DEFINITELY try and sit back here--it was fantastic. Also, to the woman I was sitting next to, if you are on Yelp, I apologize for not holding a better conversation... by that time I'd had a little bit of the delicious house blanc. Oops. We decided to do the September fixed price menu, and although everything was great, I definitely want to save up the money and do La Minette proper. The meal began with the complimentary gougere, which was crispy on the outside and warm and savory on the inside. The bread, also, was just as it should be; a crispy outside that shattered when you bit into it, and cool, soft fluffy butter. We went through two baskets of it and I'm sure only embarrassment stopped us from eating more. As for the main meals, I ordered the tomato terrine, trout in a lemony brown butter sauce, and the creme brulee. My boyfriend ordered the potato leek soup, the half-roasted chicken, and the chocolate mousse cake. So between us, we'd tried everything on that little menu, and everything was fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect from the tomato terrine, but it was a slice of what looked like tomatoes pressed in a loaf shape. In between the two main sections were slivers of basil and aged balsamic vinegar. It was a little odd looking but surprisingly good. I tasted a spoonful of the soup and it was hearty, creamy, and satisfying. I LOVED the main course: two thin trout fillets, with the crispy skin still attached, atop haricots verts and fingerling potatoes, in a tart brown butter sauce. I normally don't even like green beans but I ate everything. And my boyfriend, who doesn't eat fish usually, tried a bite of my entree and liked it. Ah, the power of good cooking. There are two types of creme brulees: those that focus on a higher burnt sugar content to those that seem more about the custard. Personally I am in favor of more burnt sugar, hence the lower, wider ramekins are preferred. Bistro La Minette gets it right: and as a bonus the custard was chilled when brought out. I couldn't eat all of it, though, because although the portions of the rest of the meal were perfectly sized, the richness of the custard (and the combination of a bottle and a half of wine) proved too much for me. I also didn't try my boyfriend's cake but it looked beautifully arranged on the plate. With the check, two cold chocolate truffles were brought out, which I thought was an adorable touch. All in all, everything was wonderful! I am definitely going to save up so that I can go back and experience the restaurant properly...partially because I spent a large portion of the dinner eyeing my neighbors' rabbit enviously, but mostly because it was such a lovely evening.
(5)Allyson P.
Amazing! Drinks, appetizer, entrees all made perfectly. Worth the price for a special occasion - and they have specials that aren't too costly too!
(5)Tough Crowd T.
Had dinner with friends last Saturday evening and enjoyed the experience. I was stunned, however, how expensive the meal turned out to be. It reminded me why I typically prefer BYOs to full service restaurants. We had four appetizers (truffle pasta, sardines, beet salad and mussles), four entrees (duck, rabbit, steak and dorade), two drinks/glasses of wine each and two desserts (lemon tart and opera cake) and our bill came to $360, all in. Everything was fine, but nothing was outstanding or remarkable. As frequently the case, the appetizers outshined the entrees, except for the truffle pasta, which was mediocre. The sardines are very good, indeed, but have been on the menu since the restaurant opened. The mussles were very good, and so was the beet salad, but not particularly creative or pushing the culinary envelope in any way. Of the desserts, the lemon tart was actually quite poor -- the crust was cold and too hard and the custard was too runny. The opera cake was delicious though. I will have dinner here again, but will either order more carefully or make it into a parents-in-law dinner night out.
(4)jen m.
we had a mishap occur with a coat rack falling on our table and thusly breaking a wine glass and spraying red wine on some of us, but nevertheless i am giving this place 5 stars for the great food and the service which was exceptional (despite the coat rack). it's saying a lot of me to forgive the fact that one of our party's shirt was stained from the wine and we had to get all new appetizers because ours was filled with broken glass. but our waiter, kane, was very knowledgeable and friendly. the other waitstaff were very courteous. they gave us free wine for the mishap. and all in all it was a pleasant experience. i would return.
(5)Penelope K.
Very disappointing. Nothing tasted fresh-it all seemed warmed over. Brutalist service (Just because the French are reputed to be rude?), small portions of overly salted and buttered food, lamb seriously undercooked (we asked for medium, this was less than blue) and poor cut, Sardines limp and inferior despite being touted as plat de la maison, Rhubarb sorbet tasted like salt and nothing else. Back garden is a heat sink between two high walls and very loud if a large party is next to you. I would not return.
(1)Tom W.
My wife and I were staying in Philly over night and wanted to celebrated with a nice meal. While this restaurant was on the pricier end for us, it was definitely worth the money. We loved the atmosphere, it had a hip French feel with out being pretentious. We really enjoyed the French music that was playing: it was edgy enough to be interesting without being obnoxious. We have both spent some time in France, so some of the lyrics made us laugh. We refrained from wine, but ordered appetizers. The Alsatian Pizza, which has onion, lardon (like bacon but better) and creme fraiche (like sour cream but better), was excellent. The escargot were deliciously tender, each in their little pot of garlic butter. For our main course, my wife got the Duck and I got the Salmon. It was hard to discern which entree was better, we both enjoyed picking from each other's plates. The salmon was very buttery -- the mash potatoes were a little salty, though that did not detract much from the experience as a whole. I must say also that our server was excellent. Very attentive without being obstructive.
(5)Meredith B.
I was looking forward to dinner, but meh sums it up. Nice ambience. Started with amuse bouche of Lilliputian sized gougere. My appetizer was soupe parmentier which was supposed to be a puree of winter root vegetables. The dominant taste was cream. Who doesn't love cream, but was there potato, celery root, parsnip, onion? I couldn't discern any particular vegetable. Husband had the oeufs pecheur, poached egg with cream sauce and mussels. That was the best dish of the evening. For main I had boeuf bourgignon. For $27 I expected some richness and depth of flavor, but this was a lackluster stew, with no wine or mushroom flavor. Very bland other than the crispy lardons on top. Husband got mustard sauced rabbit with tagliatelle. Fairly tender, but sauce with little dijon flavor, tagliatelle not homemade, in all just an ok dish. Skipped dessert (2 mediocre courses and we cut our losses) and had coffee which came with a couple of cute chocolates. I would have given 3 stars, but given the prices, the food should be more than mediocre, plus I got a stomache after the meal, before we even made it home. Other reviewers seemed to love it but I just don't get.
(2)steven g.
excellent food preparation and plating; knowledgeable, courteous and well-trained wait staff; varied selection of menu offerings...al in all, a worthy experience
(5)tilla e.
The space is really lovely. We were there with a toddler and felt welcomed, which isn't always the case. The food was very good but not amazing. The pea soup was excellent as were the scallops. I had the rabbit. It came in two pieces - the leg being cooked perfectly but the thigh was a little dry. It was also just a "hare" too salty (couldn't help myself, sorry). All in all, I would go back.
(4)Lee G.
As good as it gets! this is currently my fav place to eat. great service, amazing food and french film nights in the back patio! (can't wait!) We always order the house wine and a few first course plates. Try the sardines grrillees if you like sardines or not, not too salty or fishy, just perfect! the mussels are yummy too served with a poached egg and a sweet tarrgon sauce. The escargot is served in individual pots in a buttery garlic sauce that is delicious!
(5)G C.
Quaint place, not large but not small that everyone's squished. Has a french feel. Came here thinking it's byo but waiter then mentioned there's a $15 per bottle corkage fee which we took us by surprise. In the end we just opened one bottle so it was okay. I got the poached egg with mussels which was so yummy and creamy with the toast. Then I got the duck confit which was cooked in a casserole style with break crumbs and beans. So delicious. I had a taste of my friend's beef cheeks which was so soft and the rabbit tasted delicious as well. For dessert i had the mille feuille with raspberry which was divine. I am partial though because i love flaky consistencies.
(4)Susanna L.
Omg! This is the best french place I have ever gone to in Philadelphia!! The place has a nice homey feeling to it and our waiter was very friendly. Was kind to explain anything on the menu and filled our water constantly when it was empty. The food was wonderfully good. I got the duck and my friend the rabbit. I expected the meat to be gamy, but surprisingly I tasted nothing of it. It was soo good!!! So good that I couldnt pass up dessert, which was an upside down apple cake. Omg what a wonderful finish. Will come back here with friends or family another time. Highly recommend it!
(5)Dave H.
Dining here made me feel like I was back in France - and I've traveled there a bit. Little touches like the music, the "push" and "pull" signs on the doors, and a server from Marseilles (okay, not such a little touch) worked together nicely. Since it was a sleepy Sunday, we easily got a table for two. Table bread and butter were quite good, and their escargot hit the spot, pleasantly buttery and full of flavor. We shared a pitcher of wine, and my co-conspirator enjoyed their prix fixe menu while I put down a plate of duck breast (magret du canard; $27), cooked medium with a celery root puree, glazed turnips, and a delightful foie gras sauce. Their plating was more austere than expected, but thankfully Chef Woolsey didn't disappoint. Pricing is fancy French, but it's a good value if you're used to that sort of thing.
(4)Jenn W.
I have passed by this plenty of times. Curious as what to expect. My friend I haven't seen in awhile had mentioned it to me. So he made reservations on Sunday . Parking wasn't too bad, we opted to sit outside, since it was beautiful day. The water came in Carafe, small little delicate touches to everything. It was Unanimous, prefix menu was best for your $$, 25.00 pick 3 courses from each area. I got this Spinach Dumplings that were delightful in a tomato base sauce, my friend got a cured pork belly, cured into almost like a ham /prosciutto served on a bruschetta. Homemade bread & butter, it was great!!! main entree: duck confit with potatoes in light butter sauce with string beans, Yum!!! The Duck confit was alot bigger then ones I 've had. It was falling of the bone, with consistency like crispy pork skin!!! OH my!!!!! Friends entree: was Sole filet's with string beans, potatoes. Then we finished it off with dessert, course mine was Creme Brulee, little over done not softer texture that I would like , he wanted Mille-feuille , but they were out, so he got the trio of sherbets!!! It was excellent. All in all, Glad he picked this, our waiter was great, very knowledgeable. Great thing is when sitting outside, get a free show , 3 out of 3 people could not Parallel park at all..kept hitting the cars. Ha-ha!!! It was very vintage look inside, old world French, great place to take your date or friend for birthday , etc. Portions are small, but just right for me, with Prefix, alot for me. (* 3 courses) I'd go back!!
(4)Tina C.
We went there for our wedding anniversary because of all the fabulous reviews but we were somewhat disappointed. The interior felt like a dining hall and only had about 3 tables on a Thursday night. The homemade bread was very good and my tarte de tomate was pretty good but my canard confit was too salty and my husband's rabbit was just meh. The worst was the gratin de courgette which completely missed the mark with sliced zucchini in cream and some slab of cheese on top. I don't think the price equal the quality. I'm not going back.
(2)Jim B.
My wife and I both agree that this is the best place for French food in the city. It's relaxed, casual, and romantic. "Down to earth" shall we say, and yet so much more. Any dining experience comes down to three things: food, service, and ambiance - I cannot fault BLM on any of those points, and we've had consistently good meals throughout the years with nary a hiccup.
(5)Aneesh B.
Enjoyed an excellent meal here with friends on a special date night with old friends. Service was attentive, helpful, polite, and not at all intrusive. Great cocktails - I enjoyed their Sazerac and the missus, as usual, enjoyed some bubbles before dinner. Our friends enjoyed some Belgian beer and champagne as well. We enjoyed the foie gras appetizer, the salade nicoise, the Daube Provencal, the chick peas (which were garlicky and perfect - like eating all the ingredients for hummus in non-blended form), and the monkfish. My entree (Daube) paired quite nicely with a GSM Rhone blend from the wine list, which always makes me happy. For dessert we all shared the pot de creme and the mille feuille with pastry cream and raspberries. Probably the leats impressive part of the meal but still a fine ending to a lovely evening. I am usually not in love with French bistro fare. It usually seems so commonplace these days. But La Minette was different and thoughtful, so I would definitely dine here again. It is located in what seems to be a little French pocket of the City near South street which I didn't even know was there. Will be a pleasure to return and explore some more.
(4)R. M.
This is a great place for lovebirds. Bistrot La Minette is extremely romantic and the food is wonderful. You can't get away with just ordering an entree here. So order from appetizer to dessert and everything in between. I also like that it is a little off the beaten path.
(5)Julia C.
Went here for restaurant week a while back and I was impressed! The service was impeccable, the ambience was cozy and the food was, in a word, divine. I had the escargot for my first course, which was nice and garlicky, and the rabbit as the entree. Hoping I can come back again soon to try some of their wine pairings!
(5)David Q.
This is an upscale French restaurant yet is not super fancy. It is great French food without the stuffiness of the stereotypical French restaurant. I took my girlfriend here for a belated Valentine's day dinner and I was not disappointed, even after getting the $100+ bill, it was worth it. Everyone is so nice. It's definitively worth going for special nights. I'll definitely be coming back.
(5)Stella N.
My favorite french bistro in Philly. Great for a date night or with a group! Great ambiance, food, drink, and service.
(5)Jemma C.
I really don't get the good reviews about this place! Yes the decor feels authentic and the outdoor area is great but that's where the pros stop. We went here last night for dessert, cheese and drinks. The Sazarac was the worst we've experienced in the city, the wine was like vinegar ($12 a glass), the creme brûlée too heavy and did the cheese board come with some chutney, honey, quince or anything remotely similar? Nope just some soggy iceberg lettuce covered in Caesar dressing and toast. Awful.
(2)Bay S.
I had never heard of this place, but I went with it based on the stellar Yelp reviews and also the 1,000 OpenTable points. It turned out to be awesome! Our server was really talking up the Picpoul de Pinet white wine, so I tried it, liked it & ordered it. Afterwards I realized they had carafes of house wine for $11 or $12 & each glass of picpoul was $9, so I would totally order the carafe next time. But no biggie, I guess it was my fault for being trigger happy with ordering. I have never had escargot and I really wanted to try it here, but we chickened out and ordered the mussels & egg app. It was amazingly delicious, almost like a runny egg on toast covered in alfredo sauce and perfectly cooked mussels (and I don't even really like mussels). We were sopping up the sauce with our bread, yum! I saw someone else who ordered the escargot and they were prepared in little egg cups (you weren't wrestling them out of a shell a la Pretty Woman) and I wished we had tried them. For entrees my husband had the duck, which was *amazing*, and I had the steak, which was good but extremely peppercorn-y. The waiter warned me of this in advance and I said that it was ok because I like spicy, but it was almost ridiculously too much peppercorn. I just scraped them off. The steak was cooked perfectly though, like dictionary-definition of how I ordered (medium well). We had the macaroni and cheese side dish and it was amazing. For dessert we had the apple tarte tatin and it was good, but pretty small and a very small amount of ice cream. Husband had a cappucino and enjoyed it. With the check they brought two dark chocolate truffles which were yum. There was outdoor seating out front, but the hostess told us about the garden in back and it was adorable. We really liked sitting there and weren't too close to other people that way. Service was great, our server was a very quiet talker but attentive and helpful. Just a great place to try!
(5)Candice B.
I came here recently for an indulgent date night. From the moment we were seated to the moment we exited through the front door, we had nothing but extraordinary service. Our server was very pleasant, a little chatty (but not too much!) and helpful. We ordered from the special summer Provencale menu and were treated to very light but flavorful dishes - rabbit for me and lamb for my boyfriend. We split an escargot appetizer and snacked on a complimentary cheesy puff pastry. And of course, the bread and butter is not to be missed! French cuisine doesn't make me weak in the knees, but this was outstanding food. For dessert, we took suggestions from our server and were not disappointed. The meal ended with complimentary chocolate, and a lovely walk afterwards. I was told by a friend that the house wine is pretty darn good, so we opted for a pitcher of house white. I am not a wine snob so my opinion doesn't mean much here, but I enjoyed it.
(5)Sara H.
This place has become my new tradition for taking my mom here on Mother's Day. We came here last year on a whim of trying to find a new place to discover. We didn't have reservations but were seated in their lovely outside garden terrace area. The food was delicious, the service was amazing and it was really pleasant sitting outside in a small nook type of garden. I love authentic French food, and this place is exactly that. Their menu was fixed for Mother's Day but it was impressive. We are going here again tomorrow and probably will keep making it a tradition every year on the same day. Bon Appetit!
(5)Brian M.
Took my parents here awhile back for a nice dinner out. This is a place I've been meaning to get to for awhile, that I still follow their event schedule closely and definitely mean to come back to again soon. If only Philly didn't have so many great food options this is the kind of place you can get a consistently good meal over and over again without ever being bored. As it was Sunday I took advantage of their awesome prix fixe. Everything the table had was enjoyed, although no one was overwhelmingly excited about anything. It's just a solid, well prepared French country meal. Along with the Sunday prix fixe they also have a number of specials for movies, free wine, etc. if you follow them on Twitter/Facebook. Highly recommended even if you just plan to go once and follow for a couple weeks prior.
(4)Brittany M.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. My boyfriend found this restaurant by searching for the best mac and cheese in Philadelphia. We decided to come check it out for drinks and dinner. The appetizers and the fresh sliced french bread were a great start. I had the steak and we shared a side of mac and cheese and everything was amazing. The food and service were both excellent.
(5)Carlo M.
Went here for my birthday dinner on the Friday before Labor Day, and it was a wonderful experience. I'm not sure how busy this place gets on a normal weekend, but because it was Labor Day weekend, I'm going to assume that it was emptier than normal. We had reservations for two at 8pm, but we could've easily sat down at any number of tables inside or outside. We chose the outside. It was beautiful night out, and we got a little section of the patio all to ourselves since the place wasn't that crowded. The service was excellent. Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, the specials, and the drinks, and she was able to answer all of our questions effortlessly. The food was very good. We were treated to an amuse-bouche, which tonight was a small pastry filled with warm gruyere. That was followed by the fresh, house-baked bread, which is one of the better breads I've had. For an appetizer, we started with the escargot. It was so delicious, and we found ourselves dipping the bread into the oil. For entrees, we had the steak au poivre with a cognac-based glaze & she had the Daube Provencal, which was Provencal-style braised beef. The steak au poivre was excellent, and I could definitely taste the hint of cognac. It's something I had never had, so it was interesting and very good. The Daube was also good, though I definitely preferred my steak. For dessert, be sure to get the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. It's a caramelized puff pastry with vanilla pastry cream & raspberries. It's not what you expect from a puff pastry, and apparently it's the staff's favorite dessert. It was an excellent recommendation. To close out the night, the staff brought out a plate with some chocolate truffles & "Happy Birthday" drizzled in chocolate. It was a nice end to the evening. The drinks were awesome. Try the Aviation & the Boulevard St. Germain.
(4)Panina H.
Came here for restaurant week with the dude and had a good experience. The food is good, the restaurant is cozy, and the service is excellent. Maybe Yelp hyped it up for me, leading me to think this would be an incredible experience, but I'm not going to lie - it wasn't memorable. The food: -Escargot- 8 adorable little cups filled with garlic/butter oil, snail, and a little crouton to top it off. It was good, but nothing impressive. I was really excited about this dish, so it was rather disappointing for me to say the least. -Farmer's poached egg on toast with mussels- A couple of Yelp reviews convinced me that this was going to be a wonderful dish so I insisted the dude order for his appetizer. Even though I knew he didn't like mussels, I was sure this dish would change his mind. Nope! After eating one mussel, it was confirmed that he still didn't like them. There were A LOT of mussels, which I ended up eating. They were good, but I've better. Having eaten half of the dude's appetizer, I dared not touch his poached egg on toast. He said it was really good, but he could have been lying just to spare my guilt for pushing him to order a dish that was just average. -Beef cheeks- Beautiful presentation, fresh ingredients, tender meat, and bold flavor. It looks like a small portion, but it does fill you up. Not over stuffing you, but just enough to leave you feeling satisfied. The dude enjoyed this (thank goodness!) and said it reminded him of a Korean dish his grandma used to make. -Lamb/Duck/Sausage Casserole- A very hearty stew that you would enjoy on a cold winter's night. It's very comforting, a classic homey type of dish. The duck and lamb were very tender, but my sausage was overcooked. It was a solid dish, but again, nothing special. -3 Cheese Macaroni- We ordered this side dish for $8, but it was quite bland and the dude thought it smelled bad. Well, the fancier the cheese, the stinkier it is. -Upside down apple tart- The dude only liked the ice cream, which is surprising because he loves apple pie. He ate one slice of apple and just left the rest on the plate. -Layered puff pastry with raspberries- This was only thing that "wowed" me at Bistrot la Minette and I probably would go back just to eat this heavenly dessert again! I'm not big on sweets, I prefer savory or tart flavors, so this light dessert was perfect for my palette. The layered pastries were thin and flakey, lightly salty because of the caramel coating. The cream was not too thick or sweet, but rather airy and tart. The raspberries were fresh and chilled, just a perfect topping for this dessert. It was definitely my favorite dish of the night, highly recommend! Besides the mixed feelings on the food, the service and atmosphere is great! The waiters don't mess around, always clearing plates, bringing out food as soon as it's done, refilling drinks, changing utensils on the table... just stand out service! They also do coat checks and have a small, but nice bar area in the front. One thing to note is their bathroom is unisex. It's not that weird once you realize a guy or a gal could be entering when you're washing your hands. It's only weird (and awkward) if you or the other person walking in doesn't know.
(3)Mike E.
Great meal, great service. I've lived really close by for years, but only finally came here for the first time with my girlfriend and my folks last Friday night. Right away, I was impressed right away with the level of attention we got and the fact that we weren't treated like some sort of fungus for being relatively casually dressed relative to the general demeanor of the room. Lots of great options on the food menu and wine list (including several good bottles to choose from in the $30-50 price range), and we didn't have any trouble finding something that sounded great (even my girlfriend, the vegetarian). My dad and I both ordered the stuffed porc roti (to my thinking, the obvious choice), but when they came out, our orders were both underdone. Like, REALLY super-rare, which I love in a steak but probably isn't optimal for piggies. We each gave it a shot, trying to be open-minded, but finally called the waiter over to let him know that we wanted to send it back for another round. He agreed it was underdone, and took it away. I didn't really expect much besides another five minutes in the oven - both the ladies were already most of the way toward finishing their meals, but them's the breaks and we're not big complainers. Instead, the manager comes over and apologizes profusely on both his behalf and that of the chef, and tells us that both our pork entrees will be on the house, along with comped desserts for everybody. Oh, and instead of just cooking up our bitten porc roti, they made us fresh plates with fresh entrees. Holy cow! Oh yeah, and everything was delicious. So yeah - great meal, definitely worth the money, in a very classy but unpretentious environment that didn't look down on me being slightly hobo-esque that evening. Will certainly be back. Oh, and if you like cocktails, order the Aviation - it kicks ass.
(5)ben c.
Wow, who knew this place existed! My girlfriend and I have been bookmarking a lot of resturants lately. Too bad we're both too busy to eat out as often as we would like. We came here for restaurant week and it was a first visit for both of us. It's sort of hidden but once you find it, you will never forget where it is. We were greeted at the door and taken to our table. The restaurant has a nice and comforting feel to it. The kitchen is partially open and you can see/hear/smell all the cooking going on which adds to the environment and feel of the place. The food is really delicious and delicately prepared and the service was very fast. Some of the items we ordered were baguette, poached eggs with mussels, escargot, trout, mushroom puff pastry, upside-down apple tart with caramel ice cream and caramelized puff pastry with raspberry. Some of the foods were a tad too salty for our liking and we linked it with the high volume of patrons being that it was restaurant week. Still, even at full capacity, this shouldn't have occurred. Another thing that we both noticed and were sort of bothered by was the waiters/waitresses were standing around like hawks. They clean up the plates as soon as we put them down or finish them, it's almost a big startling and overly uncomfortable. Again, we figured they wanted to move diners through to accommodate their reservations but this too shouldn't have happened. We agreed to come back again in the future to try things outside the set menu and really give this place a taste test. Hopefully the taste of the foods and the service will represent this place for what it really is. Still, I will give it 5 stars for still an exceptional evening dining experience. Save room for the desserts, your tummy will thank you.
(5)Cath R.
My husband and I came here for dinner and it was a great experience. It is located right off South Street and the atmosphere was true to a french bistro and hte waiter service was fantastic. We started off with the snails and the scallops and i agree with another poster - do not leave here without trying the snails- they were delicious. The scallops were also great, but we were definitly fighting over the snails. I then had the steak and I think he had the duck (it's been a few weeks since we went). Then for dessert we shared the puff pastry which we devoured pretty quickly. We highly recommend the restuarant - we would just not recommend ordering a cocktail and stick with the wine. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes for our table (even having reservations - but no big deal) and we went to the bar. my hisband ordered an Szarec - sure, maybe not the best thing to order at a French Bistro - but they should at least know how to make one. All the ingredients were poured over the glass of ice and not stirred or shaken - it was the worse drink ever. But the service at the table, wine and food made up for 1 bad drink.
(4)Elaine L.
Wonderful restaurant and ambiance. Came here for a dinner on a Saturday night with my boyfriend and we absolutely enjoyed everything. The place is small but very cozy. Super romantic indeed. The food was wonderful and seemed true to the French cuisine. Portion sizes weren't ridiculous and the service was pretty good. It's been a while since we've been but I remember that we got the escargot and oysteres. The presentation of the escargot was pretty memorable in that I've never seen escargot in single cups but always in a dish with divets in the middle. The oysters were clean and fresh - almost as if they were just brought in from the ocean. Thankfully, it wasn't too briney but I would say we've had better. I remember that my boyfriend and I shared the duck confit and another pork dish (he's more of the pork man --) Both of which were wonderful. The meat was super juicy and tender (just how meat should be) - and the flavors were sublime! Nothing was too overwhelming and despite the manipulations to the material, I think the natural flavors of the duck and the pork shined through. Overall, great date place but it is small so reserve early!
(5)Ian F.
Amazing classic Bistro fare. Try the Limonade and Absinthe cocktail, and anything with puff pastry.
(5)Juliana K.
DELICIOUS! Duck pate was melt in your mouth! It has a little crunch too since it was layered with croutons. WOW. Salads were good and light. Beef cheeks entree was amazing. The red wine sauce it was in was full bodied flavor. The beef cheeks were tender, fatty, and yummy. Gnocchi with the entree was creamy. The veal special was great. Veal was tender. Veggies were cooked perfectly. Two things they let us try complimentary was a delicious little gruyere bread puff and some chocolates at the end. The honey ice cream is soo amazing and smooth. Coffee is also of high quality. Great meal. Service was good. Waiter was very knowledgeable. Will definitely come back.
(5)David B.
I have a soft spot in my heart for French food. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Paris and I am found of the stylings of Julia Child. When I lived in Philly, the place to go for French food was Le Bec Fin. Alas, I never made it. So, I was please to experience the food stylings of Bistrot La Minette. I found this wonderful establishment through all of you, my fellow Yelpers. I was in town on business and dining alone, so I wanted something special. La Minette fit the bill. The dining room is a a single large space. It wasn't too busy the Sunday I was there but imagine that it could get very loud on a busy evening. My waiter was quick and efficient but a little cold. The wine list is not terribly large but they have carafes of a house red and white with a decent selection available by the glass. I opened the meal with mussels out of their shells (well there were three in their shells for garnish) in a cream sauce topped with a poached egg. Yum! I decided to go with a French classic for my entree: Cassoulet. It came in its own little crock and was filled with yummy goodness. The stew was rich and tomatoey with lardons, sausage, and lamb. The duck confit was fabu. I had a simple dessert, house made ice cream with a cup of tea. A very nice meal. I look forward to going back with my hubby and reliving our honeymoon in Paris!
(4)Bill G.
I agree with the 4 & 5 star reviews here so I will not restate the obvious. What I will say is the Braised Duck is fantastic and the cheese & caulifower side was a delight. I highly recommend the place and have been back twice. Oh and I reluctantly tried the house pour pichet (to the rest of us a pitcher of wine) and got the bordeaux blend. well worth the $22 as opposed to some of the other marked up wines below $50. You will NOT be disappointed.
(5)Victoria L.
French food may be my favorite cuisine, and Bistrot la Minette did not disappoint. The freshly made baguettes and butter are addicting. My friend and I shared the mushroom puff pastry appetizer, which was rich and earthy. I got the ravioli because the vegetarian options were slim. It was nicely al dente with a carrot puree that was surprisingly amazing (because I'm not a huge fan of carrots). My friend got the duck and said it was good as well. We couldn't pass up dessert after hearing the ice cream flavors: vanilla, caramel, and a toasted flavor - the last being the best. I can't wait to come back and try other things.
(4)Kim S.
Fantastic food, service and environment. Minette has traditional French food but delivers it impeccably! During restaurant week they served healthy portions and even gave us lots of freebies. Don't miss the foie gras terrine, probably the best terrine I've had. A lot of people rave about the mussels and although I think they're good, I wasn't impressed and probably wouldn't order them again. Mike is a fantastic server. I cannot wait to go here again!
(5)sun b.
Yummy, great service. Too bad they ran out of the creme brulee. =(
(4)Timothy D.
Went back for their Dinner in Perigord fixed menu and had a ball. Prunes, poached eggs, duck, and some truly badass wines were served up and had us smiling. Excellent service and inspired food.
(5)Laura B.
If you're reading this, stop and just go to Bistrot La Minette already. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city; super friendly and helpful service, great ambiance and DELICIOUS food. Did I mention the food is delicious? Cause it is. Three words. Œuf du Pêcheur You will never need to eat anything else in life once you've had this dish. Ok, now please do yourself a favor, put down your phone or laptop and go.
(5)Lucy T.
Great date spot, very casually chic. Food is impeccable every time. Service is professional and non-invasive. On the more standoff-ish European side of service than the chatty, get-to-know-you brand of American service I can sometimes find intrusive. Dying to try the big family-style dinner they do in the side room. Next special occasion, maybe?
(5)Alison S.
Just wow. So we went the other night for dinner, as they were ranked in the top 50 in Philly of 2012. Date had rabbit for the main course, said it was fantastic. I had the Duck Confit, which was melt in your mouth amazing. I have a few food allergies, and one of them is dairy. Well, French food = butterific, so the waiter wasn't certain which appetizer would be best so he went to ask the chef. Upon returning, he informed us that the chef advised that it would be best if he could MAKE UP A DISH FOR ME. Ummm ok if you insist, LOL! It was a scallops dish and it was to die for. Seriously, what a great experience, all around. Customer service, food, drinks, knowledge of the food by the waiter.. all of it was fantastic. 5 stars!!!
(5)Mr P.
Was always intrigued by this place every time I walk by. Stop in for a quick dinner last night. Since it was the long holiday weekend, the place was half empty. Got a table right away without fuss. The waiter was friendly but not intrusive. Love how they make the place look like a french bistro, soft lighting and lots of red. Now the food, As a rule, for any new places, we always order appetizers, this way you can try more things and it give you an idea how good the food is. fois grais was very good, the green salad was perfectly dressed, mussels in cream sauce with an egg was not what I expected but very good, sardines was a little strange in the sense that it was filleted and sheered not too crazy about it, the bread is probably one of the best baguette I found in Philly, just like in France crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will be back
(4)DOPETASTIC Q.
Bastille Day Let me assert first that this was one of my favorite restaurants in Philly, having been there on numerous occasions previously with both large and small groups. Bastille day was a Total let down, and I don't employ these words lightly. Both the normally impeccable food and service was missing. While the soup course and appetizer buffet were good, they did not make up for the ill-presented, chewy and dry lamb that we were served. Wine pairings did not arrive with food, and instead of a relaxing, chill atmosphere the air was tense and chaotic, a difficult environment. No one bothered to explain to us what was on our plates, the wines we were drinking. Perhaps my previous experiences here have spoiled me, and my expectations were too high. But this has been the only time I was not greeted like an old friend and served as an esteemed guest. As you can imagine, the experience was jarring and disappointing. I'm contemplating on going back again during a non-special event maybe just to make sure that this was a 1 time issue. But it sure felt like the restaurant traded a bit of soul for a bit of profit. Poor form chaps, poor form.
(1)Robert T.
The Bistrot never disappoints. Have been eating there for years, and missteps in the kitchen are extremely rare, if ever. No detail is too small to escape notice, and the staff are as lovely as anywhere in town. A go-to place in any season, for any occassion. This is one of those place where everything's good. Some personal faves are the Flammenkuche, snails, soups, and sardines. The baguettes are killer too. And the $20 pitchers of wine are a great deal, although the house cocktails are also tough to resist.
(5)Matt S.
Most enjoyable restaurant experience I've ever had! Let me be fair in stating that this review is for a visit I had almost a year ago to the day. I never got around to writing the review but I think about this place from time to time and decided to review it. My wife and I were in Philly (from San Diego) on our 5 year anniversary/honeymoon trip last May, upset that our travel agent had put us in a.....roach motel we decided to have a nice fancy dinner. Bistrot La Minette (at the time) was the only 5 star restaurant we found and went on our way. I'll admit, driving through that neighborhood at night was a little scary, it looked like Main Street of a crackhead ghost town, we weren't expecting the place to be nearly as good as the reviews had let on...boy were we mistaken. Upon entering we couldn't believe how wonderful the atmosphere was, low lights, candlelight, very few people, we felt really under dressed, but were treated like royalty! I wish I could remember our waiter's name, he was a younger African American guy, he should teach classes on how to wait tables. He promptly pulled out our chairs, placed the napkins in our laps, handed us our menus and proceeded not only to tell us what the specials of the day were, but told us his favorite menu item, the most popular item, and the chef's specialty. This alone blew me away, this is how waiters are supposed to act, none do. After telling us the specials he walked off and returned with a glass bottle of ice cold water and two complimentary creme puffs to eat while we decided on our dishes. Once our wine order was placed he promptly returned, poured a small bit for myself and waited for my approval before continuing to pour my wife's glass, beyond professional, he gave us space without avoiding us, catered to our every need without being pesky, couldn't have asked for better service. I ordered the rabbit with dijon glaze, my wife got some kind of local fish (can't remember the name) I'm not even going to go into how delightful, flavorful, and enjoyable the food was, if my tongue had an ass it would have been thuroughly kicked by this food, it was purely spectacular! After we ate we were in such awe of what we'd just consumed, I did something I never do (since I'm extremely critical and hate everything) we told our waiter "please, send our compliments to the chef" he did, and the chef (Steve or Steven) came out and talked to us. As a cook (not chef) myself I loved this! I loved I was so stoked that he came out to talk to us, during the corse of the conversation we'd mentioned that we were from San Diego, naturally he asked why we were in town. After we talked a few minutes later our waiter came back out with a large plate with candles on it, on the plate, our chef had put 4 in house made chocolates, decorated the plate with chocolate drizzle and wrote "Happy 5th Anniversary" in chocolate! He didn't have to do that, but that won our hearts forever. Needless to say we left a stupidly large tip. If I remembered more clearly I would go into detail about how wonderful the food was, but to me, this top notch food was only second the the extraordinary service we received, it's really too bad we live 3,000 miles away.
(5)Vicki H.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, and I must say it was great. I had the escargots and the coq au vin. He had the scallops and the porgy. All of the food was excellent, the escargots may be the best I've had, and I lived in Paris. They were delicious. One star is being held for service...our server was a bit inattentive, and there was a mix-up where our appetizers were forgotten. they brought them out after our entrees, and put desserts (one for him and one for me, plus one our server insisted we try) and 2 glasses of dessert wine on gratis to make up for it. The chef also came out and apologized. He seemed very hands-on, which is great. Despite the mix-up, which they handled as well as could be expected, this was really a delicious meal, with beautiful ambiance. We'll be back!
(4)Chris B.
Seems to be picking up on the Bistro wave, but La Minette is a great arrival...across from Beau Monde, that corner of 6th & Bainbridge is starting to look a wee bit Parisian. This place is so new you can still smell the paint drying in the tastefully decorated bathroom. A splash of red cushioned booths and bright yellow walls, the long narrow dining room was packed with couples and families enjoying a Friday night. Menu was a good spread of french bistro classics with a few stunners thrown in to boot. They sell carafes of wine, which a couple seated next to us was liberally helping themselves to; the guy was leaning over his date's plate a scooping up mouthfuls of potatoes off her chicken...it must've been that good. as you can tell from such detail, seating is tight. My wife ordered the Summer Tomato Tart; a small selection of tasty ripened beauties served on a flaky, buttery disc of pie-dough, it was a great dish. Accompanying it was a bit of greens laced with a tarragon vinaigrette. I had the Flammenkuche...which I found out later is THE dish of Alsace. Think of it as France's answer to pizza margarita; the caramelized onions and crispy pork lardons were served atop a flatbread laden with creme fraiche. I read another review of the place who complained about the mushiness of the dish, but it seems they corrected and served it up crispy. While good, I'd probably cut it up before serving...it was hard to eat with a knife & fork, so I eventually opted to go pizza fingers on it. Several other entrees looked good; I had my eye on the Lamb Shanks that were pouring out of the kitchen. We were stuffed though and went with dessert only, a Pot de Creme served with lightly sweetened whipped cream. The Pot de Creme had a mocha-like firm custard, not the chocolate bomb we were expecting, but very smooth...kind of like the after meal coffee in a cup.
(4)Felicia K.
I was so pleased with this place. Lovely atmosphere, great service, delicious food. Not even that pricey if you don't pile on the alcohol, but we did because they had an excellent selection. I tried French (alcoholic) cider for the first time... dry, wonderful, a far cry from some of the stuff they sell here called "cider." They have three types of absinthe, some interesting specialty cocktails, and of course a huge wine list. As for the food... we started out with the mushroom soup and the fried cheese over green beans and cauliflower with a lemon vinaigrette. Both were excellent... the mushroom soup is what I imagine when I imagine the ideal mushroom soup. The fried cheese with the cool, crisp veggies and bite of the vinaigrette was lovely. For the entree, boyfriend had the rabbit over tagliatelle and I had the ravioli. Both were wonderful. Dessert was thin wafers of flaky pastry layered with thick cream and raspberries. Light and delicious. We left incredibly satisfied and happy. It's nice to be impressed.
(5)Paul M.
Consistently great food and friendly service. The place to dine in Society Hill and South Street area.
(5)Elise K.
We were so disappointed in our experience here after meaning to dine here for such a long time and finally venturing down there. We attended the Beaujolais Nouveau wine dinner - a prix fixe with wine pairing. It was the service that really ruined the evening for us. Our server was never around for us or for his other two tables, and when we flagged him down, we had to ask him for the wine pairings that came with the courses that other servers or runners had brought us. By the end of the meal, after he had dropped our check, he completely disappeared. We sat, chatted and finished our wine for about 15 minutes, and he never returned. I don't know what Peter Woolsey looks like, but an authoritative-looking guy from the kitchen in a chef's jacket was bantering with the bartender, so there was no hope of getting anyone's attention over there, and we eventually were able to flag down another server to pay our bill. We literally never saw our own server for the last 20 minutes that we were at dinner, and he couldn't have gone home without closing out his final table, so who knows what he was doing. Courses consisted of a French onion soup, pike with crayfish and mushrooms, veal and cream stew and a caramel walnut tart. The elegant veal and cream stew saved this from being a one-star review; neither I nor my dining partner are dessert people, but we both loved the tart with homemade-tasting vanilla bean ice cream, but it was a lot of money to spend ($75/person) for such terrible service. We may or may not be back - it could have been an off night, but we were really left wondering what all the hype was about. We wished we had gone for a nice dinner elsewhere - there are so many other great choices in Philadelphia that most places can't afford to exasperate their clientele, but maybe Bistrot La Minette is just so popular that it can.
(2)Pamela S.
Best meal I've had in Philadelphia. My boyfriend and I dined at Bistro La Minette one Sunday. It wasn't very busy. We sat in the "garden" in the back of the restaurant, alone, but loved it. Our server, Kane, was just fantastic. So professional, courteous, and helpful. At times he felt like a ninja, filling our water and dropping the check without the slightest intrusion. As for the food, oh my god, the food! To start we ordered the heirloom tomato salad and the "euf de pecheur" (poached egg, mussels, and a creamy sauce), a must-order. Then, we had a lemon crusted Halibut with a side of macaroni and cheese and pan-seared foie gras over an apple tatine (?) paired with Les Pins' Monbazillac. Dessert consisted of a mille feuille aux framboises and L'opera. Everything was wonderfully timed, wonderful tasting, and really, for lack of a better word, ridiculous. Would definitely go back. Again, and again and again ...and again.
(5)Nicole V.
We just returned from a marvelous meal. It was my husband's birthday and they were wonderfully accommodating. The service was excellent and his special birthday meal (the envy of neighboring tables) was absolutely perfect. Thank you, Bistrot La Minette, for one of the top five Philly dining experiences we've had in nearly 20 years of eating well in this city.
(5)Keith D.
Every course was perfectly crafted. I can't use enough positive adjectives. In one word, phenomenal. Get the mussels. You won't regret it. I promise.
(5)Darlene S.
My boyfriend had made online reservations for my birthday back in May and requested to be seated outside if it did not rain, and on the day of, we arrived late and instead were seated inside despite it not raining, however, we realized that all of the patrons were indoors anyway so we didn't mind. Our waiter was great! He was very knowledgeable about the menu at the time, and even recommended us some menu items per course for our dinner including wine pairings but we somehow managed to order something other than what was recommended. I do not remember what my boyfriend ordered for his mise en bouche but I ordered some kind of noodle pasta in a creamy sauce with herbs, and it was very good. And during our mise en bouche, a server had come by with a plate of fried goat cheese balls as complimentary and they were absolutely to die for. As for the second course, my boyfriend had like a steak with fries and I had lamb with ratatouille. The fries that came with my boyfriend's entree were different from fries you'd find anywhere, there were only a few of them but they actually tasted and felt like potatoes. It was also the first time I ever had lamb and although I enjoyed it later on that night I found out that lamb may not sit too well with my stomach and have since avoided eating lamb, however, it was still a meal/an experience to remember. As for wine, we had the house wine but I do not remember the names. My boyfriend had been complaining that I wasn't drinking mine and then when I proceeded to do so, I noticed there was a bug of some sort floating in my cup and a restaurant personnel quickly attended to the matter, and replaced the glass with no charge at all.
(5)Grant C.
impeccable and Amazing. Exactly what you want in a neighborhood French Bistro. My girlfriend never had French food before and Bistrot La Minette did not disappoint. The wine was reasonably priced and tasty. The waiter was friendly and knowledgable. He did not try and up-sell us and gave us frank and honest advice. The food was delicious. The mussels served with poached egg was by far the star of the meal. We should have ordered two portions -that's how good it was and with no hyperbole. We also as an appetizer the escargot and it too was very good. Each escargot was served in an individual ceramic thimble-sized pot with garlic butter and a side of toast. For the main courses, we shared rabbit and the monkfish. My gf thought the rabbit was a little gamey, but I thought it was cooked to perfection. We both enjoyed the monkfish; it was light and fresh. We enjoyed the Mille Feuille Aux Framboises for desert and it was out of this world. There is a prix fix dinner on Sundays for around $30 that we are excited to try. I highly recommend this dinner. Romantic but not stuffy. Thumbs up. I give it 5 stars and have officially found my go-to French restaurant in Philly.
(5)Charles R.
Had dinner and lunch here and it's always very good. Only 2 spots in this town that serve true French food and this and Bibou are it. Lunch is very pleasant at this time of year when you can sit outside, relax and enjoy a wonderful piece of sole or the rich, but oh so good confit. Dinner is also hard to beat. Fresh baquette's with butter at room temperatue to start, and the salad nicoise has great taste. So many times restaurants serve this dish, but it can be very bland. The lamb was tender and I've yet to find a dish here that isn't extremely well seasoned. Never had dessert, but nice wines by the glass and good service.
(4)Lady B.
Romantic, special place. The food is fantastic and the service is the best I have ever experienced. The outdoor patio area is gorgeous, especially at night. I highly recommend it for a nice date night out.
(5)Rick A.
Great little spot off of south street. The atmosphere, food and service were all great. I took my lady friend here for a special occasion because she loves French Bistros. I am a little but of a picky eater and I did not have any trouble finding a great meal. Overall it was Very Good but a little pricey for a casual dinner. I would visit this place for a special occasions but not all the time.
(4)Greg B.
I felt as though I was on the set of Amelie - the warm and very European setting, the French country wine pitcher, the collection of kitschy art on the walls, the pristine stem and silver ware, the FOOD. I'm not sure if Bistrot La Minette strives to be super traditional or authentic, but I really appreciate their culinary take on French. Really, this place was simply outstanding. You can tell they really give a damn about the customer experience and the owner seems to have a vision which transcends making a quick buck. I'll check out their famous outdoor courtyard dining arrangement later, after my Spring allergies calm down. Highly recommended. If you took a girl on a first date here and you don't get at least a goodnight kiss, you are a sucker.
(5)Mark S.
This was like in a nightmare. My wife and I were visiting Philadelphia over the weekend of October 25. We have travelled the world, and had high expectations based on the reviews. We did not care about the price, but wanted to have a great time. We walked for a mile in this windy day to get to the Minette for lunch. The first surprise once we entered the place was the smell of the bathroom coming into the eating area. The second was nobody came to greet us. After waiting for several minutes, I moved inside the restaurant, which by the way was more than half empty at 1 pm on this Saturday afternoon. In front of the table, I asked a waiter if this is a self-seating place. He replied someone will be with you shortly. He came back after serving his customer, and pointed us to the table in front of which we were waiting. As soon as we were seated, he came back and asked if we wanted any water. We took a a Perrier that he served us immediately. After looking into the menu, and the customers around us, we had already doubts that we made the right choice. We decided to go for it anyway as we were there, so we waited. We waited, and waited, for a time that seemed like an eternity. Nobody came to us. Not to serve us any bread, and butter, or ask if we wanted a glass of wine. Not even to acknowledge our presence. All seemed very estrange. We were so disconnected from that reality that when we stood up to leave, nobody came to ask us why. In front of the door, we waited for more than 5 minutes, making all kinds of sign to attract someone's attention so we can at least pay for the bottle of Perrier we have been served. Nothing. No one. I would have left them $5 and leave, but did not have any change. We decided to leave. Moved toward the door, still making gestures, hoping someone would come and take us out of this nightmare. Nothing. We left and walked to the Red Owl, where we had a great time amongst many real people.
(1)Mortimer S.
La Minette is a warm, inviting, classy place. It's not so fancy that it's a "really special occasion"-only restaurant but it's nice enough for you to feel like you're treating yourself. The ambience is very classical homey old France without being precious, and the same goes for the menu. Everything we had was very well-prepared. I ordered a duck breast with foie gras sauce and red wine chassis with turnips and celery root puree. My dining partner had the rabbit (which I also sampled) and both were quite good. The portions are also very French (small) so if you're a glutton this isn't the place to go. I admit than I'm a bit of a glutton myself but that's not the point really. Yet I can't help but saying that I would have liked more celery root and turnips with the entree. There was plenty of meat but I wanted something to render it a bit more filling. Both of us started with the mushroom soup, which had no shortage of strong, earthy flavor and was topped with a parsley/creme fraiche sauce which I would have liked more of. We had an amuse bouche of a little comte cheese puff (not bad) and were also given complimentary chocolates at the end of the meal, after we split a dessert which was aptly described by my friend as "a French tiramisu." We had no problems with service. They were out of the wine we ordered but had another similar one to take its place (which wasn't on the menu). It's solid food, and I imagine that most of the time one couldn't go wrong with this place. But it didn't blow me away. The menu is almost too traditional and may not hold my interest for a return trip anytime soon with all the other restaurants in Philly I have yet to go to. Regardless I hold La Minette in fairly high esteem.
(4)Melanie Z.
Amazing! I mean over-the-top good. The food: Like other reviewers have said, the bread is so good it's addicting. My boyfriend got the Sunday prix fixe, which was an amazing deal for $29. Artichoke and mushroom soup, a trio of salads with carrot, lentils, and beets, bacon and mushroom stuffed roast chicken, and creme caramel and chocolate mousse. The salads were the weakest course, but even those were delicious. I had the escargot, the mussels, the brown butter fluke, and the raspberry and pastry cream puff pastry dessert. Everything was delicious, but I could have eaten three more of the dessert. I was so stuffed from pigging out on the bread, but I couldn't stop eating. My boyfriend and I cleaned every plate. The food wasn't pretentious at all. Simple but done perfectly and with tons of butter! The service: When we walked in, the host asked us if we'd like to sit in the garden in the back. I was worried that there'd be bugs or noise from the street, but the walls were tall, and it felt like what I bet being in a cafe in Paris is like. Our waiter was excellent, and the service was timed perfectly. We took his recommendations for my entree and dessert, and they were both great!! Great experience overall, and I will definitely be back!
(5)J P.
A damn near perfect meal. Quality was there, service was cordial, our reservation time was perfect for a great late evening dinner. We started with a pitcher of the house wine and the scallops which were delectable. I ordered the lobster, and my wife had the rabbit. Both were amazing. We ended with the Tarte au Citron (Lemon Tart, Cassis Sorbet) and Mille Feuille aux Framboises (Carmelized Puff Pastry, Vanilla Pastry Cream, Raspberries) and some coffee. We all felt fat and happy. This place is very cute and very hip without being hipsterish. This is a great date spot and with its great service and food it will leave you in the mood for a great night.
(4)Alla G.
This is a great neighborhood bistro. The food is tasty, the atmosphere is relaxed and authentic, and the service is knowledgeable, professional and friendly. We were started of with some delicious, hot bread and some salted butter. I don't usually care for the table bread but this was exceptional. The mushroom puff pasty appetizer was good but not memorable. The Branzino was perfectly prepared, and probably best Branzino I've had. Hubby enjoyed his Dijon mustard rabbit. The chocolate tart with wild strawberry sherbet was good, but I would have preferred fresh berries instead of the sherbet. And the complimentary truffles that came with the check were divine and a nice finishing touch. Would definitely recommend this place and look forward to returning on either a movie night or just to enjoy the outside garden on a beautiful evening.
(4)Hee Jin C.
Love this place! It offers a solid variety of dishes from northern France, and it's NOT pretentious. Bistrot offers hearty, but incredibly delicious food that are very carefully prepared. I had the blood orange duck - it's not super fancy, but juicy and simple, just how I like it. We ordered a jug of wine (the wine comes in a jug! I'm in love!) and it blended wonderfully with the meal. I think someone mentioned something about the bread here - VERY TRUE. Best table bread I've had. So soft and chewy, and comes with slightly melted salted butter that goes wonderfully with the bread. Try it out!
(4)Kenny N.
I was super stoked to go to this place, and after all the great reviews who wouldn't be. However, my excitement has now turned to disgust. Maybe people don't understand what good food is? First off let me start out by saying, I've been to the majority of great restaurants in Philly and NYC. I like to think I have a pretty decent palette when it comes to food. This paired with working a few food shows for TV makes me a pretty decent judge when it comes to restaurants. Secondly, when I go out I want to have food that I can't make at home, the whole "I want to be wowed..." OK, on with the review. Firstly, the wait staff was awful. Our waiter in particular didn't have a clue as to what he liked on the menu, and every time we mentioned something a look of disgust came over his face. Feeling very unsure we ordered anyways. We started out with an Endive salad and the "house special" Mussels in a tarragon cream sauce with a poached egg. The salad was ok (I could make it myself) and the mussels were drenched in the cream sauce making the taste overwhelmingly rich. Our main courses were the scallops (appetizer) and the salmon. Both dishes left a dull thud on your taste buds. Again I could have easily made these dishes at home. Bottom line this place was the biggest waste of money and time. I honestly can't see them lasting very long in the city when you have restaurants like Tulula's Garden and Fond (to name a few).
(1)Leah G.
I happened to be eating here the night of the flash mob on South Street. The staff didn't miss a beat. We, as outdoor diners, were quickly ushered inside and the doors were locked. The meal continued as if nothing had happened outside. It was wonderful. The escargot and the chicken were my choices and both were delicious. I will be sure to be back.
(4)Rachel Danielle S.
Mon Dieu! Fantastique! I walked into this bistro and was back in France.... The night I was here, along with a la carte fare, they were featuring a dinner from the Gascony region, which at $35, included 4 courses - for a mere $15 more - wines to go with them! And, I hate to sound soooo Americaine, but, I ask: How CAN you beat THAT!? I truly enjoyed each course, as it was enhanced by the server's description beyond the description elegantly offerred on the little paper menu. The region was explained to us: the foods, ingredients, a bit of the culture, the people, etc., so that you could really get a bit of a feel of the featured place. (My salad included duck heart. Where else can you get such an item?) The wines featured alongside the foods were also deliciously pontificated upon, with the server inquiring whether we could indeed taste the delicate or not so delicate notes. We were encouraged to try both the dish and the wine separately, and then together. And it was grewat fun! Not the least pretentious. I loved how involved the service was - it really enhanced the whole dining experience, and it was such an unexpected touch. A featuredd (and recommended) cocktail: The Minette en L'Air. I throughly enjoyed the Kir, never having had it en France...it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways - on it's own or with a flavor...like Chambord. Bon Appetit!
(5)Grace T.
Tried this place with my husband for restaurant week and we thought it was really good! First course: Œuf de Pêcheur - I loved this! It had a poached egg on top of toast with a delicious cream sauce. There were 3 mussels in the shell and another 6 on top. Escargots à La Bourguignonne - My husband got esgargot. It was very garlic/ buttery. I had never had esgargot before so not sure how it compares to other places. Main course: Confit de Canard- I got the duck confit and thought it was really good. The skin was nice and crispy. Some bites of the duck seemed slightly dry to me, but all in all a very good dish. Paired nicely with the side of legumes, green beans, and arugula and a lemon-y sauce. Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde - My husband got the rabbit, which I tried a bite. The meat was very tender. It came with a side of pasta. Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises - This dessert was amazing! I'd come back here just to get it again. It had flaky caramelized puff pastry sheets with vanilla cream and raspberries in between. So good!
(5)Lilli C.
The interior is like a cute little French bistro and the food is amazing. The escargot was buttery, garlicky and delicious. I dumped the excess sauce out of each little vestibule the escargot was in and sopped it up w/ the amazing French bread. The beef tartare was fantastic- it came with crostini that had been smeared with bone marrow. Both entrees, the halibut special that they told me was just flown from Nova Scotia the previous day with luscious roasted Jersey tomatoes and the duck confit were fantastic. I don't know why I had never been here before- I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Andi S.
I ordered the escargot with garlic and olive oil and the goat cheese omelet. Even the bread and butter were delicious. The high quality of ingredients used as well as the knowledge of preparation are what makes this place. The excellent service and ambiance doesn't hurt either. Our server was very professional. I look forward to returning.
(5)Julie W.
Friend and I came here for dinner during Restaurant Week. Nice seating outdoors - small but I preferred this to the interior setup, which was surprisingly (as many have commented) more casual than expected. Service was great and dishes came out with pace. TLDR: get the poached egg with mussels. Here's a breakdown: Appetizers: Œuf de Pêcheur (poached egg, toast, mussels) - egg poached perfectly, seasoning was on point, tarragon sauce was rich and creamy, mussels delicious. Best dish of the night. GET THIS. I'd love to have it for brunch as an entree. Terrine de Foie Gras au Poivre (foie gras pate, grilled peach) - nice chunk of foie gras, smooth, flavored. Entree: Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde (mustard braised rabbit with taglietelle pasta) - I wasn't expecting as strong of a mustard taste (my fault), but the meat was tendered and flavored. May be too salty for some people but I love salt. Confit de Canard (duck confit) - nice crisp on the duck, Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises (caramelized puff pastry, raspberries, pastry cream) - despite being neither a dessert nor raspberry person, I really enjoyed this! It was the perfect balance of sweet and tart, pastry was flaky and caramelized nicely. Verrine de Myrtille et Citron (lemon curd, almond cake, blueberries) - friend got this and it was too tart for me personally; refreshing but would pass.
(4)David T.
I agree with the reviewer who talked about saltiness, but am not sure why that (and the Illy cups?) merit two stars for "La Minette." Maybe the coat check was too cool for her... So it's not the "Best place in Philly" but it's very good. It's some of the most authentic French bistro food you'll get in the US. Yes, some dishes are quite salty, but you'll get that in a nice place in Paris, too. The restaurant has beautifully flavored dishes and excellent drinks. It's expensive; but again, so is just about anywhere in a big city where you have great service and fine dining. So now that I've taken on the Yelpiverse, let me just say that this place is absolutely worth visiting; especially if you're missing your favorite little restaurant by the Seine. I had my own small quibbles (yes, salty, and they should carry classier sparkling water or make their own, and the food took just a little too long to get to us) but it's darn good and you can't go wrong there, which is more than one could say about most places.
(4)Sydney T.
I came here with two friends last night for restaurant week. We came to the agreement that none of us would order the same thing so we could try each other's food and sample everything. The food overall was good. It wasn't mind-blowing like I was expecting it to be but it sure isn't a disappointment. First Course Escargots à La Bourguignonne - This dish's presentation was cute in that they gave you six individual tiny cups but it wasn't anything spectacular. It was flavorful with the herbs and butter however, the snails themselves felt a little firmer than it should have been (overcooked or not properly defrosted?). Although I thought it was okay, the group thought this was the worst of the three dishes. Tartare de Bœuf - This dish has raw beef mixed with various ingredients such as capers, chive, and truffles. It felt very light with a refreshing tang from the lemon dijon vinaigrette. Although it wasn't very memorable since the flavor was fairly subtle, it is a safe choice and hard to go wrong. My friends seems unimpressed with it but I liked quite a lot. Terrine de Foie Gras au Poivre - This was the group favorite. It was very rich with a texture you either love or hate (I loved it). It was served on top bread which felt like it was fried as it was somewhat crunchy yet still easy to slice through with a knife. It also came with a sweet sauce (which I usually don't like) that paired very well with the texture of the foie gras. This is definitely recommended if you want an experience. Main Course Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde - This was a rabbit dish. The meat was cooked really well but the key thing that made the dish was the delicious sauce it came with. It also came with some pasta that paired well with it. The others seemed to like it more than I but it might be because I didn't get to eat a whole lot of it. Daube a la Provençale - These wine braised beef short ribs were very good and went great with the tomatoes. The dish was very rich in flavor and went very nicely with some red wine. However, for such a nice place, this dish just seems too ordinary. You can go to other places to order the same thing. So even though it was great, I would order something else they have that you can't find anywhere else. Confit de Canard - Let me just say that I am not a fan of duck. There's just this certain taste unique to duck that I just don't like. I can still eat it but if you give me a choice of any other type of meat, I will take the other. That said, this dish was awesome! I don't know how they did it but I didn't taste that ducky taste in the meat. Additionally, the skin was crispy so it crunched with the meat as you ate it. This was definitely (and surprisingly) my favorite dish of the three. Dessert Verrine de Myrtille et Citron - If you have a sweet tooth, stay away from this dish. It's not to say that this dish isn't sweet but it was much more tart than sweet. I can't say it was bad but I found the tartness to be a little overpowering and unfortunately we couldn't finish eating this. Gâteau Mousse au Chocolat - Just a chocolate mousse cake. It isn't anything terribly exciting but I love chocolate so I couldn't go wrong with this. Plus there is some hazelnut inside the cake which was fairly subtle and didn't detract from the chocolateyness (is that a word?) of the cake. It is very rich though so a glass of milk would've been awesome with this. Mille Feuille aux Framboises - This was definitely the nicest looking dish of the three. It had flaky pastry with some kind of vanilla cream filling with raspberries scattered throughout. The texture of the pastry and cream worked perfectly together and once you swallowed it, you immediately want to take another bite. As for the rest of the restaurant. The decor was awesome. If felt like a homey French restaurant so you didn't need to dress too fancy for it (although you may feel out of place if you just wore a t-shirt and cargo shorts here). The service could've been better in my opinion. It wasn't as quick as I was expecting it to be and I even had to flag down the waitress a couple times (although the first time was our fault). All in all, I would definitely come back here for a date or even a group of friends as the atmosphere is very inviting to both.
(4)Julia L.
Came here for my birthday dinner and was pleasantly surprised with the ambience. I'm a sucker for unpretentious French food and Bistrot La Minette is a little taste of Paris in one of Philly's colorful neighborhoods. We were seated by the windows and greeted by our friendly waitress. We started with the escargot and it was delicious. The sauce was buttery and garlicky, but a little on the salty side. Perfect for sopping up the sauce with a piece of bread. The lamb shank was good and so was the braised beef short rib but there was that little something missing for it to be a five star for me. Definitely recommend for a good date night.
(4)Justin V.
Came here for Restaurant Week in Center City. They were offering a three course, prix fixe menu for $35 which included many items that are on the regular menu so I thought this would be a good opportunity to sample different thing son the menu. Lighting in this restaurant is very dim so pictures didn't come out great. Atmosphere was great, though. Between my roommate and I, we had seven courses, which included a supplemental side dish. The meal began with a side house-made bread and butter, both which were great. We also had gougères sent out by the kitchen which was a nice touch but were nothing too special. Œuf du Pêcheur - Fisherman's style poached egg, toast, mussels, tarragon cream: arguably the best dish of the night. Tasting the mussel alone with tarragon cream was great but after breaking up the perfectly cooked poached egg and mixing everything together, we were both very impressed. 5/5 Escargots à La Bourguignonne - Burgundy snails, garlic herb butter, croutons: I had high expectations for this dish and while it was good, it fell a little short. When I think of eatinting escargots, I think of eating them packed in a shell with a ton of herbs. Here, six (as opposed to the nine normally given) serve it in a little, individual quarter-sized bowl with a ton of butter/oil with very little herb and garlic. The crouton on top of the bowl was a nice touch. 4/5 Truite Meunière - Miller-style trout, green beans, fingerling potatoes, lemon brown butter, almonds: the weakest dish of the night. The trout was a little thin and was over-cooked as well. Texturally, it was too dry and lacked the creamy, flaky body that I'm used to. The fingerling potatoes were a nice addition and were on point. The lemon brown butter was good but may have been overly acidic which was fatiguing on the palette. 3/5 Confit de Canard Sauce Foie Gras - Duck confit, celeriac, carrots, black currants, foie gras sauce, red wine reduction: The duck confit was cooked very well with a crispy skin, though I would have preferred it a little crispier. Flavors were on point and the sweetness from the currants as well as the carrots mingled favorably with the savoriness of the duck. Unfortunately, I didn't get any foie gras flavor from the sauce whatsoever, which was disappointing to say the least. 3.5/5 Gratin de Pâtes Façon - Peggy Macaroni and cheese: The mac and cheese came out piping hot with a crispy exterior. It was exactly what I expected; creamy, luscious, and savory. 4/5 Mille Feuille aux Framboises - Caramelized puff pastry, vanilla pastry cream, raspberries: A must get! Everything was on point on this dish. Textural play between the pastry and cream was perfect. The raspberries added a slightly-sour touch to the dish which made it perfect. 5/5 Glaces et Sorbets - Daily selection of house-made ice creams and sorbets: I got the sorbet and I made a terrible mistake. Should have stuck to a more traditional french dessert as the three scoops I got were nothing to write home about. I'll leave it at that. 2/5 All in all, there is decent value to be had during Restaurant Week (despite some dishes being a little smaller than usual). Our meal totaled $100 for the both of us after tax and tip and most likely would have been around $120-$130 had it not been for the prix fixe menu. I would most definitely come here again!
(4)Mimi L.
Had reservations to this place. Walked in and it was empty. But there was a private party in a private room. Place looks decent. They have a coat check. Pretty cool. Started our order with drinks. Passion green tea. Light aroma and tasted good. My friend got the sparkling lemonade and he said it was "way too sour!" Appetizers: Escargot and Quail. For me the escargot was salty. The quail was great. Well seasoned, accompanied with buttered spinach and some purée. Very tasteful. Presentation was great. Entree: lamb shank was ok. Well balanced. I sampled this from my friends dish. I had the braised beef. Boy, it was horribly salty. My second bite was my last. Dessert: Chocolate Mousse and Puff Pastry. My Puff Pastry was light, airy and crunch. Perfect combination of cream, fresh raspberry, and crispy pastry. The chocolate mousse was good. Coffee ice cream was strong with a nutty crunch. Good also but very rich. Weird, my tea cup is an illy cup which is itailian cafe but we were in a French restaurant. Service was good. Every course their was a change in utensil. Second change my fork had some green stuff in between the sides of the fork. I just grabbed another fork from another table. The entrance did have a heavy round curtain to sustain cold air from coming in. I like this. It's a great idea to keep the breeze from coming in. Hostess was nice. She also coat checked us. This place is on the expensive side. For two we spent $140. Just wish my main entree was not super salty.
(2)A B.
Tremendously inviting space, staff hustling, lots of energy. The bistro fare is deliciously simple and done extremely well. Bravo, Chef Kenny - loved the red socks!
(3)Schmidty W.
A restaurant week success!! I went here with my mom and sister for the first time last night, and I can definitely say that I'll be back. From their restaurant week menu I had the escargot, the duck, and the hazelnut mousse cake for dessert. All of the Portions were perfect and each aspect of my meal tasted amazing!!! Additionally, the decor is very beautiful and french, as it should be since this is a french restaurant, and the wait staff was AMAZING and very attentive, brining us complimentary cheese puffs before our meal and then complimentary chocolates to finish it off. The best part of the whole experience though had to be the absolutely delicious bread! We ate probably three baskets of this stuff, and it's made in house! Unfortunately, they don't have enough to sell, but it's worth it for the bread alone to go to this place, that's how good it is. :D
(5)Rene L.
This place is amazing. We came in late for a drink and Frank the bartender was so amazing. It was closing but he was kind enough to get us a salad, and to make a drink which was great. My girlfriend and I both own businesses in Old City, and decided to return for the amazing salad. We got Frank as a server, and it was AMAZING. The bread off the charts. The desert too good for words. I still dream of it. The scallops the best ever. We are both foodies and just love good restaurants. It is on our list to return and though it is a bit pricey it is worth it for every reason here is!
(5)Phil A.
As I told our server, "like dining in Paris without the ten-hour flight." We could find absolutely no fault with our whole experience. For starters, the service was excellent. There is nothing more that needs to be said about that. First course: Salmon tartare--authentic, fresh and delicious. Mushrooms in cream sauce with puff pastry--to die for. Delicious, rich, flavorful. House-made baguette: about as good as you can get stateside for this sort of thing. Bibb salad--fresh, flavorful, a little too heavy on the dressing, but we forgave since it tasted so wonderful. Main courses: Rabbit--very good. Homemade tagliatelle were a nice touch. Tender and flavorful. Chicken--exceptional. Sauce made with Macvin du Jura was out of this world. Morel mushrooms pushed it over the edge. Chicken was juicy, delectable. Dessert: Gateau Opera was extra rich and decadent. Intense chocolate flavor. Mille feulle aux framboises was delicious, but what really set it off was the quality of the whipped cream--extra rich and delicious. We finished off the evening with Calvados. They also have a nice selection of Armagnac and Cognac, so your digestif needs will be thoroughly attended to. If you enjoy traditional bistro fare such as you might find at Benoit or Allard in Paris, don't miss this one. Outstanding meal!
(5)Kimberly Y.
Bistrot La Minette doesn't look like your average upscale restaurant. It's hard to miss that the lighting is brighter than usual and everything is yellow and red, very red. But I enjoyed the coziness of it. Our server tried to upsell everything (alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks, food, desserts), which worked but got pretty annoying. The kitchen ended up making a pretty bad mistake, but graciously and quickly fixed it. Made me wonder why we had to wait 20 minutes for food if they could whip up my dish again in just 3. My boyfriend and I had just eaten a few hours ago, so we weren't very hungry and just got a main course each. The portions are truly not that large, so don't even try to get away with just one plate for a normal meal. My trout was great, but not spectacular, though I did enjoy all the vegetables that came with it. My boyfriend liked his rabbit, but he almost choked on some small bones a few times. Not sure why it's one of the highest-rated restaurants in Philly, but it's definitely above average for a special occasion.
(4)Vivian T.
One of the best restaurants I've gone to in Philadelphia in such a long time!! I loved it. Romantic, cute, savory and sweet. We had the escargot, beef tartar, lamb shank and the daily special which was New York strip topped w shaved truffle with small potatoes over a bed of spinach. All accompanied with house made baguette which was the best bread ur ever going to get! We finished our date w sharing the creme brûlée and house compliment salted chocolate caramels. Mouth wateringly freaking amazing, great service and lovely ambience. 5 *****
(5)Amanda T.
Love love love this place. I am in love with their homemade bread, which blows all over bread out of the water, and all their small plates. In particular I LOVE the oeuf du pecheur and it is a staple in all my meals here. In fact, I may just order a bunch of oeufs the next time I come as my full meal. Another impressive appetizer is the terrine de food gras. "Grape jelly" is an understatement and it never tasted so good! The main plates are incredibly heavy so if you are not starving they may be difficult to finish. I had le gasconade de jarret d'agneau the most recent time and housed the entire thing because the lamb just fell off the bones and the prunes and cornmeal were the perfect accompaniment to the bold flavor of the meat. Again, not recommended if you had a late lunch... I have to mention the mac & cheese side dish, or "gratin de pates facon peggy." I am a voracious eater of mac & cheese and this ain't my first rodeo. Nonetheless, Bistrot la Minette had the best mac & cheese I have ever had hands down, regardless if you like the potlucky four-real-cheese mac & cheese or the powdery goodness of Kraft's insta-mac. The mac & cheese here will fulfill all your cheesy fantasies. Bistrot definitely did their French culinary magic (technical term) to this basic dish and elevated it to divine.
(5)Mike Z.
We felt like we were somewhere in France at some cafè. Really cool atmosphere and a European feel. The space is really cozy and has really cool French decorations thru out. Our waitress was really friendly and assisted us in making choices. First of all the bread was awesome!! It was so soft and freshly baked. We has escargot to start which was very flavorful. My gf ordered poached eggs with mussels and I had the omelet with herb covered potatoes. We really enjoyed our meals. I really enjoyed the relaxed environment and they really let us sit back and relax without rushing. I look forward to summertime so we can eat outside on their patio. This is a hidden gem.
(5)Sasha O.
Fantastic meal! My boyfriend and I put in a reservation for restaurant week, and it was a brilliant decision. The restaurant upon entering was very beautiful with outdoor tables in addition to a very romantic and classy interior. The bathroom was also very sophisticated and neat in style. As for our service, it was perfect. Our server (his name may have been Andrew but I forgot) was incredibly helpful and polite. He explained the best dishes and was always coming around to refill our water, clean up, and offer more bread (which we ate 2 bins of!). The other waiters were also very helpful and polite! The food was phenomenal. Aside from the tasty homemade bread, we began with the poached egg/mussel dish and the escargot. Both were AMAZING and very unique! Our entres, the duck and the rabbit, were mindblowing, as well. I preferred the rabbit, which was perfectly tender and was coated with a delicious sauce with a side of pasta. The duck was crispy and delicious, but less of a standout to me. My boyfriend preferred this, so to each his own! The desserts, the raspberry cream dish and the chocolate cake, were perfect. They even served us chocolates upon leaving. One thing that really stands out is that we did not feel rushed. This was a welcome change to be able to sit and enjoy our meals and allow time to digest without feeling the staff pushing you out. Incredible restaurant and I would certainly return!
(5)Lindsay H.
After walking in, we soon discovered that this place is the perfect date spot for a cold winter evening! It has a great cozy upscale feel with wonderful food. We both started with some tasty bubbly cocktails. If you love some bubbly than this is the place for you. They have plenty of options. We then split the grilled quail with wilted arugala and a sherry au jus and it was lovely. Yes, quail is always tough to eat because it's just so tiny but the flavors were really tasty. It was a very fall dish. My only wish was that the quail came with more of a grilled texture but all and all, great start. I should also mention that the bread and butter was awesome. I loooove a french baguette and they serve a great one! For our entrees we went with the seared duck breast and the butter poached salmon. The duck was perfect. I love a seared duck breast and this dish had every component I love in a duck dish. Perfectly medium rare, sweet and savory with a creamy puree to pair. Great. Very rich but well worth the richness! The salmon was also a winner. It was more on the rare side which is fine by me with the perfect buttery flavor. The other components all paired well with the dish and didn't take anything away from the salmon. With the cold winter months upon us, absolutely check this place out!
(4)Angie M.
This is the BEST place in Philly!! We had dinner here last Saturday night with 18 guests: they were from New York City, London, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle and Philadelphia. You could say the world's greatest Foodie cities! And EVERY PERSON LOVED your restaurant! They raved!!!!!!!! The service was EXTRAORDINARY and SEAMLESS! The group wanted to make sure David was acknowledged. He was on top of his game! And the Food was just PERFECT! I don't even know what words would really capture how great the entire experience was! AND as a local, I was just proud.
(5)Anthony S.
Sadly, this year I could only go to one place this year for restaurant week. Fortunately, I ended up at Bistrot La Minette. I happened to tell some friends I was going here, and they said if you haven't had escargot that this is the place to try it. Never having tried escargot, I felt obligated to get it as my first course. The flavor was buttery and garlicy, and who can complain about that?! For the main course, I had the lamb shank. It was ridiculously tender, served in a little broth with root vegetables. We got a carafe of the house red wine, which was perfect to wash down the delicious hunks of lamb. And finally, for dessert I had the poached pear (in red wine and with black currants--are you kidding me??! Yes please!). If you know me, you know how much I love pear. And this was definitely the perfect dessert.
(5)Kristen S.
I'm reviewing this place again. I wish I could afford to eat here all the time. I also wish I could give it six stars. We went for dinner and a movie last night. Chef came out to talk to everyone in the courtyard about the movie, we had our usual amazing service and perfectly executed food, great wine, fantastic ambiance, and all around perfect evening.
(5)Kendrah R.
Atmosphere is wonderful. Food is average. Bread is excellent. If you are looking for a cafe in this neighborhood to have a nice long hang out lunch to catch up with friends, I would consider going here. It is the kind of place that makes you want to sit and talk for hours. If I were looking for excellent French food, this is not the first place that comes to mind. I went for lunch so cannot comment on dinner. I had a lyonnaise salad that was not good. I couldn't finish it. The frisee was wilted, the egg tasted soft boiled slimy rather than nicely poached, the dressing was nothing, there was no zing. My partner had trout that was good. I noticed they had a private little dining room which could be great for events.
(3)Felix P.
I went here during a huge snow storm. The staff was super friendly and didn't let the bad weather get in the way of offering great food and service. The also understand wine pairing very well. Overall the food paired with the experience is 5 star.
(5)Danni M.
I've been a uber fan of this place for ages. It has been my go to place for event dinners, anniversaries, birthdays and when friend s drop in from out of town, but lately, I've been hitting them for appetizers and drinks during happy hour in the week. Although all the food is fab, especially the food they roll out for specialty events like Bastille Day and special paring menu, their standard menu always works for me. Food is seasonal (as it should be) but luckily for me the gorgeously garlicky escargot, to their Oeuf de peucher (mussels in tarragon cream with a poached egg) have permanent residence on the menu, which is a very good thing. An they do brunch that should make the surrounding eateries hang their heads in shame.. Peter Woolsey's food and culinary reputation have seen him branch out to La Peg, but Bistrot will always have a place in my heart for great service and fabulous food that after eating, imbues me with a sense of sated bliss.
(5)Adam K.
Wonderful French Restaurant, 1.romantic, 2. great service, 3. Great food 4. Great wine and drinks So easy to sum up this wonderful gem!
(4)John M.
Anime. I have no friends so of course I'd be writing yelp reviews. Before the food even came I knew it was good. This guy came over to us with these samples and said complements from the chef. That was the first time that ever happened to me. My fellow table occupants were not as excited as I was. The first course was delicious. The main courses were also delicious I only wish they had crepes.
(5)Theresa A.
THE. PERFECT. DATE. RESTAURANT. If you are trying to decide where to go for a lovely, fabulous, delicious, memorable dinner--look no further than Bistrot La Minette. Every single part of our dinner was worth raving about. Our server, Edward, was FANTASTIC! Our appetizers--the Heirloom Tomato Salad and Pea & Parsley Soup were INCREDIBLE. Our entrees--the 1/2 Roast Chicken and Braised Short Rib were YUM! Our dessert--the piece de resistance!--the Creme Brulee with fresh Blackberries and the Peach Tart with homemade Apricot Sorbet--WOW! Stop reading my review and go make a reservation!!!! (but eat inside since the building next door is currently under construction and isn't too picturesque at the moment)
(5)Steve C.
Everything is amazing here. I dream of the Oeuf du Pecheur. I chose here for my Valentine's Day date this year. This was after failing, believing the hype about another place further up the South St last year. The service is amazing, The floor manager immediately attended to us, made us feel welcome, seconds after we were seated. That's not one of the reasons I visit a restaurant, and fortunately they knocked all the reasons I do out of the park. Every course was incredible, engaging, and the perfect amount of food. The favorite familiar items were there, along with perfectly chosen items for the occasion. The cocktails followed the same script. It's the kind of place, where you feel like you owe them a favor when you leave. The service and food is that good, with zero pretentiousness. You've had such a good experience after you've left, you want to go back for every meal, and think of them as great friends.
(5)D. B.
This was by far one of the best meals I ever had in Philly. From the great service. The very reasonable prices and the quality of the food it was a great experience. Every bite was a delight. From the escargot to the main course. it was prepared expertly. I had the trout which was crispy, melt in your mouth with fingerling potatoes like no others. The pork chop my partner had was the tastiest ever. The prices were incredible for the meal and cant wait to go again. this truly is a not to be missed restaurant in the city. Ate outside on the deck and it was perfect. We had 3 courses with drinks. They have a happy hour during the week and it made it even a better value but would pay full price for this meal. Our favorite was the fountain restaurant at the four seasons but now its this restaurant. sorry to see the fountain go but love Bistro.
(5)Lin Z.
Amazing classic French cuisine. And very nice service. I had the oeuf du pecheur for the first course, and truite meuniere for the main course, and almond cake for dessert. Superb! My friend had escargots for the first course, and mustard-braised rabbit for the main course, and mille meuille aux framboises for dessert. We also got Swiss chard as accompagnement. Very creamy! Best French food I've had so far. Highly recommended!
(5)Natalie D.
We visited this past Valentine's Day, and after dying to try it for over a year, I was very excited to go. That said, I left feeling let down. I must say the food was absolutely delicious. I got the grapefruit salad to start, and the salmon for my meal as well as the 11-layer cake for dessert. That's about where our nice night left off. The girl at the front handling coat check was extremely nice and friendly, and seated us promptly. It was a struggle to get into our seats as the tables are so close together, we were practically on the laps of the other diners. Our waiter, Seth, then came over to ask us what water we preferred. When he returned to take our drink orders, he seemed a bit put off that I ordered a soda (I do not drink very much, and not with a meal like this). Next, we ordered our appetizers, and my boyfriend attempted to pronounce the French names, trying but joking a bit as we do not speak French. Seth was not amused and proceeded to correct every single word my boyfriend said with his nose basically turned up in the air. Good for you Seth, you can say "mushroom" in French. I am not worthy of your presence (never mind that I do speak other languages). I didn't even try, ordered my grapefruit salad and was done with it. The grapefruit salad was delicious and refreshing, and my boyfriend's puff pastry with mushrooms was out of this world. It came time to order dinner, and when I placed my order for salmon, Seth asked me what temperature would I like it at. I had one of those moments of confusion where a common question didn't make sense for some reason, and I asked him for help. "What do most people choose?" I asked, and he replied with "well, that's why I'm asking you." .......okay so you can't even politely recommend something? I was clearly confused and instead of assisting me, he decided he needed to lecture me on how their salmon is sushi grade and only the 6% of the finest salmon exported from Canada. Then he actually said to me "if you were to go to a fine dining restaurant, you would know what temperature you like." EXCUSE ME?! I DO go to fine restaurants, but God forbid I had a momentary lapse. The second he left the table, I was ready to leave. He had made us both feel like unwanted children the entire night, when we had no reason to be treated in such a manner. After finishing my salmon and saying it was delicious, I got another lecture on how it's sushi grade and the finest to be imported to America. I then told him I do not order fish out a lot (which is true) because I have a stomach disorder that can ruin a night due to the wrong meal (which is also true). "Oh...well it's sushi grade from Vancouver!" .......Yes, Seth, I think I got that the first time around. Another young couple our age was then seated next to us, and the way he treated them made me even angrier. He attended to their every whim and need, and spent plenty of time talking with them quite friendly. Us, not so much...I guess our money - which we spent plenty of - was not good enough for him. We could not wait to get out of there, and honestly despite the amazing food, I am turned off from ever going back. Sorry, sir, but you are a damn waiter on South Street, not in the finest restaurant in Paris. You can get off your high horse now. Also, the 11-layer cake was so rich and sweet I could barely finish it. Oh well, it got me out of there faster.
(3)Leslie P.
YAY, I AM A FAN! Bistrot La Minette is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. My new husband and I went last night for Restaurant Week based solely on reviews (and availability, thank goodness). When we pulled up, I thought, "Oh, it's one of these places." Right off South Street, I had driven and walked past Bistrot La Minette and Beau Monde et al, but for some reason, they never appealed to me. Well, I was wrong. The ambiance is so cute--warm, friendly, but romantic, too, without being stuffy. I think Yelp says the attire is "casual," which I think it is, but you can dress up if you want for sure. The menu for Restaurant Week is very similar to their regular menu. I know this because I asked the waitress for the regular menu after the main course because I thought, "This is one of those restaurants you bring out-of-town guests to." I was so pleased to see mains in the 20 dollar range and appetizers around $12. What an excellent price point for such deliciousness. This place is what Restaurant Week was designed for--try something you wouldn't normally try and then become ardent followers. We shared everything, so we had two appetizers, two mains, and two desserts. The fisherman's poached egg appetizer (has a much cooler French name this Spanish speaker cannot come close to type nevermind pronounce) was very tasty. We also shared the escargot. Their escargot is the real deal and tasty, so if you've had some lame escargot in the past (looking at you Bistro St. Tropez), don't let that keep you from the snails here. Our mains were so tender and rich. We shared the rabbit and the duck. I thought Ms. Potter was going to whack me on the head with a children's book, but they were so great. The duck, in particular, with its wine reduction was out of control good. The chocolate mousse dessert/cake was soft and rich, but not that kind of lock-jaw-rich, so, unfortunately, we ate the whole thing! We also shared some yummy dessert course cheese. Every plate was licked clean. Definitely going back and bringing friends and family. Yay! Also going to try brunch.
(4)Tim P.
Excellent classic French. Superb service. Incredible mushroom soup. Try it now.
(5)Meghann p.
This place is so adorable...from the second you walk in the door..everyone is so nice and friendly! The coffee is really good Mussels amazing Pate Gratin (Mac and cheese but way better) is delicious and so cheesy Quiche is so tasty Chicken so delicous Salad Nicoise -so fresh I will definitely be back for dinner Service was fantastic and the waitress made wonderful recommendations
(4)Shannon C.
Great service and great food. The duck fat poached salmon was the best salmon I've ever had, as was the escargot. Large wine selection. Simple & elegant food.
(5)Ramon F.
We were greeted upon arrival. The restaurant was empty with the exception of a private party in the next room. We were sat in the center of the restaurant and I could see that if this restaurant was full, that the seating would be so close to other tables, I would be forced to hear and smell the next table. They even had to move the table out and to the side for my friend to get in, she's on the petite side. I've been to many restaurants like this in the past, so I don't know why I was surprised. All that being said, I thought that the service was very good. The timeliness of food was very good as well, as I did not feel rushed nor did I feel like it was moving too slow. The appetizers were the quail and the escargot, both were very good, I would recommend both. For entrees the lamb shank and the beef bourguignon. The lamb was ok, but not great, I guess you could say it was average. The beef was extremely salty and inedible, I wanted to send it back, but my friend told me not to. The server asked if we wanted it boxed up to go, but we politely said no thank you and left it at that. I personally think the chef would have like to know, as it was more than likely a mistake. we then had dessert, If you're in the mood for a heavier chocolate the mousse cake was perfect, served with coffee ice cream, which tasted like it was made in house, definite plus. If you want light and simple go with the raspberry and cream layered cake (sorry I don't know the exact name/description), both excellent though! My drink with dinner was sparkling lemonade which was very sour, but tolerable. With dessert I had an espresso which was of very good quality. Overall, I would have to say that this was more of a fail than success, as there are times that I go out and only have 1 course, not 3. Had this been true tonight, my night would have been ruined. The stars I give are for the great service, sorry chef :-(
(2)Eunni C.
Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(
(4)Kris L.
Fabulous fabulous fabulous dinner! Service was great. Not overbearing but accommodating The venue is small, quaint, and very european. The dishes, rank in order from amazing hunks of deliciousness to just plan ole amazing (because nothing here was bad!) 1 .Bouchées à la Reine : Puff pastry with a rich cream sauce of wild mushrooms that was perfectly indulging 2. The half chicken-LOVED the crispy skin, perfectly cooked, and a LARGE portion :) 3. Tartare de Saumon : Salmon tartar, mustard vinaigrette, Puy lentils, crème fraîche, blood orange vinaigrette , unlike anything I've ever tasted, very well balanced with a good kick of citrus 4. Escargot-not the best I've ever had, but very good. It was perfectly garlicky, but I wish it was more rich 5. Cassoulet with duck confit was super heavy...i should have seen it coming but it was really overly rich. a good dish to have if i hadn't ordered appetizers and dessert too... 6. Mussels: I didn't think they were memorable, but my friend stated they were the "best mussel in his entire life"... Tip: make a rez! It is small and popular...and no one likes to wait for food!
(4)Bri H.
What a cute & cozy place to hang out for happy hour! When I heard Bistrot La Minette was starting happy hour specials, I couldn't wait to check it out. The specials are available at the bar or outside area. My friend & I sat at the (tiny) bar. At our 5:45pm arrival time, the outside area was already full. The happy hour wine was $3, Kirs are $4 and beer is $2. All appetizers are half price and HH goes till 7pm. You also get some complimentary warm baguette slices & butter. I went with the wild mushroom puff pastry which was delicious. The escargots were tasty and presented in cute little individual pots with a crouton on top, but it was hard to get them out of the little pot without the crouton falling off. No big deal, more of a mild annoyance. Service was great and we were asked in what order we wanted our food to come out...even though we were just having happy hour snacks at the bar (classy!). Our bill was less than $50 and that got us 6 glasses of wine and 4 appetizers total. I'll be returning for happy hour and will absolutely be back to check out dinner.
(5)Hang P.
I've always wanted to try this restaurant when my husband and I used to live 2 blocks from here. We finally got to try it this past weekend for our anniversary. The wait so completely worth it! Let's break down the review based on the dishes we had! OEUF DU PECHEUR: This is a must try! I would come back to Bistro La Minette just to eat this dish. I may actually go back for happy hour and order 5 of these. The tarragon cream was delicious and not too heavy. I mopped up the sauce with the complimentary bread! ESCARGOTS: The dish came with 9 escargots topped with crouton. The escargots were tender and had the perfect amount of garlic. It was also very tasty but not more impressive than escargots at other French restaurants in Philly. CASSOULET DE TOULOUSE: So, this dish was a lot larger than I expected, which was a delightful surprise! There was so much meat with the duck confit sitting on top of beef stew (with a whole lot of beef), sausage, and a sausage patty. The duck was tender, and the skin was crispy. However, I wish the skin could just be a little crispier. My favorite part was actually the sausage lying underneath the duck. Yum! I had enough leftover for another meal. PORK T-BONE SPECIAL: My husband had the pork t-bone with ratatouille, which perfectly complemented the pork. The t-bone was cooked to perfect. The meat was tender and juicy, even when we heated up the leftover. GATEAU OPERA: This 11-layer almond cake tasted amazing. It was very rich and chocolate-y but not overly sweet. The whipped cream was so light and fluffy! I wish they gave us a bigger slice because I could definitely eat more of this! We came here on a Sunday night, so the restaurant was not busy at all. We had a nice and relaxed dinner without feeling rushed by the waitress. It was a wonderful evening!
(5)Kelley H.
I've been here twice for Restaurant Week and each time was outstanding. In fact, my food was so good the first time I order the same appetizer and main course when I went back. My appetizer, the Oeuf du Pêcheur (Fisherman's Egg), had a delicious tarragon cream sauce, and way more mussels than I was expecting. My main course, the Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde (Roasted Rabbit with Mustard), was amazing. Tender rabbit, handmade tagliatelle, and a divine mustard sauce. My tastes of the Flammekeuche and roasted duck entree were also delicious. The desserts were not quite as amazing as I was hoping they would be (this time I tried the Mille Feuille and chocolate mouse cake), but they were still very good. Bistrot la Minette's ambiance is also spot on. It's chic and French without being stuffy or pretentious. Basically, I can't wait to go back.
(5)Judy T.
My friend and I came here because I've been wanting to try Bibou for the longest and failed to get a reservation both convenient for him and I because it's always booked. So I looked for another French inspired restaurant and much to my satisfaction it lived up to it's high reviews. I love it here. The decor and ambiance is rustic and sweet. The menu is just big enough to see some items that I definitely wanted to try but not so big I wouldn't know where to start or what is worth tasting. At first after being seated for our reservation, we weren't greeted with menus or anything for at least 10-15 mins, which was a little confusing because it wasn't busy but the waiter explained there was confusion as to who was assigned to our table... It's ok Things happen, the meal made up for it We had the foie gras which was nicely prepared and very enjoyable. Truffle Mushroom soup special was amazing!! Every last bite was just as good as the last, light with delicate flavors. A beef tartare was soooo very good. I'm vietnamese so it reminded me of a vietnamese beef carpaccio just a different preparation but it was so good. Not chewy the beef tasted tender and fresh, the only way you should if you decide to venture out and have raw beef. Our main courses were the mustard braised rabbit which I was very apprehensive about eating, I'm an adventurous eater but some dishes make me second guess, let me say with the homemade pasta was so delicious. It had a similar taste to chicken but better! Some white meat and a lot of tender dark meat but not so.. Fatty tasting as chicken. We both decided it was our favorite dish!!! He had some sort of braised beef dish which was nice and tender but the rabbit was still our favorite. The dessert was the chocolate mousse cake which was heaven in your mouth for any sweets lover and it ended our spectacular dinner. Couldn't have been happier!
(4)Natalie M.
I was really looking forward to trying this place and while it was good, it wasn't amazing. However, our appetizers were delicious; we ordered the mushroom starter and butternut squash soup, both were incredible and the bread was also very good. For an entree I ordered the halibut and while it was good, there was something missing and it just wasn't flavorful enough, also it was on the dry side. The warm lighting and decor creates a pleasant ambiance, but the tables are pretty close together so the waitress was often bumping into my partner. Bonus: the chocolates provided at the end of the meal are great! Can't say I'd go back.
(4)Nick B.
I had a nice dinner outside in the front of the restaurant patio. My first course was roasted quail with leak stuffing and vinegar shallot jus. I have never had quail before but pleasantly (or maybe pheasantly ok...... bad joke haha) surprised. The bird was roasted perfectly and the stuffing blended well and added to the flavor. For the main course I had red-wine spice-braised rabbit. Also a first for me and was very good. The staff was professional and timely. I will probably go back again when I am in town.
(5)Ted M.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Bistrot la Minette is a unique gem. Owner/Chef Peter Woolsey trained in France for two years before opening the place. Their atmosphere is very realistic and the menu often includes more obscure dishes found mainly in home cooked meals Their mustard braised rabbit leg is a favorite of mine and not to be missed. They also have a great selection of French beers which are often hard to find in Pennsylvania. The location is a bit of a distance from many of the better known restaurants, but definitely worth the trip
(5)Katrina C.
I was here last week on a date, and I think this place is fabulous! I had a special - Filet and my date had a chicken and duck dish. We started with a mushroom puff pastry and I had a soup. Creme Brule was fabulous and the service was exceptional!! This place certainly is out of my normal budget, but for a special occasion, I think it's great!
(5)Tim R.
VERY awesome. If you don't already know, GO!
(5)FoodForHerSoul d.
The place is adorable and charming. The bread and butter were perfect. Bread was freshly baked and cut, warm, and the crust was a little bit buttery. The butter was a little sweet and salty and not cold! YAY for room temperature butter! We were here at 5:30pm on a Wednesday and there was only one other table dining there. I loved seeing the cooks in the little french kitchen in the back with the wonderful french music playing. We only ordered two things because we had an appetite to save. My boyfriend got the Vol-au-Vent appetizer (Puff pastry with lobster, shrimp, crayfish, scallop, english peas and an american sauce) and I had the Vegetable tart with Jerusalem artichoke puree, oven-roasted tomatoes, wild mushrooms zucchini, frisee, beurre blanc. Mine was unbelievably good. (I liked his too but mine I think was by far the better dish) The tart was just perfect from the crust, to the little salad on the side; every bite made me want another and I think I could have eaten 5 of these. There was nothing boring about this but nothing overwhelming either. The buerre blanc just brought everything together and if I'm ever in Philly again I am coming here and trying so much more. If it ends up disappointing me next time, at least the bread and butter make me happy.
(5)Jared S.
Def a 4.5er. I went here FOREVER ago. Can't recall it that well. It was really good though. The mussels still haunt me. They are FANTASTIC. Get them. Everything else was above average. I got the cassoulet. Very nice. I had leftovers due to the powerful and filling french flavors. The inside is cute like Paris Bistro imitationish, but they pull it off. We were seated right by the door if I recall, but it wasn't awful and someone has to sit there I guess. The place wasn't over crowded table was in general though, which is always nice especially for bistro type spots. I will be returning for sure. Someday...as it is not exactly cheap. They do have a 4 course menu Sunday nights for 29 I believe. I think that I'll check that out the next time I return.
(4)Steve J.
Went here for National Escargot Day and had a really nice time. My girlfriend loves escargot and when I saw that had a special pre-fixe menu with all snails I knew I had to take her. We sat outside in the back garden area and it was really quiet and romantic. All of our courses were good, but nothing amazed me. I really would love to go back and try the regular menu sometime.
(4)Donnie V.
Very traditional French food, very well done and with excellent service. We loved the atmosphere and the food.
(4)Amy B.
I'm certainly their Number 1 fan. Maybe its my growing love for french food or that it's within walking distance in my hood but I simply can't get enough of this place. The decor is intimate and charming. So for those romantics out there...this is your place!! The music selection and volume is subtle yet present. OH and The Food! I have yet to walk away feeling hungry or disappointed. From the beet salad to the rabbit or lamb shank (I'm a creature of habit) my belly is happy. I often would just go there for a drink or five on the outside patio or go have dinner and a movie on Monday's and Thursday's (All french subtitled films of course). The service is friendly yet professional which in those parts are true treasures. So if I'm setting high expectation for you...I am!! You can tell'em I sent you ;-)
(5)Michelle H.
Bistrot La Minette is one of my favorite spots in the whole city. Delicious, carefully crafted and beautifully presented dishes, lovely warm atmosphere, plus they have a bar. (I love BYOBs as much as the next girl, but sometimes I enjoy a good cocktail before dinner.) My husband and I used to go there a lot before we had kids, but after having kids we've only gone there once or twice. Well yesterday we decided to go there for an early supper and to take the girls with us. The staff welcomed us, set up two high chairs, and brought us plenty of bread and a quick order of macaroni au gratin for the girls. Then when our entrees came out, one of my girls suddenly vomited up the entire contents of her stomach. I was holding her at the time and it went all over her shirt, my pants, and the floor. It was disgusting and it was everywhere. It was clumpy and gooey and there was spinach in there from lunch... just gross, and it stunk to high heaven. I hustled her off to the bathroom to try to clean her up. Moments later, the manager knocked on the door with a pile of clean towels for me to use. By the time I emerged, the mess at our table was cleaned up. I was mortified so I kept apologizing, but they downplayed it and refused to make a big deal out of it. After we got home and put the girls to bed, I wrote them an email apologizing again and thanking them for not making us feel worse than we already did. Today I received this email from the owner: "Please, no apologies necessary. Children get sick. My son has vomited on that very floor two or three times. We hope to see you here soon." And this email from the general manager: "I just wanted to reiterate what Peter has already said. And next time you come back please bring the kids. We want families to feel welcome here." I am so used to getting unfriendly or indifferent service, especially when I have my kids in tow. This was such a refreshing change. So I wanted to publicly recognize this perfect jewel of a restaurant that just got even shinier and lovelier in my eyes.
(5)Jack N.
Having eaten at many of Philly's finest French restaurants I'd say Bistrot La Minette is the best . The servers are incredibly knowledgeable and professional. Dishes such as the rabbit and escargot are prepared perfectly. .
(5)Nora C.
They were great when they first opened. I had the worst food and worst experience with service ever the last two times I ate there. If I have had good food and service, then have one bad experience, I give it a second chance, but not a third! Very, very disappointing.
(1)Erin P.
With Bistrot la Minette on one corner, Beau Monde across the street, and Coquette down the street, we think that the area around 6th and Bainbridge in Philadelphia should be called the French Quarter. Last Thursday, Bistrot la Minette had a special tasting menu with wine pairings for $50. We were really excited to sit in the new courtyard in the back. Soft french bread with salted butter staved off our hunger while we waited for the first course. Next was an olive tapenade amuse bouche that tasted like standard olive tapenade with a good salinity. The first course was fish soup with toast pieces topped with pureed potatoes and shredded cheese. The soup had a rich and full briny seafood taste. I thought it was a bit too strong but the toasts cut the fishy taste for me perfectly. This course was served with a rose from Chateau Mourlet. It was like pulling teeth getting that little bit of information from the waiter! These scallops were the best scallops we've ever had. The seasonings were simply salt and olive oil, served with diced vegetables (summer squash, red pepper, onion) AKA Ratatouille as per the chalk menu in front- far more helpful than our waiter. We were served a Viognier with this course. When I asked where it was from, the server said: "um, Provence." Thanks. I didn't pry. The wine was surprisingly and overly sweet. The beef stew, Provencal style, was very tasty. The beef fell apart. Some of it was extremely tender but a few random pieces had gotten a bit too dried out. Cooked with the beef were perfectly roasted fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, and olives. The sauce was rich but was used in just the right amount. The beef came with a Cotes du Rhone. By this point we had given up asking for any additional information about what we were being served. Our final drink was St. Germain liquer and Savignon Blanc with spritzer and ice. Dessert was a creamy creme brulee with a rich berry sorbet filled with bits of caramel. The sorbet was so dark it looked like chocolate. Besides the scallops, this was my favorite course. The moral of this restaurant adventure was that the food was delicious but the service should have been much better. A trained monkey could have served us our wine and food. None of the dishes were explained to us. "This is fish soup." "These are scallops." "Viognier is a grape. This is Viognier from, um, Provence." Um, thanks. But we have no idea exactly what that was, nor the Cotes du Rhone that was served with the beef. One of the appealing aspects of a tasting menu is that you don't always know what you are getting until it is set in front of you, but then you usually have a trained server explain the food and drink in detail. We'll go back, but only when we can order and know what it is that we are eating and drinking.
(3)Ryan D.
After reading such good reviews on Bistrot La Minette I took my sister and mom there on a friday night and it did not disappoint. Food was amazing, service very good and overall ambiance very lovely. Sure it may not be the best fine french dining on the east coast but for a reasonably priced local place off south street, very well done indeed.
(5)Evelyn G.
try the brunch! awesome bread...le fini
(5)Max T.
Recommend for anyone looking for an authentically French restaurant. Menu has a lot of choices if you're not a huge fan of sometimes very rich and heavy French food.
(4)Caroline V.
Made a last minute reservation for dinner last night and what a brilliant idea that was!! I've been wanting to come here for a while but haven't found a chance. So i made myself a chance!! 845pm dinner, not crowded and outdoor seating available if you want it. Our server Wade was SUPER! Recommendations were on point and all delicious. Service was wonderful. And may i add the bread and butter they bring out is one of the best we've had (my mom is super picky when it comes to french bread). It was piping hot, thinly sliced and the butter was soft, spreadable with a hint of salt. YUM!! *Œuf du Pêcheur / Fisherman's-Style Poached Egg, Mussels, Tarragon Cream Sauce: the poached egg was creamy and perfectly cooked and was gooey all over the tarragon cream sauce and the mussels (OMG). Mussels were cooked/reduced in the sauce and were delectable. Once we finished we made sure to get every last taste with our bread...mmm *Halibut avec sa Croûte de Citron et sa Sauce au Safran / Pan-seared halibut, lemon crust, saffron sauce, herb purée, haricots verts, fingerling potatoe: fish was flaky and oh so light, the lemon crust was amazing (and i usually dont like citrus in my food) fingerling potatoes were nicely roasted. delicious! *Filet de Daurade à la Poêle Sur Son Lit de Fenouil / Pan-Seared Daurade, Baby Carrots, Fennel Confit, Walnut-Caper Vinaigrette: this was a filet seared with skin on which made the skin crisp and flavorful. Daurade was moist and tasty and the walnut-caper vinaigrette just made is so much more. Fennel confit was a nice light touch with its subtle and refreshing flavor. *coffee here is very light and not strong, but nice with dessert *Mille Feuille aux Framboises / Carmelized Puff Pastry, Vanilla Pastry Cream, Raspberries: the caramelization gave the pasty a nice crunch and of course had that melting flakiness you look for. Raspberries were fresh and sweet, just perfect and of course the pastry cream just made it all go together so nicely. GREAT dessert choice, just the right amount of sweet to end dinner and not so heavy that you can't enjoy even if you're full ;) Wonderful dinner with Mom and we'll be returning again soon.
(4)K G.
I am so confused by how this restaurant is rated so high. The food itself was cooked well, but the sauces were funky. They ruined the meal. Between us we had the Halibut, Hare and a pea soup. The best part was the pea soup. I wouldn't go back here.
(2)Nick R.
Just moved around the corner and I am so pumped that this place exists. I love the french bistro experience... great food without the stuffiness of fine french dining... Moved back down to the area from NYC suburbs and have been here twice already. First Visit Pitchers of wine for the special lady friend and me Heirloom Tomato App for the wife and foie gras for me. Both Amazing... Pan-seared NY strip for the wife and braised rabbit for me. Again, Both Amazing! Second Visit Pitchers of wine Split the Euf de pecheur (Sorry if I butchered the speling) Very good, not as good as the previous but only because we liked the previous two so much. NY strip for the wife again.... and I went with a special which if I remember correctly was similar to their duck option (pan roasted duck breast, white asparagus, black truffle?) with additional features including foie gras and duck confit... Awesome again. This is quickly turning into my favorite philly spot.
(5)Michelle L.
Straightforward french food in a really cute setting. I'm sorry, but I thought the food was overall simple and forgettable-- I love simple food, but it was nothing impressive that I would want to return to. Thought the bill was too high, that's fo sho. Service was great; I got the impression the restaurant really runs well.
(3)Dan S.
Nothing special. Good, friendly service. Food was good but not great. It was not crowded the night we were there so the energy was low.
(3)Tracy D.
This was by far one of the best meals that I ever had. The mussels appetizer was definitely one of the best things I ever ate and would highly recommend getting it. I am a sucker for anything with a poached egg. My girlfriend got the escargot and that was good but it's just not really my thing. The bread and butter was incredible and I had to stop myself from filling up on it. I then ordered the poached salmon cooked in duck fat. The flavors were incredible but my salmon was a bit undercooked. I traditionally like fish cooked medium but this was still a little jelly like on the inside. I was so full that I didn't even tell them because I didn't want them to cook me another piece. We shared the carmelized puff pastry dessert and that was yummy. The server was wonderful and very helpful. I went on a weeknight at 8:30 so there wasn't a crowd just a couple tables. It was relaxing and romantic and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic place to eat dinner.
(5)Jon S.
Had late lunch with my daughter there Friday. My second visit. We were the only customers. Sat at the cheery table by the bar and front window. We had their $14 two plate lunch specials (to which we added their ice cream sampler and sorbet sampler for $5 each.) Just astonishingly good hearty food (duck) and well made (quiche), plus interesting salads. On both visits we were very well treated by friendly and smart wait-staff. Very nice house wines in custom made carafes and we had a well turned out Kir Royal too. Understated bistro antiques. Waiting for the rain to stop so that we can go back for their free French movie night in the open air back "room". Love this place. Easy daytime parking on the next block South.
(5)Rudy M.
A great French restaurant! Everything I have had there was delicious: "escargots", fish, duck, etc. You'll have much choice, and the menu is renewed from time to time. The service is very professional, the winelist satisfying, the place very charming, both classy and relaxed. There is a terrace on the street, but I definitely prefer the retro atmosphere inside. As many French restaurants in the US, this one tends to be pricey. So spare and enjoy!
(5)Peter W.
Pros. Great food, Great value. I had the pate and lamb, my wife had the rabbit and creme brulee. Serving sizes were perfect. Really enjoyed the evening. Cons: Service a little slow - but that's a bit nit picky Will definitely recommend it to friendst
(4)Thomas B.
Short: Great service, great food and drink, wonderful setting. A must. Went to La Minette on a Thursday night for dinner. Thankfully the heat broke and we were able to sit outside comfortably in the setting sun. We started with a bottle of Rose that was perfectly crisp and tart. Our server nailed the flavor, "tastes like unsweetened strawberry juice." For our first course we ordered the octopus salad and tomato salad. Both came out quickly and were flavorful and perfectly assembled. They marinate the octopus for 9 hours in the tomato broth and only remove it when ordered, to grill. Very tender and flavorful. The tomato salad was light and refreshing. We sopped up all of the broth from the tomato salad with the very good sliced baguette they provided as well... amazing to get such flavor from the simple ingredients. For main courses we ordered the braised rabbit and the Halibut. The rabbit loin was slightly dry on one side but the leg was fantastic, the wine sauce it came with was dark and complex and the mushrooms caramelized pearl onions added to the flavor of the rabbit. The house-made tagliatelle with the rabbit was buttery and a good texture. The halibut was the best either of us have ever had; crusted with lemony breadcrumbs, perfectly cooked and fresh. The saffron sauce was excellent and haricot verts were a suitable accompaniment. For dessert we ordered the lemon tart and sorbet selections. Both were wonderful. The meal was reasonably priced for what you received. The wine was around $40/bottle, first courses in the mid-teens, entrees were mid-$20s and desserts were under $10. If you ordered house wine (or no wine, ha) and only an entree this would be a suitable 'any time' destination, but you can certainly make it spendy, too. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a casual romantic setting with fantastic food. A+
(5)Jaycee H.
Read about it being one of the best in the city and I love French food. So gave it a try. Upon entering I was surprised at the professional service and parisian decor. I thought this is going to be good and It was. Foie Gras yes please, and the mussels with poached egg over toasted baguette excellent. My rabbit entree was the best I've had, and there are some reasonably priced wine options of decent quality. The service is top notch, in a city where we have to settle for mediocrity with attitude, the waiters and host here are quite professional, just wish they wouldn't offer up their favorite items on the menu, frankly it means nothing to me what you like, I'm going to order what I like. If I want a suggestion I'll ask for it.
(4)Wyn F.
Went here for lunch. Pretty sure I ordered from their Prix Fixe menu. The food was amazing, the atmosphere spot on. The service was attentive, and every detail of our meal was delicious and artfully prepared. I enjoy Parc, but it comes in a distant second to this friendly gem of a restaurant. Please try out Bistrot La Minette! I wish I could eat like I did there daily! PS- I would say it is good for well-behaved kids.
(5)B B.
Very. Good. The night we dined was the sous-chef's last night and, according to our waiter, everyone had been celebrating for a couple of days so there would be no specials. Oh well! He should have lied -- anything other than "we're a little hung over to pump out a special or two, but we can cook the menu in our sleep, so don't you fret, mon ami" Turned out to be a non-issue. First, the bread was awesome. "Hello leettle bread, do you know how special you are?" I always notice awesome bread. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meals. The big winner was the Oeuf du Pechur (poached egg w/mussels in tarragon cream sauce). How tasty are you!? I had the duck leg confit w/ foie gras and it was damned fine. Excellent foie. Service was attentive. Lovely room. Low points: The "recommended" special gingerbeer-champagne cocktail I ordered was room temp ("bleccch"). And two in our party, who ordered the roasted pork chop (and loved it while eating it), got the "poo's" later that night, so maybe the sous-chef should have left a day earlier.
(3)Elena S.
I would like to give this place 4.5 stars (please change this feature!) for a delicious, well-executed meal last night with my lovely mother-in-law. The setting is intimate, authentic bistro, without any of the slightly contrived quality of Parc (although I really like Parc). There is a tiny bar in the front where we waited for our table while enjoying the beginning of our delicious bottle of Sancerre. The wait staff were warm and friendly, and the whole environment felt professional but relaxed. Compared with a recent experience at Lotus of Siam in NY, this was a welcome change of ambiance and I was digging it as soon as I walked in the door. When we were seated, the bartender magically transformed into our waiter. And he was attentive and knowledgeable, but never intrusive. Water was efficiently and regularly filled, food was perfectly timed and just the right temperature, and, most importantly, everything tasted wonderful. I started with the escargot, which was buttery-garlicky deliciousness with great texture. It came in maybe 9 or 10 tiny pots, and I soaked up the remainder of the sauce with the fabulous housemade bread they serve with soft butter. My mother-in-law started with the foie gras, which she enjoyed, but found a bit too rich for her taste. We both had the fluke cooked in brown butter with brussel sprouts for our main, which was fabulous and definitely my favorite of the evening. Everything about the dish was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and went together perfectly. We finished with the opera cake, which was also an outstanding way to go out. The prices are in the mid-20s for entrees with a few special items in the 40s, but I think the price is right for the quality of the food. All in all, a wonderful experience and will definitely be back.
(4)Turku I.
I love Bistrot la Minette for its unpretentious ambiance (particularly in the summer), courteous staff, the exciting and dynamic menu, and the unfailing perfection of every dish that is put in front of me. The host (owner?) is always polite and accommodating. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and the aperitifs always seduce. On summer nights, don't miss out on the cozy and romantic patio with the angel lights overhead. (We've never been to the Sunday movie screenings but would love to go). They serve French bistrot fare, adjusted to season, but the chef is careful to steer clear of the cliches of what passes for French bistrot food ici. Bistrot la Minette has quickly become our go-to French joint in the city.
(5)Maggie G.
Ben and I just got married and had our wedding luncheon here. It was everything we had imagined and totally thrilled us. The chef and manager (co-owners) are incredibly helpful and seemed sincerely enthusiastic about accommodating us. They prepared a menu at the price we wanted and that would suit our party comprised of real vegetarians, pescovegatarians and carnivores. All of our guests were shocked at how delicious everything was and at the gorgeous and comfortable interior. Three days later I am still salivating at the mere thought of the potato leek soup. My friend Karl, whom I have almost NEVER heard rave about food, said that the Grenoble style ravioli had changed his food-outlook for life. At the end of the meal Ben and I disassembled the top of the croque en buche (a traditional French wedding desert, basically a tower of creme puffs wrapped in spun sugar--AMAZING!) which was far and away the best wedding desert I've ever had. It was crunchy and sweet and flavorful with multiple textures, served with delicious cold sweet tart cassis sorbet. Oh yum. I wish I could post pictures of our wedding on Yelp just to further prove how perfect it all was. Obviously, we will have to come here every year for our anniversary. Hell, we may even decide to celebrate on a monthly basis.
(5)Bill E.
Took my wife there for the October tasting menu inspired by Burgundy. It was excellent and not overpriced at all for a multiple course meal. The ambiance of the place makes it a great place to bring your lady and to have a wonderful evening. I like when the service at a restaurant makes the experience laid back and worry free, when I am out w the wife the last thing that I want to do is chase down the waiter when I need another drink or another glass of wine and this place left me satisfied and will definitely be back when they have their next tasting menu night.
(5)Allitia D.
There is nothing quite like a dinner at La Minette--the go-to place for haute rustique French. Savory, beautiful, assured plates. Silky smooth maitre de table and wait staff in long linen aprons. Connoisseur cheeses, and desserts of exquisite form and superlative tastes. Tonight was typical: delightful people, delightful neighboring tables, fabulous oeufs en meurette, egg-shell french bread with salted butter, crisp white wine, buttery vinaigrette over billowy bibb lettuce, sunny warm yellow room, bustle without hassle, heaven!
(5)Scott H.
I can't say anything bad about my meal. The cheese plate was awsome and so was the escargot. Good wine selection and great service. I will be back !
(5)Jason C.
Very good! Charming room, nice music and very good food. Try the poached egg and mussels first-- it's delicious. The lamb shank was good, but a little bit tough. Still, it had plenty of flavor, so I'm not complaining. All in all, I was quite impressed.
(4)jennifer y.
I was told this place rocked...and was good as Bistro 7, which I ADORE, but I can't agree! So I'm going to have to go back, but I'll do it when someone else is paying. Cause I just dropped $120 and I feel very let down, and I hate that. I love good food and a great meal is truly the highlight of a day or week. Please, please don't order the Coquille St. Jacques, diver scallops. They were sandy, and their lovely taste, and preparation was overshadowed by the heavy orange flavors in the dish. Its a shame cause the flavor was delish. The steak was very good, but I ordered it medium rare, but I got a Medium, to medium well steak. The potato side dish was good but overly salty. Additionally, I LOVE harricot vert...but not these. Both myself and my date were shocked. They tasted so stunningly bad. The garlic soup, was fine. But I wouldn't do again. Order the Alzacian pizza instead. It's like yummy carbonara on a thin-crust. Surprisingly good.
(2)Trauts N.
Good. Very good. Had the rabbit. All 4 of us enjoyed the meal and the ambiance. Would go back.
(5)Scout S.
Good wine list. However, I ordered the beef bourguignon and it was SUPER salty (and I'm a salt person) and ALL beef and maybe one pearl onion... where were the carrots and potatoes? Or is that too American?
(3)Joshua L.
I haven't written any review on yelp, but I had to write about this one. so I just signed up for yelp. I took my girl friend here and we were seated in the back garden. It was nicely decorated and food was excellent as other reviewers mentioned before. What suprisemd me was their service. I left my credit card behind. They called me within an hour (probably looked up my phone number on reservation list) even before I became aware of it. I couldn't go back to restaurant because of my schedule and they mailed it to me the same day I talked to a manger over the phone. and it came a couple days later. The waiter made me very comfortable and did't interrupt our conversation much nor pressured me to order more food.
(5)anne l.
We checked out this new bistro (what's with the t?) last weekend after reading the harrowing story of what the owner went through to get the place set up. You know what? It's pretty damn good and I hope it succeeds for him! The atmosphere is busy french bistro - feels good - not too fussy. Food is truly excellent and the service was wonderful. Very attentive without being in your face. Sometimes I found the decor trying too hard, and the unisex bathroom scene isn't for everyone. Don't miss the potatos dauphin (or something like that - they're with cream and cheese). and try a pastis instead of your usual cocktail while you're at it.
(4)Read T.
LOVE that this south philly restaurant is not a byob. The service and food are impeccable. The portions are a smiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge on the small side (especially in the seafood category), and so that's always just a little disappointing.
(4)Pink T.
Possibly the best meal I've had in Philadelphia. Only James comes close in terms of the food, but the atmosphere and service at Bistrot La Minette is superior. Bistrot La Minette is a French bistro in Philadelphia. Not an approximation or replica of one, but an actual, authentic French bistro (sans the Gauloises smoke). As such, there's no pretension or holding up of appearances, because the staff is not faking it. One feels relaxed, at ease, at home eating here. And the food was great. The type of place you could enjoy for an appetizer and glass of wine, a nice date, or family-style dinner (they conveniently have a private room that can seat up to 20). After a delicious amuse-bouche of salmon rillette that was so buttery smooth and flavorful, my date and I had the salmon tartare. This was fantastic, covered with toothy lentils. The fish was chopped perfectly, and evenly, and was fresh and delicious. We also split the Alsatian Flammkueche, which is essentially a small pizza-like item--great, great dough covered in caramelized onions and lardons and cooked in heavy cream. That's obviously going to be delicious, but the dough was the best part, chewy, crisp, i could still taste the cornmeal on the bottom. It's in my top 10 favorite food items in the city. For dinner we had the lamb stew and the rabbit. The stew was great with large chunks of lamb braised in white wine and fresh beans. Well cooked and light. I enjoyed the rabbit with mustard sauce over a bed of fresh tagliatelle. The rabbit was tender and appropriately fatty with nicely colored skin. The mustard sauce was smooth and perfect. I could eat that on everything. The tagliatelle was good, but didn't add much to the dish. I would've preferred mashed potatoes or some grilled vegetables instead. For dessert we ate the beignets--doughy, but not oily, balls covered in cinnamon sugar and served with raspberry sauce and homemade ice cream. What really elevated our meal was great service, including by the maitre'd who showed us around the restaurant, including the new outdoor seating, and talked about the plans for the space. I will personally do my best to keep this place in business. 5 Stars. Without equivocation.
(5)Grace L.
My meal here tonight has to be the best meal that I've had in Philadelphia in recent memory. So awesome was this meal that I had to sign up for Yelp to review it. I went with three other friends. 2 of us ordered the 4 course menu (sardine appetizer, haricot vert and duck confit salad, fillet, and the opera cake.) I ordered the tomato terrine and trout while another friend ordered the mussels appetizer and the tarragon chicken. The bread was delicious, the kir royales were delightful and each successive dish that came out did not disappoint. We were all deliriously giddy by the end of our meal. However, the only thing that holds me back from giving this a full five star rating was the service. Our waiter was a complete jerk. He was rude and condescending. I almost felt like he expected us to thank him for having had the privilege of being served by him. This was especially disappointing as this was actually my birthday dinner celebration. Everyone else from the host to the other waiters and busboys seemed to be perfectly pleasant. Other than the rude server, I completely fell in love with the food here and would love to go back.
(4)Maria C.
Amazing food. Great service. Intimate space. I've been here a few times over the past couple of months and have to say each time I leave, I am planning my next trip back. Each time I've dined at Bistrot, our party has been the last to leave...literally shutting the place down. And the staff continues to smile, no dirty, "get the hell out of here" looks from them. The chef (Peter Woolsely) is equally as gracious as his staff, stopping by each table to chat throughout the service. I'm so happy that this place is consistently busy and receiving such great feedback because he seems like a genuinely nice, hardworking guy who deserves the praise! The food...well, the food is amazing. Simple, yet unique. The rabbit is by far one of the better dishes on the menu, in my opinion, and worth a try even if you are hesitant about well, eating rabbit. Portion sizes are substantial yet not so small that you feel like you paid a lot for nothing. Of course for dessert, the creme brulee...
(5)Panda N.
Philadelphia has few French inspired restaurants that I can compare to, but I came here on my birthday and had a lovely experience. It was quite busy on a Friday, so I strongly recommend reservations. Though we had one, we were not seated immediately upon arrival, but I'm not one to complain about waiting.... I work in the service industry and these things just happen. We sat at the bar where we ordered drinks while we waited, the bartender was friendly and informative on the different wines and specialty cocktails. When finally seated, we were offered a warm cheese ball from our server and a detailed explanation of specials and menu items. Duck being my favorite I had the terrine de foie gras and the confit de canard. The foie gras was beautifully plated and was absolutely mouth watering. It was perfect with the baguette and a little dollop of the fig compote that accompanied it. The terrine was a perfect balance of rich, smooth, delicate, and savory. As for my confit de canard, it was almost boring. Though it is something traditionally prepared I am assuming, it just didn't really make me want to eat it again and again. My boyfriend being a pastry chef he prepared my birthday cake which was bittersweet because the dessert menu looked amazing. After 2 courses and two bottles we almost hit the $300 mark after tip. Definitely not a cheap eat, but it is a fabulous place to take someone for a special occasion. The ambiance was dark and romantic. A perfect place for good wine and conversation. Our meal was a little over 2 and a half hours which is something I feel that many diners do not always get to take advantage of. I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and enjoying every bite of my food without being thrown my check and the server taking away my plate at every chance. I hope to come back to Bistrot La Minette!
(4)Dee H.
We had a fantastic french dinner here, thanks to the recommendations by the yelp reviewers. Our party had the semolina dumplings, the rabbit and the duck entrees. All wonderfully savory and delicious. We followed with a lovely trio of capuccino, raspberry puff pastry with cream, and chocolae mousse cake with sorbet. The maitre d and wait staff were the most wonderful gentlemen. My daughter and a young friend with us absolutely adored the interior and the wash rooms (and nobody minded the young ladies' casual dress). A super ending to our day of touring beautiful Philadelphia.
(5)Lilly P.
I had been looking forward to coming here for almost a year, and finally went on my Birthday yesterday. My friend and I made reservations for 2:30. When we arrived, we were told to hurry up and order fast because they didn't have time and were prepping the kitchen for dinner. The waiter literally stared us down as we were forced to pick something off the menu while our coats were still on! He then demanded we pay him while we were still eating, and never brought me my cafe au lait because "the espresso machiene is broken" Hello! its just coffee and milk! He finally brought it after I had eaten my dessert. Overall, the service was just so rude and they treated us like crap from the get-go. I have never experienced servers this rude - even in France. In the end he actually appologized to me - for the rude service. But it didn't matter, he had already ruined our meal - which was not even that good to begin with.
(1)Julia S.
yum.yum.yummm. i went here with my boyfriend last night on the early side at 6pm. we sat in their lovely outdoor patio in the back. i have to say, i am always impressed when a restaurant serves an amuse bouche!! our waiter was wonderful: he was so knowledgeable of the menu (all ingredients and cooking methods), he suggested numerous dishes that would go well with our wine choice, and he was friendly and attentive. the atmosphere was wonderful: french music, patio with candles and string lights, and flower boxes. now...the food...WAS AMAZING. we started with the scallops and asparagus soup. then i had the rabbit (my first time!) and my boyfriend had the daurade. both were DELICIOUS...especially the rabbit dish. the daurade was more rustic and the rabbit was more hearty. THEN the dessert. oh myyyyy. SOOO yummy. we ordered the lemon tart with cassis sorbet--one of the yummiest combinations i have had. then...since I know one of the cooks...we were given the unbelievable mille feuille with raspberries, on the house. i can say that this was hands down one of the best desserts of my LIFE. the vanilla cream was to die for. basically, the service is impeccable. the food is beautifully plated and perfectly executed, and the atmosphere is romantic and unpretentious. i will definitely go here again.
(5)Meg R.
I'd have to echo all the praises sung of La Minette. Contrary to Parc, feels as though you're on a stage set, La Minette "is" what it makes itself out to be - a cozy, not overly pretentious, full of deliciousness French Bistro. The maitre d' greets you, friendly and accomodating. The wait staff, knowledgeable without being aloof. The Prix Fix menu can be ordered w/ or w/o wine, which makes it affordable if you don't want to spend more than $30/person. I had lamb stew with the lamb dripping off the bone as though it had been stewed for days, in a tomato and bean soup, and the portions surprisingly hearty; there was little room for desert. I did try someone else's Creme Brulee....it is worth getting here - the best I've had in a long time. Oh and I have to mention that the sinks in the bathrooms are my favorite - the water comes out in a ribbon; it feels so luxurious; you'll have to try it out to know what I'm saying. La Minette succeeds in paying attention to the subtle details. This is a great place to while away the hours with a loved one or group of friends or family.
(5)Shel K.
It was our second time here and we brought another couple with us. It is always great to have dinner with them especially in such a wonderful restaurant. Our server was very attentive and did not rush us at all. The beers that my husband and his friend ordered were delicious and I am not a beer drinker. My coffee and French 75 cocktail did not disappoint either. Once we put our orders in, the waiter brought us a plate of small cheese puff bread, compliments of the chef. It was light and a nice way to start our meal. The bread and butter was delicious as well - perfect texture of soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The first course was delicious. We went with the mussels and ravioli. My husband's main course was the duck which was cooked to perfection, especially the skin. I tried rabbit for the first time and it was juicy with a light but flavorful taste. The tagliatelle that went with my dish was a great accompaniment. Dessert was amazing. I ordered the apple tart with caramel ice cream where the flavors blended well without an overpowering sweetness. Complimentary chocolates were a great ending to our amazing meal. We stayed a little bit longer just talking to our friends after we paid and the waiter continued to fill our glasses with water. With great food and great service, this restaurant deserves 5 stars the second time around.
(5)Steve P.
Best all around French experience in the City. Excellent food, good wine list and friendly and attentive staff. Movies in the outside space are a summer treat. Desserts out of this world.
(5)Erin G.
We were lucky enough to score a late reservation for 4 on Valentines day - the staff was very helpful on the phone, called to confirm, super pleasant. The restaurant is adorable, and we at in the back room at one end of a long table - not private, but just one other group further down. It felt quiet and romantic, while the main room bustles more. Our waiter (wish I remember his name) was amazing - very knowledgeable, polite, and full or real suggestions (and not just trying to sell what the kitchen wanted to get rid of) Like most french places, my vegetarian choices were pretty limited to cheese-based dishes - but oh how lovely they were. I pillowly gnocchi that disappeared beneath a velvety sauce, a constructed morbier bread pudding with a chilled beat salad, house wine. I would definitely return.
(4)Rachel U.
I needed a place close by that could handle a big group, and Bistrot took great care of us! They have a private 'salon' that can seat 20, but it was booked for our night so they set up a nice spot for us in the main room. I was contacted the week leading up by Brad, who turned out to be our waiter for the night, with a limited menu of their most popular dishes so as not to overwhelm the kitchen. Originally they were going to do a price fix for us, and worked to bring the price down a bit from their standard fixed menus, which I really appreciated. We ended up taking it but w/ ala carte prices to give people options. When we got there Saturday night, the table was set up with little individual menus, and Brad patiently and enthusiastically described, in detail, everything on the menu, several times as we had some late-comers. He and the rest of the floor staff were excellent, and really made the experience great, taking excellent care of everyone at the table despite a busy Saturday night crowd. The food was excellent; stuffy French food this is not. It was accessible, tasty, and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The kitchen sent out an amuse for the table; little cheese puffs which were warm and tasty, tho the flavor did remind several of us of cheez-its. Personally, I got the french gnocchi (for which I feel they should find a french name), and the trout which could have used a bit of something, but was tasty nonetheless. The real wow came with dessert; a bunch of us got the mille feuille, which wasn't much to look at, but incredibly yummy! And, since we were there for hubby's birthday, they brought out a plate of truffles and candied oranges for the table, with a little candle in it of course.
(4)Deb O.
Best food in the city. Attentive service. Fine french dining without pretentions. Unreal scallops. Bread to die for.
(5)Ali W.
MMM OOOH YES(insert various moans of pleasure). That was me, on New Years Eve at midnight, my first 2010 mouthful was of buttery vinegary almondy Truite Meuniere. Our tres french 10:45 dinner at Bistrot La Minette was perfect, absolutement magnifique! We arrived a bit early and had cocktails at the tiny bar (a champagne with a splash of St Germaine and a Sazerac), and it was at the very first, just so very pleasant, we were greeted warmly, had a nice chat with the bartender and were seated before our res time. We were snuggled into a sweet little two top with a super comfy banquette, It was so charming, every thing the napkins, the water bottles, the cute little bread bucket, the server...he was just sweet and happy and though probably exhausted from the long night, we saw no sign of it. We polished off our bucket o' baquette in moments, it was perfect, the butter was even special. When our server informed us that it would be a few minutes till another loaf came out of the oven, I was happy to wait. As a first course we had Terrine de Foie Gras (NYE special) and Flammenkuche (Alsatian tart of creme fraiche, bacon & onions). Le foie, what can I say, it was heavenly, it was so good I ate it in teeny tiny lady like bites so I could make it last, it was all I could do not to faint with pleasure. I offered the Bf a bite, but only because I love him, and he was like oh my god, is that mayonnaise...now he was referring to the texture which was so ridiculously unctuous. In exchange for the wee bite I was given a large slice of flammenkuche,,sweet, bacony creamy..chewy..is there a french word for umami?. To counteract the enormous amount rich fattiness we had just eaten we ordered a Salade Verte to share as a mid course. (Hoping that french paradox would happen, the salad would magically erase the-foie-bacon-cremefaiche calories) It was simply wonderful, soft boston lettuce tossed with a dijon-y vinaigrette and chopped chives. Perfect Simple. We brought a bottle of Moet White star with us ($20 corkage, totally reasonable) and got a pitcher of house wine ($20 so reasonable!) with the entrees , which was totally decent, drinkable and came in the cutest little stoneware vessel. Now my Truite Meuniere, I will say I was perhaps une petite dissapointed that it did not come out whole on a sizzling copper plate, boned sur la table, they way Julia Child's first one was, but I quickly got over that once I tasted it . Ahh mon dieu, it was just so good, and was served on what I can only describe as a hillock of haricot verts, with a few fingerlings scatted about. I was soo happy to have a generous amount of veg on my plate, j'adore les haricot verts! I am so tired of the singular fava bean, the duet of asparagus, the lone lump of spinach. As wonderful as my trout was my greedy eyes were drawn to the perfectly cooked Entrecote de Boeuf (rib eye) across the table from me, nor could I keep my hands off the adorable little casserole of potatoes gratin. Despite a warning from both our server and my Bf that the plate was hot I practically lunged for it. The Steak was so delicious, it was just so delicious..it was the last bite of 2009, a delicious ending to a really awful year. Did I mention that it was delcious? At midnight they brought around glasses of champagne and we all toasted, there were no silly hats or noise makers or singing of auld lang syne, which was fine, it would have detracted from our eating There was no way we were leaving without dessert and though I had planned on cheese, I had not planned on the generous portions, a cheese plate could've killed me so we split a Chocolate Pots de Cream..which was as we came to expect perfect.. ( did I growl at the busboy when he tried to take what he thought was an empty plate away?..maybe) Our server brought us a small complimentary taste of caramel ice cream and pear sorbet...he said to make up to the wait for our first course, but we never noticed the time. The pear sorbet really no way to describe it without the obvious.. it was like biting into an incredibly juicy ripe pear that just happened to be frozen, I slipped teaspoon of it into my glass of champagne..I suggest doing the same. We smuggled the lovely chocolates, that arrived with the check (so reasonable!), in our pockets for later.. left the remainder of our bottle ofchampagne for our server and went out into the the new year full of good cheer and good food and hope for the future. La Minette gave us some of that hope, it was warm and friendly, delicious and above all gracious. Grace is an underestimated quality and one that truly makes a difference. Merci Beaucoup La Minette et Une Bonne Annee!
(5)Bobby P.
Salmon is good. Duck fat is good. Salmon cooked in duck fat is amazing! Sure all the health benefits are probably canceled out, but you're in a French restaurant so you clearly don't give a shit (at least for this meal). If you do, you'll have to temper your expectations for a healthy meal. Everything is fatty and/or cooked in more fat. Even, nay especially the side vegetables with all their buttery goodness. So why just 4 stars with all that fatty goodness, you ask? Unfortunately while I was reveling in my salmon swoon, my wife was working over a steak that was equally big on flavor and gristle. It was disappointing since every other aspect of our dining experience, from service to dessert, was exceptional.
(4)Melissa R.
My mom was coming into town and she requested a French restaurant, as she had never been to a French dining establishment. I choose Bistrot La Minette as I had seen its Philly Mag award for Best Outdoor Dining and I knew it was going to be a nice weekend. Originally, I requested outdoor seating, but it ended up being chillier than we anticipated, so they accommodated us by moving inside. On a warmer evening, it would have been lovely to sit in the courtyard. Food was fantastic, if you love French food. The muscles and egg dish was savory and I loved the pickles and spicy Dijon mustard that came with the chicken liver and pork terrine. The Alsatian "pizza" was just okay. The entrees were classic French dishes. I got the Trout Mueniere, which was light and lemony. My boyfriend got the Tourbot and my mom, the chicken, two of the safer dishes on the menu. If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say Authentic. It felt like I was back in Paris. If you are a foodie and love French cuisine I would highly recommend it. My mom and boyfriend who aren't as adventurous with food, could have done without.
(4)Michele C.
What a gem of a place this is! My husband took me here on our two-year anniversary and it was easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. First of all, we picked quite possibly one of the most beautiful nights to come here. When I saw the tiny little deck area with tables set up outside, I knew we had to sit there. I was glad we did. It made the experience even better. This place is small, intimate and chic - it takes you back to France. It's so comforting you just want to linger. We were each greated with a complimentary cheese puff to pop in our mouths at the get go. Very nice. And then, the bread. Ahhh the bread. The freshly baked bread is worth the price of admission. That bread - hot and crusty - coupled with some wine and cheese - would have sealed the deal for me. But luckily, the night was still young. We didn't get appetizers, though they all looked delicious. For the main course, I ordered the roasted chicken with rice pilaf. The chicken was delicious - the skin crackling and tasty - if not a little bit dry. But still good. The basmati rice it was served with was SO good. I don't know what they did to make it taste that great but bravo. My husband ordered the strip steak. He asked for it medium rare but it clearly came out medium well. Still, it was quite tasty, even if not exactly done to his liking. It was accompanied by potato "balls" and spinach. Both were tasty. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable. However, we ordered a side of mac and cheese that never arrived at our table. Still, it was a minor misstep as we had already filled ourselves up with so much bread we realized we didn't need it anyway. The desserts are homemade and delicious. Save room for them. I got the rice pudding, which was served in a bowl surrounded by fresh berries. The pudding was a little skimpy, but delicious, and the berries were ripe and tasty. My husband got a layer cake with coffee and homemade whipped cream that was just divine. We were ready to leave when the waiter rushed outside with a plate decorated in chocolate that said "happy anniversary" on it. There were two chocolate truffles on it. Delicious. And a nice way to end the night. Prices were reasonable. Food was delicious. Atmosphere - can't be beat. I will definitely be back.
(3)Gustavo B.
One of my favorites restaurants in Philly. Classy romantic place with superb food !! Enjoy.
(5)Larry C.
Nothing to fret about the food. The decor is nice and quaint but the food is very average. The appetizers were good and we had oeuf pecheur which was nicely flavor with tarragon and a benedict sauce and tarte paysane. The entree were very average, nothing fantastic very middle of the road. We had lapin and duck confit. The duck was too salty and was supposed to be prepared with anis but did not taste anything. It was dry and not the best choice of meat (thigh). The rabbit meat was flavorless and dry. The piece of meat here was a leg which was just like the duck thigh...dry. This a good passable restaurant. The food was so uninspiring that we skipped desserts. Would not return there better in Philly.
(3)Allison B.
A perfect French feast. And the service was fantastic! None of that French stuck-up 'tude. We were running late and they brought us our food promptly so we could get out on time. They were very attentive and warm. We ordered 3 appetizers: Escargots de Bourgogne (escargot, which I think I just don't like the texture of but my boyfriend loved them), Sardines Grillées (my boyfriend's favorite: sardines perfectly grilled with slices of roasted red pepper), and Œuf du Pêcheur (my personal favorite: mussels in a delicious cream sauce and a poached egg - like a fancy Egg Benedict). They were really all fantastic. Then we shared the Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde which was rabbit that was so tender that it was like chicken falling off the bone. Oh and the drinks were fun. They had one in particular with absinthe in it. Sort of an anise flavor. Nice buzz. I highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion.
(4)Daniel H.
Great place. I'll start by saying that the one time I went, it was around $75 a person (dinner for two), but we did get a 30 or 40 dollar bottle of wine (which was a delicious pinot noir). Service was great (except for one blip, see below), and the waiter was very good about offering suggestions and letting us know what was most popular on the menu. Had the gnocchi as an appetizer - French gnocchi isn't as good as Italian gnocchi, but this was okay. Wouldn't recommend if you're a big gnocchi fan. For the main course I ate the mustard-braised rabbit. Very tasty, but you'd be surprised how much it tastes like chicken (seriously). For that reason, I will never eat rabbit again. Tried it. Nothing special (generally speaking). They must do it very well at this place, though. Dessert was a bit disappointing; not because it wasn't fantastic, but because the waiter brought out the wrong item. Not to worry, it was very very good and the perfect ending to a very good meal (baked sliced apple and caramel ice cream). One of the cool things about this place is that when you walk in, the host (who seemed to be either the manager or owner, or someone close to the business) took our coats and hung them. When we left, he chatted with us to see how we enjoyed the meal. Cool guy. Cool place. Check it out.
(4)Ian Y.
Jackie, Catlyn and I went here for Dinner Friday night. This is becoming our new favorite place to go since the food is exquisite and the staff as well as the chef are all so nice. We showed up without a reservation since we were just in the area and it is too early in the year for the back patio area is not open yet. The place was very busy so we just decided to sit at the bar as the bartender is really nice and treats us well. We had 3 different kinds of ... to start off with then I changed up to a dirty Vodka martini which were were good. For appetizers we ordered two plates of the "Escargots de Bourgogne" Burgundy snails, herbed butter, crouton - which were really tender and juicy, the "Flammenküche" Alsatian "pizza", caramelized onion, lardons, crème fraîche - which was delicious & the "Tartare de Saumon" Salmon tartar, Puy lentils, crème fraîche, blood-orange vinaigrette - that we all enjoyed. For entree's: Jackie had the "Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde" Dijon mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle. Catlyn had the "Bœuf Bourguignon" Burgundy-style beef stew, mushrooms, lardons, caramelized pearl onions, potatoes dauphine. I had the "Magret de Canard à l'Orange Sanguine" Pan-roasted duck breast, blood orange gastrique, orange peel confit, potato confit, broccolini. And to finish it off (or should I say finish "us" off) we shared the "Gateau l'Opéra" Multi-layered almond sponge cake, chocolate ganache, coffee butter cream, crème Chantilly ... which was so decatant. We all loved our choices and decided we need to come back here to try more of the fare since this is the kind of place where it would be impossible to have a favorite item that you just come back for again and again.
(5)Mike B.
Definitely not worth it. Bad service and overcooked food. This place is a huge rip-off.
(1)Johnny K.
We stumbled upon this restaurant while visiting Philly. Wow, what a delight! Beautiful food, lovely outside courtyard in the rear. Excellent service. Really spectacular!
(5)Stefanie G.
My husband and I went for lunch to celebrate the one year anniversary of our engagement. Last year's review was more like Melmoth K's. Lunch today just wasn't up to par- the service was friendly enough, but especially slow and there were little touches missing (crumbs left on the table, finished plates sitting in front of us too long, beverages left unfilled). The food was also just ok. The duck was dry, the macaroni and cheese was a bit oily and the quiche Lorraine was heavy on salt. The best thing we had was the side of creamed swiss chard. My husband enjoyed his escargot, too. Dessert was also a 50/50 toss up- the vanilla cream and raspberry layered pastry was amazing, the pain perdu wasn't that great (the caramel ice cream was heavenly, however). The thing is, you just can't beat is the price ($25 for any app, entree and dessert on the menu). But when we've been to Bistrot La Minette for the prix fixe dinner menu, we've left feeling like we stole something. Today I was relieved we didn't pay "full price".
(2)Jon D.
La Minette's movie night is a must-do experience, a vacation in itself. Movies are shown on the rear patio and take you to another place, helping you forget that Fat Tuesday's & Johnny Rockets are just a few blocks away. Maybe it was the two pitchers of wine, Audrey Tautou on the big screen, or the quaint decor between the neighboring warehouses, but I felt taken far away. The food was delicious. Bread was crusty & fluffy (though not quite as good as Parc's - sorry!); the escargot appetizer served as a perfect & delicious introduction to snail, which i'll absolutely have again; the sea bass had crunchy skin atop tenderly cooked fillets; the polenta dumplings were buttery & fluffy; the sorbet was rich and fresh. And - dangerously - the house pitchers of wine were a reasonable $20.
(5)Pallavi A.
I made a reservation for lunch and reached a half hour late! But, I called ahead and the owner who picked up was very nice about it. Bistrot La Minette is a perfect little french cafe in the South Street area. The staff was super friendly and helped us in choosing from the menu. The ambiance of this place was great- cozy and well lit. A nice lunch altogether.
(4)Scot G.
My wife and I decided to try Bistrot La Minette last night after reading the many great reviews and seeing it on many 'best of' lists for foodies in Philly. Sadly to say we came away disappointed with the entire experience. There was some good - the place is very cosy inside and really does feel like a little bistro in Paris. Also, the grilled sardine first course was excellent - well prepared and delicious. Things pretty much went downhill from there. We ordered four dishes and asked for them to come out one at a time. They brought them out two at a time without a word. We told them we were sharing everything, but instead of bringing us share plates, they just brought two dishes out at a time and separated them between us. Worse though was the food. It wasn't terrible as much as it was sub-par. We had the salmon tartar, the squash soup and the duck breast entree. Each dish was unbalanced. The salmon tartar had just a little too much going on and was a bit on the sweet side for an appetizer. The soup was even sweeter - the nuts in it and the broth tasted closer to a dessert than something savory or appropriate as a First Course. The duck breast was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was also way too sweet and didn't have anything to balance itself with. My wife puked after the evening and I felt a little uncomfy in the stomach. Overall, dishes that weren't balanced, overly sweet, etc. / mediocre service and an unsatisfactory meal. I would skip this one.
(2)Frank S.
Delicious straight forward food - charming restaurant and service. This is going to be a very dry review. Simply put, we just had a great time with delicious food and great service. Very nice bistro, not over decorated, it just doesn't feel fake. With only half the restaurant filled on a Wednesday night, two friends and I had ample space and time without being pushed or being squeezed. We had grilled sardines with red pepper (delicious) and flammkuchen (Alsace flatbread, little drier than it's original siblings, but very tasty). Entrees sampled were leg of lamb, duck breast and the entrecote. All meat was done perfectly, the sides were awesome (the gratin rivals Nan), dishes are prepared not too heavy. We shared ice cream and sorbets for dessert, which is too sweet for me, but the flavors were greattt (rhubarb, caramel, cassis). The wine and menu selection is just the right balance and size to fulfill all desires and not let you be overwhelmed. Actually the homemade chocolate that came with the bill was fantastic and their espresso was very good, too. I put down four stars in the beginning, just changed to 5 now after I can not find anything in my memory worth downgrading a star. Bottomline, if I have to choose between Bistrot La Minette and Parc, where food, service and ambience are totally overrated (loud, cramped, attitude, rush), I don't even have to blink. They offer french movie nights on Mondays during August and family style french dining for 4-20 people for $45 to $65 per person. We will try that soon. Disclaimer: This is not eclectic french 9 course five star dining, it is a bistro!!
(5)Julie M.
I first decided to try this bistro as a place to celebrate a personal advancement. The restaurant is just off South Street and is noticable at first because of a tiny deck out front. It continues to be just as cozy as you enter. It is an intimate place, with a nice amount of ambient noise but not too loud. The food is quite a find. Lamb, chicken, dumplings, steak, onion tarts, all cooked perfectly. The ingredients are sometimes a bit upscale but the final dish isn't very fussy. Every dish is perfectly seasoned and well balanced. I never have room for dessert. As an aficionado of beers, they manage to have a decent local selection of beer with a couple seasonal options. I recently went back a second time and it confirmed my previous opinion. If you are looking for a special treat, the Bistrot is worth the price.
(4)Alex S.
For an upscale French place it lacks creativity. The dishes are fairly mundane and so is the taste. The food lacks the "Wow" factor that I would expect from a high-end French place. The food is otherwise good. I would give it 4 stars if it billed itself as an "American" food establishment. If you're looking for a taste of great French food, you won't find it here. The service is OK but nothing special.
(3)Molly M.
The scallops were fantastic as was the bread and butter. Yum.
(4)Simon E.
Exquisite. Food, atmosphere and staff were top notch. We rang late with a reservation for 7, still managed to fit us in. A good wine list, and the caraffes of house wine are excellent value if you don't want to go overboard. A lot of the non-BYOB Philly restaurants could learn a thing or two from Bistrot La Minette on this front. The food was outstanding. I had the grilled Sardines to start and then the Lamb stew for main. The lamb blew any other Lamb I've had out of the water, so tender but so much flavour packed in. Other friends had snails, which were done well. One friend had the Filet special, which whilst by far the most expensive thing on the menu, he still claims it is the best value steak he has had in the city. Sure, the food isn't cheap but at this quality level, it never will be. I can't recommend this place enough. I'm sure I'll be back soon, especially as the outdoor seating is apparently now open.
(5)Katia S.
What a fantastic meal. The scallops were divine and the half chicken was perfectly done. The atmosphere was cozy yet still vibrant and the service was attentive. We're definitely going back for the pre-fixe menu and I would love to try the courtyard when the weather warms up.
(4)Brett V.
I had planned on going to Beau Monde (across the street from Bistrot) for a first date but it was a Monday and to my embarrassment it was closed. Thankfully Bistrot La Minette, with its recently completed outdoor seating area, was there to save the day. If you're looking for authentic French food served in a cozy bistro setting without all the pretentiousness this is the place for you. We were greeted at the door and quickly shown to our choice of outdoor seating. Fresh bread arrived shortly accompanied by deliciously creamy butter lightly topped with sea salt. A salmon spread amuse bouche on toast came out next. It was very pleasant and light. We shared a puff pastry wild mushroom appetizer, which was flaky savory and delicious, followed by entrees of vegetarian dumplings and duck breast with white asparagus and lentils. The duck was perfectly cooked and tender; the dumplings melted in your mouth. For dessert we split the homemade ice cream and sorbet (you get your choice of 3 that change daily). The caramel ice cream was rich but not to sweet. The sorbets were on the tart side - just the way i like them. Although Bistrot is certainly not the cheapest place in town and the portions are not huge the quality and attention to detail justify the price. If you're looking for a cheaper option try the prix fixe lunch for $14. The only thing that others might take issue with is the fact that our server was fairly clueless with her mastery of French. That said, she knew the menu inside and out and competently answered all the questions we had.
(4)Fred C.
The room is charming . . . old, old with exposed wood floors, high ornamented metal ceilings and an exposed brick wall. The service was a bit slow, but the servers were efficient and cheerful. The pea soup was disappointing, very bland and we had to season it with lots of salt and black pepper; even then it wasn't great. The quiche was very good. The food notwithstanding, it was a pleasant lunch. Goes to show what ambiance and cheerful service can accomplish.
(4)Stephen S.
Came here for a celebratory dinner with a group of friends. We went a little overboard with what we ordered, but it allowed me to really experience the menu and what they offered. One of my friend's was a Parisian native who said it was as authentic as a meal as she's had in the states. Some of the traditional dishes were modified a bit, but she said most French bistrots would be making similar modifications to seem chic and cool. I thought the Soupe de Potiron was truly special and would highly recommend it amongst the entrees. I will say that the macaroni and cheese was so good that we ordered it twice. For dessert we ordered everything and I will say the Gateau l'Opera was the table favorite. The service was pretty good. We shared the side room with another party which was nice when we were alone but a little frustrating when they came in. It felt like their birthday party was overwhelming us and there were several times that we had to stop our dinner conversation because the other group was so loud. I really question the wisdom of seating two parties in the side room as it feels private enough that one feels they were out of the main restaurant.
(3)Jim R.
Who would have thought that the feel and tastes of an authentic Parisian bistro could be found just off of South Street in Philadelphia - but that's the experience you'll have while dining here. The atmosphere, the setup, the staff, all promise a great experience and we were not disappointed. Both appetizers were fantastic. A special that night was one of the best pate's we've had in a long time. The other, although maybe sounding a little strange, was absolutely amazing. The Oeuf du Pêcheur - Fisherman's-Style Poached Egg, with Mussels in a Tarragon Cream Sauce would, in itself, be reason enough to return. The entrees were equally delicious. The Mustard-Braised Rabbit was half a rabbit served along side of a house-made tagliatelle pasta. The Seared Duck Breast was served over thin strips of white asparagus, with a black currant sauce and a side of Puy lentils. Both entrée portions were very generous. Although we were tempted, we passed on having dessert. So with the above, 2 drinks, before tip, the bill came to around $100. We are looking forward to returning here with friends who I know will also enjoy the entire experience.
(5)Anna Marie C.
cute. cute, cute, cute. one wintry cold night (did i mention it was snowing??), i came here with a friend. a charming french bistro with tasty food and good people. i even liked things i didn't think i would...like sardines! quail was done well, and so was the monkfish. the alsatian pizza is to die for. you can tell the chef-owner and his wife put their heart and soul into the place, from the warm lighting, open kitchen in the back, cute tables, and friendly folks. wait. i think i used the word cute probably one too many times.
(4)David W.
Outstanding service, wonderful dinner. The rabbit & duck, never better. wonderful desserts. Highly recommend.
(5)Rob T.
The food was delicious; the waitstaff was exceptional, and the ambiance is very nice. Great date spot. Try the escargot.
(5)Alethia C.
My husband and I ventured here a few nights ago to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. After hearing good things and reading prior reviews, we were excited to try Bistro la Minette out. However, from the moment we walked into the restaurant, I knew the service was going to be shoddy. I'm not one for over-the-top fake niceties, but a little enthusiasm would have been appreciated upon our arrival. Once seated, our waiter quickly rattled off the specials and then disappeared for about 10 minutes - no drink order was taken, no offer was given to open the bottle of wine that was clearly sitting on top of our table. Once the waiter returned, I asked a question about adding some morels to my appetizer dish - and was told I could 'absolutely not' add them. Really? I understand if its the chef's policy, but at least give me that as an answer, not an incredibly rude and brush off. I wasn't asking for them to be free - just a possibility. Then the bread arrived. My God, that bread is certainly a gift from heaven. Perfectly warm, served with room temp butter, it all but melted in our mouths - things were looking up (but only briefly). The black truffle pasta 1st course was delicious, fresh pasta with a light cream sauce and shaved black truffles (best dish of the night). My husband's octopus, however, did not fare as well. It was cooked perfectly, but the red sauce completely overwhelmed the flavor of the octopus leaving us to wonder what they were trying to cover up and the mollusk's degree of freshness. Our main courses were also just OK. Nothing spectacular and certainly not worth the $28/entrée. The final blow came at dessert - I ordered the clafoutis and was brought something different. Upon sending it back, very politely might I add, I actually witnessed a direct eye-roll from our server. I understand, being a server is difficult, diners can be total jerks (which I wasn't), but honestly, an eye-roll? We will not be returning - and had it not been for the french bread and that delicious pasta dish, this rating would have been much more dismal.
(2)Melissa P.
I went to Bistrot La Minette for lunch with a friend last week and every encounter was a pleasant surprise. Their lunch special is insanely good. For $15, I had a sumptuous split pea soup and a Nicoise salad. In between each course we had little treats, compliments of the chef. The ambience rivals the food. Every detail is articulately cared for, from the quaint bar to the copper pots at the back of the restaurant. The staff was very friendly. Even though they were busy, took very good care of us.
(5)Lauren M.
We love French food so when we were in Philly for the night (and had gotten some of the other staples earlier in the day), we decided to come here based on the reviews. We were right on time for our reservation and a table in the front was open when we walked in, but the host asked us to sit at the bar. The place is not very big and after waiting for 15-20 minutes and being seated at the same table that was open when we walked in, I made my husband asked what the deal was. They were hoping another table was going to open up. That's fine, I realize this table was near the front, and the tables on either side were occupied, but it would have been nice if we had been given the option - 'look, we have this table open now, but it looks like we'll have a better one opening up in a few minutes, do you want to wait?'. We were an 8:30 res as it was, so it wasn't like they were turning all the tables again after us. Anyway, that started it off a bit poorly, then our waitress wasn't very good. She didn't have personal recommendations for wine, sort of went with whatever my husband asked about. Then throughout the night, there were times when she was just gone. Finally when we were trying to get our check, we see her at the front bar drying dishes, chatting away with another server. We were just far enough away that we couldn't get her attn, as there was another table between us and the bar, so we waited, and waited, she never looked over, it was like she was a bartender, not our server. Unfortunately the service spoiled the experience for us, but I'll get into the food too. I had escargots to start, my husband had a salad. Both were fine, not my favorite escargot, in fact, they were already shelled which was the first time I'd seen that, but was convenient! I had the duck confit which I really enjoyed and I can't remember what my husband had , but he liked it as well. Overall, the food was fairly good, especially my main course, but hopefully they tighten up the service a bit more.
(3)Roseanne F.
My husband, daughter and father-in-law wandered in five minutes until closing, desperate for a meal (we had just flown in, hungry and tired). I expected to be treated like an interloper, but when we asked if we could still get dinner, we were welcomed warmly and without hesitation, like they were actually pleased to see us. (My pet peeve is restaurants who say they are open until, say, 10:30, but if you walk in at 10:15, they give you the stink-eye and the bum's rush. Just say that you close at 10:00, then, and save us both some trouble.) We were just beginning our vacation, on our way to New York for a few days, and I have to say, this was the best dining experience we had the entire trip, including a Jean George joint in NYC, and restaurants which cost twice as much. Not to say that BdM is inexpensive, because it is not. But considering the quality of food, the adorable atmosphere and the fantastic service, it was a great value. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable and courteous. He knew his shit. I had the freshwater sardines app. The little fillets were charred to perfection and tasted of woodfire and yum. The lemon vinagarette was just so. Next, I had the trout menuire with haricorts verts and fingerling potatoes: simple, classic deliciousness. My husband had the cassoulet with a duck drumstick and assorted other meats. He said it was one of the best things he's ever had. I didn't have dessert, but it looked wonderful (some kind of donuts with raspberry sauce and ice cream). We were the last people left in the room, but not once did we get a nudge out the door. As we left, I felt like we were dinner guests, not customers. Corny as it sounds, you could see there is a lot of love in this place. (Also, the waiter ran two blocks to where our car was parked to return a forgotten scarf...sweet!) If I lived in Philly, this would be my favorite place. We couldn't stop talking about it for days.
(5)Carol K.
This place is an absolute gem. I don't think it's possible to get a dish here that isn't superb. We've been several times now and while the service can be a tad slow in actually getting you to order, the servers are always fast and attentive in removing plates, checking on your meal, etc. The food is -- well, it's amazing, frankly. The foie gras is fantastic and the ouef de pecheur tastes way better than any poached egg dish has a right too. (I literally could not stop exclaiming about how good it was -- even as I shoveled it in my face. Just order it. Trust me.) Entrees were all excellent as well, though in my experience, they tend to do fish slightly better than red meats. We've always gotten an amuse bouche to start and a small desert tasting comped, which is a nice touch -- especially since we never have room to actually order desserts (which look awesome). The space itself is very nice. Inside dining room is classic Paris bistro, and the outdoor "garden" is lovely in the evening. Can't recommend this place enough.
(5)Tasha P.
I took my mom here - she was visiting from California. We love French food so I'm always on the lookout for great places to eat. This place surpassed our expectations! Service was exceptional, food was incredible. The servers recommended a delish merlot for me. I had the mussels - served on toast with a poached egg and in a white sauce, and the scallops served with potatoes and capers. Mom had the trout with fingerling potatoes and lemon sauce. We sat out in the "garden" and, although there were a few other tables seated, it was quiet. We had a marvelous time and left with very full bellies. I'm anxious to try their "Family Dinner" they were advertising on the menu. I'm already planning my return visit...this time with my husband!
(5)Liz M.
So happy to have finally made it here; it did not disappoint. Loved the foie gras, the trout, and the sardines. Adored the rabbit--can't wait to have that again. The service was impeccable. They really make you feel welcome. The tables for two against the wall are a little crowded, but it is a French bistro, so I guess that's part of the whole experience. Overall a great dinner.
(5)Daniel S.
Four of us decided to eat here last night - in the mood for a French bistro experience. There are two that sit across the street from each other and, after checking out the menus, Bistrot La Minette won out. We came in without a reservation around 8:30 on a Saturday night and we were seated within 5 minutes. This is not to say the place was empty - it was pretty full and lively and, frankly, we were happy for our good luck! The ambiance is what first drew us in. The decor is like looking in the windows of a bistro in Paris - without being kitschy. Once inside it was easy to relax and imagine that we had been transported to a different time and place. The lower light cast by wrought iron lamps and bulbous chandeliers, the ornate claw-footed side board where long house-made baguettes were being cut for each table, the decorations that look like they had been taken from the basement of the farmhouse down the road. It all worked together to make your senses accept you were no longer in Philly. Our waiter, Kane, was excellent - explaining the specials and guiding us through the house favorites as well as his own. I think we all went with specialties of the house and no one was disappointed! We all shared and tasted and everything here was absolutely delicious. For mise en bouche we got sardines with roasted red peppers, escargot, mussels in tarragon sauce, and a salad vert with a great mustard vinaigrette. Each of these was great in not only the flavors but the presentation as well. For our main courses we ordered the chicken, rabbit and duck. Again, they may sound like simple dishes but the layers of flavor took each to a new level. Everything was perfectly cooked and presented beautifully. If you are a dessert person, do not skip the last course just because you may be feeling like you could pop from the incredible meal you have had up to this point. Take it slow and enjoy it - the perfect ending to a great dining experience. There is an outdoor garden area that can seat about 30. In the summer they show French movies twice a week out there with dinner service. We didn't see it in action but definitely will before the end of the season! I absolutely recommend Bistrot La Mienette and am looking for an occasion to try it again soon!
(5)Jay F.
Excellent in every way - food, service, atmosphere! Highly recommend.
(5)Brett J.
Had an excellent meal. Only thing holding me from a 5 star review is it was restaurant week and I understand what comes with that. Started with the Escargots. I was feeling adventurous and it was first time ordering it. Totally recommend it, delicious. Also tried some of the duck liver paté. Very rich but great choice as well. For my entree had Joue De Bouef Bourguignon. Small portion but delicious. Ended with the puff pastry with raspberries. Not a huge dessert fan, but it was wonderful. Service was A+ even though it was first night of restaurant week. Great romantic restaurant.
(4)Rachel C.
Bread was soft and fluffy. Escargot was delicious, could have been the slightest bit saltier. Beef cheeks were so tender but too salty. The highlight of the dish was the roasted vegetables in it. Their natural sweetness really came through. The pasta in the rabbit dish tasted homemade and fresh. The rabbit was succulent and tender. The millefeuille is excellent because the pastry is slightly burnt and has a caramel taste. The tarte tatin is way too sweet. One of the most authentic French places I've been to outside of France.
(4)Matthew L.
Like being in Paris, but the convenience of paying with USD. Update: moved from 4-5 stars because I'm not sure why I listed it at 4 to begin with. If you're a fan of personal space, this isn't really the place for you. A strong Parisian vibe emanates from this restaurant, from the decor to the food. Portions are larger than in France, though not very large by American standards. The food is excellent across the board and I look forward to my next visit. Best French food in this price range that I've found in the city.
(5)Paul B.
For a French Bistro... this is as good as it gets in Philly! And beyond. Kane the bartender was excellent! Thank you Kane (forgive me if I'm getting your name wrong). The service and food are both excellent. The space is quaint and charming. They are doing it right there! Excellent!
(5)Nancy L.
Absolutely delicious french food.
(5)Amy C.
Service was awesome! Steak was really good and had a different taste that's bound to leave an impression. The duck confit was too overcooked and salty, not to mention appears unappealing. Appetizers are appetizing but very tiny dishes that make you feel bad for eating and not leaving enough for the other person. We had creme brulee for the final dessert and it was amazing but by that time we were too stuffed to finish. This is a good place to bring a date as the servers will respect your space and create a romantic atmosphere for couples. Boyfriend and I planning to come back for the steak :).
(4)Duy N.
Went here for my birthday and absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was just perfect. It was a little place that made me feel I was on an alley strip in France somewhere. The food was outstanding. Fresh and simple. My date and I are still trying to find time to come back. Hopefully soon!
(4)Catherine L.
With their four year anniversary right around the corner, Bistrot La Minette, definitely has something to celebrate: that besides Bibou, this is the only destination in Philadelphia for an authentic cuisine française experience, with a menu that is supremely delicieux. J'adore the interior, always have, along with the songbook to boot (I mean, I might be in the minority here, considering my heritage, but I can't get enough of Joe Dassin, Jacques Brel, and yes, the Amelie soundtrack - it never gets old). From the elegant restrooms, traditional decor, marble-topped bar and the high vaulted ceilings, even the gorgeous Laguiole knives, it's the attention to detail that puts me over the moon. Service is always pleasant, accurate, present and knowledgeable (even though their pronunciation isn't on point, and their insistence of saying pree fee for 'prix fixe' when it's actually pree feexe - but bah! small potatoes). Along with Talula's Garden, this place is perfect for a nice dinner out with the folks or for a date destination set for romance. Summer brings about a menu that is all-Provençal and that embraces those vegetables of summer, tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini: an end result that was wonderfully executed in a delicious ratatouille. A zippy tapenade amuse bouche starts off any meal right -- and of course, I still love their amazing crunchy, buttery baguette bread (can I buy to take home?) and their escargots (this time finished with anchovy, bone marrow and garlic) - which is always utter perfection. Their wine selections also reflected the Provence focus, with some great Rosés and a Languenoc red (Domaine Magellan) that will blow your socks off (not available at state stores, we were told, but Moore Brothers carries it). Chef Woolsey and his team do not dissappoint. Meat is always cooked on point (duck, lamb, beef, even frogs' legs, although the large ones aren't always as tender as the smaller ones), every item is flavored perfectly, delicately and meal progression is so well-timed, no rush, no fuss -- and you know what? Desserts are bangin', too. All in all, why go to Parc or Le Bec Fin, when Bistrot La Minette and Bibou do it so much better and so effortlessly? In my book, it's no contest, no question.
(5)Melmoth K.
You know the scene from This Is Spinal Tap, where Nigel Tufnel is trying to explain how the amplifier for his guitar is louder and better than other amps because his volume dial goes past ten, and all the way up to eleven? Well, Bistrot La Minette is why Yelp ratings need to go all the way up to six. Food, service, setting--all fantastic. Killer selection of French liquor and wine. If you're look for a place to have a romantic evening or an intimate dinner with friends or to have a special meal with your parents or to remind yourself of your trip to Paris, Bistro La Minette is your place.
(5)Amy L.
I was the first to arrive for my friend's birthday dinner. I was greeted by a very friendly hostess and she offer me a seat at the bar while I wait for my party. As soon as I sat down I looked at the wine list and ordered a glass of wine. When served, I asked for a napkin and the waiter said they don't have any and told me I can go to the bathroom and use toilet paper...WTHECK???? I was surprised, then I asked him for a cloth napkin and then he told me I can't spit my gum into it. Seriously???? I wouldn't be that disgusting and rude. I wanted to wipe the corners of my mouth. At that point, I no longer wanted to deal with the bartender/waiter. What restaurant bar doesn't have a napkins?? The decor inside was nice. Our party order the set menu and a bunch of additional apps. The scallop was delish but the rest the food was okay...nothing truly memorable. The portions seemed to be un-proportional. For example, we all had a stew and my bowl barely had any liquid while my friend had a lot. When the fish came, my friend had the smallest cut compared to the rest of our party. Toward the end of our dinner, the waiter dropped a tray of forks and spoons behind us by accident and scared the crap out of us but did not apologize.
(2)Asuka N.
I'd come once to Bistrot La Minette a few years ago, but I forgot most of the food experience (not to mention writing a review), so I was looking forward to going back and having another go at this French-styled restaurant just south of South Street. It's got dim lighting, frames on pictures and chandeliers that give it more of an Old World feel, and French pop music playing in the background. That said, it's not overly stuffy, largely due to the waiter - I don't know his name, but he was exceptional. He was familiar with the dishes yet not overly pushy about which ones he felt were the best, and, perhaps best, he knew his way around the wine list and how each glass we were looking at tasted. It's very impressive, given that most of the time when I'm at a restaurant, waiters tend to be clueless about wines or rely on sommeliers to give wine advice. From what I can recall (and what the waiter said), the menu was quite different from what was available a few years back, but I definitely feel like this was a substantially better dining experience than in the past. For appetizers, the sea scallops were pretty standard, but properly cooked - enough to hold the form, but not done too much to make them rubbery. I tried the specialty of the restaurant, the mussels with poached eggs - and wow, was that delicious. The tarragon sauce works well with seafood with a briny edge like mussels, and the egg yolk helps to add another layer to the sauce, but without making it overly heavy. It's really a dish that fits in as well with dinner as it would on a brunch menu. For the entree, I ordered the lamb and tomato stew, which was incredibly delicious. It looks quite daunting from the onset given how big the lamb looks in the pot, but it falls off the bone very easily and has a tenderness akin to braised short ribs. The tomato adds a strong base, and the bread crumbs and duck confit help to add depth to what would otherwise be a very meaty stew. My fiancee had one of the Valentine Day's specials - the filet with foie gras. The filet itself was done really well, but adding small pieces of foie helps to bring out the fattiness and juiciness of the steak. Dessert was splitting the Mille Feuille aux Framboises, which was a delectable way of finishing the meal...it's a very light pastry, filled with similarly light vanilla cream that lets the raspberries and the raspberry sauce fill the dessert with rich, fruity sweetness. Throughout the meal, both the Bordeaux blend and the Rhone blend (which has a touch of spice and is quite jammy, as the waiter said) both worked very well across the appetizers and the red-meat main courses. And, lest I forget, the bread appears to be sliced from a freshly-made baguette, with the rich creamy French butter that I am incredibly fond of. While I came away happy, but not blown away, by my last meal here, I feel like Bistrot La Minette has refined their menu to a higher level. Everything we ate here was delicious, and despite the French reputation for heavy foods, we were happily full - but not crushingly stuffed - when we walked out. The prices are pretty reasonable as well, with most entree items running around $25-30. I'd love to come back and try the new menu out when the season changes.
(5)Steven W.
Bistro La Minette is the perfect date spot. Amazing service, food, and wine selection. I have been to Paris and the food here is reminiscent of my favorite bistro in Montmartre. I love that they have some of the French country style cuisine like Coq au Vin which is the best thing I have had there. You will not be disappointed with anything you order.
(4)Sara S.
My boyfriend and I came to Bistrot for our four year anniversary and it was spectacular! Everything from the ambiance, to the service and the delicious food was perfect...it was a very unique and authentic French experience! There is seating out front overlooking the sidewalk and street, inside and also the back courtyard. I highly recommend sitting in the back courtyard, it was so charming! Round lights were strung above the tables and beautiful pots overflowing with colorful flowers dotted the ground. It was a very romantic place for dinner, but would also be fun with a bunch of friends for an upscale dinner! Our server Mike was outstanding- he was so knowledgeable and friendly and you could tell her wanted to make our dinner enjoyable. We started off with their pitcher of wine- it was a very clever idea to serve wine in a clay pitcher! Sidenote: The owner's uncle makes the pitchers in Maine. Then, another server brought out complimentary little round toasted baguette pieces topped with homemade olive tapenade YUM! This wa followed by the best tasting bread I've ever had (the recipe is from the owner's wife's aunt who lives in Leon, France) and butter topped with fleur de sol. The crust was crunchy and flaky yet the interior was soft. We ordered escargot and a homemade pasta dish for appetizers, these were also fabulous! They serve the escargot in cute little pots about the size of your thumb (also homemade by the chef's uncle) and it was delicious. Sometimes I like escargot, other times not, but Bistrot had these little escargots marinated in this unbelieveable sauce of olive oil, garlic and olives and it was to die for! We both ordered the beef for our entrees (entrees range in price from $20-$27)- served with little home made gnocci potato puffs, WOW! Everything really was mouth-watering. They ran out of the potato au gratin, so the server asked the chef to whip up something special that is not on the menu- homemade mac and cheese with 4 cheeses, including Brie. Again, fabulous!! The night ended with two complimentary chocolate truffles. The dessert menu also looked delicious but we were too full. Highly recommend for a romantic night on the town or even with couples, friends, family! This truly was an authentic, French bistro experience (we passed several tables of people speaking French...so you know it is the real thing!) I was a little sad to leave- it was a wonderful night!!
(5)Adrienne C.
Such a wonderful meal! It was so great to eat at a yummy restaurant in Philly that was not Italian or farm-to-table / New American. The ambiance is adorable, the food is amazing and the service is friendly. Biggest tip - if it says "puff pastry" somewhere (first course, dessert, whatever), get it. It's pretty much guaranteed to be amazing. The goods: wild mushroom puff pastry, beef tartare, rabbit with house-made tagliatelle and stuffed quail. The desserts were also good - again, go wtih the puff pastry. Def must try again!
(5)Kim A.
Amazing. Went for the anniversary dinner with a friend. The mushroom and artichoke soup with foie gras was smooth and creamy. The mussels and duck confit, delicious. The salmon poached in duck fat, the steak, the bacon wrapped harticort verts, fantastic. Everything was just amazing. This was my first time here but not my last!
(5)Barbara Ann R.
I was treated to a birthday dinner here, and what a treat it was! I lived in France for many years and miss my "comfort food" so much - in this case escargots to start and then lapin w house-made tagliatelle (ok, so maybe the pasta wasn't totally French, but it was good, and the rabbit was as well, if a tad dry). A tarte aux oranges confits sauce chocolate for dessert. The wine list seemed inordinately pricey, but the house wine by the carafe was more than adequate, and reasonably priced. Yummy cafe and dessert wines as well. I don't live in Philadelphia, but hope to visit regularly & will try to come back when I do (though I think it will be for their prix fixe as I'll be footing the bill).
(4)Christine D.
Have the escargot and grilled sardines. Everything from food to the service was excellent! Best kept secret in Philadelphia. Cool place to hangout for after work drinks.
(5)Tess G.
I really liked this place. Wish they had one in NYC area. Reasonably priced French bistro food. Not at all stuffy but served by the polite, knowledgeable, serious souls you'd find in fine dining. The servers seemed to really be proud of the food. Very good sign. What to try: - Foie gras - Super smooth and the hazelnut and fig sauces it came with really set it off against the paper thin brioche slices - Cassoulet - Delicious. Crispy duck skin, buttery soft beans and chunks of lamb. Perfect for a winter night. - Beef cheeks - Normally I don't fall for the restaurant trick of serving cheap cuts for above-average prices. But I had a good feeling about this place and my gamble paid off. The beef cheeks were actually the size of tiny tenderloins but richer. The dish came with soft pillows of French gnocchi. I don't know the difference between French and Italian gnocchi but these were larger than Italian gnocchi but just as light. Best part of the dish was the sauce pooled at the bottom. Unbelievably delicious with the wine and richness of the beef cheeks. Worth ordering this dish just for that sauce. More details: - They make their own bread. Crusty baguettes that come out every 15 minutes and sliced in the dining area. Served with perfectly salted, room temp butter. SOOOO GOOOOOD. - Great at details: Amuse bouche of tiny gourgere will with some really good cheese. Ended the meal with homemade chocolates. Makes you feel welcome from beginning to end. - We came at a night where they were having a 4-course dinner to celebrate the Anjou wine region. It was an absolute steal at $50 with wine pairings. But the regular menu looked so good that we had to try it. I can only assume it was popular since the place was packed by 7pm on a Wednesday night. My only complaint? Cheese plate was good and they had a nice selection. I just wish it came with jam/jelly/sweet paste instead of butter lettuce. It was good but not what I wanted for an after-dinner cheese plate. p.s. The place is quite charming. Feels like it belongs in a town outside of Paris - not overly done. Cozy but not so small that its impossible to get a table. Lighting is not bright but brighter than candle light so you can see their food. Bathroom has the neatest vanity - looks like an enormous vanity but with double sinks. No paper towels - washcloths to dry your precious little hands. Very romantic.
(5)Rob C.
Omg. Really good! Do go now. Food , service wonderful!
(5)Ahmad C.
My wife suggested (after reading Yelp reviews) that we should try this out on V-Day. Initially we couldn't find a free table till 10:30pm (notwithstanding, we booked a table for two) and checked with the restaurant if we can come in a little earlier. I received a call few minutes later that they have bumped us to 8:30pm after a cancellation. This was beyond expectations and I give them full marks for this! Not a huge fan of the tacky South St district but the restaurant is in a quieter (acceptable) area on 6th St. Moving on to the food. Loved the complimentary cheese puffs. For first course we ordered Pan Seared Scallops (a tad bland for me, though my wife liked it and argues there was subtle smokiness) and Escargots (excellent). Second course was one of the best cooked meal I've had recently - I ordered the Trout and my wife went with Salmon (both were excellent). Ended the meal with apple tart w/ caramel ice cream and complimentary chocolates. Last but not the least, the bread deserves a special mention.
(4)Christine B.
So so good. I went here with some fellow yelpers to celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. We had a 4 course dinner with wine pairings. Only complaint is that the waiter did not explain the wine pairings, but the food was delicious. First up was french onion soup. Definitely my favorite french onion. There was such great flavor, and the cheese, and soggy crouton were delicious. Second course was a pike filled dumpling type dish. I don't recall the french name. It was light and airy, and topped with a tasty crawfish brown butter sauce. Next was a veal stew. It was great. Finally, a walnut tart. The perfect end to the meal, the crust was buttery and flaky, and the filling wasn't overly sweet. Also, as other have mentioned the bread and butter is awesome.
(4)Brad P.
So this is why the Germans were so desperate to conquer France. Their food is so delicious. Imagine for a second that you are looking out over the Maginot line with concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, and machine gun posts. You are thinking that even though you lost 2,476,897(Civilian and military) people the first time, might as well give it another shot. After all, you are getting hungry. Bistrot La Minette carries on the tradition of making other countries envious of French food. It is an excellent place. The mussel appetizer with a poached egg and cream sauce is the best mussel dish I've had in recent memory. The mussels are flawlessly cooked and the sand/crunchy stuff has been righteously purged from each mussel. The sauce is great. The Bœuf Bourguignon was absolutely tender. It melted in my mouth like the T-1000 in that molten metal at the end of T2. I could swear I felt a thumbs up as it went down my gullet. The Carrelet Poêlée au Beurre Noisette was a little bit of a disappointment. It lacked the flare of the other dishes and was a little bit dry. Don't get me wrong - it was good fluke. It just didn't stack up to the expectations set by the other items. I have to give mad props to the waiter named Kane. I dropped a fork on the floor and my replacement was available in seconds. He heard it from across the room, triangulated the location of the sound(Predator-style), and delivered unto me a clean eating utensil.
(4)Brittany R.
Never been to a French Restaurant but I wanted to go and the fellow agreed to my request, after some good review reading we booked the date for late december. My date got stuck in SUPER traffic on the Saturday before NYE and we were late. I called and they were totally cool with pushing us back an hour so he could get into the city to pick me up. Very low key quiet place. We managed to get seated RIGHT before it got super busy. Hard to park outside of the local pay-parking areas. Especially on a saturday. I ordered a little half jug of wine for me an it was descent. We both got sides of the macaroni and cheese which was amazing. My guy got the rabbit but I got the quail stuffed with sausage and the most amazing spinach I have ever had in my life. Seriously, it was SO good. We got desserts and just had a really good time. I would go again to perhaps try one of their special menus.
(4)Robert B.
I found the meal to be wonderful overall. The experience slightly below some other restauarant experiences. I had a warning to not order salad and stuck with it. The ambianec is charming and warm. We were given a choice of seating with our reservation and decided to go outside in the garden with a wonderful evening. There we remained in a quiet area without a lot of noise. I'm sure as it gets later than our reservation it is bustling. The inside definately was. But, being able to be outside and have a nice quiet cozy meal was special. The food, we started with an amuse of puff pastry with cheese. A wonderful small bite sized wonder. I ordered an onion tart and my wife the signature Mussels. I loved the tart, it had complexity of flavors. I only wish more sauce was available. It was a nice addition of a tart note to the rest. I tasted the creamy sauce for my wifes dish and it was heavenly as well. For dinner, we ordered Rabbit and a Short Rib special with jumbo snails. You have to order something with snails at a French restaurant. I had the rabbit and it came with pasta. It was tastey. I wished for more sauce as teh rabbit was dry on its own. Maybe I should have sliced it up and into the pasta? I also thought it needed some texture. My wife had the short ribs. It was exactly what one would expect. We both had the snails and noticed a slightly smokey/burned taste as the result of grilling. It was a first for us and we would order snails again in the future. We ended with two different tart desserts. I had an apple tart with caramel ice cream. My wife a lemon tart with a berry ice cream. Neither was overly sweet. My ice cream melted quickly and basically became a sauce for the tart. A chocolate ganache bon bon was the final course and was on the house. The pleasant reward for the evening was the price. It was not over the top. This alone makes it a place you would welcome returning to.
(4)Dan K.
Wonderful ambiance with great service. My girlfiend and I went for valentines day. Our waiter was very knowledgable and made a french menu accessible. One of the best meals I've ever had. Cocktails were excellent as well. I will definitely go back again soon!
(5)Allison B.
I feel truly honored that I was able to eat at Bistrot La Minette in the dining salon. I had just been hired to work at a nonprofit in town. Their Christmas party was the next day, and they kindly invited me along. We sat at a long table in a private room. I knew no one, and was trying to make small talk with the people that would soon be my co-workers. That was easy to do with the succulent and fabulous food that was constantly coming out from the kitchen and put in front of us. First- the bread and butter. Do you know how many restaurants screw this one up? The bread at La Minette was some of the best table bread I have ever had, period. Let me preface this by saying I had no idea this was going to be a three course meal, so I ate the first courses as if they would be my last, which was a mistake. I was so painstakingly full by the end of it! First there were cheese puffs and marinated mushrooms, served with toothpicks. Then were was a divine carrot salad enhanced with citrus, beet salad and a ham and cheese quiche. Seems like lunch, no? Little did I know it would be followed by a scalloped potato tart, perfectly sauteed string beans, and roasted chicken that fell from the bone. Dessert was chocolate cake with strawberry sorbert- my mouth is watering at the thought of it. Everything. Was. Delicious. I hope and pray I have the opportunity to eat at Bistrot La Minette again!
(5)Karim N.
One of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. I came here in a group of 4 during restaurant week and was just blown away. A very memorable evening. The appetizers were probably my favorite part of the meal, especially the escargot and fishermans style poached egg with taragon cream, which was so wonderfully simple and complex at the same time.The foie gras was solid, but a little boring. The main courses did not disappoint. I had the beef cheek bourginon, my friend had the duck confit with white beans. It was all spectacular. The wine list was solid too. The ambience was friendly and romantic, but not stuffy. Definitely the best bistrot style French food in Philly as far as I can tell.
(5)Owen R.
Bistrot La Minette wears many hats - it can be neighborhood bistro or a romantic date spot. A thoughtfully curated wine list is coupled with professional table tending to form a foundation for a memorable meal. Mussels with a tarragon crème sauce is totally evocative of a French fisherman's lunch. While the rabbit with tagliatelle gets the word of mouth headlines, there are other choices to consider like duck, beef cheeks or lamb shank. Cozy - and stylish with a pressed tin ceiling and rouge baguette seating. Seating hint: there are two (2) top tables in the front window and one slightly larger in the other window. The bread is made in house which means its warm and spectacular - try not to spoil your dinner.
(4)Sarah W.
This is literally my favorite restaurant in the city! The service is always impeccable, and I've never had a bad dish here! Even though everything on the menu is good, I secretly come here for the bread. It's warm and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I could eat an entire baguette easily! The food is so high quality, but the atmosphere is casual and homey, which makes it an easy go-to restaurant for special occasions and Wednesday night dinners alike. Love love love!
(5)Nicole L.
Bistrot La Minette will remain in my memories even when I move out of Philly - it's the kind of place you wish you could take along with you from city to city. We came here in September for my husband's birthday on the recommendation of a friend who couldn't stop raving about the restaurant. So it was me, hubs and his best friend - and we left completely amazed by the experience. First of all, the restaurant has that old charm French feel without being snobby. We were dressed pretty nicely for the occasion, but people were coming in with athletic gear and were completely at home. The ambient music was French jazz, muted enough to add to the atmosphere but not loud enough that it hurt the conversation. We were seated a couple of tables away from the open kitchen. Some people are put off by open kitchens, but we're foodies and we love watching people cook. Our server was lovely and had many helpful recommendations about the wine list and the menu. The kir royale I ordered was what I expected it to be - crisp and bubbly without being overly sweet. Hubs and best friend shared a bottle of wine recommended to us and loved it. Another server came around and served us a little amuse bouche - a parmesan puff - which was complimentary and just delicious. The escargot (a personal favourite) was delightful and came served in nine individual tiny pots topped with a flat crouton. I had the duck topped with seared foie gras and fingerling potatoes - a little on the rich side, but what do you expect with seared duck and more duck on top? Hubs stopped talking as soon as his steak frites arrived - the look of intent concentration on his face was almost hilarious. Hubs' best friend had the pork chop with haricots vert, which he was initially hesitant with, but was utterly satisfied. And let's just say that dessert was out of this world. The opera cake. Enough said. We tried the clatoufis too but it didn't hold a candle to that opera cake. I didn't even mind the street parking or the difficulty of finding it on a Saturday night near South Street - it's completely worth the hassle. Go there, enjoy the experience, hold it tight in your memories.
(5)Sara B.
went here last night for the movie night, had great food, great setting, great movie and out of this world service :) It started to drizzle before the movie was set to start so we went and sat inside, but then our waiter (who knew I was really excited for the movie) came over and let us know it had stopped drizzling and he would be happy to move us back outside and set up the movie (even if we were the only ones out there) - we went back out and some other tables did too - a lovely, romantic evening. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Kenneth F.
All i can say is those mussels are Ah-may-zing! I wish I could upload the pictures but they came out too dark to be useful damnnnnn it. Came here for the special priced menu on Sunday for $35. While not the cheapest meal, compared to the normal a la carte prices - what a steal! There is also house wine which is very well priced if you want to get some drink on without breaking the bank. Go check it out! There is also a courtyard in the back which opens up when the weather is nice so keep that in mind when spring and summer come up!
(5)Kathleen D.
I love having Bistrot la Minette in my neighborhood. I love that it's down the street, making the block even more adorable.Though tonight...tonight, trudging home in the rain, the sight of it made my face twist into a bitter wince. "Look at them in there, clinking wine glasses. I bet those bastards are eating Flammenkuche." That's a delicious. Alsatian style "pizza." Think about caramelized onions, lardons, creme fraiche. Think about it and weep. I'm not a jealous person, except for people's meals. Seriously, that's the only thing. I tried to stop myself from dwelling on the fact that while some are enjoying delectable, plump escargots tonight, I am not. I shivered in the rain like some urchin-wretch-thing, and peered up into the windows as I passed by. I reminded myself that I owe Bistrot La Minette more than a few good reviews. I love the special menu prix fixes, presented like "a visit to." We've enjoyed a night in the Basque country last year, and then a trip to Alsace Lorraine, to name a couple. $35 or 50 with wine pairings, and it's a swell deal if you're askin me. The wine pairings have been excellent in our experiences. I learned that I love gewurztraminer, who knew? I know what you're thinking about me. "It's not like it was a long shot. It's booze, ain't it, sister?" I'll remind you that I have refined taste. And I learned how to pronounce "gewurztraminer." Anyway, I definitely recommend the French regional dinners for sure. The food is delicious and beautifully prepared. I already mentioned how I nearly flew into a jealous rage at the thought of the Alsatian pizza and the wonderful, buttery snails. Now and then we'll just stop in for those two appetizers and a drink or two. I can recommend the duck breast with blood orange gastrique. Same for the Lapin Roti a la Moutarde. Dijon mustard braised rabbit, you were the first bunny that I've ever bitten. I love the atmosphere, the decor... It's feels super French and special, yet comfortable neighborhood-place all at once. Dig the long red banquette that runs the length of the dining room. I dig that my husband always lets me sit on that side! I think that the streetlight bulbed chandeliers are so cool. Outdoor seating in the warmer months is pretty lovely. OH and speaking of lovely, and warmer months- Bistrot La Minette plays French films- a dinner and French film al fresco. It's pretty nice. It's something to sigh about. Ahhhhh.... There's a lot to love about this place; lotsa stuff happening, events highlighting wonderfully authentic French foods... Bistrot La Minette, you're a good restaurant-neighbor. Many times we'll be leaving after a meal and I'll begin to hum a medley of Edith Piaf tunes as I float home...not because any of the songs played in the restaurant. Not at all cause they didn't. I just grew up watching cartoons, and that's what cartoons do they when they're feeling swoony in France.
(4)K. A.
Outstanding in every way. Peter Woolsey and his sous chefs are simply inspired. They have a seasonal menu that becomes "Provencale" in the summer, which I haven't tried yet, but for which I can assuredly be counted on to return. This place is unpretentious, yet measures up to the absolute highest standards of cuisine as set by the likes of Alice Waters, Georges Perrier and Fernand Point, and it's all right here in Philadelphia! If this place were in any other city, you would need to make reservations a month in advance. The location is a little off the beaten path, with a frowsy exterior. Once inside, however, you enter a different world- one of civility and charm, with a bit of a thrift shop/antiquaire feeling, with art and objects arranged in a very personal way, as one might have at home. It is all very personal and intimate. Including the service. You feel special. You are special. And if you bring a date here, do not do so lightly, because you may end up getting married afterward, confusing your feelings for the person with your feelings for the food. It's that good. La Minette proves that you don't need "location" and you don't need marketing glitz, or some clever "theme" (a la Parc) to make a great restaurant. You need one thing: passion. And you need to know how to cook. Woolsey, you can be proud of what you have done. My new favorite in Philadelphia. La Minette: seductive mistress to my long time companion Rouge.
(5)Mary M.
This is perhaps my favorite restaurant to go with my boyfriend on a special occasion or date night. I find the warm classic French decor very romantic. The last time we visited the restaurant was for their 2 year anniversary in which they offered 4 courses for $22 (pre fixe menu), the escargots appetizer was the star of that meal. Their menu changes frequently based on what is in season. They also do special pre-fixe dinner nights such at the one mentioned above, usually focusing on a region of France. I highly recommend the pitcher of house white wine; it is traditional French white table wine that tastes divine and a sweet price ($12 for small pitcher). I've never had anything on the menu that I didn't like. The dijon-braised rabbit is a stand-out entree. I have yet to dine in the courtyard out back but with the Fall officially here I will be waiting until next year. That doesn't mean I won't be back before then. Get a little dressed up and make the night special - this place is the perfect back-drop for it!
(5)Peter S.
Consistently wonderful across the board with food service and atmosphere.
(5)Vincent F.
For my money this is the best French in Philadelphia. I only put 4 stars since I don't know shit about French food so I can't say this is really the best in the city. However, I love it there. The food is tasty, the ambiance is awesome and the service is perfect. I would totally go back again.
(4)Ashley G.
I have to say I really love this place. It's so charming, the food was delicious, definitely pricey but a great spot for that special occasion dinner or a "not so often" date night. We split the escargot and the mushroom puff pastry appetizer, both were incredible, so flavorful, and good portions. We each had a cocktail (the cocktail Normand was like candied apples in a glass, the other one I had was a black currant liqueur with rye, it was very strong but I enjoyed it) For main course I had the rabbit which was very good but I must say the star of the night were the beef cheeks, they were excellent. The dessert hands down get the puff pastry with raspberries it was like heaven on a plate..we got some complimentary after dinner drinks because we were celebrating a birthday, and these delicious chocolate truffles that melt in your mouth. The waiter was fantastic, overall a beautiful evening I highly recommend this place!
(5)A E.
I eat a lot, and sometimes I get complacent. This place completely rocked that to its core. Every time someone tells me that I'm being too nitpicky, I will reference them to this place because excellence was seen all around. I went for brunch, and it was the best one I can remember. The bread was fresh baked, and by that I don't mean that it had been baked that morning. I mean that they told me that I had to wait a little because the delicious crusty bread was still cooling and was still hot when they brought it out to me. The coffee was a delicious dark roast that somehow wasn't too bitter. And that's not even counting what I ordered. I heartily recommend the prix fix menu for brunch, as it lets you have three courses for $25. Considering that' above the cost of a few two course combos it's not too much of a stretch to go for three. I can't find what I had for my first course on their online menu, but it was a piece of toast topped with creamy cheese, figs, more cheese, greens and balsamic vinegar. It wasn't a perfect dish, but the flavor all stacked pretty well together and I was happy. And then the duck arrived and knocked me out of the park. Seriously, this one is an absolute knockout. I could not think of a single thing that anyone, ANYONE could have done to improve this dish. The duck meat was perfectly cooked: tender and juicy and covered in a decadently crisp skin, giving it an additional textural layer along with the intense savory flavor. My mouth is watering just writing about it. The potatoes were...well, not just cubed, but rounded at the edges and soaked up all the juices while still maintaining their own flavor. The hert covert was at just the right texture, and their flavor was subtle but enjoyable...and this is from someone who doesn't *like* green beans. To finish off, I had the tarte tatin. The bottom layer was crisp, even under the layer of apples and ice cream, even when they started to ooze as I broke it open. It sucked up the fruit juice and cream, letting me savor every bit of it. If I had to make one nitpicky thing, it's that food took a while coming out. Now, I don't mind waiting as long as I did for such high quality fare but the floor was pretty quiet when I walked in, with only two other tables. It could be that they were still ramping up for the main onslaught, but it still took me awhile to complete the experience. If you are in a rush...don't be. Cancel or postpone what you had planned, so you can sit back and enjoy this.
(5)William K.
Le Bec-Who? We had reservations on Saturday night at 8:30 for our 9 year anniversary. We arrived about 10 minutes late due to the weather and parking. As we entered the restaurant we were greeted by the host who offered to take our jackets and umbrella. He also checked on our table which was ready after 5 minutes. The seating was very cramped where we were sitting, but it was expected by the pictures I have seen on Yelp. Our waiter came over swiftly to greet us and take our drink order. This is what we had: First Course: Œuf du Pêcheur Fisherman's-style poached egg, mussels, tarragon cream sauce The mussels were cooked perfectly. The cream sauce was very tasty with hints of tarragon that wasn't over powering the dish. The poached egg brought the dish to a whole new level of flavor! Loved it and the waiter told me it was his favorite first course dish. (Special) Pork,Veal, Foie Gras, in a puff pastry. The special wasn't very exciting to me at all. The waiter described it pretty good. Since my fiancee and I have never had Foie Gras she decided to go for it. It was a cold dish which was surprising. It was exactly what it was described as. Nothing more, nothing less. Oh and it came with a jar of pickles that my fiancée had a had time stabbing with a fork. lol Main Course: Magret de Canard à l'Orange Sanguine Pan-roasted duck breast, blood orange gastrique, orange peel confit, potato confit, broccolini My Pan-roasted duck was excellent! The duck I did feel was slightly over cooked. However, the sauce was so so good. The dish is a texture and flavorful master piece. I could eat that again and again. Pavé de Saumon Poché à la Graisse de Canard Duck fat-poached salmon, duchess potatoes, spinach, mushrooms, beurre blanc Fiancee: The salmon was also recommend by our waiter as the best dish in the main course entrees. He hit the nail on the head again. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The flavors all came together to make a very delicate and juicy piece of fish. The salmon literally melted in my mouth. If she doesn't get that next time we go back, I will! Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises Carmelized puff pastry, vanilla pastry cream, raspberries Another recommendation from our waiter! How could I not go with what he suggested? I did not reget it either. This dessert topped the meal off beautifully. The puff pastry was delicate, crunchy, and flakey. The berries were fresh and the vanilla cream wasn't heavy. Gateau l'Opéra Multi-layered almond sponge cake, chocolate ganache, coffee butter cream, crème Chantilly This was just a second thought to the first desert. (Forgettable) So I took a star off for my duck being slightly over cooked. Also because of the special first course dish that wasn't so special. With that said, my fiancee and I had a phenomenal experience at Bistrot La Minette. The salmon was superb, the mussels were extraordinary, and the mille feuille left us wanting more. Good food, good service, and most of all good food!
(4)Jenna S.
I was tuned in to this place by the American Association of Teachers of French. They had a large conference dinner here, which my mom and I decided to skip and make our own reservation. I made my reservation through Yelp which was awesome and worked out splendidly - I received an e-mail conversation and La Minette had all of my information when we arrived. The atmosphere is very décontracté, which appeals to me. The feel is casual with a bit of elegance, so you feel like you're not just in a regular old streetside café. There aren't tons of tables, so this place could get crowded quickly, but in a good way. We started our meal with two appetizers - a fresh tomato salad and the Vol-au-Vont, which was a puff pastry filled with lobster and vegetables. Both tasted fresh and and the lobster in the vol-au-vont was delicious. They split the tomato salad for us onto two plates so we didn't have to have an awkward serving situation, which was much appreciated. My mom decided on the Cote de Porc Roti and loved it. She said the pork was cooked wonderfully and the sides were nice compliments. I decided to go with the Poulet aux Noisettes et Champignons Sauvages, which was only OK. I wasn't impressed with all of the fatty pieces of dark meat and my chicken was highly undercooked. I almost sent it back, but decided to just skip eating the wing, which was the most undercooked. It's a little weird that chicken can even come out pink in the middle, but check when you get yours so you can send it back if it's underdone. The mushrooms were good, though, and added a nice smoky compliment to the breast meat. My mom had one of their seasonal cocktails for her drink and enjoyed it, though she would have preferred it be sweeter. I opted for a nice Merlot and I thought it complimented the entire meal well. They had nice choices for dessert, but we opted to find something else on South St. Very friendly staff and the service is quick enough. Our waiter spoke French, which was a plus, as it added to my dining experience (it's nice being able to speak with someone). The bathrooms are a bit uncomfortable for Americans who aren't used to sharing a sink area with the opposite sex, so prepare yourself. Overall, a very nice restaurant and I highly recommend for an authentic French bistrot experience.
(4)Briana R.
Took my husband here for his birthday. If you are just a couple try to snag the solo table right to the left when you walk in by the windows it is so intimate. The service was fantastic. We has scallops and the pecheur, which was mussels on toast with poached egg and the sauce for this was incredible. We had the rabbit and duck for entrees. GET THE RABBIT!!!!! Mustard braised and delectable. Then for dessert the chocolate pot de creme! Cannot do it justice, definitely go for exquisite French cuisine!
(5)Karin R.
I echo all of the praise in the four and 5 start ratings. I would simply like to add a note about how dog-friendly they are. It is so nice to be able to sit outside with your dog away from the sidewalk.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Absolutely a dream. Came here for a low-key bachelorette party dinner. Waiter was charming and helpful, food was amazing, and the outdoor seating was perfect. It started to rain and they had a table inside waiting for us. I still crave that foie, despite having it many times before. I would also highly recommend the duck.
(5)Lan G.
My boyfriend and I went there for one of their movie nights on Friday. How can you not feel relaxed watching a good french movie, drinking wine and eating some good dessert? I was able to make a reservation for their outdoor garden area where they play the movie. It is a very cute place with lights hanging between the walls. We have had dinner beforehand, so we decided to go with wine, appetizer and dessert. We had Pinot Noir and shared the sardine appetizer. I enjoyed the appetizer. The flavor is very clean and simple, but you can taste the sardine very well. The Pinot Noir is on a lighter side. For dessert, I got the opera cake. It was heavenly! We couldn't resist but noticed how wonderful the food smelled from the table next to us. We will have to come back here again for their entrees.
(5)Ray L.
Love this place! The service is really great here. Friendly servers and very attentive. I've been here twice, both for the movie nights (which I highly recommend). Both times I've had truly great food accompanied by truly great service. The best part is, I think this place is reasonably priced. It's not exactly cheap in that you can go here all the time, but given the quality of the food, I'd have to say I can't complain. I had the roasted half Giannone chicken when I last went (about 2 weeks ago). Delicious!
(5)Teri M.
Just to clarify, it's been a year since I ate here for my anniversary dinner, but my memory of the place still stings. I remember the foie gras was pretty damn good. The experience of having chartreuse with my meal was amazing as well. The escargot was my first experience and I told the waiter it tasted like...well....dirt. He could not argue, of course, because even if you say it tastes "earthy" and of "minerals" it basically means the same thing. Unfortunately, I was unpleasantly surprised when my entree came because my fish was REALLY salty. When I told the waiter he took my plate and came back to tell me the chef tasted it and he didn't think it was salty at all. The waiter then told me the chef wanted me to pay the check and leave. I was mortified and totally freaked out. The waiter laughed and said it was just a joke. This was SO not funny. It was actually my first experience with "fancy French cuisine" and here, on my special trying-French-for-the-first-time anniversary dinner, I was so freaked out I went to the bathroom and sobbed for 5 minutes under the influence of a horrible sense of humor and chartreuse before I could calm myself down and finish my dining experience. Needless to say, I will not ever be back. What a shame, most of the food was pretty wonderful.
(3)Jac C.
A wonderful little French place that was surprisingly crowded and a bit on the loud side. The food was fantastic! Escargot was spot on, the fish course I had was somewhat over salted, which made the following course seem under salted, but besides that, dinner and desert was excellent!
(4)Sara M.
Most often, when restaurants receive the grandeur of rave reviews such as Bistrot La Minette, I am set up for disappointment. Thankfully, this was not the case for my dinner last night. The ambiance of the restaurant is very authentically French-bistro, without trying too hard as some restaurants do. The restaurant is set on 6th street just off of South. The sophisticated crowd is casually elegant. For a Saturday night at 7:30, I was surprised at how few people were there. Summer in the city means most city-folk head to the beach, but I was still unprepared to see all of the empty tables after reading so many good things. It did begin to pick up after 9:00. They have a lovely outdoor dining area in the front where we chose to sit and enjoy the beautiful evening last night. The area can be tricky for the wait staff to navigate and the tables are a bit too small to accommodate the large plates that the restaurants use, bit I still recommend it if you are there earlier in the night. If you are dining past 9, I would skip it. The location is unfortunately right in the outcast of the assiduous South Street nightlife, and the colorful, noisy passersby don't quite fit with the scene at Bistrot La Minette. My husband and I started our meal with two of their Kir Royales, along with the Bouchees a la Reine puff pastry appetizer and the Heirloom Tomato salad. The mushroom puff pastry appetizer is not to be missed (!!) while the heirloom tomato was only so-so. For our entrees, I chose the very unadventurous yet quite delicious Charlotte au Morbier (cheese bread pudding) while my husband couldn't pass on the Steak au Poivre. My entree was quite good, though it was fairly small and I felt it could have used more than a couple of small beets on the side. Perhaps I could have ordered one of their gratins or haricot verts as a side dish, but in all honesty, the cheesy pastry was rich enough to sustain me. My husbands steak was crusted in crushed peppercorns and pan-seared to perfection. We had angel food cake waiting for us at home, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to try one of their desserts after dinner had been so good. The hubby and I shared the Mille Feuille with raspberries which was so incredible, I had to fight the urge not to take the whole plate and lick it clean. Our server was amiable, but at times scarce. This could be because the outdoor seating area is somewhat undesignated and we may have been an addition to his full load, but we waited for 15 minutes before we could even put a drink order in. Our final bill for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 3 drinks, and dessert- without tax and tip- came to just under $130. Though the portions were a bit small, it was the perfect amount of food and well worth every cent. I cannot wait to go back and try many of the other items on the menu that sounded so tempting (but will definitely have the mushroom puff pastry appetizer again!).
(5)J K.
I almost thought I was in France at Bistrot La Minette! This is a truly authentic French bistro located just a few steps off of South Street. Enjoyed the prix fixe beaujolais nouveau dinner, which was a bargain at $45 per person including a bottle of wine for two! The meal and wine were both delicious! Will be back to sample more of the menu. Highly recommend!
(4)Frank F.
Solid, solid, solid. Very good French bistro food. The classics. Good service, good food, great ambiance. The bread was really excellent.
(4)Tyler R.
Bistrot La Minette is a charming place with wonderful food, drink and staff. I would give the place 5 stars, but 1) we didn't eat a main course (though the food smelled amazing), 2) they didn't give our table bread (there were people who ordered less than we did and got bread even though our server promised it was coming out of the oven), and 3) I was overcharged on a glass of wine ($11 instead of $9). My girlfriend and I came here to watch a French movie, eat some light bites (sardine appetizer), and enjoy wine with dessert (pinot noir and malbec with opera cake and tart tatin). First, the sardine fillets were lovely, though a little small. They are paired with roasted red peppers. It was tasty and well worth ordering. The opera cake was also delicious and paired nicely with the pinot noir. The tart tatin (baked apple tart) was good, but it wasn't constructed well. I don't know if it sat too long, but my ice cream melted onto the plate by the time I could take my first bite. It was mostly a hard-to-eat apple tart with a puddle of vanilla ice cream. Could have been executed better, or I just might not know tart tatin-- both are very valid. I will be going back to Bistrot La Minette, and I will update this review. Until then, I would definitely suggest going for a date, for good food, or for the experience.
(4)Scott H.
Such a charming spot--feels very authentic and transports you to Paris. Excellent food and wine selections, great atmosphere and service, and an incredible selection of Calvados for an after dinner drink.
(5)ADL A.
First, my husband and I are as picky as they come. We enjoy when food needs no seasoning to melt in your mouth. That being said, I had originally planned our trip here on movie night ( Mondays and Thursdays at 8pm) however since Southwark was closed, and we couldn't find Salt and Pepper, we decided to make it a special night. Not only do they have a magnificent selection of drinks, but the servers were knowledgeable and attentive and before even asking have told you their favorites. We started with the tomato salad, which was just as sweet and light as fine summers day. After a class of 5$ French bier - tasty but I would have liked to try one of the champagne drinks if I had a time machine - I ordered the Alaskan halibut with haricot verts and fingerling potatoes which, along with being presented naturally, tasted as mouth watering as it looked. We were presented with, at different points in our meal, little palette stimulator's - cheese puffed pastry on one occasion and homemade chocolate pieces on another - both were just right. The dessert is to die for. Whether you. Choose the cake or the ice cream - don't skip this one because you are too full. The atmosphere reminded me of a similar Bistrot Saint Michael's S
(5)Stella H.
I went for their 3 year anniversary and recently went back and both times were fantastic. The food is rich and delicious, their wine/beer selection is a nice complement and the servers are very attentative and courteous. Must get the mussels with poached egg appetitizer, it is amazing!!!
(4)Theresa W.
Charming, YUM, and so so reasonably priced. The place almost borders on cliche, but the inside really does look and feel like a little family run bistro in the French countryside. I came for lunch with two others on a Saturday and the restaurant had a few tables filled but wasn't that busy. Our server, who was the server for all the tables was welcoming, polite, and knew his way around the wine list and the menu. I had the apple-y cinnamon-y cocktail which was just ok, but they also had cider! The menu offers both prix fixe (2 and 3 courses) and a la carte options. It's easy to have a nice meal for under $20 not counting drinks, and there's no need to stick with the prix fixe for budget purposes. We all tasted each other's dishes and the standouts were the rich escargot, my delicious duck confit with crispy crackling skin, and the chocolate mousse. It wasn't the best duck confit I've ever had but it was well done. The chocolate mousse was extremely decadent--I definitely had no hope of finishing it. We also sampled their seasonal sorbets, which were refreshing and really captured the flavors of the fruits used. Blackcurrant was my favorite.
(4)AB H.
We had a lovely light French dinner at BLM! We liked sitting outside on a summer evening. The night started with an amuse bouche of cheese puffs, which were lovely, albeit a bit salty. My kir royal was delicious, not too sweet! We had the mushrooms and puff pastry, which was very rich and yummy. We sopped up the extra sauce with the fresh French bread the kitchen makes daily. Next up was the tomato tart, which was tangy and creamy, and fresh green salad. We tried the three sorbets, of which two were just OK (peach and currant) and an amazing scoop of strawberry. To top it all off, the waiter brought us complimentary small glasses of the French version of port. What a great way to end a classic meal. I look forward to coming back and trying more dishes.
(4)Jessica H.
I went on a Tuesday evening, reservation at 7:30 p.m. If you want a filled restaurant but moderate energy, this is the time to go. I read that it gets very energetic but I enjoyed the moderate energy that evening. Can I just say one word? Damn. Okay, I can't contain it to one word. We ordered four appetizers - ranked from least to greatest **Bouchées à la Reine aux Champignons Sauvages (mushrooms - sooo good but slightly salty) **Coquilles St. Jacques aux Endives Braisées (scallops - staple appetizer, very good) **Œuf du Pêcheur - Mussels with poached egg on bread, amazing. Simply amazing. **Terrine de Foie Gras - I had dreams about it that night. I went to Paris recently and the Foie Gras there was not as good as the one I had Bistrot Minette. But this is for people who like Foie Gras- not everyone likes Foie Gras. It was paired with figs, my gawwwwwwd. Sooooooooo gooooooood!! I had rabbit for my entree. IT was good but I couldn't get the foie gras out of my mind. It was tender and not gamey. It's heavy dish. My friend got the lamb and duck confit - very heavy food, but lamb was crispy and good. My other friend got the porgy - it's fish...it's very light and crispy. It was really good too. But I think kudos goes towards the appetizers. I would go back and just order like 10 appetizers. Dessert was good. Interesting sorbet flavors.
(5)Bob F.
The host cancelled my reservation when I told him I made it on opentable. He said that the restaurant gets charged $7 per reservation. Apparently my $120 tab for dessert and drinks wasn't enough to cover their loss. My sole reason for choosing this place was the fact that I could make a reservation with opentable last minute. Guess who's not coming back? Oh not to mention, that I ordered a glass of absinthe and louched it to my particular taste. Apparently, the waitstaff did not approve of the way I like to pour ice water over the intact sugar cube and decided to interrupt me and crush the cube on my spoon. No offense, but if you're not drinking it and not paying for it, back off. The service at this place is Appalling. Had I not been with my girlfriend and her mother, I would have went across the street for better service.
(1)benjamin J.
Im too drunk and full to write a whole book about it. But, The poached egg appetizer on toasted bread and creamy muscles on top, I cannot stop thinking about it. So good. The escargot was also amazing, little shot filled with garlic and butter. I was cleaning em out with bits of bread. Drinks, tartare, rabbit, duck, quail, were all great. This place is dope and is not overly priced.
(5)Suzanne H.
A slice of France right here in Philly! Enjoyed the French Classic comfort dishes ; cassoulet , Beef Bourguignon and escargot. The place is cozy and un pretentious. Service was professional and helpful. I felt the food was prepared nicely however a little heavy handed on the salt.
(4)Ann V.
Went here last night for their anniversary celebration. The food here is quite wonderful! The staff was also very attentive and friendly. Definitely a nice addition to the city. I hope they have many more anniv to come!
(4)Dave B.
Wow. Wow. WOW! Only thing better than a fantastic meal is one in which you get paid to do so (went on Small Business Saturday). From the decor to the meal to the service, this is a terrific restaurant worthy of your business. The restaurant is small but has ample seating, which is a little crowded on the right side of the room. Adjacent conversations can be easily ignored unless your neighbors have no manners. Our waiter was attentive to our needs. The dinner was staggered perfectly, beginning with french bread and very rich butter. Like the rest of the meal, the bread was fabulous. My meal consisted of the foie gras terrine and NY strip steak with a cappuccino and black coffee. My date's meal was an endives salad and trout with a half-pitcher of their house white wine. We split the apple tart with caramel ice cream. I tried everything we had except for the wine, so I feel comfortable commenting on everything. The foie gras is a terrine on a small brioche with a fig compote and salad. The salad was so-so. But the flavors of the terrine, fig and brioche compliment each other PERFECTLY. The terrine is fairly large in size. So large I almost wish it were smaller. Almost. The endives salad is topped with walnuts, pears, blue cheese and a vinaigrette dressing. Very nice. Especially the blue cheese. The NY strip is a hearty 8oz portion with a thick peppered crust. It comes with potatoes done au gratin and haricot verts wrapped in bacon. All wonderful components and very filling. The trout was a bit under seasoned, but overall it was a good dish. The apple tart left me happy that we decided to get dessert. The meal was finished with two chocolate truffles. A very nice touch. My cappuccino ranks among the best I've had at a restaurant. However the coffee tasted very watered down. I'm not going to knock down a 5-star meal for that though. The meal ran us a very reasonable $115 before tip. This is definitely a place I will grab dinner at again next time I'm in Philly.
(5)Kara T.
Had a wonderful meal here. French atmosphere and attentive, fast service (which maybe isn't so French but was nice). Had wonderful scallop appetizer and the mushroom puff pastry (scallops won as being the better of the 2 but both were excellent). The fish we ordered for the main course was good but not excellent. However, the rabbit was divine, in a lightly creamed dijon sauce. (Despite how barbaric I sometimes feel consuming "Thumper" I do have a fondness for rabbit, which is rarely on menus). The mille-feuille dessert with raspberries was amazingly good. I left feeling like all my taste sensations had been satisfied with a very pleasant food buzz. Only downside was that tables were waaay to close together. I'm relatively fit and I could barely squeeze my butt into the banquet without sliding it across the neighboring table, which surely can't be up to health code standards, not to mention is rather unpleasant for all involved. Although they didn't overtly rush us, there was a sense that diners are moved in and out on a schedule to allow for the next reservations. We were not offered a coffee refill, which was the only service disappointment. Staff were attentive, knowledgeable about the food, and welcoming from the GM out front helping us with on-street parking to all the waitstaff. We'll be back!
(4)Clara L.
I could easily say this was one of the best meals in Philadelphia. Move over Garces and Vetri. Here is Woolsey. Chef Woolsey has the mark of a great chef: the ability to bring out the best flavor of each ingredient of his dishes, while combining them to create depths of flavor that are greater than the sum of their parts. It is clear that he loves and respects his food, and wants to share that with his customers. Took advantage of the October tasting menu inspired by Burgundy. Absolutely wonderful dining experience. We had 4 courses for $35 without wine, and $50 with wine.. which is a steal! Of course I got the wine pairing. The food was rustic, fresh, seasonal, and effortless. The wine pairings accentuated the food perfectly, and added even more dimension to the food. I love wine, but I admit I am not an expert, and I'm not going to even pretend to remember what I wine I drank. The service was attentive and extremely thoughtful. I had to leave to refill the meter in between courses because my party had started the meal later than intended. Thanks to the servers, and my gracious party, who actually took back the 3rd course and replated it when I arrived. Bread clearly was baked on site and is crusty and yeasty goodness. The amuse bouche was a cheese puff. Delish. (I forget what they called it. Clearly, my knowledge of French cuisine is severely lacking.) The first course was a ham terrine served with a salad with a spicy mustard dressing. Surprisingly, I was more impressed with the salad than the terrine. The 2nd course was braised eel served with pearl onion, mushroom and a burgundy reduction. I'm used to eating eel served Japanese style, so this was an interesting experience. Because the sauce is not as sweet as the Japanese eel sauce, it brought out more of the fishiness. The onion, mushroom, and sauce were awesome on their own, but complemented and balanced the eel very well. The next was a sausage stew with potatoes, onion, and carrots. Again each element was cooked separately so the potato still tasted like a potato. It was served with a very fine homemade mustard sauce on the side. Tastes like something a grandma from Burgundy might serve. (Luckily, I like mustard, but the one drawback to the meal was that it had 2 courses with it for those who don't.) The dessert was an apple tart with cranberry sorbet. yum! But, when you go here you MUST MUST order the Raspberry Napoleon which was the SINGLE MOST SCRUMPTIOUS dessert I have eaten in this city. It tastes like heaven! We were served complimentary truffles, which were very good. The coffee is fantastic, and I am totally a coffee snob. Definitely cannot wait to go back!
(5)Mike H.
Great French bistro feel. Food was impeccable (App: Escargots à la Bourguignonn, Entree:Mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle, rabbit jus and Faux Filet au Vin Rouge, Dessert: Tarte Tatin Upside-down apple tart, caramel ice cream), Service reminded me of France, i.e. stand-offish, and a little lax, not bad, but not attentive. Slow to the table to start, slow to get us a wine list, had to poor our own water and wine (not a big deal, but not what was expected, did not detract from out enjoyment of the meal or the evening).
(4)Aaliyah P.
The "garden" at BLM is the perfect setting for a quiet nite out. We arrived @ 9:30 for movie nite. The main dining room was still busy with dinner patrons we were led past the open kitchen to the "garden". The ambiance was tre bien; mini lights hung from the ceiling, a few wall and window plants and the exposed brick wall added Philly charm to an old world cafe feel. We were seated along the brick wall every table filled. Out came the warm bread and salted butter- yum! We decided to get a few apps to split- the highly reviewed mussels in cream sauce, grilled sardines and bibb salad. The bibb salad came lightly dressed in a Dijon dressing. The sardines were grilled and came along side some sweet roasted red peppers. The sardines are fileted so bone free. They were exquisite ; char grilled to perfection and still moist. Finally the mussels, creamy tarragon sauce poured over mussels and topped with a poached egg. This dish is a must! I could have licked the plate clean. We washed down our food with a pitcher of white( Chardonnay , I'm usually not a fan but this was unoaked and very drinkable) dessert was just ok I tried something new the strawberry cake with carmel ice cream. It wasn't how I imagined cake to be it was served in a pie like dish and had the consistency of a pancake. Very few strawberries, the Carmel ice cream saved this dish. Finished with an espresso. Our server is always the same person and he always does a great job. I can never remember his name but he ususally works in the garden. I've been to BLM a few times (wine dinner a few months back and movie nights with my girls last summer) all of my experiences have been great. My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the movie posted online was not the movie they played. I and a few others had a sad face on when this was announced. We also never received our amuse bouche, every time I've ever been the chef sends out something small and a few other tables received what looked like a grouges( small French cheese puff ) the dessert wasn't bad but it wasn't the best thing either. A few things- $20.00 pitchers of wine (red or white) movies in the garden are mon, thurs @ 8:30 & fri @ 9:30 make reservations if you want to sit in the garden there aren't very many tables and on nice nites they will be full. Get the mussels (unless ur allergic or vegetarian) Of course I'll be back I'm a francophile in training !
(4)Kathryn S.
Excellent! We have been here several times and it always exceeds our expectations. The food and service are impeccable.
(5)Cliffe C.
Everything was delicious, but the Oeuf du Pecheur (poached egg with mussels and tarragon cream sauce) is not to be missed. Good service too.
(4)Alex V.
We stopped in here for dinner last night and had an excellent meal. The fois grais special was exceptional, and my salmon tartare was very good as well. For our second courses we had the monkfish and the roasted chicken. Both were extremely high quality meals. The service was professional and friendly too. The atmosphere was nice too. Its a beautiful space, but yet you feel comfortable wearing casual clothing. Overall, I can highly recommend Bistrot La Minette.
(5)Josh Q.
A wonderful place with amazing food, atmosphere and service. To start, the bread is one of the best I've had, soft and fluffy sourdough that's lightly crisped on the outside. Both the escargots and mussels and poached egg on toast were delicious appetizers, and happened to be excellent (albeit oily) dips for the bread as well. The main courses I tried were slightly disappointing compared to the rest of the meal - the trout was over salted, while the rabbit was fine but included no vegetables - but they were nevertheless worthy options. Finally, the raspberry puffed pastry dessert was one of top 5 desserts I've had, while the chocolate mousse was no pushover either. The other aspects of the dining experience were excellent as well. I expected a rather stuffy atmosphere when I entered, but it actually turned out quite nice and the service was very attentive and friendly. I happen to drink water very quickly and this is one of the few restaurants where my water never reached empty. Overall, a classic French cuisine that I have no regrets trying and will gladly experience again.
(4)Adonia G.
The best French Restaurant in Philadelphia! Very reasonable prices and have incredible food!
(5)Valerie Y.
Romantic, unpretentious, relaxed, classic French meal. Great menu featuring escargot, foie gras, rabbit, etc...Fantastique!
(5)Bonnie J.
Best French restaurant I've been to in the city. I went here last night with my family and not a single part of the meal was less than fantastic. The meal started off on the right note with a complimentary cheese puff and bread basket. The baguette served before the meal was the best I've had outside of France. We even considered asking for one to go! I ordered the flammekeuche which was great, although perhaps a bit too many lardons--if such a thing is even possible. For my "plat principal" I had the boeuf bourguignon. The beef was perfectly cooked and the pommes dauphine were heaven-sent little puffs. The other people I dined with had the potage parmentier which elicited many praises. The poulet a la catalan was amazing. I normally don't order chicken when I dine out because I find it frequently the blandest option. However, when I tasted this chicken it was moist and abounding in flavor. One person got the prix-fixe menu which was a great value at $29, although the portions were expectedly tiny. Great for someone with a smaller appetite, not the best for my father. We split the haricots verts as an accompaniment which was a nice size to share and was cooked and seasoned to perfection. As far as service, our waiter was very attentive and no one's water glass was ever close to being empty. A slight complaint with the layout of the restaurant was the draft that shot right down the dining room every time someone entered the restaurant. The had a curtain to mitigate this but it still was a bit chilly. Bistrot La Minette is definitely on the expensive side, but when celebrating something special, it definitely didn't break the bank. The meal for 3 people including drinks was a reasonable $160.
(4)Cassie D.
Everything was amazing! As an out of town diner, they were just accommodating as they can be. I had a reservation for a party of 2 and had a additional add on show up and they changed it up for me no problem. We got in and got a table closest to the "kitchen" (which was open and you could watch the chefs work their magic). I had the foie gras mushroom artichoke soup as my app which had truffle oil in it and it just melted in my mouth. The taste was amazing. The only downside is I wish instead of the 1.5 oz of foie was in smaller pieces than one large piece due to it being difficult to cut in a soup bowl. I also had the absinthe lemonade and it was delicious!!! The water was also refilled on a DIME. No delays from Brit/Britton (our server) My dining friend had the salmon tartar which reminded me of a sushi grade salmon tossed in mustard vinaigrette with lentils. It was delicious!!! The entree i got was the duck breast, with asparagus, and potatoes. The duck was cooked perfectly, and OH MAN THOSE POTATOES. They were the BEST potatoes I ever had in my life. They were fingerling and cooked in duck fat. They just exploded in my mouth with flavor! The only downside is that there were no asparagus which I was really hoping to have. Instead it was a bean mix which I don't really care for beans. That was the only reason I gave it a 4. Dessert was the mille feuille and it was perfect. The layers crumbled and tasted delicious. The berries were fresh and creme was amazing. They give you truffles at the end and the server (Britton/Brit) who was amazingggggg and was laid back with us told the chef that we were from out of town they drew "welcome!" on our truffle plate!!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited I almost fell out of my chair. I was super super happy with this dinner and will definitely come back to try the pre fixe menu they have on Sundays if I am ever in Philly again!
(4)Barbara M.
This restaurant is one of my favorite so far!! The service was great, and they gave us home-made pastry and chocolate for free! the waiters were awesome as well. Food is so delicious!!!!! loved the environment =)
(5)Lindsay D.
Everything at this restaurant was perfection. From the atmosphere, to the servers, to the food, my man and I were 100% happy with our experience here. Things not to miss about Bistrot La Minette? The absinthe selection, the mille feuille, and the escargot. Oh right, and the secret, off the menu rum. Hot damn was that shit good.
(5)Justin D.
I, my wife, my sister and brother-in-law had dinner here and had a fantastic evening. All of the food was spectacular. The beef bourguignon was so tender it was like butter, the porkchop was moist and flavorful, and the cassoulet was excellent as well. The standout amongst our appetizers was the poached egg with mussels - the tarragon went far better with the mussel flavor than I would have thought. The house wine was good and very affordable. The service was helpful and informative without being intrusive. We look forward to returning again.
(5)Tim R.
VERY awesome. If you don't already know, GO!
(5)Amy C.
Service was awesome! Steak was really good and had a different taste that's bound to leave an impression. The duck confit was too overcooked and salty, not to mention appears unappealing. Appetizers are appetizing but very tiny dishes that make you feel bad for eating and not leaving enough for the other person. We had creme brulee for the final dessert and it was amazing but by that time we were too stuffed to finish. This is a good place to bring a date as the servers will respect your space and create a romantic atmosphere for couples. Boyfriend and I planning to come back for the steak :).
(4)Duy N.
Went here for my birthday and absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was just perfect. It was a little place that made me feel I was on an alley strip in France somewhere. The food was outstanding. Fresh and simple. My date and I are still trying to find time to come back. Hopefully soon!
(4)Rebecca O.
Excellent bistro. After just returning from Paris, I found Bistrot La Manette on a whim and it was a superior dining experience.
(5)Mike W.
Wow is all I have to say. What an incredible experience. Only shortcoming was the table they tried to put us at first. Right next to the hostess stand. Get rid of that table! Food was phenomenal and service was very good. I will most definitely be back!
(5)christina j.
I am so happy to have discovered during restaurant week. I truly enjoyed sampling the menu from the escargot, to the foie gras and braised beef checks. Everything was delicious including the dessert of caramelized puff pastry with raspberry. I have new appreciation for French food. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Grace T.
Tried this place with my husband for restaurant week and we thought it was really good! First course: Œuf de Pêcheur - I loved this! It had a poached egg on top of toast with a delicious cream sauce. There were 3 mussels in the shell and another 6 on top. Escargots à La Bourguignonne - My husband got esgargot. It was very garlic/ buttery. I had never had esgargot before so not sure how it compares to other places. Main course: Confit de Canard- I got the duck confit and thought it was really good. The skin was nice and crispy. Some bites of the duck seemed slightly dry to me, but all in all a very good dish. Paired nicely with the side of legumes, green beans, and arugula and a lemon-y sauce. Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde - My husband got the rabbit, which I tried a bite. The meat was very tender. It came with a side of pasta. Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises - This dessert was amazing! I'd come back here just to get it again. It had flaky caramelized puff pastry sheets with vanilla cream and raspberries in between. So good!
(5)Julia L.
Came here for my birthday dinner and was pleasantly surprised with the ambience. I'm a sucker for unpretentious French food and Bistrot La Minette is a little taste of Paris in one of Philly's colorful neighborhoods. We were seated by the windows and greeted by our friendly waitress. We started with the escargot and it was delicious. The sauce was buttery and garlicky, but a little on the salty side. Perfect for sopping up the sauce with a piece of bread. The lamb shank was good and so was the braised beef short rib but there was that little something missing for it to be a five star for me. Definitely recommend for a good date night.
(4)Julie W.
Friend and I came here for dinner during Restaurant Week. Nice seating outdoors - small but I preferred this to the interior setup, which was surprisingly (as many have commented) more casual than expected. Service was great and dishes came out with pace. TLDR: get the poached egg with mussels. Here's a breakdown: Appetizers: Œuf de Pêcheur (poached egg, toast, mussels) - egg poached perfectly, seasoning was on point, tarragon sauce was rich and creamy, mussels delicious. Best dish of the night. GET THIS. I'd love to have it for brunch as an entree. Terrine de Foie Gras au Poivre (foie gras pate, grilled peach) - nice chunk of foie gras, smooth, flavored. Entree: Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde (mustard braised rabbit with taglietelle pasta) - I wasn't expecting as strong of a mustard taste (my fault), but the meat was tendered and flavored. May be too salty for some people but I love salt. Confit de Canard (duck confit) - nice crisp on the duck, Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises (caramelized puff pastry, raspberries, pastry cream) - despite being neither a dessert nor raspberry person, I really enjoyed this! It was the perfect balance of sweet and tart, pastry was flaky and caramelized nicely. Verrine de Myrtille et Citron (lemon curd, almond cake, blueberries) - friend got this and it was too tart for me personally; refreshing but would pass.
(4)David T.
I agree with the reviewer who talked about saltiness, but am not sure why that (and the Illy cups?) merit two stars for "La Minette." Maybe the coat check was too cool for her... So it's not the "Best place in Philly" but it's very good. It's some of the most authentic French bistro food you'll get in the US. Yes, some dishes are quite salty, but you'll get that in a nice place in Paris, too. The restaurant has beautifully flavored dishes and excellent drinks. It's expensive; but again, so is just about anywhere in a big city where you have great service and fine dining. So now that I've taken on the Yelpiverse, let me just say that this place is absolutely worth visiting; especially if you're missing your favorite little restaurant by the Seine. I had my own small quibbles (yes, salty, and they should carry classier sparkling water or make their own, and the food took just a little too long to get to us) but it's darn good and you can't go wrong there, which is more than one could say about most places.
(4)Sydney T.
I came here with two friends last night for restaurant week. We came to the agreement that none of us would order the same thing so we could try each other's food and sample everything. The food overall was good. It wasn't mind-blowing like I was expecting it to be but it sure isn't a disappointment. First Course Escargots à La Bourguignonne - This dish's presentation was cute in that they gave you six individual tiny cups but it wasn't anything spectacular. It was flavorful with the herbs and butter however, the snails themselves felt a little firmer than it should have been (overcooked or not properly defrosted?). Although I thought it was okay, the group thought this was the worst of the three dishes. Tartare de Bœuf - This dish has raw beef mixed with various ingredients such as capers, chive, and truffles. It felt very light with a refreshing tang from the lemon dijon vinaigrette. Although it wasn't very memorable since the flavor was fairly subtle, it is a safe choice and hard to go wrong. My friends seems unimpressed with it but I liked quite a lot. Terrine de Foie Gras au Poivre - This was the group favorite. It was very rich with a texture you either love or hate (I loved it). It was served on top bread which felt like it was fried as it was somewhat crunchy yet still easy to slice through with a knife. It also came with a sweet sauce (which I usually don't like) that paired very well with the texture of the foie gras. This is definitely recommended if you want an experience. Main Course Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde - This was a rabbit dish. The meat was cooked really well but the key thing that made the dish was the delicious sauce it came with. It also came with some pasta that paired well with it. The others seemed to like it more than I but it might be because I didn't get to eat a whole lot of it. Daube a la Provençale - These wine braised beef short ribs were very good and went great with the tomatoes. The dish was very rich in flavor and went very nicely with some red wine. However, for such a nice place, this dish just seems too ordinary. You can go to other places to order the same thing. So even though it was great, I would order something else they have that you can't find anywhere else. Confit de Canard - Let me just say that I am not a fan of duck. There's just this certain taste unique to duck that I just don't like. I can still eat it but if you give me a choice of any other type of meat, I will take the other. That said, this dish was awesome! I don't know how they did it but I didn't taste that ducky taste in the meat. Additionally, the skin was crispy so it crunched with the meat as you ate it. This was definitely (and surprisingly) my favorite dish of the three. Dessert Verrine de Myrtille et Citron - If you have a sweet tooth, stay away from this dish. It's not to say that this dish isn't sweet but it was much more tart than sweet. I can't say it was bad but I found the tartness to be a little overpowering and unfortunately we couldn't finish eating this. Gâteau Mousse au Chocolat - Just a chocolate mousse cake. It isn't anything terribly exciting but I love chocolate so I couldn't go wrong with this. Plus there is some hazelnut inside the cake which was fairly subtle and didn't detract from the chocolateyness (is that a word?) of the cake. It is very rich though so a glass of milk would've been awesome with this. Mille Feuille aux Framboises - This was definitely the nicest looking dish of the three. It had flaky pastry with some kind of vanilla cream filling with raspberries scattered throughout. The texture of the pastry and cream worked perfectly together and once you swallowed it, you immediately want to take another bite. As for the rest of the restaurant. The decor was awesome. If felt like a homey French restaurant so you didn't need to dress too fancy for it (although you may feel out of place if you just wore a t-shirt and cargo shorts here). The service could've been better in my opinion. It wasn't as quick as I was expecting it to be and I even had to flag down the waitress a couple times (although the first time was our fault). All in all, I would definitely come back here for a date or even a group of friends as the atmosphere is very inviting to both.
(4)Justin V.
Came here for Restaurant Week in Center City. They were offering a three course, prix fixe menu for $35 which included many items that are on the regular menu so I thought this would be a good opportunity to sample different thing son the menu. Lighting in this restaurant is very dim so pictures didn't come out great. Atmosphere was great, though. Between my roommate and I, we had seven courses, which included a supplemental side dish. The meal began with a side house-made bread and butter, both which were great. We also had gougères sent out by the kitchen which was a nice touch but were nothing too special. Œuf du Pêcheur - Fisherman's style poached egg, toast, mussels, tarragon cream: arguably the best dish of the night. Tasting the mussel alone with tarragon cream was great but after breaking up the perfectly cooked poached egg and mixing everything together, we were both very impressed. 5/5 Escargots à La Bourguignonne - Burgundy snails, garlic herb butter, croutons: I had high expectations for this dish and while it was good, it fell a little short. When I think of eatinting escargots, I think of eating them packed in a shell with a ton of herbs. Here, six (as opposed to the nine normally given) serve it in a little, individual quarter-sized bowl with a ton of butter/oil with very little herb and garlic. The crouton on top of the bowl was a nice touch. 4/5 Truite Meunière - Miller-style trout, green beans, fingerling potatoes, lemon brown butter, almonds: the weakest dish of the night. The trout was a little thin and was over-cooked as well. Texturally, it was too dry and lacked the creamy, flaky body that I'm used to. The fingerling potatoes were a nice addition and were on point. The lemon brown butter was good but may have been overly acidic which was fatiguing on the palette. 3/5 Confit de Canard Sauce Foie Gras - Duck confit, celeriac, carrots, black currants, foie gras sauce, red wine reduction: The duck confit was cooked very well with a crispy skin, though I would have preferred it a little crispier. Flavors were on point and the sweetness from the currants as well as the carrots mingled favorably with the savoriness of the duck. Unfortunately, I didn't get any foie gras flavor from the sauce whatsoever, which was disappointing to say the least. 3.5/5 Gratin de Pâtes Façon - Peggy Macaroni and cheese: The mac and cheese came out piping hot with a crispy exterior. It was exactly what I expected; creamy, luscious, and savory. 4/5 Mille Feuille aux Framboises - Caramelized puff pastry, vanilla pastry cream, raspberries: A must get! Everything was on point on this dish. Textural play between the pastry and cream was perfect. The raspberries added a slightly-sour touch to the dish which made it perfect. 5/5 Glaces et Sorbets - Daily selection of house-made ice creams and sorbets: I got the sorbet and I made a terrible mistake. Should have stuck to a more traditional french dessert as the three scoops I got were nothing to write home about. I'll leave it at that. 2/5 All in all, there is decent value to be had during Restaurant Week (despite some dishes being a little smaller than usual). Our meal totaled $100 for the both of us after tax and tip and most likely would have been around $120-$130 had it not been for the prix fixe menu. I would most definitely come here again!
(4)Mimi L.
Had reservations to this place. Walked in and it was empty. But there was a private party in a private room. Place looks decent. They have a coat check. Pretty cool. Started our order with drinks. Passion green tea. Light aroma and tasted good. My friend got the sparkling lemonade and he said it was "way too sour!" Appetizers: Escargot and Quail. For me the escargot was salty. The quail was great. Well seasoned, accompanied with buttered spinach and some purée. Very tasteful. Presentation was great. Entree: lamb shank was ok. Well balanced. I sampled this from my friends dish. I had the braised beef. Boy, it was horribly salty. My second bite was my last. Dessert: Chocolate Mousse and Puff Pastry. My Puff Pastry was light, airy and crunch. Perfect combination of cream, fresh raspberry, and crispy pastry. The chocolate mousse was good. Coffee ice cream was strong with a nutty crunch. Good also but very rich. Weird, my tea cup is an illy cup which is itailian cafe but we were in a French restaurant. Service was good. Every course their was a change in utensil. Second change my fork had some green stuff in between the sides of the fork. I just grabbed another fork from another table. The entrance did have a heavy round curtain to sustain cold air from coming in. I like this. It's a great idea to keep the breeze from coming in. Hostess was nice. She also coat checked us. This place is on the expensive side. For two we spent $140. Just wish my main entree was not super salty.
(2)A B.
Tremendously inviting space, staff hustling, lots of energy. The bistro fare is deliciously simple and done extremely well. Bravo, Chef Kenny - loved the red socks!
(3)Schmidty W.
A restaurant week success!! I went here with my mom and sister for the first time last night, and I can definitely say that I'll be back. From their restaurant week menu I had the escargot, the duck, and the hazelnut mousse cake for dessert. All of the Portions were perfect and each aspect of my meal tasted amazing!!! Additionally, the decor is very beautiful and french, as it should be since this is a french restaurant, and the wait staff was AMAZING and very attentive, brining us complimentary cheese puffs before our meal and then complimentary chocolates to finish it off. The best part of the whole experience though had to be the absolutely delicious bread! We ate probably three baskets of this stuff, and it's made in house! Unfortunately, they don't have enough to sell, but it's worth it for the bread alone to go to this place, that's how good it is. :D
(5)Rene L.
This place is amazing. We came in late for a drink and Frank the bartender was so amazing. It was closing but he was kind enough to get us a salad, and to make a drink which was great. My girlfriend and I both own businesses in Old City, and decided to return for the amazing salad. We got Frank as a server, and it was AMAZING. The bread off the charts. The desert too good for words. I still dream of it. The scallops the best ever. We are both foodies and just love good restaurants. It is on our list to return and though it is a bit pricey it is worth it for every reason here is!
(5)Phil A.
As I told our server, "like dining in Paris without the ten-hour flight." We could find absolutely no fault with our whole experience. For starters, the service was excellent. There is nothing more that needs to be said about that. First course: Salmon tartare--authentic, fresh and delicious. Mushrooms in cream sauce with puff pastry--to die for. Delicious, rich, flavorful. House-made baguette: about as good as you can get stateside for this sort of thing. Bibb salad--fresh, flavorful, a little too heavy on the dressing, but we forgave since it tasted so wonderful. Main courses: Rabbit--very good. Homemade tagliatelle were a nice touch. Tender and flavorful. Chicken--exceptional. Sauce made with Macvin du Jura was out of this world. Morel mushrooms pushed it over the edge. Chicken was juicy, delectable. Dessert: Gateau Opera was extra rich and decadent. Intense chocolate flavor. Mille feulle aux framboises was delicious, but what really set it off was the quality of the whipped cream--extra rich and delicious. We finished off the evening with Calvados. They also have a nice selection of Armagnac and Cognac, so your digestif needs will be thoroughly attended to. If you enjoy traditional bistro fare such as you might find at Benoit or Allard in Paris, don't miss this one. Outstanding meal!
(5)Kimberly Y.
Bistrot La Minette doesn't look like your average upscale restaurant. It's hard to miss that the lighting is brighter than usual and everything is yellow and red, very red. But I enjoyed the coziness of it. Our server tried to upsell everything (alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks, food, desserts), which worked but got pretty annoying. The kitchen ended up making a pretty bad mistake, but graciously and quickly fixed it. Made me wonder why we had to wait 20 minutes for food if they could whip up my dish again in just 3. My boyfriend and I had just eaten a few hours ago, so we weren't very hungry and just got a main course each. The portions are truly not that large, so don't even try to get away with just one plate for a normal meal. My trout was great, but not spectacular, though I did enjoy all the vegetables that came with it. My boyfriend liked his rabbit, but he almost choked on some small bones a few times. Not sure why it's one of the highest-rated restaurants in Philly, but it's definitely above average for a special occasion.
(4)Vivian T.
One of the best restaurants I've gone to in Philadelphia in such a long time!! I loved it. Romantic, cute, savory and sweet. We had the escargot, beef tartar, lamb shank and the daily special which was New York strip topped w shaved truffle with small potatoes over a bed of spinach. All accompanied with house made baguette which was the best bread ur ever going to get! We finished our date w sharing the creme brûlée and house compliment salted chocolate caramels. Mouth wateringly freaking amazing, great service and lovely ambience. 5 *****
(5)Amanda T.
Love love love this place. I am in love with their homemade bread, which blows all over bread out of the water, and all their small plates. In particular I LOVE the oeuf du pecheur and it is a staple in all my meals here. In fact, I may just order a bunch of oeufs the next time I come as my full meal. Another impressive appetizer is the terrine de food gras. "Grape jelly" is an understatement and it never tasted so good! The main plates are incredibly heavy so if you are not starving they may be difficult to finish. I had le gasconade de jarret d'agneau the most recent time and housed the entire thing because the lamb just fell off the bones and the prunes and cornmeal were the perfect accompaniment to the bold flavor of the meat. Again, not recommended if you had a late lunch... I have to mention the mac & cheese side dish, or "gratin de pates facon peggy." I am a voracious eater of mac & cheese and this ain't my first rodeo. Nonetheless, Bistrot la Minette had the best mac & cheese I have ever had hands down, regardless if you like the potlucky four-real-cheese mac & cheese or the powdery goodness of Kraft's insta-mac. The mac & cheese here will fulfill all your cheesy fantasies. Bistrot definitely did their French culinary magic (technical term) to this basic dish and elevated it to divine.
(5)Mike Z.
We felt like we were somewhere in France at some cafè. Really cool atmosphere and a European feel. The space is really cozy and has really cool French decorations thru out. Our waitress was really friendly and assisted us in making choices. First of all the bread was awesome!! It was so soft and freshly baked. We has escargot to start which was very flavorful. My gf ordered poached eggs with mussels and I had the omelet with herb covered potatoes. We really enjoyed our meals. I really enjoyed the relaxed environment and they really let us sit back and relax without rushing. I look forward to summertime so we can eat outside on their patio. This is a hidden gem.
(5)Sasha O.
Fantastic meal! My boyfriend and I put in a reservation for restaurant week, and it was a brilliant decision. The restaurant upon entering was very beautiful with outdoor tables in addition to a very romantic and classy interior. The bathroom was also very sophisticated and neat in style. As for our service, it was perfect. Our server (his name may have been Andrew but I forgot) was incredibly helpful and polite. He explained the best dishes and was always coming around to refill our water, clean up, and offer more bread (which we ate 2 bins of!). The other waiters were also very helpful and polite! The food was phenomenal. Aside from the tasty homemade bread, we began with the poached egg/mussel dish and the escargot. Both were AMAZING and very unique! Our entres, the duck and the rabbit, were mindblowing, as well. I preferred the rabbit, which was perfectly tender and was coated with a delicious sauce with a side of pasta. The duck was crispy and delicious, but less of a standout to me. My boyfriend preferred this, so to each his own! The desserts, the raspberry cream dish and the chocolate cake, were perfect. They even served us chocolates upon leaving. One thing that really stands out is that we did not feel rushed. This was a welcome change to be able to sit and enjoy our meals and allow time to digest without feeling the staff pushing you out. Incredible restaurant and I would certainly return!
(5)D. B.
This was by far one of the best meals I ever had in Philly. From the great service. The very reasonable prices and the quality of the food it was a great experience. Every bite was a delight. From the escargot to the main course. it was prepared expertly. I had the trout which was crispy, melt in your mouth with fingerling potatoes like no others. The pork chop my partner had was the tastiest ever. The prices were incredible for the meal and cant wait to go again. this truly is a not to be missed restaurant in the city. Ate outside on the deck and it was perfect. We had 3 courses with drinks. They have a happy hour during the week and it made it even a better value but would pay full price for this meal. Our favorite was the fountain restaurant at the four seasons but now its this restaurant. sorry to see the fountain go but love Bistro.
(5)Lin Z.
Amazing classic French cuisine. And very nice service. I had the oeuf du pecheur for the first course, and truite meuniere for the main course, and almond cake for dessert. Superb! My friend had escargots for the first course, and mustard-braised rabbit for the main course, and mille meuille aux framboises for dessert. We also got Swiss chard as accompagnement. Very creamy! Best French food I've had so far. Highly recommended!
(5)Lilli C.
The interior is like a cute little French bistro and the food is amazing. The escargot was buttery, garlicky and delicious. I dumped the excess sauce out of each little vestibule the escargot was in and sopped it up w/ the amazing French bread. The beef tartare was fantastic- it came with crostini that had been smeared with bone marrow. Both entrees, the halibut special that they told me was just flown from Nova Scotia the previous day with luscious roasted Jersey tomatoes and the duck confit were fantastic. I don't know why I had never been here before- I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Andi S.
I ordered the escargot with garlic and olive oil and the goat cheese omelet. Even the bread and butter were delicious. The high quality of ingredients used as well as the knowledge of preparation are what makes this place. The excellent service and ambiance doesn't hurt either. Our server was very professional. I look forward to returning.
(5)Bri H.
What a cute & cozy place to hang out for happy hour! When I heard Bistrot La Minette was starting happy hour specials, I couldn't wait to check it out. The specials are available at the bar or outside area. My friend & I sat at the (tiny) bar. At our 5:45pm arrival time, the outside area was already full. The happy hour wine was $3, Kirs are $4 and beer is $2. All appetizers are half price and HH goes till 7pm. You also get some complimentary warm baguette slices & butter. I went with the wild mushroom puff pastry which was delicious. The escargots were tasty and presented in cute little individual pots with a crouton on top, but it was hard to get them out of the little pot without the crouton falling off. No big deal, more of a mild annoyance. Service was great and we were asked in what order we wanted our food to come out...even though we were just having happy hour snacks at the bar (classy!). Our bill was less than $50 and that got us 6 glasses of wine and 4 appetizers total. I'll be returning for happy hour and will absolutely be back to check out dinner.
(5)Natalie D.
We visited this past Valentine's Day, and after dying to try it for over a year, I was very excited to go. That said, I left feeling let down. I must say the food was absolutely delicious. I got the grapefruit salad to start, and the salmon for my meal as well as the 11-layer cake for dessert. That's about where our nice night left off. The girl at the front handling coat check was extremely nice and friendly, and seated us promptly. It was a struggle to get into our seats as the tables are so close together, we were practically on the laps of the other diners. Our waiter, Seth, then came over to ask us what water we preferred. When he returned to take our drink orders, he seemed a bit put off that I ordered a soda (I do not drink very much, and not with a meal like this). Next, we ordered our appetizers, and my boyfriend attempted to pronounce the French names, trying but joking a bit as we do not speak French. Seth was not amused and proceeded to correct every single word my boyfriend said with his nose basically turned up in the air. Good for you Seth, you can say "mushroom" in French. I am not worthy of your presence (never mind that I do speak other languages). I didn't even try, ordered my grapefruit salad and was done with it. The grapefruit salad was delicious and refreshing, and my boyfriend's puff pastry with mushrooms was out of this world. It came time to order dinner, and when I placed my order for salmon, Seth asked me what temperature would I like it at. I had one of those moments of confusion where a common question didn't make sense for some reason, and I asked him for help. "What do most people choose?" I asked, and he replied with "well, that's why I'm asking you." .......okay so you can't even politely recommend something? I was clearly confused and instead of assisting me, he decided he needed to lecture me on how their salmon is sushi grade and only the 6% of the finest salmon exported from Canada. Then he actually said to me "if you were to go to a fine dining restaurant, you would know what temperature you like." EXCUSE ME?! I DO go to fine restaurants, but God forbid I had a momentary lapse. The second he left the table, I was ready to leave. He had made us both feel like unwanted children the entire night, when we had no reason to be treated in such a manner. After finishing my salmon and saying it was delicious, I got another lecture on how it's sushi grade and the finest to be imported to America. I then told him I do not order fish out a lot (which is true) because I have a stomach disorder that can ruin a night due to the wrong meal (which is also true). "Oh...well it's sushi grade from Vancouver!" .......Yes, Seth, I think I got that the first time around. Another young couple our age was then seated next to us, and the way he treated them made me even angrier. He attended to their every whim and need, and spent plenty of time talking with them quite friendly. Us, not so much...I guess our money - which we spent plenty of - was not good enough for him. We could not wait to get out of there, and honestly despite the amazing food, I am turned off from ever going back. Sorry, sir, but you are a damn waiter on South Street, not in the finest restaurant in Paris. You can get off your high horse now. Also, the 11-layer cake was so rich and sweet I could barely finish it. Oh well, it got me out of there faster.
(3)Leslie P.
YAY, I AM A FAN! Bistrot La Minette is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. My new husband and I went last night for Restaurant Week based solely on reviews (and availability, thank goodness). When we pulled up, I thought, "Oh, it's one of these places." Right off South Street, I had driven and walked past Bistrot La Minette and Beau Monde et al, but for some reason, they never appealed to me. Well, I was wrong. The ambiance is so cute--warm, friendly, but romantic, too, without being stuffy. I think Yelp says the attire is "casual," which I think it is, but you can dress up if you want for sure. The menu for Restaurant Week is very similar to their regular menu. I know this because I asked the waitress for the regular menu after the main course because I thought, "This is one of those restaurants you bring out-of-town guests to." I was so pleased to see mains in the 20 dollar range and appetizers around $12. What an excellent price point for such deliciousness. This place is what Restaurant Week was designed for--try something you wouldn't normally try and then become ardent followers. We shared everything, so we had two appetizers, two mains, and two desserts. The fisherman's poached egg appetizer (has a much cooler French name this Spanish speaker cannot come close to type nevermind pronounce) was very tasty. We also shared the escargot. Their escargot is the real deal and tasty, so if you've had some lame escargot in the past (looking at you Bistro St. Tropez), don't let that keep you from the snails here. Our mains were so tender and rich. We shared the rabbit and the duck. I thought Ms. Potter was going to whack me on the head with a children's book, but they were so great. The duck, in particular, with its wine reduction was out of control good. The chocolate mousse dessert/cake was soft and rich, but not that kind of lock-jaw-rich, so, unfortunately, we ate the whole thing! We also shared some yummy dessert course cheese. Every plate was licked clean. Definitely going back and bringing friends and family. Yay! Also going to try brunch.
(4)Ramon F.
We were greeted upon arrival. The restaurant was empty with the exception of a private party in the next room. We were sat in the center of the restaurant and I could see that if this restaurant was full, that the seating would be so close to other tables, I would be forced to hear and smell the next table. They even had to move the table out and to the side for my friend to get in, she's on the petite side. I've been to many restaurants like this in the past, so I don't know why I was surprised. All that being said, I thought that the service was very good. The timeliness of food was very good as well, as I did not feel rushed nor did I feel like it was moving too slow. The appetizers were the quail and the escargot, both were very good, I would recommend both. For entrees the lamb shank and the beef bourguignon. The lamb was ok, but not great, I guess you could say it was average. The beef was extremely salty and inedible, I wanted to send it back, but my friend told me not to. The server asked if we wanted it boxed up to go, but we politely said no thank you and left it at that. I personally think the chef would have like to know, as it was more than likely a mistake. we then had dessert, If you're in the mood for a heavier chocolate the mousse cake was perfect, served with coffee ice cream, which tasted like it was made in house, definite plus. If you want light and simple go with the raspberry and cream layered cake (sorry I don't know the exact name/description), both excellent though! My drink with dinner was sparkling lemonade which was very sour, but tolerable. With dessert I had an espresso which was of very good quality. Overall, I would have to say that this was more of a fail than success, as there are times that I go out and only have 1 course, not 3. Had this been true tonight, my night would have been ruined. The stars I give are for the great service, sorry chef :-(
(2)Eunni C.
Cute French bistro in neighborhood. Warm ambiance and good service. The portion of dishes are generous here even for bistro. Had lamb shank and brisket dishes for main. Both were pretty good but they were really salty. I do like their dessert menu. Their Mille feuille is delicious. One thing I wasn't happy was their butter. They served little cold butter so hard to spread on bread :-(
(4)Kris L.
Fabulous fabulous fabulous dinner! Service was great. Not overbearing but accommodating The venue is small, quaint, and very european. The dishes, rank in order from amazing hunks of deliciousness to just plan ole amazing (because nothing here was bad!) 1 .Bouchées à la Reine : Puff pastry with a rich cream sauce of wild mushrooms that was perfectly indulging 2. The half chicken-LOVED the crispy skin, perfectly cooked, and a LARGE portion :) 3. Tartare de Saumon : Salmon tartar, mustard vinaigrette, Puy lentils, crème fraîche, blood orange vinaigrette , unlike anything I've ever tasted, very well balanced with a good kick of citrus 4. Escargot-not the best I've ever had, but very good. It was perfectly garlicky, but I wish it was more rich 5. Cassoulet with duck confit was super heavy...i should have seen it coming but it was really overly rich. a good dish to have if i hadn't ordered appetizers and dessert too... 6. Mussels: I didn't think they were memorable, but my friend stated they were the "best mussel in his entire life"... Tip: make a rez! It is small and popular...and no one likes to wait for food!
(4)Hang P.
I've always wanted to try this restaurant when my husband and I used to live 2 blocks from here. We finally got to try it this past weekend for our anniversary. The wait so completely worth it! Let's break down the review based on the dishes we had! OEUF DU PECHEUR: This is a must try! I would come back to Bistro La Minette just to eat this dish. I may actually go back for happy hour and order 5 of these. The tarragon cream was delicious and not too heavy. I mopped up the sauce with the complimentary bread! ESCARGOTS: The dish came with 9 escargots topped with crouton. The escargots were tender and had the perfect amount of garlic. It was also very tasty but not more impressive than escargots at other French restaurants in Philly. CASSOULET DE TOULOUSE: So, this dish was a lot larger than I expected, which was a delightful surprise! There was so much meat with the duck confit sitting on top of beef stew (with a whole lot of beef), sausage, and a sausage patty. The duck was tender, and the skin was crispy. However, I wish the skin could just be a little crispier. My favorite part was actually the sausage lying underneath the duck. Yum! I had enough leftover for another meal. PORK T-BONE SPECIAL: My husband had the pork t-bone with ratatouille, which perfectly complemented the pork. The t-bone was cooked to perfect. The meat was tender and juicy, even when we heated up the leftover. GATEAU OPERA: This 11-layer almond cake tasted amazing. It was very rich and chocolate-y but not overly sweet. The whipped cream was so light and fluffy! I wish they gave us a bigger slice because I could definitely eat more of this! We came here on a Sunday night, so the restaurant was not busy at all. We had a nice and relaxed dinner without feeling rushed by the waitress. It was a wonderful evening!
(5)Kelley H.
I've been here twice for Restaurant Week and each time was outstanding. In fact, my food was so good the first time I order the same appetizer and main course when I went back. My appetizer, the Oeuf du Pêcheur (Fisherman's Egg), had a delicious tarragon cream sauce, and way more mussels than I was expecting. My main course, the Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde (Roasted Rabbit with Mustard), was amazing. Tender rabbit, handmade tagliatelle, and a divine mustard sauce. My tastes of the Flammekeuche and roasted duck entree were also delicious. The desserts were not quite as amazing as I was hoping they would be (this time I tried the Mille Feuille and chocolate mouse cake), but they were still very good. Bistrot la Minette's ambiance is also spot on. It's chic and French without being stuffy or pretentious. Basically, I can't wait to go back.
(5)Judy T.
My friend and I came here because I've been wanting to try Bibou for the longest and failed to get a reservation both convenient for him and I because it's always booked. So I looked for another French inspired restaurant and much to my satisfaction it lived up to it's high reviews. I love it here. The decor and ambiance is rustic and sweet. The menu is just big enough to see some items that I definitely wanted to try but not so big I wouldn't know where to start or what is worth tasting. At first after being seated for our reservation, we weren't greeted with menus or anything for at least 10-15 mins, which was a little confusing because it wasn't busy but the waiter explained there was confusion as to who was assigned to our table... It's ok Things happen, the meal made up for it We had the foie gras which was nicely prepared and very enjoyable. Truffle Mushroom soup special was amazing!! Every last bite was just as good as the last, light with delicate flavors. A beef tartare was soooo very good. I'm vietnamese so it reminded me of a vietnamese beef carpaccio just a different preparation but it was so good. Not chewy the beef tasted tender and fresh, the only way you should if you decide to venture out and have raw beef. Our main courses were the mustard braised rabbit which I was very apprehensive about eating, I'm an adventurous eater but some dishes make me second guess, let me say with the homemade pasta was so delicious. It had a similar taste to chicken but better! Some white meat and a lot of tender dark meat but not so.. Fatty tasting as chicken. We both decided it was our favorite dish!!! He had some sort of braised beef dish which was nice and tender but the rabbit was still our favorite. The dessert was the chocolate mousse cake which was heaven in your mouth for any sweets lover and it ended our spectacular dinner. Couldn't have been happier!
(4)Natalie M.
I was really looking forward to trying this place and while it was good, it wasn't amazing. However, our appetizers were delicious; we ordered the mushroom starter and butternut squash soup, both were incredible and the bread was also very good. For an entree I ordered the halibut and while it was good, there was something missing and it just wasn't flavorful enough, also it was on the dry side. The warm lighting and decor creates a pleasant ambiance, but the tables are pretty close together so the waitress was often bumping into my partner. Bonus: the chocolates provided at the end of the meal are great! Can't say I'd go back.
(4)Kira B.
Discovered this gem last night and felt like I fell into the kindest, tastiest spot in Paris. INCREDIBLE service (they doted on my kid in the cutest ways - and anticipated our every need). Food was amazing - quick service, artfully plated, and totally delish. We'll be back!!
(5)Ali W.
Bistrot la Minette is an amazing find. Hidden a block away from the crowds on South St this restaurant is a gem. The food was flawless and very authentically French. The ambiance was very romantic and quiet. There are about five tables outside to people watch and enjoy your food. I will be back here again!
(5)Zhanna R.
The best bread and Escargots à la Bourguignonne + unique selection of cheeses +French vines. I had vine from Corsica there! I love all their menu but escargots and winter root soup are my favorites. I keep going back and honestly compare other places by standards they set for my taste buds. Prix fixe courses are not to be missed. Bon appetit :)
(5)Abbie D.
Great food, great ambiance and exceptional service. The chestnut foie gras soup was incredible.. Poached egg with mussels = rediclous! Butter poached salmon was perfectly cooked medium rare, silky smooth delicious flavor atop wilted spinach aside of a OOC potato pancake! Dessert was the raspberry puff pastry and chocolate mousse both were over the top!! Great job Bistrot team!! I could go on but I'm so full and need my bed...
(5)Laura B.
If you're reading this, stop and just go to Bistrot La Minette already. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city; super friendly and helpful service, great ambiance and DELICIOUS food. Did I mention the food is delicious? Cause it is. Three words. Œuf du Pêcheur You will never need to eat anything else in life once you've had this dish. Ok, now please do yourself a favor, put down your phone or laptop and go.
(5)Lucy T.
Great date spot, very casually chic. Food is impeccable every time. Service is professional and non-invasive. On the more standoff-ish European side of service than the chatty, get-to-know-you brand of American service I can sometimes find intrusive. Dying to try the big family-style dinner they do in the side room. Next special occasion, maybe?
(5)Nancy N.
One of my favorite places in philly...tucked away in queens village, this French bistro feels like it should be in France. The is rich and hearty so don't attempt to go here if you are on a crash diet or want something light. It is so well worth the layers upon layers of rich goodness. Perfect for a romantic date or small dinner with friends.
(5)Melissa W.
If you judge a French restaurant by its bread, Bistrot la Minette wins straight off the bat. The baguettes are delicious. If you judge a French restaurant by its atmosphere, this place is pretty nice. Cute and kind of elegant but not at all stuffy. It's a little taste of France right here in Philly, complete with people at the next table overpronouncing everything on the menu with obnoxious French accents (maybe I'm just jealous I don't speak French). But really the best way to judge a French restaurant is by its food, and by that measure this place is solid. I'd probably give it four stars, but the foie gras special they had the night I went deserves an extra star all on its own. It was this foie gras and Earl Grey terrine with some sort of (Meyer?) lemon sauce, topped with blood oranges and crushed hazelnut. I don't generally like Earl Grey, nor do I generally like liver very much, but the flavors of this dish were out-of-this-word. It melted in your mouth and was somewhat like eating solid butter, albeit deliciously flavored butter that you can't stop eating no matter how disgusting it may feel to be eating solid butter. If they happen to offer this dish the next time you go, throw all your morals to the wind and order it without hesitation. The boeuf bourguignon was tender and delicious, the cassoulet had fantastic flavor, and the trout was light and tasty. For dessert, the raspberry cream pastry was delicious. The pear poached in wine was interesting, but not as good as the other one. Regardless, everything was well-done and well-executed, and the pricing was reasonable for fancy French food. The service was nice, and the restaurant was very busy (so make a reservation). Can't wait to come back for the Sunday night pre-fixe - if eating there on another day is any indication, Sundays must be an amazing deal.
(5)Kara K.
Probably one of the best meals of my life - by far certainly one of the best French meals - and I worked in France. This place is just amazing. Great ambiance, very good service and the food is just incredible. I went with my boyfriend a few weeks back to celebrate our anniversary and they gave us a special dessert with chocolates on a plate with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate sauce - and this was after our first round of desserts. Nice touch. Even if it wasn't for this, the meal was just awesome. We ordered six different dishes and all of them were outstanding. Just GO.
(5)Jason H.
A very nice French Bistrot. The chef/owners do a good job of varying the menu, and regularly have themed menus focusing on an ingredient or region of France. The atmosphere is very nice, and is themed to resemble a French Bistrot, with marble tables and copper cookware hanging from the kitchen proscenium. A good place for a date or quiet family dinner; they have outdoor seating in the nicer weather.
(4)Steph S.
This restaurant truly deserves a 5-star rating after the excellent service my friends and I experienced recently. I had been here once for Restaurant week having had the foie gras, and Creme brûlée which were absolute perfection (I wish I could remember the entree but it was just as delicious). My friends informed me that Bistrot La Minette started a happy hour with half off appetizers and $3 wine from 5:30-7 so the 5 of us attended ordering nearly all the appetizers on the menu along with their house red and white Bordeaux. The appetizers we ordered were escargot, foie gras, Noix de St Jacques Poêlées au Champagne, Bouchées à la Reine, and Tartare de Bœuf au Couteau. The escargot was so amazing we ordered it twice and as I'm writing this wish we had ordered another round of the noix de st Jacques poêlées au champagne - it was just too good!! There was a company gathering in their private room making the service very slow. As a consolation the bartender gave us complimentary glasses of Bordeaux and a complimentary glass of dessert wine to go with our desserts. The only drawback to this happy hour is it's only in the front of the restaurant at the bar and the 2 tables near the entrance so you'd need to get there early if it got busy. Lucky for us it was a rainy day. Whether it's a new happy hour or a yummy French restaurant, I highly recommend this place.
(5)Ralph K.
Fantastic restaurant. Great food, great service, great ambience. One feels that they are a guest and much thought and work has gone into creating a memorable experience. My wife and I are vegan and the chef was so accommodating to create a fantastic dinner for us. He said that if he had advanced notice it would have been even better which is a claim we are prepared to test in the future.
(5)Amy C.
My bf and I decided to try this place out for restaurant week. We definitely do not regret this at all! We got the fisherman's poach eggs and escargot as appetizers. OMG! I'm usually not a big fan of escargot and I have to admit, that was the best that I ever had! My bf always gets escargot at different restaurants and I would sample it from his place and not really like it. My bf even said that was one of the best escargot that he ever had. For our entrees, we got the beef short ribs and duck confit. The beef short ribs was good. The duck confit was sort of dry? But pretty flavorful. As for appetizers, we got creme brûlée and puff pastry with cream. We would definitely come back!
(4)Jessica S.
Excellent date spot! When I came into this restaurant, I felt transported to a Parisian cafe, complete with the absurdly close together tables and (somewhat) rushed service. I can't help but say that these things add to the atmosphere. This place is a classy ass establishment. It's adorable. It's delicious. Eat the escargot, eat the braised rabbit, DEFINITELY eat the duck. Maybe enjoy some classy wine or French cocktails. Definitely only bring an attractive, articulate dining companion. That way, you can both be poised and posh together. Eat chocolate cake. Leave feeling incredibly happy.
(4)Christine L.
Charmingly decorated bistro, good food, memorably good service. I went sometime in the fall, but still the atmostphere remains lovely in my mind and the service outstanding. Super comfortable and relaxed feel, no rushing in the pacing of the meal. Appetizers were delicious and well-portioned. First time having escargots, and it was really, really delicious - a very memorable introduction, not scary at all. The squid ink pasta was really fun, simple flavors but also a first for me. I don't remember much about the entrees - Rabbit and Duck - but I do remember being really pleased that we had picked both. Definitely a good spot if you're looking for a high-quality and not-stuffy date spot.
(4)Kyle B.
Went for Restaurant Week. Everything was spot on. Favorites were the Beef Tartare and the Trout. Service was perfect.
(5)Jason C.
Went out with a group of 4 and loved the restaurant. Great ambience and location. Was surprised there weren't more people there on a weekend evening. Service was good and food came out relatively quickly. We got an order of escargot for the table which was delicious (and much more than the usual 6 pieces I'm used to!). I got the cobia which was lightly seared and tender, over saffron rice which was rich and buttery. The other members of our group got the roast duck and steak special which they liked as well. Got Chocolate mousse cake for dessert which was decent as well. Would have loved to explore more of the cocktail/drink menu but definitely enjoyed the couple of gin cocktails I ordered.
(5)Michelle C.
I went here for an anniversary dinner and ordered the rabbit and the lamb, and chocolate mousse for dessert. The food was delicious, but the romantic atmosphere, view of the kitchen from the seating, and excellent service were also highlights of our dining experience. Very reasonably priced for the quality.
(5)Nimmmy A.
When you walk in you get a lovely feel for great ambience and a romantic vibe. My boyf surprised me for dinner to celebrate our one year. And I was a little iffy about french food because my taste is a bit more on the spicy side, I was surprised to have enjoyed my food as much as I did. There was a creamy sauce that came with the chicken that complimented both the chicken and the rice very well. It was the delicacy of the flavors that was subtle but to a decent degree. My boyfriend loved his salmon and the way it was cooked as well. But I'm sure we'd both agree that the Mac and Cheese was the best. We also had fois gras which melted right in your mouth. All in all there is great service and even better food.
(5)Nate E.
Best restaurant in Philly. Order blind- it doesn't matter what you get, it will be excellent. I go with the wine poached egg for brunch, and fisherman's egg and seasonal beef cheek for dinner. **I really hope that Chef Peter Woolsey's continued ownership keeps him close enough to operations, even as he exits the kitchen, so we don't have another kitchen failing after a successful chef's exit (e.g. Stateside)...
(5)Mandy H.
Came here for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner with my new beau. What's more romantic than a French restaurant? I don't think anything is. I love the look of this place with the marble topped tables and parisian decor. It really felt like I was in Paris when I was inside. We each had a glass of their flavored champagne. I had the framboise and my main squeeze had the pear. The framboise was yummy, but the pear was incredibly refreshing! We got a bottle of rose with dinner, but I was still thinking about that pear chamapagne... To start we shared the fois gras, which was perfectly buttery and melt in your mouth worthy. We also went with the poached lobster special and the Cassoulet De Toulouse. The poached lobster was covered in a white, creamy sauce that really worked with the sweet lobster. It was the antithesis of the Cassoulet De Toulouse, which is a hearty, salty lamb stew. I'm a big fan of switching back and forth between savory and sweet, so this was my kind of combo. Finally we had the the tarte tatin apple tart with caramel ice cream which was very good. I will have to try Bistro La Minette for their brunch. And lunch. And dinner again.
(5)Ellie L.
we celebrated early V day here. this was best french restaurant ive been to. we had salad, ouef de pacheur as appetizer and cassoulet, salmon as entree. portion size was perfect. their baguette was very good too. we had a lovely night and cant wait to go back!
(5)Sabrina S.
It s an elegant and beautiful restaurant. I went to there with my girl, and we all like there.It s a good place for dating and hanging out with a small group of friends. Appetizer: Seafood with mushroom on the top of bread The dish was the best we had that night. With Sauce béchamel, the bread which was supposed to be cracked was perfectly chewing. Entree one: Rabbit Leg It is a house special there. However, the meat was tasted dry and not really plateful. Entree two: Pork Chop Similarly, the meat is not really special or excessively tasty. Garnishes were pretty good, juicy and fresh. Dessert: Raspberry pastry with lime creme The dessert was amazed us. Although both two entrees were just average level, the dessert was made us to like the place. Ps. All names on the menu are French, but you can read descriptions in English.
(4)Grace C.
Come here for the French film screenings. You're seated on the garden terrace and treated to a French cinematic creation (with English subtitles for all you non-francophones out there) as the sun dips down behind the walls of the restaurant, and the experience is stellar. The truite meunière is delicious - the toasted almonds they add to the trout, in my opinion, make the dish. I'm always a fan of nuts in main courses, and this place did not disappoint. The bar noir (pan-seared black bass) is also good. It's lighter on the palate - the broth reminded me of something I'd eat in a rustic country setting. It certainly adds to the homey French bistro vibe that this place exudes. Now for dessert. Some restaurants can really screw up crème brûlée (Parc's is embarrassingly awful) but Bistrot La Minette's version is delicious. The top layer cracks oh-so-satisfyingly with a tap of the spoon, and the cream itself is sweet and delicious. In short: GO! It's everything Parc is not - authentic, quaint, and effortlessly charming.
(5)Abby W.
I struggle to find any flaws with our experience here last night. E and I got all dressed up to celebrate three years of extreme happiness and settle in for what we knew would be an incredible meal. To begin, do not neglect to order a cocktail or some wine, it's just that kind of place. You earned it. I got a French 75, probably my favourite cocktail of all time, and it was spectacular. E also enjoyed his Sazerac and we both went for a second round. The table bread is such a highlight here. I know how odd that sounds, but you'll understand, trust me. We ate 2 entire little tin buckets full of bread (and we didn't even have to ask for the second bucket, it was offered. Bonus points). For appetizers we both ordered the escargots, which came in adorable little clay pots with garlicky butter. Delicious, but I still think Cochon's rendition is the best in the city. It was a good value though, with 9 perfect tender little morsels for $12, and it was very rich. E was hoping for oysters but there were none to be had. Since we were feeling celebratory, we also got the Flammenkuche to share. Here is where the service really started to set itself apart- without asking, they made this a mid-meal course and served it after we finished the escargots instead of shoving it on the small table with everything else. A small thing, but meaningful. Get the Flammenkuche! Good lord it may have been the best thing we had. Oniony and cheesy and bacony, with a crisp crust, oh my... I went for the rabbit as my entree and E got the pork loin. The rabbit was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The meat was so tender and moist and flavourful, the tagliatelle firm and springy, so rich... If anything it was maybe a tad salty but I didn't mind. E let me steal a bit of his and it was also really tasty, especially the pomme puree. If you love mashed potatoes, order this dish. A side crock of gratin cauliflower rounded out the mains nicely and was executed flawlessly. Even though we were stuffed, when you're at a great French restaurant it would be a huge mistake to not order dessert. We chose the creme brulee and orange tart, but only had one bite of the tart because that creme brulee might be the best dessert I've ever put in my mouth. Impossibly smooth and creamy with just enough sweetness but not too much. We ate all of it even though we were full beyond belief. Total damage for this feast, including 4 cocktails, was about $150 before tax and tip. You could get it under $100 easily by restraining yourself a bit more than we did, so this place is worth checking out even for a normal date night. Atmosphere is romantic and classy but somewhat casual- you wouldn't feel super out of place in jeans, but the Flyers jersey is probably pushing it. The place is TINY (although not super loud even though it was crowded) and the kitchen is open, so it gets a bit fragrant. Leave your furs at home unless you fancy some expensive dry cleaning bills. Service was very attentive from start to finish. No small detail was missed. Can't wait to return!
(5)Sal P.
Delish, scrumcious, and yummo. Everything top notch. Main courses were the beef, trout, and rabbit. The apps were french onion soup, goose liver and mac n cheese. really rich but oh so good. Dessert was kind a of a deconstructed cheesecake - pretty good. The ambience was nice and the service excellent. Also, the bread and butter was really good. Love that butter.
(5)Eileen T.
We moved to the area about a year ago and have passed Bistrot La Minette hundreds of times on our bikes, always commenting that we should try it. Well, tonight we did, for restaurant week. It was exceptional. The atmosphere and decor reminded us of a favorite bistro of ours in Paris. We started the evening with glasses of sparkling wine, and each had a glass of Pinot Noir with our entrees. We were offered a gougere that was tender and nicely flavored with gruyere as an amuse bouche. A vintage enameled pot was placed on the table holding several slices of warm baguette -- crispy and flaky crust with a tender, moist mie. The butter served with the baguette was a delight. (They bake the bread on prem.) Braised short ribs with a decadent, rich jus; roasted rabbit served with homemade tagliatelle and a perfectly balanced, rich and creamy mustard pan sauce; a lovely pea soup; a tomato tart that my husband and I nearly fought over when I wanted to renege on sharing it with him; creamy and luscious rice pudding with berries; three-cheese (Delice de Bourgogne, Comte, and a bleu that I can't remember) mac-and-cheese. This meal was a wonderful surprise. We enjoyed it so much that we made another reservation on our way out. I've worn hearing aids most of my adult life and my husband often requests that we be seated at a different table that would facilitate my hearing the conversation at the table. Not only did the maitre 'd graciously change our table, when we made the reservation as we left, I noticed that he had made a note under my name indicating that I had hearing difficulties. He explained that he wanted to be sure he would seat me at an appropriate table next time we visit. All of the service was unobtrusive, respectful, and timely. $156.00 with tax and a generous tip. This is going to be a regular for us. Don't miss eating at this lovely place.
(5)Angie K.
Wow! This place is charming and the food is amazing! Here are the dishes I tried, and everything was great in its own right: Bouchées à la Reine - puff pastry with mushrooms in a cream sauce *Œuf du Pêcheur - mussels on toast with tarragon cream and poached egg Escargots à la Bourguignonne - piping hot in a garlic butter Caille Farcie à la Sauce Vigneron - sausaged-stuffed quail Rôti de Porc aux Pruneaux - bacon-wrapped pork loin stuffed with prunes Tarte Tatin - upside down apple tart with caramel ice cream **Mille Feuille aux Framboises - caramelized pastry with cream and raspberries The ones with the stars were the best dishes that I had. I LOVED the raspberry pastry dessert...I could pound that every day. The dishes change seasonally, and I'll be back for the braised duck!
(5)Nancy P.
Like sitting 3,600 miles away....So reminiscent. Loved the atmosphere, the service, the food was delightful!
(5)David P.
Just an awesome restaurant all around. Great food, decent prices, excellent service. It isn't formal, so dressy casual, and jackets both work well there. I've been a number of times over several years and it never disappoints. My last visit started with mussels in a cream broth over bread with an egg on top. Totally decadent and delicious. The leg of Lamb was tender and perfectly cooked. Leave room for desert. My only quibble is that the wines are a bit pricey for the menu. My feeling is that you should be able to get a decent bottle for about $2x the entrees. They need more selections in the $40-60 range.
(5)Jung K.
Delicious. Also went for RW menu, which is such a great deal. Charming, cute space - smelled delicious as soon as we walked in. Appetizers that I tasted: foie gras and escargot. Both equally delicious, but the escargot was just REALLY REALLY delicious. 6 escargot in their own little pots, filled with butter and garlic. Small crunchy crouton on top of each little pot. Entrees: I have the cassoulet (like a meaty stew - mine had duck and sausage) with beans and other hearty food items in the pot. Also tried the trout (seasoned well, although not my favorite) as well as the beef bourgignon (delicious). We also tried the two sides: 1. buttered green beans with shallots 2. mac and cheese. On point with the side dishes as well - all empty plates by the time the server came to get our plates. Note on the service - it's on point. Our water glasses were always filled, and the bottle of wine we shared was reasonably priced and yummy. dessert: all were delicious. had the apple tarte, the 'cream puff,' which was more like a strawberry napoleon cream dish of happiness, and then the chocolate mocha sponge cake. Looking forward to going back for regular menu, enjoyed every bit of my meal and experience.
(5)Ann T.
Went to Bistro La Minette for the first time during Philly Restaurant Week. It was a $35 three course menu. My husband had the escargots as an appetizer and I had a salad. The escargots was well prepared in a garlic butter sauce. We both enjoyed the short ribs for a main course. They were tender and meaty served in a rich red wine sauce. One of the best versions of short ribs I've experienced in a restaurant. for dessert I had the chocolate mousse cake and my husband had the rice pudding. what can you say about chocolate mousse cake except "Yum." The wines were pricey but nice. Service was excellent. We will definitely return!
(4)Bill W.
Finally made it here, but for breakfast. It was pretty good, I'd like to return for dinner. Not the best breakfast in the city but still pretty good. They have a nice outdoor area that is great for a weekend morning.
(4)Tina D.
Went there on restaurant week and was happily find there great service, awesome french cuisine and good-old-fashion design! The menu for restaurant week consider a lot of dishes from regular menu and the sizes was pretty good. At the start of third course i was already full! This places really gives you an idea how french cuisine is! And they doing their best at it! Me and my friend choose for dinner : 1) Escargots a la Bourgaignonne/ Salade D'Endives 2) Lapin Roti a la Moutarde/ Cassoulet de toulouse 3) Assiette de fromages/ Mille Feuille aux framboises All dishes made me completely fall in love with this cuisine and this cozy restaurant! If you want to try some not ordinary, high quality and tasty food you better come here! This restaurant is great place for dates! I was really pleased when the main chef come to our table to talk and ask how was our dinner! Thank you! They did a great job! Love it!
(5)Alanna B.
Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome food. Front start to finish - wonderful food! Even the butter they give with your bread can be consumed by itself (however I wouldn't recommend it.) I have been there twice, and I can honestly say I NEED to go at least once a month. I have sampled from their current Fall 2012 menu - which I presume will be changing in a few weeks for the Winter season. TIP: Make reservations on OpenTable for points! Ask for tap water - free (but they also have "speciality" water too). Wine and Beer selection (by glass and bottle). Appetizers: Awesome pizza, fanstastic cheesy, buttery raviolis, great escargot, and fantastic mussels. Entrees: I never had quail or rabbit in my life, but if you are interested in trying it, this is the place. The Duck Confit is the BEST I have ever tasted. Desserts: I have said this is the "best" ever...but if there is one dish that really calls my name throughout the day, it's their creme brulee. O-M-G.....You MUST order this dish. I could go back every day just to have one. *Dreamy mood* You will not be disappointed. Join their mailing list too!
(5)Adam F.
Bistrot La Minette is an excellent choice for casual French fare with great service and ambiance. They even gave us a light puff pastry and chocolates complimentary. - Escargot was very good, 9 pieces in individual little pots - Tartare was quite flavorful - Duck confit was amazing, cooked so well - Rabbit with homemade tagliatelle was excellent as well Great wine options for those with fancy palates. For those on a budget, the house wine was pretty decent and affordable, also with options for half bottle or full bottle. Deserts looked great too.
(5)Chuck G.
Excellent traditional French bistro. The food was spectacular and the service was great (not too overbearing, but attentive). Went with wife and we each had an app, an entree, and shared dessert (no wine). Price: was reasonable ($111 after tip and tax). We had: poached egg with mussels, sweetbreads, rabbit, trout, and sorbet assortment. Everything was excellent. Highly recommended.
(5)Michael W.
First time and we were blown away. Don't let french food intimidate you if you have never had it. If you have, this restaurant is one of the best, PERIOD. Food is outstanding, service is wonderful and price/value is perfect. Great for date night, friends or groups(they have a private dining room). Also you can bring your own however there is a corkage. Put this place on your list in Philly either for lunch or dinner. BTW they make their own bread. You'll never order bread at another restaurant again.
(5)Sharandy O.
I went there for the first time during restaurant week and it was amazing! First of all, the service is superb. So well mannered and helpful. I ordered the poached egg and mussels for my first course and it was delicious. It was a lot of food. It could have been a meal on it's own. My friend got the escargot and loved it. I had the rabbit for my main course which was amazing. Tender, juicy and oh so flavorful! I had never had rabbit before so this is definitely going to be hard to beat. For dessert I had the cream puffs with the raspberries: delicious. This place gets five stars from me. Loved it
(5)Sarah F.
Bistrot La Minette is a must go to in the Philly area. I am truly surprised that it's taken me so long to finally go here. If you are familiar with the restaurant scene around here: think Parc but small scale and more romantical We had a quiet dinner for a party of 4 to celebrate a birthday. The service was so friendly and knowledgeable when I asked for suggested wine pairings. Even though we came in for a later dinner on a weeknight, at no point did I feel rushed which was a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend this place for birthdays and date nights when you want to have a relaxed, delicious dinner out. The eats: Butternut squash soup was one of the best I've had Foie Gras terrine was delicious but VERY savory. It was a little much just for one person on their own to get through for an appetizer. Can't complain for too much food though right? Onion tart is out of this world if you're in to caramelized onions. Miller style trout is a YES. I have never had a trout prepared better then this one was. I am such of fan of this dish it's ridiculous. The veggies were great too. Get it. Beef bourguignon was also a great dish and probably my second favorite thing we got. All of the desserts were amazing but the BEST was the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. Heaven in your mouth. It's basically a layered deliciousness of puff pastry, cream, and fresh raspberries.
(5)Anita B.
Everything was super yummy! I would return the service was excellent and the atmosphere is adorable
(4)Lindsay L.
Saltier than the French food I'm used to in NYC. Overall the food is good but not remarkable. The presentation really nice and service excellent. Not much intimacy in the seating so you can't really have a private conversation. We ended up talking with the people next to us. I would go to dine with family or a group, but not for a date.
(3)Brett J.
Had an excellent meal. Only thing holding me from a 5 star review is it was restaurant week and I understand what comes with that. Started with the Escargots. I was feeling adventurous and it was first time ordering it. Totally recommend it, delicious. Also tried some of the duck liver paté. Very rich but great choice as well. For my entree had Joue De Bouef Bourguignon. Small portion but delicious. Ended with the puff pastry with raspberries. Not a huge dessert fan, but it was wonderful. Service was A+ even though it was first night of restaurant week. Great romantic restaurant.
(4)Rachel C.
Bread was soft and fluffy. Escargot was delicious, could have been the slightest bit saltier. Beef cheeks were so tender but too salty. The highlight of the dish was the roasted vegetables in it. Their natural sweetness really came through. The pasta in the rabbit dish tasted homemade and fresh. The rabbit was succulent and tender. The millefeuille is excellent because the pastry is slightly burnt and has a caramel taste. The tarte tatin is way too sweet. One of the most authentic French places I've been to outside of France.
(4)Jaime H.
There were three in our partay - the boy, his dad, et moi. We dined here last Saturday evening to celebrate the dad's birthday. We had a reservation and I arrived before the fashionably tardy boys. The hostess gave me a choice between being seated immediately (sans full party) or waiting for the boys at the bar. I chose to be seated and seated I was. Heather was our server and was appropriately attentive. We drank one pitcher each of the blanc (appetizers) and rouge (entrees) table wines which were perfectly enjoyable. For appetizers we shared the foie gras (very good), the escargot (solid), and the salmon tartare (also solid). Heather consistently replenished our bread and butter which was quite delightful. For the main course the bf ordered the rabbit dish (not game-y, good) served with a wonderful pasta, I had the standard poulet roti (best ever!!), and the birthday boy had 'the best beef bourguignon of his life.' I am still dreaming of my dish - a basic French offering, but done properly as it was here, it is quite spectacular. We managed to find room for dessert given the nature of the occasion and ordered the Mille Feuille aux Framboise (good, we heard it was tres popular), the tarte tatin (best I've had yet! caramel ice cream!), and the pot de creme au chocolat (good). Overall, the food was very good - there were a few standout dishes: the foie gras, the poulet roti, the beef bourguignon, and the tarte tatin. The service was outstanding as well. My only complaint, and it's not truly a complaint is that we were not forewarned how hot the escargot pots were. Minor, but yet important, detail. Regarding the food, I felt the salmon tartare was caper-heavy. All in all - great experience and we shall return!
(4)Peter M.
This was my first experience with French food. For an appetizer I got Œuf du Pêcheur Fisherman's style poached egg, toast, mussels, tarragon cream. It was ok but apparently I'm not a fan of runny egg for dinner. The sauce and mussels were awesome but the egg took over and made it just so so For my entree I had Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde Mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle, rabbit jus. This was my first time trying rabbit and boy oh boy have I been missing out. Sweet Baby Jesus!! It seems to me that the cuter the animal the tastier it is. I mean I new veal was delicious but apparently Peter Cottontail is on the same level. I'd feel bad but that bastard stole Farmer MacGregor's vegetables So he had it coming imo.
(4)Agnes M.
Meal was great but music was blasting! Do not confuse ambiance music and a night club at club med! Not sure that the wait staff knew that...
(2)Sara B.
went here last night for the movie night, had great food, great setting, great movie and out of this world service :) It started to drizzle before the movie was set to start so we went and sat inside, but then our waiter (who knew I was really excited for the movie) came over and let us know it had stopped drizzling and he would be happy to move us back outside and set up the movie (even if we were the only ones out there) - we went back out and some other tables did too - a lovely, romantic evening. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Kenneth F.
All i can say is those mussels are Ah-may-zing! I wish I could upload the pictures but they came out too dark to be useful damnnnnn it. Came here for the special priced menu on Sunday for $35. While not the cheapest meal, compared to the normal a la carte prices - what a steal! There is also house wine which is very well priced if you want to get some drink on without breaking the bank. Go check it out! There is also a courtyard in the back which opens up when the weather is nice so keep that in mind when spring and summer come up!
(5)Susanna L.
Omg! This is the best french place I have ever gone to in Philadelphia!! The place has a nice homey feeling to it and our waiter was very friendly. Was kind to explain anything on the menu and filled our water constantly when it was empty. The food was wonderfully good. I got the duck and my friend the rabbit. I expected the meat to be gamy, but surprisingly I tasted nothing of it. It was soo good!!! So good that I couldnt pass up dessert, which was an upside down apple cake. Omg what a wonderful finish. Will come back here with friends or family another time. Highly recommend it!
(5)Dave H.
Dining here made me feel like I was back in France - and I've traveled there a bit. Little touches like the music, the "push" and "pull" signs on the doors, and a server from Marseilles (okay, not such a little touch) worked together nicely. Since it was a sleepy Sunday, we easily got a table for two. Table bread and butter were quite good, and their escargot hit the spot, pleasantly buttery and full of flavor. We shared a pitcher of wine, and my co-conspirator enjoyed their prix fixe menu while I put down a plate of duck breast (magret du canard; $27), cooked medium with a celery root puree, glazed turnips, and a delightful foie gras sauce. Their plating was more austere than expected, but thankfully Chef Woolsey didn't disappoint. Pricing is fancy French, but it's a good value if you're used to that sort of thing.
(4)Jenn W.
I have passed by this plenty of times. Curious as what to expect. My friend I haven't seen in awhile had mentioned it to me. So he made reservations on Sunday . Parking wasn't too bad, we opted to sit outside, since it was beautiful day. The water came in Carafe, small little delicate touches to everything. It was Unanimous, prefix menu was best for your $$, 25.00 pick 3 courses from each area. I got this Spinach Dumplings that were delightful in a tomato base sauce, my friend got a cured pork belly, cured into almost like a ham /prosciutto served on a bruschetta. Homemade bread & butter, it was great!!! main entree: duck confit with potatoes in light butter sauce with string beans, Yum!!! The Duck confit was alot bigger then ones I 've had. It was falling of the bone, with consistency like crispy pork skin!!! OH my!!!!! Friends entree: was Sole filet's with string beans, potatoes. Then we finished it off with dessert, course mine was Creme Brulee, little over done not softer texture that I would like , he wanted Mille-feuille , but they were out, so he got the trio of sherbets!!! It was excellent. All in all, Glad he picked this, our waiter was great, very knowledgeable. Great thing is when sitting outside, get a free show , 3 out of 3 people could not Parallel park at all..kept hitting the cars. Ha-ha!!! It was very vintage look inside, old world French, great place to take your date or friend for birthday , etc. Portions are small, but just right for me, with Prefix, alot for me. (* 3 courses) I'd go back!!
(4)Tina C.
We went there for our wedding anniversary because of all the fabulous reviews but we were somewhat disappointed. The interior felt like a dining hall and only had about 3 tables on a Thursday night. The homemade bread was very good and my tarte de tomate was pretty good but my canard confit was too salty and my husband's rabbit was just meh. The worst was the gratin de courgette which completely missed the mark with sliced zucchini in cream and some slab of cheese on top. I don't think the price equal the quality. I'm not going back.
(2)Jim B.
My wife and I both agree that this is the best place for French food in the city. It's relaxed, casual, and romantic. "Down to earth" shall we say, and yet so much more. Any dining experience comes down to three things: food, service, and ambiance - I cannot fault BLM on any of those points, and we've had consistently good meals throughout the years with nary a hiccup.
(5)Aneesh B.
Enjoyed an excellent meal here with friends on a special date night with old friends. Service was attentive, helpful, polite, and not at all intrusive. Great cocktails - I enjoyed their Sazerac and the missus, as usual, enjoyed some bubbles before dinner. Our friends enjoyed some Belgian beer and champagne as well. We enjoyed the foie gras appetizer, the salade nicoise, the Daube Provencal, the chick peas (which were garlicky and perfect - like eating all the ingredients for hummus in non-blended form), and the monkfish. My entree (Daube) paired quite nicely with a GSM Rhone blend from the wine list, which always makes me happy. For dessert we all shared the pot de creme and the mille feuille with pastry cream and raspberries. Probably the leats impressive part of the meal but still a fine ending to a lovely evening. I am usually not in love with French bistro fare. It usually seems so commonplace these days. But La Minette was different and thoughtful, so I would definitely dine here again. It is located in what seems to be a little French pocket of the City near South street which I didn't even know was there. Will be a pleasure to return and explore some more.
(4)R. M.
This is a great place for lovebirds. Bistrot La Minette is extremely romantic and the food is wonderful. You can't get away with just ordering an entree here. So order from appetizer to dessert and everything in between. I also like that it is a little off the beaten path.
(5)Julia C.
Went here for restaurant week a while back and I was impressed! The service was impeccable, the ambience was cozy and the food was, in a word, divine. I had the escargot for my first course, which was nice and garlicky, and the rabbit as the entree. Hoping I can come back again soon to try some of their wine pairings!
(5)David Q.
This is an upscale French restaurant yet is not super fancy. It is great French food without the stuffiness of the stereotypical French restaurant. I took my girlfriend here for a belated Valentine's day dinner and I was not disappointed, even after getting the $100+ bill, it was worth it. Everyone is so nice. It's definitively worth going for special nights. I'll definitely be coming back.
(5)Stella N.
My favorite french bistro in Philly. Great for a date night or with a group! Great ambiance, food, drink, and service.
(5)Jemma C.
I really don't get the good reviews about this place! Yes the decor feels authentic and the outdoor area is great but that's where the pros stop. We went here last night for dessert, cheese and drinks. The Sazarac was the worst we've experienced in the city, the wine was like vinegar ($12 a glass), the creme brûlée too heavy and did the cheese board come with some chutney, honey, quince or anything remotely similar? Nope just some soggy iceberg lettuce covered in Caesar dressing and toast. Awful.
(2)Bay S.
I had never heard of this place, but I went with it based on the stellar Yelp reviews and also the 1,000 OpenTable points. It turned out to be awesome! Our server was really talking up the Picpoul de Pinet white wine, so I tried it, liked it & ordered it. Afterwards I realized they had carafes of house wine for $11 or $12 & each glass of picpoul was $9, so I would totally order the carafe next time. But no biggie, I guess it was my fault for being trigger happy with ordering. I have never had escargot and I really wanted to try it here, but we chickened out and ordered the mussels & egg app. It was amazingly delicious, almost like a runny egg on toast covered in alfredo sauce and perfectly cooked mussels (and I don't even really like mussels). We were sopping up the sauce with our bread, yum! I saw someone else who ordered the escargot and they were prepared in little egg cups (you weren't wrestling them out of a shell a la Pretty Woman) and I wished we had tried them. For entrees my husband had the duck, which was *amazing*, and I had the steak, which was good but extremely peppercorn-y. The waiter warned me of this in advance and I said that it was ok because I like spicy, but it was almost ridiculously too much peppercorn. I just scraped them off. The steak was cooked perfectly though, like dictionary-definition of how I ordered (medium well). We had the macaroni and cheese side dish and it was amazing. For dessert we had the apple tarte tatin and it was good, but pretty small and a very small amount of ice cream. Husband had a cappucino and enjoyed it. With the check they brought two dark chocolate truffles which were yum. There was outdoor seating out front, but the hostess told us about the garden in back and it was adorable. We really liked sitting there and weren't too close to other people that way. Service was great, our server was a very quiet talker but attentive and helpful. Just a great place to try!
(5)Candice B.
I came here recently for an indulgent date night. From the moment we were seated to the moment we exited through the front door, we had nothing but extraordinary service. Our server was very pleasant, a little chatty (but not too much!) and helpful. We ordered from the special summer Provencale menu and were treated to very light but flavorful dishes - rabbit for me and lamb for my boyfriend. We split an escargot appetizer and snacked on a complimentary cheesy puff pastry. And of course, the bread and butter is not to be missed! French cuisine doesn't make me weak in the knees, but this was outstanding food. For dessert, we took suggestions from our server and were not disappointed. The meal ended with complimentary chocolate, and a lovely walk afterwards. I was told by a friend that the house wine is pretty darn good, so we opted for a pitcher of house white. I am not a wine snob so my opinion doesn't mean much here, but I enjoyed it.
(5)Sara H.
This place has become my new tradition for taking my mom here on Mother's Day. We came here last year on a whim of trying to find a new place to discover. We didn't have reservations but were seated in their lovely outside garden terrace area. The food was delicious, the service was amazing and it was really pleasant sitting outside in a small nook type of garden. I love authentic French food, and this place is exactly that. Their menu was fixed for Mother's Day but it was impressive. We are going here again tomorrow and probably will keep making it a tradition every year on the same day. Bon Appetit!
(5)Brian M.
Took my parents here awhile back for a nice dinner out. This is a place I've been meaning to get to for awhile, that I still follow their event schedule closely and definitely mean to come back to again soon. If only Philly didn't have so many great food options this is the kind of place you can get a consistently good meal over and over again without ever being bored. As it was Sunday I took advantage of their awesome prix fixe. Everything the table had was enjoyed, although no one was overwhelmingly excited about anything. It's just a solid, well prepared French country meal. Along with the Sunday prix fixe they also have a number of specials for movies, free wine, etc. if you follow them on Twitter/Facebook. Highly recommended even if you just plan to go once and follow for a couple weeks prior.
(4)Brittany M.
This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. My boyfriend found this restaurant by searching for the best mac and cheese in Philadelphia. We decided to come check it out for drinks and dinner. The appetizers and the fresh sliced french bread were a great start. I had the steak and we shared a side of mac and cheese and everything was amazing. The food and service were both excellent.
(5)Carlo M.
Went here for my birthday dinner on the Friday before Labor Day, and it was a wonderful experience. I'm not sure how busy this place gets on a normal weekend, but because it was Labor Day weekend, I'm going to assume that it was emptier than normal. We had reservations for two at 8pm, but we could've easily sat down at any number of tables inside or outside. We chose the outside. It was beautiful night out, and we got a little section of the patio all to ourselves since the place wasn't that crowded. The service was excellent. Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, the specials, and the drinks, and she was able to answer all of our questions effortlessly. The food was very good. We were treated to an amuse-bouche, which tonight was a small pastry filled with warm gruyere. That was followed by the fresh, house-baked bread, which is one of the better breads I've had. For an appetizer, we started with the escargot. It was so delicious, and we found ourselves dipping the bread into the oil. For entrees, we had the steak au poivre with a cognac-based glaze & she had the Daube Provencal, which was Provencal-style braised beef. The steak au poivre was excellent, and I could definitely taste the hint of cognac. It's something I had never had, so it was interesting and very good. The Daube was also good, though I definitely preferred my steak. For dessert, be sure to get the Mille Feuille aux Framboises. It's a caramelized puff pastry with vanilla pastry cream & raspberries. It's not what you expect from a puff pastry, and apparently it's the staff's favorite dessert. It was an excellent recommendation. To close out the night, the staff brought out a plate with some chocolate truffles & "Happy Birthday" drizzled in chocolate. It was a nice end to the evening. The drinks were awesome. Try the Aviation & the Boulevard St. Germain.
(4)Panina H.
Came here for restaurant week with the dude and had a good experience. The food is good, the restaurant is cozy, and the service is excellent. Maybe Yelp hyped it up for me, leading me to think this would be an incredible experience, but I'm not going to lie - it wasn't memorable. The food: -Escargot- 8 adorable little cups filled with garlic/butter oil, snail, and a little crouton to top it off. It was good, but nothing impressive. I was really excited about this dish, so it was rather disappointing for me to say the least. -Farmer's poached egg on toast with mussels- A couple of Yelp reviews convinced me that this was going to be a wonderful dish so I insisted the dude order for his appetizer. Even though I knew he didn't like mussels, I was sure this dish would change his mind. Nope! After eating one mussel, it was confirmed that he still didn't like them. There were A LOT of mussels, which I ended up eating. They were good, but I've better. Having eaten half of the dude's appetizer, I dared not touch his poached egg on toast. He said it was really good, but he could have been lying just to spare my guilt for pushing him to order a dish that was just average. -Beef cheeks- Beautiful presentation, fresh ingredients, tender meat, and bold flavor. It looks like a small portion, but it does fill you up. Not over stuffing you, but just enough to leave you feeling satisfied. The dude enjoyed this (thank goodness!) and said it reminded him of a Korean dish his grandma used to make. -Lamb/Duck/Sausage Casserole- A very hearty stew that you would enjoy on a cold winter's night. It's very comforting, a classic homey type of dish. The duck and lamb were very tender, but my sausage was overcooked. It was a solid dish, but again, nothing special. -3 Cheese Macaroni- We ordered this side dish for $8, but it was quite bland and the dude thought it smelled bad. Well, the fancier the cheese, the stinkier it is. -Upside down apple tart- The dude only liked the ice cream, which is surprising because he loves apple pie. He ate one slice of apple and just left the rest on the plate. -Layered puff pastry with raspberries- This was only thing that "wowed" me at Bistrot la Minette and I probably would go back just to eat this heavenly dessert again! I'm not big on sweets, I prefer savory or tart flavors, so this light dessert was perfect for my palette. The layered pastries were thin and flakey, lightly salty because of the caramel coating. The cream was not too thick or sweet, but rather airy and tart. The raspberries were fresh and chilled, just a perfect topping for this dessert. It was definitely my favorite dish of the night, highly recommend! Besides the mixed feelings on the food, the service and atmosphere is great! The waiters don't mess around, always clearing plates, bringing out food as soon as it's done, refilling drinks, changing utensils on the table... just stand out service! They also do coat checks and have a small, but nice bar area in the front. One thing to note is their bathroom is unisex. It's not that weird once you realize a guy or a gal could be entering when you're washing your hands. It's only weird (and awkward) if you or the other person walking in doesn't know.
(3)Mike E.
Great meal, great service. I've lived really close by for years, but only finally came here for the first time with my girlfriend and my folks last Friday night. Right away, I was impressed right away with the level of attention we got and the fact that we weren't treated like some sort of fungus for being relatively casually dressed relative to the general demeanor of the room. Lots of great options on the food menu and wine list (including several good bottles to choose from in the $30-50 price range), and we didn't have any trouble finding something that sounded great (even my girlfriend, the vegetarian). My dad and I both ordered the stuffed porc roti (to my thinking, the obvious choice), but when they came out, our orders were both underdone. Like, REALLY super-rare, which I love in a steak but probably isn't optimal for piggies. We each gave it a shot, trying to be open-minded, but finally called the waiter over to let him know that we wanted to send it back for another round. He agreed it was underdone, and took it away. I didn't really expect much besides another five minutes in the oven - both the ladies were already most of the way toward finishing their meals, but them's the breaks and we're not big complainers. Instead, the manager comes over and apologizes profusely on both his behalf and that of the chef, and tells us that both our pork entrees will be on the house, along with comped desserts for everybody. Oh, and instead of just cooking up our bitten porc roti, they made us fresh plates with fresh entrees. Holy cow! Oh yeah, and everything was delicious. So yeah - great meal, definitely worth the money, in a very classy but unpretentious environment that didn't look down on me being slightly hobo-esque that evening. Will certainly be back. Oh, and if you like cocktails, order the Aviation - it kicks ass.
(5)ben c.
Wow, who knew this place existed! My girlfriend and I have been bookmarking a lot of resturants lately. Too bad we're both too busy to eat out as often as we would like. We came here for restaurant week and it was a first visit for both of us. It's sort of hidden but once you find it, you will never forget where it is. We were greeted at the door and taken to our table. The restaurant has a nice and comforting feel to it. The kitchen is partially open and you can see/hear/smell all the cooking going on which adds to the environment and feel of the place. The food is really delicious and delicately prepared and the service was very fast. Some of the items we ordered were baguette, poached eggs with mussels, escargot, trout, mushroom puff pastry, upside-down apple tart with caramel ice cream and caramelized puff pastry with raspberry. Some of the foods were a tad too salty for our liking and we linked it with the high volume of patrons being that it was restaurant week. Still, even at full capacity, this shouldn't have occurred. Another thing that we both noticed and were sort of bothered by was the waiters/waitresses were standing around like hawks. They clean up the plates as soon as we put them down or finish them, it's almost a big startling and overly uncomfortable. Again, we figured they wanted to move diners through to accommodate their reservations but this too shouldn't have happened. We agreed to come back again in the future to try things outside the set menu and really give this place a taste test. Hopefully the taste of the foods and the service will represent this place for what it really is. Still, I will give it 5 stars for still an exceptional evening dining experience. Save room for the desserts, your tummy will thank you.
(5)Cath R.
My husband and I came here for dinner and it was a great experience. It is located right off South Street and the atmosphere was true to a french bistro and hte waiter service was fantastic. We started off with the snails and the scallops and i agree with another poster - do not leave here without trying the snails- they were delicious. The scallops were also great, but we were definitly fighting over the snails. I then had the steak and I think he had the duck (it's been a few weeks since we went). Then for dessert we shared the puff pastry which we devoured pretty quickly. We highly recommend the restuarant - we would just not recommend ordering a cocktail and stick with the wine. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes for our table (even having reservations - but no big deal) and we went to the bar. my hisband ordered an Szarec - sure, maybe not the best thing to order at a French Bistro - but they should at least know how to make one. All the ingredients were poured over the glass of ice and not stirred or shaken - it was the worse drink ever. But the service at the table, wine and food made up for 1 bad drink.
(4)Elaine L.
Wonderful restaurant and ambiance. Came here for a dinner on a Saturday night with my boyfriend and we absolutely enjoyed everything. The place is small but very cozy. Super romantic indeed. The food was wonderful and seemed true to the French cuisine. Portion sizes weren't ridiculous and the service was pretty good. It's been a while since we've been but I remember that we got the escargot and oysteres. The presentation of the escargot was pretty memorable in that I've never seen escargot in single cups but always in a dish with divets in the middle. The oysters were clean and fresh - almost as if they were just brought in from the ocean. Thankfully, it wasn't too briney but I would say we've had better. I remember that my boyfriend and I shared the duck confit and another pork dish (he's more of the pork man --) Both of which were wonderful. The meat was super juicy and tender (just how meat should be) - and the flavors were sublime! Nothing was too overwhelming and despite the manipulations to the material, I think the natural flavors of the duck and the pork shined through. Overall, great date place but it is small so reserve early!
(5)Ian F.
Amazing classic Bistro fare. Try the Limonade and Absinthe cocktail, and anything with puff pastry.
(5)Juliana K.
DELICIOUS! Duck pate was melt in your mouth! It has a little crunch too since it was layered with croutons. WOW. Salads were good and light. Beef cheeks entree was amazing. The red wine sauce it was in was full bodied flavor. The beef cheeks were tender, fatty, and yummy. Gnocchi with the entree was creamy. The veal special was great. Veal was tender. Veggies were cooked perfectly. Two things they let us try complimentary was a delicious little gruyere bread puff and some chocolates at the end. The honey ice cream is soo amazing and smooth. Coffee is also of high quality. Great meal. Service was good. Waiter was very knowledgeable. Will definitely come back.
(5)David B.
I have a soft spot in my heart for French food. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Paris and I am found of the stylings of Julia Child. When I lived in Philly, the place to go for French food was Le Bec Fin. Alas, I never made it. So, I was please to experience the food stylings of Bistrot La Minette. I found this wonderful establishment through all of you, my fellow Yelpers. I was in town on business and dining alone, so I wanted something special. La Minette fit the bill. The dining room is a a single large space. It wasn't too busy the Sunday I was there but imagine that it could get very loud on a busy evening. My waiter was quick and efficient but a little cold. The wine list is not terribly large but they have carafes of a house red and white with a decent selection available by the glass. I opened the meal with mussels out of their shells (well there were three in their shells for garnish) in a cream sauce topped with a poached egg. Yum! I decided to go with a French classic for my entree: Cassoulet. It came in its own little crock and was filled with yummy goodness. The stew was rich and tomatoey with lardons, sausage, and lamb. The duck confit was fabu. I had a simple dessert, house made ice cream with a cup of tea. A very nice meal. I look forward to going back with my hubby and reliving our honeymoon in Paris!
(4)Bill G.
I agree with the 4 & 5 star reviews here so I will not restate the obvious. What I will say is the Braised Duck is fantastic and the cheese & caulifower side was a delight. I highly recommend the place and have been back twice. Oh and I reluctantly tried the house pour pichet (to the rest of us a pitcher of wine) and got the bordeaux blend. well worth the $22 as opposed to some of the other marked up wines below $50. You will NOT be disappointed.
(5)Victoria L.
French food may be my favorite cuisine, and Bistrot la Minette did not disappoint. The freshly made baguettes and butter are addicting. My friend and I shared the mushroom puff pastry appetizer, which was rich and earthy. I got the ravioli because the vegetarian options were slim. It was nicely al dente with a carrot puree that was surprisingly amazing (because I'm not a huge fan of carrots). My friend got the duck and said it was good as well. We couldn't pass up dessert after hearing the ice cream flavors: vanilla, caramel, and a toasted flavor - the last being the best. I can't wait to come back and try other things.
(4)Kim S.
Fantastic food, service and environment. Minette has traditional French food but delivers it impeccably! During restaurant week they served healthy portions and even gave us lots of freebies. Don't miss the foie gras terrine, probably the best terrine I've had. A lot of people rave about the mussels and although I think they're good, I wasn't impressed and probably wouldn't order them again. Mike is a fantastic server. I cannot wait to go here again!
(5)Jay F.
Excellent in every way - food, service, atmosphere! Highly recommend.
(5)Catherine L.
With their four year anniversary right around the corner, Bistrot La Minette, definitely has something to celebrate: that besides Bibou, this is the only destination in Philadelphia for an authentic cuisine française experience, with a menu that is supremely delicieux. J'adore the interior, always have, along with the songbook to boot (I mean, I might be in the minority here, considering my heritage, but I can't get enough of Joe Dassin, Jacques Brel, and yes, the Amelie soundtrack - it never gets old). From the elegant restrooms, traditional decor, marble-topped bar and the high vaulted ceilings, even the gorgeous Laguiole knives, it's the attention to detail that puts me over the moon. Service is always pleasant, accurate, present and knowledgeable (even though their pronunciation isn't on point, and their insistence of saying pree fee for 'prix fixe' when it's actually pree feexe - but bah! small potatoes). Along with Talula's Garden, this place is perfect for a nice dinner out with the folks or for a date destination set for romance. Summer brings about a menu that is all-Provençal and that embraces those vegetables of summer, tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini: an end result that was wonderfully executed in a delicious ratatouille. A zippy tapenade amuse bouche starts off any meal right -- and of course, I still love their amazing crunchy, buttery baguette bread (can I buy to take home?) and their escargots (this time finished with anchovy, bone marrow and garlic) - which is always utter perfection. Their wine selections also reflected the Provence focus, with some great Rosés and a Languenoc red (Domaine Magellan) that will blow your socks off (not available at state stores, we were told, but Moore Brothers carries it). Chef Woolsey and his team do not dissappoint. Meat is always cooked on point (duck, lamb, beef, even frogs' legs, although the large ones aren't always as tender as the smaller ones), every item is flavored perfectly, delicately and meal progression is so well-timed, no rush, no fuss -- and you know what? Desserts are bangin', too. All in all, why go to Parc or Le Bec Fin, when Bistrot La Minette and Bibou do it so much better and so effortlessly? In my book, it's no contest, no question.
(5)Melmoth K.
You know the scene from This Is Spinal Tap, where Nigel Tufnel is trying to explain how the amplifier for his guitar is louder and better than other amps because his volume dial goes past ten, and all the way up to eleven? Well, Bistrot La Minette is why Yelp ratings need to go all the way up to six. Food, service, setting--all fantastic. Killer selection of French liquor and wine. If you're look for a place to have a romantic evening or an intimate dinner with friends or to have a special meal with your parents or to remind yourself of your trip to Paris, Bistro La Minette is your place.
(5)Amy L.
I was the first to arrive for my friend's birthday dinner. I was greeted by a very friendly hostess and she offer me a seat at the bar while I wait for my party. As soon as I sat down I looked at the wine list and ordered a glass of wine. When served, I asked for a napkin and the waiter said they don't have any and told me I can go to the bathroom and use toilet paper...WTHECK???? I was surprised, then I asked him for a cloth napkin and then he told me I can't spit my gum into it. Seriously???? I wouldn't be that disgusting and rude. I wanted to wipe the corners of my mouth. At that point, I no longer wanted to deal with the bartender/waiter. What restaurant bar doesn't have a napkins?? The decor inside was nice. Our party order the set menu and a bunch of additional apps. The scallop was delish but the rest the food was okay...nothing truly memorable. The portions seemed to be un-proportional. For example, we all had a stew and my bowl barely had any liquid while my friend had a lot. When the fish came, my friend had the smallest cut compared to the rest of our party. Toward the end of our dinner, the waiter dropped a tray of forks and spoons behind us by accident and scared the crap out of us but did not apologize.
(2)Asuka N.
I'd come once to Bistrot La Minette a few years ago, but I forgot most of the food experience (not to mention writing a review), so I was looking forward to going back and having another go at this French-styled restaurant just south of South Street. It's got dim lighting, frames on pictures and chandeliers that give it more of an Old World feel, and French pop music playing in the background. That said, it's not overly stuffy, largely due to the waiter - I don't know his name, but he was exceptional. He was familiar with the dishes yet not overly pushy about which ones he felt were the best, and, perhaps best, he knew his way around the wine list and how each glass we were looking at tasted. It's very impressive, given that most of the time when I'm at a restaurant, waiters tend to be clueless about wines or rely on sommeliers to give wine advice. From what I can recall (and what the waiter said), the menu was quite different from what was available a few years back, but I definitely feel like this was a substantially better dining experience than in the past. For appetizers, the sea scallops were pretty standard, but properly cooked - enough to hold the form, but not done too much to make them rubbery. I tried the specialty of the restaurant, the mussels with poached eggs - and wow, was that delicious. The tarragon sauce works well with seafood with a briny edge like mussels, and the egg yolk helps to add another layer to the sauce, but without making it overly heavy. It's really a dish that fits in as well with dinner as it would on a brunch menu. For the entree, I ordered the lamb and tomato stew, which was incredibly delicious. It looks quite daunting from the onset given how big the lamb looks in the pot, but it falls off the bone very easily and has a tenderness akin to braised short ribs. The tomato adds a strong base, and the bread crumbs and duck confit help to add depth to what would otherwise be a very meaty stew. My fiancee had one of the Valentine Day's specials - the filet with foie gras. The filet itself was done really well, but adding small pieces of foie helps to bring out the fattiness and juiciness of the steak. Dessert was splitting the Mille Feuille aux Framboises, which was a delectable way of finishing the meal...it's a very light pastry, filled with similarly light vanilla cream that lets the raspberries and the raspberry sauce fill the dessert with rich, fruity sweetness. Throughout the meal, both the Bordeaux blend and the Rhone blend (which has a touch of spice and is quite jammy, as the waiter said) both worked very well across the appetizers and the red-meat main courses. And, lest I forget, the bread appears to be sliced from a freshly-made baguette, with the rich creamy French butter that I am incredibly fond of. While I came away happy, but not blown away, by my last meal here, I feel like Bistrot La Minette has refined their menu to a higher level. Everything we ate here was delicious, and despite the French reputation for heavy foods, we were happily full - but not crushingly stuffed - when we walked out. The prices are pretty reasonable as well, with most entree items running around $25-30. I'd love to come back and try the new menu out when the season changes.
(5)Steven W.
Bistro La Minette is the perfect date spot. Amazing service, food, and wine selection. I have been to Paris and the food here is reminiscent of my favorite bistro in Montmartre. I love that they have some of the French country style cuisine like Coq au Vin which is the best thing I have had there. You will not be disappointed with anything you order.
(4)Sara S.
My boyfriend and I came to Bistrot for our four year anniversary and it was spectacular! Everything from the ambiance, to the service and the delicious food was perfect...it was a very unique and authentic French experience! There is seating out front overlooking the sidewalk and street, inside and also the back courtyard. I highly recommend sitting in the back courtyard, it was so charming! Round lights were strung above the tables and beautiful pots overflowing with colorful flowers dotted the ground. It was a very romantic place for dinner, but would also be fun with a bunch of friends for an upscale dinner! Our server Mike was outstanding- he was so knowledgeable and friendly and you could tell her wanted to make our dinner enjoyable. We started off with their pitcher of wine- it was a very clever idea to serve wine in a clay pitcher! Sidenote: The owner's uncle makes the pitchers in Maine. Then, another server brought out complimentary little round toasted baguette pieces topped with homemade olive tapenade YUM! This wa followed by the best tasting bread I've ever had (the recipe is from the owner's wife's aunt who lives in Leon, France) and butter topped with fleur de sol. The crust was crunchy and flaky yet the interior was soft. We ordered escargot and a homemade pasta dish for appetizers, these were also fabulous! They serve the escargot in cute little pots about the size of your thumb (also homemade by the chef's uncle) and it was delicious. Sometimes I like escargot, other times not, but Bistrot had these little escargots marinated in this unbelieveable sauce of olive oil, garlic and olives and it was to die for! We both ordered the beef for our entrees (entrees range in price from $20-$27)- served with little home made gnocci potato puffs, WOW! Everything really was mouth-watering. They ran out of the potato au gratin, so the server asked the chef to whip up something special that is not on the menu- homemade mac and cheese with 4 cheeses, including Brie. Again, fabulous!! The night ended with two complimentary chocolate truffles. The dessert menu also looked delicious but we were too full. Highly recommend for a romantic night on the town or even with couples, friends, family! This truly was an authentic, French bistro experience (we passed several tables of people speaking French...so you know it is the real thing!) I was a little sad to leave- it was a wonderful night!!
(5)Adrienne C.
Such a wonderful meal! It was so great to eat at a yummy restaurant in Philly that was not Italian or farm-to-table / New American. The ambiance is adorable, the food is amazing and the service is friendly. Biggest tip - if it says "puff pastry" somewhere (first course, dessert, whatever), get it. It's pretty much guaranteed to be amazing. The goods: wild mushroom puff pastry, beef tartare, rabbit with house-made tagliatelle and stuffed quail. The desserts were also good - again, go wtih the puff pastry. Def must try again!
(5)Kim A.
Amazing. Went for the anniversary dinner with a friend. The mushroom and artichoke soup with foie gras was smooth and creamy. The mussels and duck confit, delicious. The salmon poached in duck fat, the steak, the bacon wrapped harticort verts, fantastic. Everything was just amazing. This was my first time here but not my last!
(5)Barbara Ann R.
I was treated to a birthday dinner here, and what a treat it was! I lived in France for many years and miss my "comfort food" so much - in this case escargots to start and then lapin w house-made tagliatelle (ok, so maybe the pasta wasn't totally French, but it was good, and the rabbit was as well, if a tad dry). A tarte aux oranges confits sauce chocolate for dessert. The wine list seemed inordinately pricey, but the house wine by the carafe was more than adequate, and reasonably priced. Yummy cafe and dessert wines as well. I don't live in Philadelphia, but hope to visit regularly & will try to come back when I do (though I think it will be for their prix fixe as I'll be footing the bill).
(4)Christine D.
Have the escargot and grilled sardines. Everything from food to the service was excellent! Best kept secret in Philadelphia. Cool place to hangout for after work drinks.
(5)Tess G.
I really liked this place. Wish they had one in NYC area. Reasonably priced French bistro food. Not at all stuffy but served by the polite, knowledgeable, serious souls you'd find in fine dining. The servers seemed to really be proud of the food. Very good sign. What to try: - Foie gras - Super smooth and the hazelnut and fig sauces it came with really set it off against the paper thin brioche slices - Cassoulet - Delicious. Crispy duck skin, buttery soft beans and chunks of lamb. Perfect for a winter night. - Beef cheeks - Normally I don't fall for the restaurant trick of serving cheap cuts for above-average prices. But I had a good feeling about this place and my gamble paid off. The beef cheeks were actually the size of tiny tenderloins but richer. The dish came with soft pillows of French gnocchi. I don't know the difference between French and Italian gnocchi but these were larger than Italian gnocchi but just as light. Best part of the dish was the sauce pooled at the bottom. Unbelievably delicious with the wine and richness of the beef cheeks. Worth ordering this dish just for that sauce. More details: - They make their own bread. Crusty baguettes that come out every 15 minutes and sliced in the dining area. Served with perfectly salted, room temp butter. SOOOO GOOOOOD. - Great at details: Amuse bouche of tiny gourgere will with some really good cheese. Ended the meal with homemade chocolates. Makes you feel welcome from beginning to end. - We came at a night where they were having a 4-course dinner to celebrate the Anjou wine region. It was an absolute steal at $50 with wine pairings. But the regular menu looked so good that we had to try it. I can only assume it was popular since the place was packed by 7pm on a Wednesday night. My only complaint? Cheese plate was good and they had a nice selection. I just wish it came with jam/jelly/sweet paste instead of butter lettuce. It was good but not what I wanted for an after-dinner cheese plate. p.s. The place is quite charming. Feels like it belongs in a town outside of Paris - not overly done. Cozy but not so small that its impossible to get a table. Lighting is not bright but brighter than candle light so you can see their food. Bathroom has the neatest vanity - looks like an enormous vanity but with double sinks. No paper towels - washcloths to dry your precious little hands. Very romantic.
(5)Rob C.
Omg. Really good! Do go now. Food , service wonderful!
(5)Ahmad C.
My wife suggested (after reading Yelp reviews) that we should try this out on V-Day. Initially we couldn't find a free table till 10:30pm (notwithstanding, we booked a table for two) and checked with the restaurant if we can come in a little earlier. I received a call few minutes later that they have bumped us to 8:30pm after a cancellation. This was beyond expectations and I give them full marks for this! Not a huge fan of the tacky South St district but the restaurant is in a quieter (acceptable) area on 6th St. Moving on to the food. Loved the complimentary cheese puffs. For first course we ordered Pan Seared Scallops (a tad bland for me, though my wife liked it and argues there was subtle smokiness) and Escargots (excellent). Second course was one of the best cooked meal I've had recently - I ordered the Trout and my wife went with Salmon (both were excellent). Ended the meal with apple tart w/ caramel ice cream and complimentary chocolates. Last but not the least, the bread deserves a special mention.
(4)Christine B.
So so good. I went here with some fellow yelpers to celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. We had a 4 course dinner with wine pairings. Only complaint is that the waiter did not explain the wine pairings, but the food was delicious. First up was french onion soup. Definitely my favorite french onion. There was such great flavor, and the cheese, and soggy crouton were delicious. Second course was a pike filled dumpling type dish. I don't recall the french name. It was light and airy, and topped with a tasty crawfish brown butter sauce. Next was a veal stew. It was great. Finally, a walnut tart. The perfect end to the meal, the crust was buttery and flaky, and the filling wasn't overly sweet. Also, as other have mentioned the bread and butter is awesome.
(4)Brad P.
So this is why the Germans were so desperate to conquer France. Their food is so delicious. Imagine for a second that you are looking out over the Maginot line with concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, and machine gun posts. You are thinking that even though you lost 2,476,897(Civilian and military) people the first time, might as well give it another shot. After all, you are getting hungry. Bistrot La Minette carries on the tradition of making other countries envious of French food. It is an excellent place. The mussel appetizer with a poached egg and cream sauce is the best mussel dish I've had in recent memory. The mussels are flawlessly cooked and the sand/crunchy stuff has been righteously purged from each mussel. The sauce is great. The Bœuf Bourguignon was absolutely tender. It melted in my mouth like the T-1000 in that molten metal at the end of T2. I could swear I felt a thumbs up as it went down my gullet. The Carrelet Poêlée au Beurre Noisette was a little bit of a disappointment. It lacked the flare of the other dishes and was a little bit dry. Don't get me wrong - it was good fluke. It just didn't stack up to the expectations set by the other items. I have to give mad props to the waiter named Kane. I dropped a fork on the floor and my replacement was available in seconds. He heard it from across the room, triangulated the location of the sound(Predator-style), and delivered unto me a clean eating utensil.
(4)Brittany R.
Never been to a French Restaurant but I wanted to go and the fellow agreed to my request, after some good review reading we booked the date for late december. My date got stuck in SUPER traffic on the Saturday before NYE and we were late. I called and they were totally cool with pushing us back an hour so he could get into the city to pick me up. Very low key quiet place. We managed to get seated RIGHT before it got super busy. Hard to park outside of the local pay-parking areas. Especially on a saturday. I ordered a little half jug of wine for me an it was descent. We both got sides of the macaroni and cheese which was amazing. My guy got the rabbit but I got the quail stuffed with sausage and the most amazing spinach I have ever had in my life. Seriously, it was SO good. We got desserts and just had a really good time. I would go again to perhaps try one of their special menus.
(4)Robert B.
I found the meal to be wonderful overall. The experience slightly below some other restauarant experiences. I had a warning to not order salad and stuck with it. The ambianec is charming and warm. We were given a choice of seating with our reservation and decided to go outside in the garden with a wonderful evening. There we remained in a quiet area without a lot of noise. I'm sure as it gets later than our reservation it is bustling. The inside definately was. But, being able to be outside and have a nice quiet cozy meal was special. The food, we started with an amuse of puff pastry with cheese. A wonderful small bite sized wonder. I ordered an onion tart and my wife the signature Mussels. I loved the tart, it had complexity of flavors. I only wish more sauce was available. It was a nice addition of a tart note to the rest. I tasted the creamy sauce for my wifes dish and it was heavenly as well. For dinner, we ordered Rabbit and a Short Rib special with jumbo snails. You have to order something with snails at a French restaurant. I had the rabbit and it came with pasta. It was tastey. I wished for more sauce as teh rabbit was dry on its own. Maybe I should have sliced it up and into the pasta? I also thought it needed some texture. My wife had the short ribs. It was exactly what one would expect. We both had the snails and noticed a slightly smokey/burned taste as the result of grilling. It was a first for us and we would order snails again in the future. We ended with two different tart desserts. I had an apple tart with caramel ice cream. My wife a lemon tart with a berry ice cream. Neither was overly sweet. My ice cream melted quickly and basically became a sauce for the tart. A chocolate ganache bon bon was the final course and was on the house. The pleasant reward for the evening was the price. It was not over the top. This alone makes it a place you would welcome returning to.
(4)Allison B.
I feel truly honored that I was able to eat at Bistrot La Minette in the dining salon. I had just been hired to work at a nonprofit in town. Their Christmas party was the next day, and they kindly invited me along. We sat at a long table in a private room. I knew no one, and was trying to make small talk with the people that would soon be my co-workers. That was easy to do with the succulent and fabulous food that was constantly coming out from the kitchen and put in front of us. First- the bread and butter. Do you know how many restaurants screw this one up? The bread at La Minette was some of the best table bread I have ever had, period. Let me preface this by saying I had no idea this was going to be a three course meal, so I ate the first courses as if they would be my last, which was a mistake. I was so painstakingly full by the end of it! First there were cheese puffs and marinated mushrooms, served with toothpicks. Then were was a divine carrot salad enhanced with citrus, beet salad and a ham and cheese quiche. Seems like lunch, no? Little did I know it would be followed by a scalloped potato tart, perfectly sauteed string beans, and roasted chicken that fell from the bone. Dessert was chocolate cake with strawberry sorbert- my mouth is watering at the thought of it. Everything. Was. Delicious. I hope and pray I have the opportunity to eat at Bistrot La Minette again!
(5)Karim N.
One of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. I came here in a group of 4 during restaurant week and was just blown away. A very memorable evening. The appetizers were probably my favorite part of the meal, especially the escargot and fishermans style poached egg with taragon cream, which was so wonderfully simple and complex at the same time.The foie gras was solid, but a little boring. The main courses did not disappoint. I had the beef cheek bourginon, my friend had the duck confit with white beans. It was all spectacular. The wine list was solid too. The ambience was friendly and romantic, but not stuffy. Definitely the best bistrot style French food in Philly as far as I can tell.
(5)Owen R.
Bistrot La Minette wears many hats - it can be neighborhood bistro or a romantic date spot. A thoughtfully curated wine list is coupled with professional table tending to form a foundation for a memorable meal. Mussels with a tarragon crème sauce is totally evocative of a French fisherman's lunch. While the rabbit with tagliatelle gets the word of mouth headlines, there are other choices to consider like duck, beef cheeks or lamb shank. Cozy - and stylish with a pressed tin ceiling and rouge baguette seating. Seating hint: there are two (2) top tables in the front window and one slightly larger in the other window. The bread is made in house which means its warm and spectacular - try not to spoil your dinner.
(4)Jason C.
Very good! Charming room, nice music and very good food. Try the poached egg and mussels first-- it's delicious. The lamb shank was good, but a little bit tough. Still, it had plenty of flavor, so I'm not complaining. All in all, I was quite impressed.
(4)Nicole L.
Bistrot La Minette will remain in my memories even when I move out of Philly - it's the kind of place you wish you could take along with you from city to city. We came here in September for my husband's birthday on the recommendation of a friend who couldn't stop raving about the restaurant. So it was me, hubs and his best friend - and we left completely amazed by the experience. First of all, the restaurant has that old charm French feel without being snobby. We were dressed pretty nicely for the occasion, but people were coming in with athletic gear and were completely at home. The ambient music was French jazz, muted enough to add to the atmosphere but not loud enough that it hurt the conversation. We were seated a couple of tables away from the open kitchen. Some people are put off by open kitchens, but we're foodies and we love watching people cook. Our server was lovely and had many helpful recommendations about the wine list and the menu. The kir royale I ordered was what I expected it to be - crisp and bubbly without being overly sweet. Hubs and best friend shared a bottle of wine recommended to us and loved it. Another server came around and served us a little amuse bouche - a parmesan puff - which was complimentary and just delicious. The escargot (a personal favourite) was delightful and came served in nine individual tiny pots topped with a flat crouton. I had the duck topped with seared foie gras and fingerling potatoes - a little on the rich side, but what do you expect with seared duck and more duck on top? Hubs stopped talking as soon as his steak frites arrived - the look of intent concentration on his face was almost hilarious. Hubs' best friend had the pork chop with haricots vert, which he was initially hesitant with, but was utterly satisfied. And let's just say that dessert was out of this world. The opera cake. Enough said. We tried the clatoufis too but it didn't hold a candle to that opera cake. I didn't even mind the street parking or the difficulty of finding it on a Saturday night near South Street - it's completely worth the hassle. Go there, enjoy the experience, hold it tight in your memories.
(5)Kathleen D.
I love having Bistrot la Minette in my neighborhood. I love that it's down the street, making the block even more adorable.Though tonight...tonight, trudging home in the rain, the sight of it made my face twist into a bitter wince. "Look at them in there, clinking wine glasses. I bet those bastards are eating Flammenkuche." That's a delicious. Alsatian style "pizza." Think about caramelized onions, lardons, creme fraiche. Think about it and weep. I'm not a jealous person, except for people's meals. Seriously, that's the only thing. I tried to stop myself from dwelling on the fact that while some are enjoying delectable, plump escargots tonight, I am not. I shivered in the rain like some urchin-wretch-thing, and peered up into the windows as I passed by. I reminded myself that I owe Bistrot La Minette more than a few good reviews. I love the special menu prix fixes, presented like "a visit to." We've enjoyed a night in the Basque country last year, and then a trip to Alsace Lorraine, to name a couple. $35 or 50 with wine pairings, and it's a swell deal if you're askin me. The wine pairings have been excellent in our experiences. I learned that I love gewurztraminer, who knew? I know what you're thinking about me. "It's not like it was a long shot. It's booze, ain't it, sister?" I'll remind you that I have refined taste. And I learned how to pronounce "gewurztraminer." Anyway, I definitely recommend the French regional dinners for sure. The food is delicious and beautifully prepared. I already mentioned how I nearly flew into a jealous rage at the thought of the Alsatian pizza and the wonderful, buttery snails. Now and then we'll just stop in for those two appetizers and a drink or two. I can recommend the duck breast with blood orange gastrique. Same for the Lapin Roti a la Moutarde. Dijon mustard braised rabbit, you were the first bunny that I've ever bitten. I love the atmosphere, the decor... It's feels super French and special, yet comfortable neighborhood-place all at once. Dig the long red banquette that runs the length of the dining room. I dig that my husband always lets me sit on that side! I think that the streetlight bulbed chandeliers are so cool. Outdoor seating in the warmer months is pretty lovely. OH and speaking of lovely, and warmer months- Bistrot La Minette plays French films- a dinner and French film al fresco. It's pretty nice. It's something to sigh about. Ahhhhh.... There's a lot to love about this place; lotsa stuff happening, events highlighting wonderfully authentic French foods... Bistrot La Minette, you're a good restaurant-neighbor. Many times we'll be leaving after a meal and I'll begin to hum a medley of Edith Piaf tunes as I float home...not because any of the songs played in the restaurant. Not at all cause they didn't. I just grew up watching cartoons, and that's what cartoons do they when they're feeling swoony in France.
(4)Michelle L.
Straightforward french food in a really cute setting. I'm sorry, but I thought the food was overall simple and forgettable-- I love simple food, but it was nothing impressive that I would want to return to. Thought the bill was too high, that's fo sho. Service was great; I got the impression the restaurant really runs well.
(3)Dan S.
Nothing special. Good, friendly service. Food was good but not great. It was not crowded the night we were there so the energy was low.
(3)K. A.
Outstanding in every way. Peter Woolsey and his sous chefs are simply inspired. They have a seasonal menu that becomes "Provencale" in the summer, which I haven't tried yet, but for which I can assuredly be counted on to return. This place is unpretentious, yet measures up to the absolute highest standards of cuisine as set by the likes of Alice Waters, Georges Perrier and Fernand Point, and it's all right here in Philadelphia! If this place were in any other city, you would need to make reservations a month in advance. The location is a little off the beaten path, with a frowsy exterior. Once inside, however, you enter a different world- one of civility and charm, with a bit of a thrift shop/antiquaire feeling, with art and objects arranged in a very personal way, as one might have at home. It is all very personal and intimate. Including the service. You feel special. You are special. And if you bring a date here, do not do so lightly, because you may end up getting married afterward, confusing your feelings for the person with your feelings for the food. It's that good. La Minette proves that you don't need "location" and you don't need marketing glitz, or some clever "theme" (a la Parc) to make a great restaurant. You need one thing: passion. And you need to know how to cook. Woolsey, you can be proud of what you have done. My new favorite in Philadelphia. La Minette: seductive mistress to my long time companion Rouge.
(5)Mary M.
This is perhaps my favorite restaurant to go with my boyfriend on a special occasion or date night. I find the warm classic French decor very romantic. The last time we visited the restaurant was for their 2 year anniversary in which they offered 4 courses for $22 (pre fixe menu), the escargots appetizer was the star of that meal. Their menu changes frequently based on what is in season. They also do special pre-fixe dinner nights such at the one mentioned above, usually focusing on a region of France. I highly recommend the pitcher of house white wine; it is traditional French white table wine that tastes divine and a sweet price ($12 for small pitcher). I've never had anything on the menu that I didn't like. The dijon-braised rabbit is a stand-out entree. I have yet to dine in the courtyard out back but with the Fall officially here I will be waiting until next year. That doesn't mean I won't be back before then. Get a little dressed up and make the night special - this place is the perfect back-drop for it!
(5)Peter S.
Consistently wonderful across the board with food service and atmosphere.
(5)Vincent F.
For my money this is the best French in Philadelphia. I only put 4 stars since I don't know shit about French food so I can't say this is really the best in the city. However, I love it there. The food is tasty, the ambiance is awesome and the service is perfect. I would totally go back again.
(4)Ashley G.
I have to say I really love this place. It's so charming, the food was delicious, definitely pricey but a great spot for that special occasion dinner or a "not so often" date night. We split the escargot and the mushroom puff pastry appetizer, both were incredible, so flavorful, and good portions. We each had a cocktail (the cocktail Normand was like candied apples in a glass, the other one I had was a black currant liqueur with rye, it was very strong but I enjoyed it) For main course I had the rabbit which was very good but I must say the star of the night were the beef cheeks, they were excellent. The dessert hands down get the puff pastry with raspberries it was like heaven on a plate..we got some complimentary after dinner drinks because we were celebrating a birthday, and these delicious chocolate truffles that melt in your mouth. The waiter was fantastic, overall a beautiful evening I highly recommend this place!
(5)A E.
I eat a lot, and sometimes I get complacent. This place completely rocked that to its core. Every time someone tells me that I'm being too nitpicky, I will reference them to this place because excellence was seen all around. I went for brunch, and it was the best one I can remember. The bread was fresh baked, and by that I don't mean that it had been baked that morning. I mean that they told me that I had to wait a little because the delicious crusty bread was still cooling and was still hot when they brought it out to me. The coffee was a delicious dark roast that somehow wasn't too bitter. And that's not even counting what I ordered. I heartily recommend the prix fix menu for brunch, as it lets you have three courses for $25. Considering that' above the cost of a few two course combos it's not too much of a stretch to go for three. I can't find what I had for my first course on their online menu, but it was a piece of toast topped with creamy cheese, figs, more cheese, greens and balsamic vinegar. It wasn't a perfect dish, but the flavor all stacked pretty well together and I was happy. And then the duck arrived and knocked me out of the park. Seriously, this one is an absolute knockout. I could not think of a single thing that anyone, ANYONE could have done to improve this dish. The duck meat was perfectly cooked: tender and juicy and covered in a decadently crisp skin, giving it an additional textural layer along with the intense savory flavor. My mouth is watering just writing about it. The potatoes were...well, not just cubed, but rounded at the edges and soaked up all the juices while still maintaining their own flavor. The hert covert was at just the right texture, and their flavor was subtle but enjoyable...and this is from someone who doesn't *like* green beans. To finish off, I had the tarte tatin. The bottom layer was crisp, even under the layer of apples and ice cream, even when they started to ooze as I broke it open. It sucked up the fruit juice and cream, letting me savor every bit of it. If I had to make one nitpicky thing, it's that food took a while coming out. Now, I don't mind waiting as long as I did for such high quality fare but the floor was pretty quiet when I walked in, with only two other tables. It could be that they were still ramping up for the main onslaught, but it still took me awhile to complete the experience. If you are in a rush...don't be. Cancel or postpone what you had planned, so you can sit back and enjoy this.
(5)J K.
I almost thought I was in France at Bistrot La Minette! This is a truly authentic French bistro located just a few steps off of South Street. Enjoyed the prix fixe beaujolais nouveau dinner, which was a bargain at $45 per person including a bottle of wine for two! The meal and wine were both delicious! Will be back to sample more of the menu. Highly recommend!
(4)Frank F.
Solid, solid, solid. Very good French bistro food. The classics. Good service, good food, great ambiance. The bread was really excellent.
(4)Tyler R.
Bistrot La Minette is a charming place with wonderful food, drink and staff. I would give the place 5 stars, but 1) we didn't eat a main course (though the food smelled amazing), 2) they didn't give our table bread (there were people who ordered less than we did and got bread even though our server promised it was coming out of the oven), and 3) I was overcharged on a glass of wine ($11 instead of $9). My girlfriend and I came here to watch a French movie, eat some light bites (sardine appetizer), and enjoy wine with dessert (pinot noir and malbec with opera cake and tart tatin). First, the sardine fillets were lovely, though a little small. They are paired with roasted red peppers. It was tasty and well worth ordering. The opera cake was also delicious and paired nicely with the pinot noir. The tart tatin (baked apple tart) was good, but it wasn't constructed well. I don't know if it sat too long, but my ice cream melted onto the plate by the time I could take my first bite. It was mostly a hard-to-eat apple tart with a puddle of vanilla ice cream. Could have been executed better, or I just might not know tart tatin-- both are very valid. I will be going back to Bistrot La Minette, and I will update this review. Until then, I would definitely suggest going for a date, for good food, or for the experience.
(4)Scott H.
Such a charming spot--feels very authentic and transports you to Paris. Excellent food and wine selections, great atmosphere and service, and an incredible selection of Calvados for an after dinner drink.
(5)ADL A.
First, my husband and I are as picky as they come. We enjoy when food needs no seasoning to melt in your mouth. That being said, I had originally planned our trip here on movie night ( Mondays and Thursdays at 8pm) however since Southwark was closed, and we couldn't find Salt and Pepper, we decided to make it a special night. Not only do they have a magnificent selection of drinks, but the servers were knowledgeable and attentive and before even asking have told you their favorites. We started with the tomato salad, which was just as sweet and light as fine summers day. After a class of 5$ French bier - tasty but I would have liked to try one of the champagne drinks if I had a time machine - I ordered the Alaskan halibut with haricot verts and fingerling potatoes which, along with being presented naturally, tasted as mouth watering as it looked. We were presented with, at different points in our meal, little palette stimulator's - cheese puffed pastry on one occasion and homemade chocolate pieces on another - both were just right. The dessert is to die for. Whether you. Choose the cake or the ice cream - don't skip this one because you are too full. The atmosphere reminded me of a similar Bistrot Saint Michael's S
(5)Stella H.
I went for their 3 year anniversary and recently went back and both times were fantastic. The food is rich and delicious, their wine/beer selection is a nice complement and the servers are very attentative and courteous. Must get the mussels with poached egg appetitizer, it is amazing!!!
(4)Theresa W.
Charming, YUM, and so so reasonably priced. The place almost borders on cliche, but the inside really does look and feel like a little family run bistro in the French countryside. I came for lunch with two others on a Saturday and the restaurant had a few tables filled but wasn't that busy. Our server, who was the server for all the tables was welcoming, polite, and knew his way around the wine list and the menu. I had the apple-y cinnamon-y cocktail which was just ok, but they also had cider! The menu offers both prix fixe (2 and 3 courses) and a la carte options. It's easy to have a nice meal for under $20 not counting drinks, and there's no need to stick with the prix fixe for budget purposes. We all tasted each other's dishes and the standouts were the rich escargot, my delicious duck confit with crispy crackling skin, and the chocolate mousse. It wasn't the best duck confit I've ever had but it was well done. The chocolate mousse was extremely decadent--I definitely had no hope of finishing it. We also sampled their seasonal sorbets, which were refreshing and really captured the flavors of the fruits used. Blackcurrant was my favorite.
(4)AB H.
We had a lovely light French dinner at BLM! We liked sitting outside on a summer evening. The night started with an amuse bouche of cheese puffs, which were lovely, albeit a bit salty. My kir royal was delicious, not too sweet! We had the mushrooms and puff pastry, which was very rich and yummy. We sopped up the extra sauce with the fresh French bread the kitchen makes daily. Next up was the tomato tart, which was tangy and creamy, and fresh green salad. We tried the three sorbets, of which two were just OK (peach and currant) and an amazing scoop of strawberry. To top it all off, the waiter brought us complimentary small glasses of the French version of port. What a great way to end a classic meal. I look forward to coming back and trying more dishes.
(4)Jessica H.
I went on a Tuesday evening, reservation at 7:30 p.m. If you want a filled restaurant but moderate energy, this is the time to go. I read that it gets very energetic but I enjoyed the moderate energy that evening. Can I just say one word? Damn. Okay, I can't contain it to one word. We ordered four appetizers - ranked from least to greatest **Bouchées à la Reine aux Champignons Sauvages (mushrooms - sooo good but slightly salty) **Coquilles St. Jacques aux Endives Braisées (scallops - staple appetizer, very good) **Œuf du Pêcheur - Mussels with poached egg on bread, amazing. Simply amazing. **Terrine de Foie Gras - I had dreams about it that night. I went to Paris recently and the Foie Gras there was not as good as the one I had Bistrot Minette. But this is for people who like Foie Gras- not everyone likes Foie Gras. It was paired with figs, my gawwwwwwd. Sooooooooo gooooooood!! I had rabbit for my entree. IT was good but I couldn't get the foie gras out of my mind. It was tender and not gamey. It's heavy dish. My friend got the lamb and duck confit - very heavy food, but lamb was crispy and good. My other friend got the porgy - it's fish...it's very light and crispy. It was really good too. But I think kudos goes towards the appetizers. I would go back and just order like 10 appetizers. Dessert was good. Interesting sorbet flavors.
(5)Bob F.
The host cancelled my reservation when I told him I made it on opentable. He said that the restaurant gets charged $7 per reservation. Apparently my $120 tab for dessert and drinks wasn't enough to cover their loss. My sole reason for choosing this place was the fact that I could make a reservation with opentable last minute. Guess who's not coming back? Oh not to mention, that I ordered a glass of absinthe and louched it to my particular taste. Apparently, the waitstaff did not approve of the way I like to pour ice water over the intact sugar cube and decided to interrupt me and crush the cube on my spoon. No offense, but if you're not drinking it and not paying for it, back off. The service at this place is Appalling. Had I not been with my girlfriend and her mother, I would have went across the street for better service.
(1)benjamin J.
Im too drunk and full to write a whole book about it. But, The poached egg appetizer on toasted bread and creamy muscles on top, I cannot stop thinking about it. So good. The escargot was also amazing, little shot filled with garlic and butter. I was cleaning em out with bits of bread. Drinks, tartare, rabbit, duck, quail, were all great. This place is dope and is not overly priced.
(5)Suzanne H.
A slice of France right here in Philly! Enjoyed the French Classic comfort dishes ; cassoulet , Beef Bourguignon and escargot. The place is cozy and un pretentious. Service was professional and helpful. I felt the food was prepared nicely however a little heavy handed on the salt.
(4)Ann V.
Went here last night for their anniversary celebration. The food here is quite wonderful! The staff was also very attentive and friendly. Definitely a nice addition to the city. I hope they have many more anniv to come!
(4)Lady B.
Romantic, special place. The food is fantastic and the service is the best I have ever experienced. The outdoor patio area is gorgeous, especially at night. I highly recommend it for a nice date night out.
(5)Rick A.
Great little spot off of south street. The atmosphere, food and service were all great. I took my lady friend here for a special occasion because she loves French Bistros. I am a little but of a picky eater and I did not have any trouble finding a great meal. Overall it was Very Good but a little pricey for a casual dinner. I would visit this place for a special occasions but not all the time.
(4)J P.
A damn near perfect meal. Quality was there, service was cordial, our reservation time was perfect for a great late evening dinner. We started with a pitcher of the house wine and the scallops which were delectable. I ordered the lobster, and my wife had the rabbit. Both were amazing. We ended with the Tarte au Citron (Lemon Tart, Cassis Sorbet) and Mille Feuille aux Framboises (Carmelized Puff Pastry, Vanilla Pastry Cream, Raspberries) and some coffee. We all felt fat and happy. This place is very cute and very hip without being hipsterish. This is a great date spot and with its great service and food it will leave you in the mood for a great night.
(4)Dave B.
Wow. Wow. WOW! Only thing better than a fantastic meal is one in which you get paid to do so (went on Small Business Saturday). From the decor to the meal to the service, this is a terrific restaurant worthy of your business. The restaurant is small but has ample seating, which is a little crowded on the right side of the room. Adjacent conversations can be easily ignored unless your neighbors have no manners. Our waiter was attentive to our needs. The dinner was staggered perfectly, beginning with french bread and very rich butter. Like the rest of the meal, the bread was fabulous. My meal consisted of the foie gras terrine and NY strip steak with a cappuccino and black coffee. My date's meal was an endives salad and trout with a half-pitcher of their house white wine. We split the apple tart with caramel ice cream. I tried everything we had except for the wine, so I feel comfortable commenting on everything. The foie gras is a terrine on a small brioche with a fig compote and salad. The salad was so-so. But the flavors of the terrine, fig and brioche compliment each other PERFECTLY. The terrine is fairly large in size. So large I almost wish it were smaller. Almost. The endives salad is topped with walnuts, pears, blue cheese and a vinaigrette dressing. Very nice. Especially the blue cheese. The NY strip is a hearty 8oz portion with a thick peppered crust. It comes with potatoes done au gratin and haricot verts wrapped in bacon. All wonderful components and very filling. The trout was a bit under seasoned, but overall it was a good dish. The apple tart left me happy that we decided to get dessert. The meal was finished with two chocolate truffles. A very nice touch. My cappuccino ranks among the best I've had at a restaurant. However the coffee tasted very watered down. I'm not going to knock down a 5-star meal for that though. The meal ran us a very reasonable $115 before tip. This is definitely a place I will grab dinner at again next time I'm in Philly.
(5)Kara T.
Had a wonderful meal here. French atmosphere and attentive, fast service (which maybe isn't so French but was nice). Had wonderful scallop appetizer and the mushroom puff pastry (scallops won as being the better of the 2 but both were excellent). The fish we ordered for the main course was good but not excellent. However, the rabbit was divine, in a lightly creamed dijon sauce. (Despite how barbaric I sometimes feel consuming "Thumper" I do have a fondness for rabbit, which is rarely on menus). The mille-feuille dessert with raspberries was amazingly good. I left feeling like all my taste sensations had been satisfied with a very pleasant food buzz. Only downside was that tables were waaay to close together. I'm relatively fit and I could barely squeeze my butt into the banquet without sliding it across the neighboring table, which surely can't be up to health code standards, not to mention is rather unpleasant for all involved. Although they didn't overtly rush us, there was a sense that diners are moved in and out on a schedule to allow for the next reservations. We were not offered a coffee refill, which was the only service disappointment. Staff were attentive, knowledgeable about the food, and welcoming from the GM out front helping us with on-street parking to all the waitstaff. We'll be back!
(4)Clara L.
I could easily say this was one of the best meals in Philadelphia. Move over Garces and Vetri. Here is Woolsey. Chef Woolsey has the mark of a great chef: the ability to bring out the best flavor of each ingredient of his dishes, while combining them to create depths of flavor that are greater than the sum of their parts. It is clear that he loves and respects his food, and wants to share that with his customers. Took advantage of the October tasting menu inspired by Burgundy. Absolutely wonderful dining experience. We had 4 courses for $35 without wine, and $50 with wine.. which is a steal! Of course I got the wine pairing. The food was rustic, fresh, seasonal, and effortless. The wine pairings accentuated the food perfectly, and added even more dimension to the food. I love wine, but I admit I am not an expert, and I'm not going to even pretend to remember what I wine I drank. The service was attentive and extremely thoughtful. I had to leave to refill the meter in between courses because my party had started the meal later than intended. Thanks to the servers, and my gracious party, who actually took back the 3rd course and replated it when I arrived. Bread clearly was baked on site and is crusty and yeasty goodness. The amuse bouche was a cheese puff. Delish. (I forget what they called it. Clearly, my knowledge of French cuisine is severely lacking.) The first course was a ham terrine served with a salad with a spicy mustard dressing. Surprisingly, I was more impressed with the salad than the terrine. The 2nd course was braised eel served with pearl onion, mushroom and a burgundy reduction. I'm used to eating eel served Japanese style, so this was an interesting experience. Because the sauce is not as sweet as the Japanese eel sauce, it brought out more of the fishiness. The onion, mushroom, and sauce were awesome on their own, but complemented and balanced the eel very well. The next was a sausage stew with potatoes, onion, and carrots. Again each element was cooked separately so the potato still tasted like a potato. It was served with a very fine homemade mustard sauce on the side. Tastes like something a grandma from Burgundy might serve. (Luckily, I like mustard, but the one drawback to the meal was that it had 2 courses with it for those who don't.) The dessert was an apple tart with cranberry sorbet. yum! But, when you go here you MUST MUST order the Raspberry Napoleon which was the SINGLE MOST SCRUMPTIOUS dessert I have eaten in this city. It tastes like heaven! We were served complimentary truffles, which were very good. The coffee is fantastic, and I am totally a coffee snob. Definitely cannot wait to go back!
(5)Kristen S.
I'm reviewing this place again. I wish I could afford to eat here all the time. I also wish I could give it six stars. We went for dinner and a movie last night. Chef came out to talk to everyone in the courtyard about the movie, we had our usual amazing service and perfectly executed food, great wine, fantastic ambiance, and all around perfect evening.
(5)Aaliyah P.
The "garden" at BLM is the perfect setting for a quiet nite out. We arrived @ 9:30 for movie nite. The main dining room was still busy with dinner patrons we were led past the open kitchen to the "garden". The ambiance was tre bien; mini lights hung from the ceiling, a few wall and window plants and the exposed brick wall added Philly charm to an old world cafe feel. We were seated along the brick wall every table filled. Out came the warm bread and salted butter- yum! We decided to get a few apps to split- the highly reviewed mussels in cream sauce, grilled sardines and bibb salad. The bibb salad came lightly dressed in a Dijon dressing. The sardines were grilled and came along side some sweet roasted red peppers. The sardines are fileted so bone free. They were exquisite ; char grilled to perfection and still moist. Finally the mussels, creamy tarragon sauce poured over mussels and topped with a poached egg. This dish is a must! I could have licked the plate clean. We washed down our food with a pitcher of white( Chardonnay , I'm usually not a fan but this was unoaked and very drinkable) dessert was just ok I tried something new the strawberry cake with carmel ice cream. It wasn't how I imagined cake to be it was served in a pie like dish and had the consistency of a pancake. Very few strawberries, the Carmel ice cream saved this dish. Finished with an espresso. Our server is always the same person and he always does a great job. I can never remember his name but he ususally works in the garden. I've been to BLM a few times (wine dinner a few months back and movie nights with my girls last summer) all of my experiences have been great. My only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the movie posted online was not the movie they played. I and a few others had a sad face on when this was announced. We also never received our amuse bouche, every time I've ever been the chef sends out something small and a few other tables received what looked like a grouges( small French cheese puff ) the dessert wasn't bad but it wasn't the best thing either. A few things- $20.00 pitchers of wine (red or white) movies in the garden are mon, thurs @ 8:30 & fri @ 9:30 make reservations if you want to sit in the garden there aren't very many tables and on nice nites they will be full. Get the mussels (unless ur allergic or vegetarian) Of course I'll be back I'm a francophile in training !
(4)Kathryn S.
Excellent! We have been here several times and it always exceeds our expectations. The food and service are impeccable.
(5)Cliffe C.
Everything was delicious, but the Oeuf du Pecheur (poached egg with mussels and tarragon cream sauce) is not to be missed. Good service too.
(4)Meghann p.
This place is so adorable...from the second you walk in the door..everyone is so nice and friendly! The coffee is really good Mussels amazing Pate Gratin (Mac and cheese but way better) is delicious and so cheesy Quiche is so tasty Chicken so delicous Salad Nicoise -so fresh I will definitely be back for dinner Service was fantastic and the waitress made wonderful recommendations
(4)Shannon C.
Great service and great food. The duck fat poached salmon was the best salmon I've ever had, as was the escargot. Large wine selection. Simple & elegant food.
(5)Josh Q.
A wonderful place with amazing food, atmosphere and service. To start, the bread is one of the best I've had, soft and fluffy sourdough that's lightly crisped on the outside. Both the escargots and mussels and poached egg on toast were delicious appetizers, and happened to be excellent (albeit oily) dips for the bread as well. The main courses I tried were slightly disappointing compared to the rest of the meal - the trout was over salted, while the rabbit was fine but included no vegetables - but they were nevertheless worthy options. Finally, the raspberry puffed pastry dessert was one of top 5 desserts I've had, while the chocolate mousse was no pushover either. The other aspects of the dining experience were excellent as well. I expected a rather stuffy atmosphere when I entered, but it actually turned out quite nice and the service was very attentive and friendly. I happen to drink water very quickly and this is one of the few restaurants where my water never reached empty. Overall, a classic French cuisine that I have no regrets trying and will gladly experience again.
(4)Adonia G.
The best French Restaurant in Philadelphia! Very reasonable prices and have incredible food!
(5)Valerie Y.
Romantic, unpretentious, relaxed, classic French meal. Great menu featuring escargot, foie gras, rabbit, etc...Fantastique!
(5)Bonnie J.
Best French restaurant I've been to in the city. I went here last night with my family and not a single part of the meal was less than fantastic. The meal started off on the right note with a complimentary cheese puff and bread basket. The baguette served before the meal was the best I've had outside of France. We even considered asking for one to go! I ordered the flammekeuche which was great, although perhaps a bit too many lardons--if such a thing is even possible. For my "plat principal" I had the boeuf bourguignon. The beef was perfectly cooked and the pommes dauphine were heaven-sent little puffs. The other people I dined with had the potage parmentier which elicited many praises. The poulet a la catalan was amazing. I normally don't order chicken when I dine out because I find it frequently the blandest option. However, when I tasted this chicken it was moist and abounding in flavor. One person got the prix-fixe menu which was a great value at $29, although the portions were expectedly tiny. Great for someone with a smaller appetite, not the best for my father. We split the haricots verts as an accompaniment which was a nice size to share and was cooked and seasoned to perfection. As far as service, our waiter was very attentive and no one's water glass was ever close to being empty. A slight complaint with the layout of the restaurant was the draft that shot right down the dining room every time someone entered the restaurant. The had a curtain to mitigate this but it still was a bit chilly. Bistrot La Minette is definitely on the expensive side, but when celebrating something special, it definitely didn't break the bank. The meal for 3 people including drinks was a reasonable $160.
(4)Cassie D.
Everything was amazing! As an out of town diner, they were just accommodating as they can be. I had a reservation for a party of 2 and had a additional add on show up and they changed it up for me no problem. We got in and got a table closest to the "kitchen" (which was open and you could watch the chefs work their magic). I had the foie gras mushroom artichoke soup as my app which had truffle oil in it and it just melted in my mouth. The taste was amazing. The only downside is I wish instead of the 1.5 oz of foie was in smaller pieces than one large piece due to it being difficult to cut in a soup bowl. I also had the absinthe lemonade and it was delicious!!! The water was also refilled on a DIME. No delays from Brit/Britton (our server) My dining friend had the salmon tartar which reminded me of a sushi grade salmon tossed in mustard vinaigrette with lentils. It was delicious!!! The entree i got was the duck breast, with asparagus, and potatoes. The duck was cooked perfectly, and OH MAN THOSE POTATOES. They were the BEST potatoes I ever had in my life. They were fingerling and cooked in duck fat. They just exploded in my mouth with flavor! The only downside is that there were no asparagus which I was really hoping to have. Instead it was a bean mix which I don't really care for beans. That was the only reason I gave it a 4. Dessert was the mille feuille and it was perfect. The layers crumbled and tasted delicious. The berries were fresh and creme was amazing. They give you truffles at the end and the server (Britton/Brit) who was amazingggggg and was laid back with us told the chef that we were from out of town they drew "welcome!" on our truffle plate!!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited I almost fell out of my chair. I was super super happy with this dinner and will definitely come back to try the pre fixe menu they have on Sundays if I am ever in Philly again!
(4)Barbara M.
This restaurant is one of my favorite so far!! The service was great, and they gave us home-made pastry and chocolate for free! the waiters were awesome as well. Food is so delicious!!!!! loved the environment =)
(5)Lindsay D.
Everything at this restaurant was perfection. From the atmosphere, to the servers, to the food, my man and I were 100% happy with our experience here. Things not to miss about Bistrot La Minette? The absinthe selection, the mille feuille, and the escargot. Oh right, and the secret, off the menu rum. Hot damn was that shit good.
(5)Justin D.
I, my wife, my sister and brother-in-law had dinner here and had a fantastic evening. All of the food was spectacular. The beef bourguignon was so tender it was like butter, the porkchop was moist and flavorful, and the cassoulet was excellent as well. The standout amongst our appetizers was the poached egg with mussels - the tarragon went far better with the mussel flavor than I would have thought. The house wine was good and very affordable. The service was helpful and informative without being intrusive. We look forward to returning again.
(5)Alison S.
Just wow. So we went the other night for dinner, as they were ranked in the top 50 in Philly of 2012. Date had rabbit for the main course, said it was fantastic. I had the Duck Confit, which was melt in your mouth amazing. I have a few food allergies, and one of them is dairy. Well, French food = butterific, so the waiter wasn't certain which appetizer would be best so he went to ask the chef. Upon returning, he informed us that the chef advised that it would be best if he could MAKE UP A DISH FOR ME. Ummm ok if you insist, LOL! It was a scallops dish and it was to die for. Seriously, what a great experience, all around. Customer service, food, drinks, knowledge of the food by the waiter.. all of it was fantastic. 5 stars!!!
(5)Mr P.
Was always intrigued by this place every time I walk by. Stop in for a quick dinner last night. Since it was the long holiday weekend, the place was half empty. Got a table right away without fuss. The waiter was friendly but not intrusive. Love how they make the place look like a french bistro, soft lighting and lots of red. Now the food, As a rule, for any new places, we always order appetizers, this way you can try more things and it give you an idea how good the food is. fois grais was very good, the green salad was perfectly dressed, mussels in cream sauce with an egg was not what I expected but very good, sardines was a little strange in the sense that it was filleted and sheered not too crazy about it, the bread is probably one of the best baguette I found in Philly, just like in France crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will be back
(4)Matt S.
Most enjoyable restaurant experience I've ever had! Let me be fair in stating that this review is for a visit I had almost a year ago to the day. I never got around to writing the review but I think about this place from time to time and decided to review it. My wife and I were in Philly (from San Diego) on our 5 year anniversary/honeymoon trip last May, upset that our travel agent had put us in a.....roach motel we decided to have a nice fancy dinner. Bistrot La Minette (at the time) was the only 5 star restaurant we found and went on our way. I'll admit, driving through that neighborhood at night was a little scary, it looked like Main Street of a crackhead ghost town, we weren't expecting the place to be nearly as good as the reviews had let on...boy were we mistaken. Upon entering we couldn't believe how wonderful the atmosphere was, low lights, candlelight, very few people, we felt really under dressed, but were treated like royalty! I wish I could remember our waiter's name, he was a younger African American guy, he should teach classes on how to wait tables. He promptly pulled out our chairs, placed the napkins in our laps, handed us our menus and proceeded not only to tell us what the specials of the day were, but told us his favorite menu item, the most popular item, and the chef's specialty. This alone blew me away, this is how waiters are supposed to act, none do. After telling us the specials he walked off and returned with a glass bottle of ice cold water and two complimentary creme puffs to eat while we decided on our dishes. Once our wine order was placed he promptly returned, poured a small bit for myself and waited for my approval before continuing to pour my wife's glass, beyond professional, he gave us space without avoiding us, catered to our every need without being pesky, couldn't have asked for better service. I ordered the rabbit with dijon glaze, my wife got some kind of local fish (can't remember the name) I'm not even going to go into how delightful, flavorful, and enjoyable the food was, if my tongue had an ass it would have been thuroughly kicked by this food, it was purely spectacular! After we ate we were in such awe of what we'd just consumed, I did something I never do (since I'm extremely critical and hate everything) we told our waiter "please, send our compliments to the chef" he did, and the chef (Steve or Steven) came out and talked to us. As a cook (not chef) myself I loved this! I loved I was so stoked that he came out to talk to us, during the corse of the conversation we'd mentioned that we were from San Diego, naturally he asked why we were in town. After we talked a few minutes later our waiter came back out with a large plate with candles on it, on the plate, our chef had put 4 in house made chocolates, decorated the plate with chocolate drizzle and wrote "Happy 5th Anniversary" in chocolate! He didn't have to do that, but that won our hearts forever. Needless to say we left a stupidly large tip. If I remembered more clearly I would go into detail about how wonderful the food was, but to me, this top notch food was only second the the extraordinary service we received, it's really too bad we live 3,000 miles away.
(5)DOPETASTIC Q.
Bastille Day Let me assert first that this was one of my favorite restaurants in Philly, having been there on numerous occasions previously with both large and small groups. Bastille day was a Total let down, and I don't employ these words lightly. Both the normally impeccable food and service was missing. While the soup course and appetizer buffet were good, they did not make up for the ill-presented, chewy and dry lamb that we were served. Wine pairings did not arrive with food, and instead of a relaxing, chill atmosphere the air was tense and chaotic, a difficult environment. No one bothered to explain to us what was on our plates, the wines we were drinking. Perhaps my previous experiences here have spoiled me, and my expectations were too high. But this has been the only time I was not greeted like an old friend and served as an esteemed guest. As you can imagine, the experience was jarring and disappointing. I'm contemplating on going back again during a non-special event maybe just to make sure that this was a 1 time issue. But it sure felt like the restaurant traded a bit of soul for a bit of profit. Poor form chaps, poor form.
(1)Robert T.
The Bistrot never disappoints. Have been eating there for years, and missteps in the kitchen are extremely rare, if ever. No detail is too small to escape notice, and the staff are as lovely as anywhere in town. A go-to place in any season, for any occassion. This is one of those place where everything's good. Some personal faves are the Flammenkuche, snails, soups, and sardines. The baguettes are killer too. And the $20 pitchers of wine are a great deal, although the house cocktails are also tough to resist.
(5)Mike H.
Great French bistro feel. Food was impeccable (App: Escargots à la Bourguignonn, Entree:Mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle, rabbit jus and Faux Filet au Vin Rouge, Dessert: Tarte Tatin Upside-down apple tart, caramel ice cream), Service reminded me of France, i.e. stand-offish, and a little lax, not bad, but not attentive. Slow to the table to start, slow to get us a wine list, had to poor our own water and wine (not a big deal, but not what was expected, did not detract from out enjoyment of the meal or the evening).
(4)Alex V.
We stopped in here for dinner last night and had an excellent meal. The fois grais special was exceptional, and my salmon tartare was very good as well. For our second courses we had the monkfish and the roasted chicken. Both were extremely high quality meals. The service was professional and friendly too. The atmosphere was nice too. Its a beautiful space, but yet you feel comfortable wearing casual clothing. Overall, I can highly recommend Bistrot La Minette.
(5)Sarah W.
This is literally my favorite restaurant in the city! The service is always impeccable, and I've never had a bad dish here! Even though everything on the menu is good, I secretly come here for the bread. It's warm and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I could eat an entire baguette easily! The food is so high quality, but the atmosphere is casual and homey, which makes it an easy go-to restaurant for special occasions and Wednesday night dinners alike. Love love love!
(5)Vicki H.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, and I must say it was great. I had the escargots and the coq au vin. He had the scallops and the porgy. All of the food was excellent, the escargots may be the best I've had, and I lived in Paris. They were delicious. One star is being held for service...our server was a bit inattentive, and there was a mix-up where our appetizers were forgotten. they brought them out after our entrees, and put desserts (one for him and one for me, plus one our server insisted we try) and 2 glasses of dessert wine on gratis to make up for it. The chef also came out and apologized. He seemed very hands-on, which is great. Despite the mix-up, which they handled as well as could be expected, this was really a delicious meal, with beautiful ambiance. We'll be back!
(4)Chris B.
Seems to be picking up on the Bistro wave, but La Minette is a great arrival...across from Beau Monde, that corner of 6th & Bainbridge is starting to look a wee bit Parisian. This place is so new you can still smell the paint drying in the tastefully decorated bathroom. A splash of red cushioned booths and bright yellow walls, the long narrow dining room was packed with couples and families enjoying a Friday night. Menu was a good spread of french bistro classics with a few stunners thrown in to boot. They sell carafes of wine, which a couple seated next to us was liberally helping themselves to; the guy was leaning over his date's plate a scooping up mouthfuls of potatoes off her chicken...it must've been that good. as you can tell from such detail, seating is tight. My wife ordered the Summer Tomato Tart; a small selection of tasty ripened beauties served on a flaky, buttery disc of pie-dough, it was a great dish. Accompanying it was a bit of greens laced with a tarragon vinaigrette. I had the Flammenkuche...which I found out later is THE dish of Alsace. Think of it as France's answer to pizza margarita; the caramelized onions and crispy pork lardons were served atop a flatbread laden with creme fraiche. I read another review of the place who complained about the mushiness of the dish, but it seems they corrected and served it up crispy. While good, I'd probably cut it up before serving...it was hard to eat with a knife & fork, so I eventually opted to go pizza fingers on it. Several other entrees looked good; I had my eye on the Lamb Shanks that were pouring out of the kitchen. We were stuffed though and went with dessert only, a Pot de Creme served with lightly sweetened whipped cream. The Pot de Creme had a mocha-like firm custard, not the chocolate bomb we were expecting, but very smooth...kind of like the after meal coffee in a cup.
(4)Felicia K.
I was so pleased with this place. Lovely atmosphere, great service, delicious food. Not even that pricey if you don't pile on the alcohol, but we did because they had an excellent selection. I tried French (alcoholic) cider for the first time... dry, wonderful, a far cry from some of the stuff they sell here called "cider." They have three types of absinthe, some interesting specialty cocktails, and of course a huge wine list. As for the food... we started out with the mushroom soup and the fried cheese over green beans and cauliflower with a lemon vinaigrette. Both were excellent... the mushroom soup is what I imagine when I imagine the ideal mushroom soup. The fried cheese with the cool, crisp veggies and bite of the vinaigrette was lovely. For the entree, boyfriend had the rabbit over tagliatelle and I had the ravioli. Both were wonderful. Dessert was thin wafers of flaky pastry layered with thick cream and raspberries. Light and delicious. We left incredibly satisfied and happy. It's nice to be impressed.
(5)Paul M.
Consistently great food and friendly service. The place to dine in Society Hill and South Street area.
(5)Elise K.
We were so disappointed in our experience here after meaning to dine here for such a long time and finally venturing down there. We attended the Beaujolais Nouveau wine dinner - a prix fixe with wine pairing. It was the service that really ruined the evening for us. Our server was never around for us or for his other two tables, and when we flagged him down, we had to ask him for the wine pairings that came with the courses that other servers or runners had brought us. By the end of the meal, after he had dropped our check, he completely disappeared. We sat, chatted and finished our wine for about 15 minutes, and he never returned. I don't know what Peter Woolsey looks like, but an authoritative-looking guy from the kitchen in a chef's jacket was bantering with the bartender, so there was no hope of getting anyone's attention over there, and we eventually were able to flag down another server to pay our bill. We literally never saw our own server for the last 20 minutes that we were at dinner, and he couldn't have gone home without closing out his final table, so who knows what he was doing. Courses consisted of a French onion soup, pike with crayfish and mushrooms, veal and cream stew and a caramel walnut tart. The elegant veal and cream stew saved this from being a one-star review; neither I nor my dining partner are dessert people, but we both loved the tart with homemade-tasting vanilla bean ice cream, but it was a lot of money to spend ($75/person) for such terrible service. We may or may not be back - it could have been an off night, but we were really left wondering what all the hype was about. We wished we had gone for a nice dinner elsewhere - there are so many other great choices in Philadelphia that most places can't afford to exasperate their clientele, but maybe Bistrot La Minette is just so popular that it can.
(2)Pamela S.
Best meal I've had in Philadelphia. My boyfriend and I dined at Bistro La Minette one Sunday. It wasn't very busy. We sat in the "garden" in the back of the restaurant, alone, but loved it. Our server, Kane, was just fantastic. So professional, courteous, and helpful. At times he felt like a ninja, filling our water and dropping the check without the slightest intrusion. As for the food, oh my god, the food! To start we ordered the heirloom tomato salad and the "euf de pecheur" (poached egg, mussels, and a creamy sauce), a must-order. Then, we had a lemon crusted Halibut with a side of macaroni and cheese and pan-seared foie gras over an apple tatine (?) paired with Les Pins' Monbazillac. Dessert consisted of a mille feuille aux framboises and L'opera. Everything was wonderfully timed, wonderful tasting, and really, for lack of a better word, ridiculous. Would definitely go back. Again, and again and again ...and again.
(5)Nicole V.
We just returned from a marvelous meal. It was my husband's birthday and they were wonderfully accommodating. The service was excellent and his special birthday meal (the envy of neighboring tables) was absolutely perfect. Thank you, Bistrot La Minette, for one of the top five Philly dining experiences we've had in nearly 20 years of eating well in this city.
(5)William K.
Le Bec-Who? We had reservations on Saturday night at 8:30 for our 9 year anniversary. We arrived about 10 minutes late due to the weather and parking. As we entered the restaurant we were greeted by the host who offered to take our jackets and umbrella. He also checked on our table which was ready after 5 minutes. The seating was very cramped where we were sitting, but it was expected by the pictures I have seen on Yelp. Our waiter came over swiftly to greet us and take our drink order. This is what we had: First Course: Œuf du Pêcheur Fisherman's-style poached egg, mussels, tarragon cream sauce The mussels were cooked perfectly. The cream sauce was very tasty with hints of tarragon that wasn't over powering the dish. The poached egg brought the dish to a whole new level of flavor! Loved it and the waiter told me it was his favorite first course dish. (Special) Pork,Veal, Foie Gras, in a puff pastry. The special wasn't very exciting to me at all. The waiter described it pretty good. Since my fiancee and I have never had Foie Gras she decided to go for it. It was a cold dish which was surprising. It was exactly what it was described as. Nothing more, nothing less. Oh and it came with a jar of pickles that my fiancée had a had time stabbing with a fork. lol Main Course: Magret de Canard à l'Orange Sanguine Pan-roasted duck breast, blood orange gastrique, orange peel confit, potato confit, broccolini My Pan-roasted duck was excellent! The duck I did feel was slightly over cooked. However, the sauce was so so good. The dish is a texture and flavorful master piece. I could eat that again and again. Pavé de Saumon Poché à la Graisse de Canard Duck fat-poached salmon, duchess potatoes, spinach, mushrooms, beurre blanc Fiancee: The salmon was also recommend by our waiter as the best dish in the main course entrees. He hit the nail on the head again. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The flavors all came together to make a very delicate and juicy piece of fish. The salmon literally melted in my mouth. If she doesn't get that next time we go back, I will! Dessert: Mille Feuille aux Framboises Carmelized puff pastry, vanilla pastry cream, raspberries Another recommendation from our waiter! How could I not go with what he suggested? I did not reget it either. This dessert topped the meal off beautifully. The puff pastry was delicate, crunchy, and flakey. The berries were fresh and the vanilla cream wasn't heavy. Gateau l'Opéra Multi-layered almond sponge cake, chocolate ganache, coffee butter cream, crème Chantilly This was just a second thought to the first desert. (Forgettable) So I took a star off for my duck being slightly over cooked. Also because of the special first course dish that wasn't so special. With that said, my fiancee and I had a phenomenal experience at Bistrot La Minette. The salmon was superb, the mussels were extraordinary, and the mille feuille left us wanting more. Good food, good service, and most of all good food!
(4)Jenna S.
I was tuned in to this place by the American Association of Teachers of French. They had a large conference dinner here, which my mom and I decided to skip and make our own reservation. I made my reservation through Yelp which was awesome and worked out splendidly - I received an e-mail conversation and La Minette had all of my information when we arrived. The atmosphere is very décontracté, which appeals to me. The feel is casual with a bit of elegance, so you feel like you're not just in a regular old streetside café. There aren't tons of tables, so this place could get crowded quickly, but in a good way. We started our meal with two appetizers - a fresh tomato salad and the Vol-au-Vont, which was a puff pastry filled with lobster and vegetables. Both tasted fresh and and the lobster in the vol-au-vont was delicious. They split the tomato salad for us onto two plates so we didn't have to have an awkward serving situation, which was much appreciated. My mom decided on the Cote de Porc Roti and loved it. She said the pork was cooked wonderfully and the sides were nice compliments. I decided to go with the Poulet aux Noisettes et Champignons Sauvages, which was only OK. I wasn't impressed with all of the fatty pieces of dark meat and my chicken was highly undercooked. I almost sent it back, but decided to just skip eating the wing, which was the most undercooked. It's a little weird that chicken can even come out pink in the middle, but check when you get yours so you can send it back if it's underdone. The mushrooms were good, though, and added a nice smoky compliment to the breast meat. My mom had one of their seasonal cocktails for her drink and enjoyed it, though she would have preferred it be sweeter. I opted for a nice Merlot and I thought it complimented the entire meal well. They had nice choices for dessert, but we opted to find something else on South St. Very friendly staff and the service is quick enough. Our waiter spoke French, which was a plus, as it added to my dining experience (it's nice being able to speak with someone). The bathrooms are a bit uncomfortable for Americans who aren't used to sharing a sink area with the opposite sex, so prepare yourself. Overall, a very nice restaurant and I highly recommend for an authentic French bistrot experience.
(4)Briana R.
Took my husband here for his birthday. If you are just a couple try to snag the solo table right to the left when you walk in by the windows it is so intimate. The service was fantastic. We has scallops and the pecheur, which was mussels on toast with poached egg and the sauce for this was incredible. We had the rabbit and duck for entrees. GET THE RABBIT!!!!! Mustard braised and delectable. Then for dessert the chocolate pot de creme! Cannot do it justice, definitely go for exquisite French cuisine!
(5)Karin R.
I echo all of the praise in the four and 5 start ratings. I would simply like to add a note about how dog-friendly they are. It is so nice to be able to sit outside with your dog away from the sidewalk.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Absolutely a dream. Came here for a low-key bachelorette party dinner. Waiter was charming and helpful, food was amazing, and the outdoor seating was perfect. It started to rain and they had a table inside waiting for us. I still crave that foie, despite having it many times before. I would also highly recommend the duck.
(5)Lan G.
My boyfriend and I went there for one of their movie nights on Friday. How can you not feel relaxed watching a good french movie, drinking wine and eating some good dessert? I was able to make a reservation for their outdoor garden area where they play the movie. It is a very cute place with lights hanging between the walls. We have had dinner beforehand, so we decided to go with wine, appetizer and dessert. We had Pinot Noir and shared the sardine appetizer. I enjoyed the appetizer. The flavor is very clean and simple, but you can taste the sardine very well. The Pinot Noir is on a lighter side. For dessert, I got the opera cake. It was heavenly! We couldn't resist but noticed how wonderful the food smelled from the table next to us. We will have to come back here again for their entrees.
(5)Ray L.
Love this place! The service is really great here. Friendly servers and very attentive. I've been here twice, both for the movie nights (which I highly recommend). Both times I've had truly great food accompanied by truly great service. The best part is, I think this place is reasonably priced. It's not exactly cheap in that you can go here all the time, but given the quality of the food, I'd have to say I can't complain. I had the roasted half Giannone chicken when I last went (about 2 weeks ago). Delicious!
(5)Teri M.
Just to clarify, it's been a year since I ate here for my anniversary dinner, but my memory of the place still stings. I remember the foie gras was pretty damn good. The experience of having chartreuse with my meal was amazing as well. The escargot was my first experience and I told the waiter it tasted like...well....dirt. He could not argue, of course, because even if you say it tastes "earthy" and of "minerals" it basically means the same thing. Unfortunately, I was unpleasantly surprised when my entree came because my fish was REALLY salty. When I told the waiter he took my plate and came back to tell me the chef tasted it and he didn't think it was salty at all. The waiter then told me the chef wanted me to pay the check and leave. I was mortified and totally freaked out. The waiter laughed and said it was just a joke. This was SO not funny. It was actually my first experience with "fancy French cuisine" and here, on my special trying-French-for-the-first-time anniversary dinner, I was so freaked out I went to the bathroom and sobbed for 5 minutes under the influence of a horrible sense of humor and chartreuse before I could calm myself down and finish my dining experience. Needless to say, I will not ever be back. What a shame, most of the food was pretty wonderful.
(3)Jac C.
A wonderful little French place that was surprisingly crowded and a bit on the loud side. The food was fantastic! Escargot was spot on, the fish course I had was somewhat over salted, which made the following course seem under salted, but besides that, dinner and desert was excellent!
(4)Sara M.
Most often, when restaurants receive the grandeur of rave reviews such as Bistrot La Minette, I am set up for disappointment. Thankfully, this was not the case for my dinner last night. The ambiance of the restaurant is very authentically French-bistro, without trying too hard as some restaurants do. The restaurant is set on 6th street just off of South. The sophisticated crowd is casually elegant. For a Saturday night at 7:30, I was surprised at how few people were there. Summer in the city means most city-folk head to the beach, but I was still unprepared to see all of the empty tables after reading so many good things. It did begin to pick up after 9:00. They have a lovely outdoor dining area in the front where we chose to sit and enjoy the beautiful evening last night. The area can be tricky for the wait staff to navigate and the tables are a bit too small to accommodate the large plates that the restaurants use, bit I still recommend it if you are there earlier in the night. If you are dining past 9, I would skip it. The location is unfortunately right in the outcast of the assiduous South Street nightlife, and the colorful, noisy passersby don't quite fit with the scene at Bistrot La Minette. My husband and I started our meal with two of their Kir Royales, along with the Bouchees a la Reine puff pastry appetizer and the Heirloom Tomato salad. The mushroom puff pastry appetizer is not to be missed (!!) while the heirloom tomato was only so-so. For our entrees, I chose the very unadventurous yet quite delicious Charlotte au Morbier (cheese bread pudding) while my husband couldn't pass on the Steak au Poivre. My entree was quite good, though it was fairly small and I felt it could have used more than a couple of small beets on the side. Perhaps I could have ordered one of their gratins or haricot verts as a side dish, but in all honesty, the cheesy pastry was rich enough to sustain me. My husbands steak was crusted in crushed peppercorns and pan-seared to perfection. We had angel food cake waiting for us at home, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to try one of their desserts after dinner had been so good. The hubby and I shared the Mille Feuille with raspberries which was so incredible, I had to fight the urge not to take the whole plate and lick it clean. Our server was amiable, but at times scarce. This could be because the outdoor seating area is somewhat undesignated and we may have been an addition to his full load, but we waited for 15 minutes before we could even put a drink order in. Our final bill for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 3 drinks, and dessert- without tax and tip- came to just under $130. Though the portions were a bit small, it was the perfect amount of food and well worth every cent. I cannot wait to go back and try many of the other items on the menu that sounded so tempting (but will definitely have the mushroom puff pastry appetizer again!).
(5)Keith D.
Every course was perfectly crafted. I can't use enough positive adjectives. In one word, phenomenal. Get the mussels. You won't regret it. I promise.
(5)Darlene S.
My boyfriend had made online reservations for my birthday back in May and requested to be seated outside if it did not rain, and on the day of, we arrived late and instead were seated inside despite it not raining, however, we realized that all of the patrons were indoors anyway so we didn't mind. Our waiter was great! He was very knowledgeable about the menu at the time, and even recommended us some menu items per course for our dinner including wine pairings but we somehow managed to order something other than what was recommended. I do not remember what my boyfriend ordered for his mise en bouche but I ordered some kind of noodle pasta in a creamy sauce with herbs, and it was very good. And during our mise en bouche, a server had come by with a plate of fried goat cheese balls as complimentary and they were absolutely to die for. As for the second course, my boyfriend had like a steak with fries and I had lamb with ratatouille. The fries that came with my boyfriend's entree were different from fries you'd find anywhere, there were only a few of them but they actually tasted and felt like potatoes. It was also the first time I ever had lamb and although I enjoyed it later on that night I found out that lamb may not sit too well with my stomach and have since avoided eating lamb, however, it was still a meal/an experience to remember. As for wine, we had the house wine but I do not remember the names. My boyfriend had been complaining that I wasn't drinking mine and then when I proceeded to do so, I noticed there was a bug of some sort floating in my cup and a restaurant personnel quickly attended to the matter, and replaced the glass with no charge at all.
(5)Grant C.
impeccable and Amazing. Exactly what you want in a neighborhood French Bistro. My girlfriend never had French food before and Bistrot La Minette did not disappoint. The wine was reasonably priced and tasty. The waiter was friendly and knowledgable. He did not try and up-sell us and gave us frank and honest advice. The food was delicious. The mussels served with poached egg was by far the star of the meal. We should have ordered two portions -that's how good it was and with no hyperbole. We also as an appetizer the escargot and it too was very good. Each escargot was served in an individual ceramic thimble-sized pot with garlic butter and a side of toast. For the main courses, we shared rabbit and the monkfish. My gf thought the rabbit was a little gamey, but I thought it was cooked to perfection. We both enjoyed the monkfish; it was light and fresh. We enjoyed the Mille Feuille Aux Framboises for desert and it was out of this world. There is a prix fix dinner on Sundays for around $30 that we are excited to try. I highly recommend this dinner. Romantic but not stuffy. Thumbs up. I give it 5 stars and have officially found my go-to French restaurant in Philly.
(5)Charles R.
Had dinner and lunch here and it's always very good. Only 2 spots in this town that serve true French food and this and Bibou are it. Lunch is very pleasant at this time of year when you can sit outside, relax and enjoy a wonderful piece of sole or the rich, but oh so good confit. Dinner is also hard to beat. Fresh baquette's with butter at room temperatue to start, and the salad nicoise has great taste. So many times restaurants serve this dish, but it can be very bland. The lamb was tender and I've yet to find a dish here that isn't extremely well seasoned. Never had dessert, but nice wines by the glass and good service.
(4)Greg B.
I felt as though I was on the set of Amelie - the warm and very European setting, the French country wine pitcher, the collection of kitschy art on the walls, the pristine stem and silver ware, the FOOD. I'm not sure if Bistrot La Minette strives to be super traditional or authentic, but I really appreciate their culinary take on French. Really, this place was simply outstanding. You can tell they really give a damn about the customer experience and the owner seems to have a vision which transcends making a quick buck. I'll check out their famous outdoor courtyard dining arrangement later, after my Spring allergies calm down. Highly recommended. If you took a girl on a first date here and you don't get at least a goodnight kiss, you are a sucker.
(5)sun b.
Yummy, great service. Too bad they ran out of the creme brulee. =(
(4)Mark S.
This was like in a nightmare. My wife and I were visiting Philadelphia over the weekend of October 25. We have travelled the world, and had high expectations based on the reviews. We did not care about the price, but wanted to have a great time. We walked for a mile in this windy day to get to the Minette for lunch. The first surprise once we entered the place was the smell of the bathroom coming into the eating area. The second was nobody came to greet us. After waiting for several minutes, I moved inside the restaurant, which by the way was more than half empty at 1 pm on this Saturday afternoon. In front of the table, I asked a waiter if this is a self-seating place. He replied someone will be with you shortly. He came back after serving his customer, and pointed us to the table in front of which we were waiting. As soon as we were seated, he came back and asked if we wanted any water. We took a a Perrier that he served us immediately. After looking into the menu, and the customers around us, we had already doubts that we made the right choice. We decided to go for it anyway as we were there, so we waited. We waited, and waited, for a time that seemed like an eternity. Nobody came to us. Not to serve us any bread, and butter, or ask if we wanted a glass of wine. Not even to acknowledge our presence. All seemed very estrange. We were so disconnected from that reality that when we stood up to leave, nobody came to ask us why. In front of the door, we waited for more than 5 minutes, making all kinds of sign to attract someone's attention so we can at least pay for the bottle of Perrier we have been served. Nothing. No one. I would have left them $5 and leave, but did not have any change. We decided to leave. Moved toward the door, still making gestures, hoping someone would come and take us out of this nightmare. Nothing. We left and walked to the Red Owl, where we had a great time amongst many real people.
(1)Mortimer S.
La Minette is a warm, inviting, classy place. It's not so fancy that it's a "really special occasion"-only restaurant but it's nice enough for you to feel like you're treating yourself. The ambience is very classical homey old France without being precious, and the same goes for the menu. Everything we had was very well-prepared. I ordered a duck breast with foie gras sauce and red wine chassis with turnips and celery root puree. My dining partner had the rabbit (which I also sampled) and both were quite good. The portions are also very French (small) so if you're a glutton this isn't the place to go. I admit than I'm a bit of a glutton myself but that's not the point really. Yet I can't help but saying that I would have liked more celery root and turnips with the entree. There was plenty of meat but I wanted something to render it a bit more filling. Both of us started with the mushroom soup, which had no shortage of strong, earthy flavor and was topped with a parsley/creme fraiche sauce which I would have liked more of. We had an amuse bouche of a little comte cheese puff (not bad) and were also given complimentary chocolates at the end of the meal, after we split a dessert which was aptly described by my friend as "a French tiramisu." We had no problems with service. They were out of the wine we ordered but had another similar one to take its place (which wasn't on the menu). It's solid food, and I imagine that most of the time one couldn't go wrong with this place. But it didn't blow me away. The menu is almost too traditional and may not hold my interest for a return trip anytime soon with all the other restaurants in Philly I have yet to go to. Regardless I hold La Minette in fairly high esteem.
(4)Melanie Z.
Amazing! I mean over-the-top good. The food: Like other reviewers have said, the bread is so good it's addicting. My boyfriend got the Sunday prix fixe, which was an amazing deal for $29. Artichoke and mushroom soup, a trio of salads with carrot, lentils, and beets, bacon and mushroom stuffed roast chicken, and creme caramel and chocolate mousse. The salads were the weakest course, but even those were delicious. I had the escargot, the mussels, the brown butter fluke, and the raspberry and pastry cream puff pastry dessert. Everything was delicious, but I could have eaten three more of the dessert. I was so stuffed from pigging out on the bread, but I couldn't stop eating. My boyfriend and I cleaned every plate. The food wasn't pretentious at all. Simple but done perfectly and with tons of butter! The service: When we walked in, the host asked us if we'd like to sit in the garden in the back. I was worried that there'd be bugs or noise from the street, but the walls were tall, and it felt like what I bet being in a cafe in Paris is like. Our waiter was excellent, and the service was timed perfectly. We took his recommendations for my entree and dessert, and they were both great!! Great experience overall, and I will definitely be back!
(5)Alla G.
This is a great neighborhood bistro. The food is tasty, the atmosphere is relaxed and authentic, and the service is knowledgeable, professional and friendly. We were started of with some delicious, hot bread and some salted butter. I don't usually care for the table bread but this was exceptional. The mushroom puff pasty appetizer was good but not memorable. The Branzino was perfectly prepared, and probably best Branzino I've had. Hubby enjoyed his Dijon mustard rabbit. The chocolate tart with wild strawberry sherbet was good, but I would have preferred fresh berries instead of the sherbet. And the complimentary truffles that came with the check were divine and a nice finishing touch. Would definitely recommend this place and look forward to returning on either a movie night or just to enjoy the outside garden on a beautiful evening.
(4)Hee Jin C.
Love this place! It offers a solid variety of dishes from northern France, and it's NOT pretentious. Bistrot offers hearty, but incredibly delicious food that are very carefully prepared. I had the blood orange duck - it's not super fancy, but juicy and simple, just how I like it. We ordered a jug of wine (the wine comes in a jug! I'm in love!) and it blended wonderfully with the meal. I think someone mentioned something about the bread here - VERY TRUE. Best table bread I've had. So soft and chewy, and comes with slightly melted salted butter that goes wonderfully with the bread. Try it out!
(4)Kenny N.
I was super stoked to go to this place, and after all the great reviews who wouldn't be. However, my excitement has now turned to disgust. Maybe people don't understand what good food is? First off let me start out by saying, I've been to the majority of great restaurants in Philly and NYC. I like to think I have a pretty decent palette when it comes to food. This paired with working a few food shows for TV makes me a pretty decent judge when it comes to restaurants. Secondly, when I go out I want to have food that I can't make at home, the whole "I want to be wowed..." OK, on with the review. Firstly, the wait staff was awful. Our waiter in particular didn't have a clue as to what he liked on the menu, and every time we mentioned something a look of disgust came over his face. Feeling very unsure we ordered anyways. We started out with an Endive salad and the "house special" Mussels in a tarragon cream sauce with a poached egg. The salad was ok (I could make it myself) and the mussels were drenched in the cream sauce making the taste overwhelmingly rich. Our main courses were the scallops (appetizer) and the salmon. Both dishes left a dull thud on your taste buds. Again I could have easily made these dishes at home. Bottom line this place was the biggest waste of money and time. I honestly can't see them lasting very long in the city when you have restaurants like Tulula's Garden and Fond (to name a few).
(1)Leah G.
I happened to be eating here the night of the flash mob on South Street. The staff didn't miss a beat. We, as outdoor diners, were quickly ushered inside and the doors were locked. The meal continued as if nothing had happened outside. It was wonderful. The escargot and the chicken were my choices and both were delicious. I will be sure to be back.
(4)Rachel Danielle S.
Mon Dieu! Fantastique! I walked into this bistro and was back in France.... The night I was here, along with a la carte fare, they were featuring a dinner from the Gascony region, which at $35, included 4 courses - for a mere $15 more - wines to go with them! And, I hate to sound soooo Americaine, but, I ask: How CAN you beat THAT!? I truly enjoyed each course, as it was enhanced by the server's description beyond the description elegantly offerred on the little paper menu. The region was explained to us: the foods, ingredients, a bit of the culture, the people, etc., so that you could really get a bit of a feel of the featured place. (My salad included duck heart. Where else can you get such an item?) The wines featured alongside the foods were also deliciously pontificated upon, with the server inquiring whether we could indeed taste the delicate or not so delicate notes. We were encouraged to try both the dish and the wine separately, and then together. And it was grewat fun! Not the least pretentious. I loved how involved the service was - it really enhanced the whole dining experience, and it was such an unexpected touch. A featuredd (and recommended) cocktail: The Minette en L'Air. I throughly enjoyed the Kir, never having had it en France...it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways - on it's own or with a flavor...like Chambord. Bon Appetit!
(5)Shel K.
It was our second time here and we brought another couple with us. It is always great to have dinner with them especially in such a wonderful restaurant. Our server was very attentive and did not rush us at all. The beers that my husband and his friend ordered were delicious and I am not a beer drinker. My coffee and French 75 cocktail did not disappoint either. Once we put our orders in, the waiter brought us a plate of small cheese puff bread, compliments of the chef. It was light and a nice way to start our meal. The bread and butter was delicious as well - perfect texture of soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The first course was delicious. We went with the mussels and ravioli. My husband's main course was the duck which was cooked to perfection, especially the skin. I tried rabbit for the first time and it was juicy with a light but flavorful taste. The tagliatelle that went with my dish was a great accompaniment. Dessert was amazing. I ordered the apple tart with caramel ice cream where the flavors blended well without an overpowering sweetness. Complimentary chocolates were a great ending to our amazing meal. We stayed a little bit longer just talking to our friends after we paid and the waiter continued to fill our glasses with water. With great food and great service, this restaurant deserves 5 stars the second time around.
(5)Steve P.
Best all around French experience in the City. Excellent food, good wine list and friendly and attentive staff. Movies in the outside space are a summer treat. Desserts out of this world.
(5)Erin G.
We were lucky enough to score a late reservation for 4 on Valentines day - the staff was very helpful on the phone, called to confirm, super pleasant. The restaurant is adorable, and we at in the back room at one end of a long table - not private, but just one other group further down. It felt quiet and romantic, while the main room bustles more. Our waiter (wish I remember his name) was amazing - very knowledgeable, polite, and full or real suggestions (and not just trying to sell what the kitchen wanted to get rid of) Like most french places, my vegetarian choices were pretty limited to cheese-based dishes - but oh how lovely they were. I pillowly gnocchi that disappeared beneath a velvety sauce, a constructed morbier bread pudding with a chilled beat salad, house wine. I would definitely return.
(4)Rachel U.
I needed a place close by that could handle a big group, and Bistrot took great care of us! They have a private 'salon' that can seat 20, but it was booked for our night so they set up a nice spot for us in the main room. I was contacted the week leading up by Brad, who turned out to be our waiter for the night, with a limited menu of their most popular dishes so as not to overwhelm the kitchen. Originally they were going to do a price fix for us, and worked to bring the price down a bit from their standard fixed menus, which I really appreciated. We ended up taking it but w/ ala carte prices to give people options. When we got there Saturday night, the table was set up with little individual menus, and Brad patiently and enthusiastically described, in detail, everything on the menu, several times as we had some late-comers. He and the rest of the floor staff were excellent, and really made the experience great, taking excellent care of everyone at the table despite a busy Saturday night crowd. The food was excellent; stuffy French food this is not. It was accessible, tasty, and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The kitchen sent out an amuse for the table; little cheese puffs which were warm and tasty, tho the flavor did remind several of us of cheez-its. Personally, I got the french gnocchi (for which I feel they should find a french name), and the trout which could have used a bit of something, but was tasty nonetheless. The real wow came with dessert; a bunch of us got the mille feuille, which wasn't much to look at, but incredibly yummy! And, since we were there for hubby's birthday, they brought out a plate of truffles and candied oranges for the table, with a little candle in it of course.
(4)Deb O.
Best food in the city. Attentive service. Fine french dining without pretentions. Unreal scallops. Bread to die for.
(5)Ali W.
MMM OOOH YES(insert various moans of pleasure). That was me, on New Years Eve at midnight, my first 2010 mouthful was of buttery vinegary almondy Truite Meuniere. Our tres french 10:45 dinner at Bistrot La Minette was perfect, absolutement magnifique! We arrived a bit early and had cocktails at the tiny bar (a champagne with a splash of St Germaine and a Sazerac), and it was at the very first, just so very pleasant, we were greeted warmly, had a nice chat with the bartender and were seated before our res time. We were snuggled into a sweet little two top with a super comfy banquette, It was so charming, every thing the napkins, the water bottles, the cute little bread bucket, the server...he was just sweet and happy and though probably exhausted from the long night, we saw no sign of it. We polished off our bucket o' baquette in moments, it was perfect, the butter was even special. When our server informed us that it would be a few minutes till another loaf came out of the oven, I was happy to wait. As a first course we had Terrine de Foie Gras (NYE special) and Flammenkuche (Alsatian tart of creme fraiche, bacon & onions). Le foie, what can I say, it was heavenly, it was so good I ate it in teeny tiny lady like bites so I could make it last, it was all I could do not to faint with pleasure. I offered the Bf a bite, but only because I love him, and he was like oh my god, is that mayonnaise...now he was referring to the texture which was so ridiculously unctuous. In exchange for the wee bite I was given a large slice of flammenkuche,,sweet, bacony creamy..chewy..is there a french word for umami?. To counteract the enormous amount rich fattiness we had just eaten we ordered a Salade Verte to share as a mid course. (Hoping that french paradox would happen, the salad would magically erase the-foie-bacon-cremefaiche calories) It was simply wonderful, soft boston lettuce tossed with a dijon-y vinaigrette and chopped chives. Perfect Simple. We brought a bottle of Moet White star with us ($20 corkage, totally reasonable) and got a pitcher of house wine ($20 so reasonable!) with the entrees , which was totally decent, drinkable and came in the cutest little stoneware vessel. Now my Truite Meuniere, I will say I was perhaps une petite dissapointed that it did not come out whole on a sizzling copper plate, boned sur la table, they way Julia Child's first one was, but I quickly got over that once I tasted it . Ahh mon dieu, it was just so good, and was served on what I can only describe as a hillock of haricot verts, with a few fingerlings scatted about. I was soo happy to have a generous amount of veg on my plate, j'adore les haricot verts! I am so tired of the singular fava bean, the duet of asparagus, the lone lump of spinach. As wonderful as my trout was my greedy eyes were drawn to the perfectly cooked Entrecote de Boeuf (rib eye) across the table from me, nor could I keep my hands off the adorable little casserole of potatoes gratin. Despite a warning from both our server and my Bf that the plate was hot I practically lunged for it. The Steak was so delicious, it was just so delicious..it was the last bite of 2009, a delicious ending to a really awful year. Did I mention that it was delcious? At midnight they brought around glasses of champagne and we all toasted, there were no silly hats or noise makers or singing of auld lang syne, which was fine, it would have detracted from our eating There was no way we were leaving without dessert and though I had planned on cheese, I had not planned on the generous portions, a cheese plate could've killed me so we split a Chocolate Pots de Cream..which was as we came to expect perfect.. ( did I growl at the busboy when he tried to take what he thought was an empty plate away?..maybe) Our server brought us a small complimentary taste of caramel ice cream and pear sorbet...he said to make up to the wait for our first course, but we never noticed the time. The pear sorbet really no way to describe it without the obvious.. it was like biting into an incredibly juicy ripe pear that just happened to be frozen, I slipped teaspoon of it into my glass of champagne..I suggest doing the same. We smuggled the lovely chocolates, that arrived with the check (so reasonable!), in our pockets for later.. left the remainder of our bottle ofchampagne for our server and went out into the the new year full of good cheer and good food and hope for the future. La Minette gave us some of that hope, it was warm and friendly, delicious and above all gracious. Grace is an underestimated quality and one that truly makes a difference. Merci Beaucoup La Minette et Une Bonne Annee!
(5)Dan K.
Wonderful ambiance with great service. My girlfiend and I went for valentines day. Our waiter was very knowledgable and made a french menu accessible. One of the best meals I've ever had. Cocktails were excellent as well. I will definitely go back again soon!
(5)Bobby P.
Salmon is good. Duck fat is good. Salmon cooked in duck fat is amazing! Sure all the health benefits are probably canceled out, but you're in a French restaurant so you clearly don't give a shit (at least for this meal). If you do, you'll have to temper your expectations for a healthy meal. Everything is fatty and/or cooked in more fat. Even, nay especially the side vegetables with all their buttery goodness. So why just 4 stars with all that fatty goodness, you ask? Unfortunately while I was reveling in my salmon swoon, my wife was working over a steak that was equally big on flavor and gristle. It was disappointing since every other aspect of our dining experience, from service to dessert, was exceptional.
(4)Melissa R.
My mom was coming into town and she requested a French restaurant, as she had never been to a French dining establishment. I choose Bistrot La Minette as I had seen its Philly Mag award for Best Outdoor Dining and I knew it was going to be a nice weekend. Originally, I requested outdoor seating, but it ended up being chillier than we anticipated, so they accommodated us by moving inside. On a warmer evening, it would have been lovely to sit in the courtyard. Food was fantastic, if you love French food. The muscles and egg dish was savory and I loved the pickles and spicy Dijon mustard that came with the chicken liver and pork terrine. The Alsatian "pizza" was just okay. The entrees were classic French dishes. I got the Trout Mueniere, which was light and lemony. My boyfriend got the Tourbot and my mom, the chicken, two of the safer dishes on the menu. If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say Authentic. It felt like I was back in Paris. If you are a foodie and love French cuisine I would highly recommend it. My mom and boyfriend who aren't as adventurous with food, could have done without.
(4)Michele C.
What a gem of a place this is! My husband took me here on our two-year anniversary and it was easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. First of all, we picked quite possibly one of the most beautiful nights to come here. When I saw the tiny little deck area with tables set up outside, I knew we had to sit there. I was glad we did. It made the experience even better. This place is small, intimate and chic - it takes you back to France. It's so comforting you just want to linger. We were each greated with a complimentary cheese puff to pop in our mouths at the get go. Very nice. And then, the bread. Ahhh the bread. The freshly baked bread is worth the price of admission. That bread - hot and crusty - coupled with some wine and cheese - would have sealed the deal for me. But luckily, the night was still young. We didn't get appetizers, though they all looked delicious. For the main course, I ordered the roasted chicken with rice pilaf. The chicken was delicious - the skin crackling and tasty - if not a little bit dry. But still good. The basmati rice it was served with was SO good. I don't know what they did to make it taste that great but bravo. My husband ordered the strip steak. He asked for it medium rare but it clearly came out medium well. Still, it was quite tasty, even if not exactly done to his liking. It was accompanied by potato "balls" and spinach. Both were tasty. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable. However, we ordered a side of mac and cheese that never arrived at our table. Still, it was a minor misstep as we had already filled ourselves up with so much bread we realized we didn't need it anyway. The desserts are homemade and delicious. Save room for them. I got the rice pudding, which was served in a bowl surrounded by fresh berries. The pudding was a little skimpy, but delicious, and the berries were ripe and tasty. My husband got a layer cake with coffee and homemade whipped cream that was just divine. We were ready to leave when the waiter rushed outside with a plate decorated in chocolate that said "happy anniversary" on it. There were two chocolate truffles on it. Delicious. And a nice way to end the night. Prices were reasonable. Food was delicious. Atmosphere - can't be beat. I will definitely be back.
(3)Gustavo B.
One of my favorites restaurants in Philly. Classy romantic place with superb food !! Enjoy.
(5)Timothy D.
Went back for their Dinner in Perigord fixed menu and had a ball. Prunes, poached eggs, duck, and some truly badass wines were served up and had us smiling. Excellent service and inspired food.
(5)Lee G.
As good as it gets! this is currently my fav place to eat. great service, amazing food and french film nights in the back patio! (can't wait!) We always order the house wine and a few first course plates. Try the sardines grrillees if you like sardines or not, not too salty or fishy, just perfect! the mussels are yummy too served with a poached egg and a sweet tarrgon sauce. The escargot is served in individual pots in a buttery garlic sauce that is delicious!
(5)Larry C.
Nothing to fret about the food. The decor is nice and quaint but the food is very average. The appetizers were good and we had oeuf pecheur which was nicely flavor with tarragon and a benedict sauce and tarte paysane. The entree were very average, nothing fantastic very middle of the road. We had lapin and duck confit. The duck was too salty and was supposed to be prepared with anis but did not taste anything. It was dry and not the best choice of meat (thigh). The rabbit meat was flavorless and dry. The piece of meat here was a leg which was just like the duck thigh...dry. This a good passable restaurant. The food was so uninspiring that we skipped desserts. Would not return there better in Philly.
(3)Allison B.
A perfect French feast. And the service was fantastic! None of that French stuck-up 'tude. We were running late and they brought us our food promptly so we could get out on time. They were very attentive and warm. We ordered 3 appetizers: Escargots de Bourgogne (escargot, which I think I just don't like the texture of but my boyfriend loved them), Sardines Grillées (my boyfriend's favorite: sardines perfectly grilled with slices of roasted red pepper), and Œuf du Pêcheur (my personal favorite: mussels in a delicious cream sauce and a poached egg - like a fancy Egg Benedict). They were really all fantastic. Then we shared the Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde which was rabbit that was so tender that it was like chicken falling off the bone. Oh and the drinks were fun. They had one in particular with absinthe in it. Sort of an anise flavor. Nice buzz. I highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion.
(4)Daniel H.
Great place. I'll start by saying that the one time I went, it was around $75 a person (dinner for two), but we did get a 30 or 40 dollar bottle of wine (which was a delicious pinot noir). Service was great (except for one blip, see below), and the waiter was very good about offering suggestions and letting us know what was most popular on the menu. Had the gnocchi as an appetizer - French gnocchi isn't as good as Italian gnocchi, but this was okay. Wouldn't recommend if you're a big gnocchi fan. For the main course I ate the mustard-braised rabbit. Very tasty, but you'd be surprised how much it tastes like chicken (seriously). For that reason, I will never eat rabbit again. Tried it. Nothing special (generally speaking). They must do it very well at this place, though. Dessert was a bit disappointing; not because it wasn't fantastic, but because the waiter brought out the wrong item. Not to worry, it was very very good and the perfect ending to a very good meal (baked sliced apple and caramel ice cream). One of the cool things about this place is that when you walk in, the host (who seemed to be either the manager or owner, or someone close to the business) took our coats and hung them. When we left, he chatted with us to see how we enjoyed the meal. Cool guy. Cool place. Check it out.
(4)Ian Y.
Jackie, Catlyn and I went here for Dinner Friday night. This is becoming our new favorite place to go since the food is exquisite and the staff as well as the chef are all so nice. We showed up without a reservation since we were just in the area and it is too early in the year for the back patio area is not open yet. The place was very busy so we just decided to sit at the bar as the bartender is really nice and treats us well. We had 3 different kinds of ... to start off with then I changed up to a dirty Vodka martini which were were good. For appetizers we ordered two plates of the "Escargots de Bourgogne" Burgundy snails, herbed butter, crouton - which were really tender and juicy, the "Flammenküche" Alsatian "pizza", caramelized onion, lardons, crème fraîche - which was delicious & the "Tartare de Saumon" Salmon tartar, Puy lentils, crème fraîche, blood-orange vinaigrette - that we all enjoyed. For entree's: Jackie had the "Lapin Rôti à la Moutarde" Dijon mustard-braised rabbit, house-made taglietelle. Catlyn had the "Bœuf Bourguignon" Burgundy-style beef stew, mushrooms, lardons, caramelized pearl onions, potatoes dauphine. I had the "Magret de Canard à l'Orange Sanguine" Pan-roasted duck breast, blood orange gastrique, orange peel confit, potato confit, broccolini. And to finish it off (or should I say finish "us" off) we shared the "Gateau l'Opéra" Multi-layered almond sponge cake, chocolate ganache, coffee butter cream, crème Chantilly ... which was so decatant. We all loved our choices and decided we need to come back here to try more of the fare since this is the kind of place where it would be impossible to have a favorite item that you just come back for again and again.
(5)Mike B.
Definitely not worth it. Bad service and overcooked food. This place is a huge rip-off.
(1)Johnny K.
We stumbled upon this restaurant while visiting Philly. Wow, what a delight! Beautiful food, lovely outside courtyard in the rear. Excellent service. Really spectacular!
(5)Stefanie G.
My husband and I went for lunch to celebrate the one year anniversary of our engagement. Last year's review was more like Melmoth K's. Lunch today just wasn't up to par- the service was friendly enough, but especially slow and there were little touches missing (crumbs left on the table, finished plates sitting in front of us too long, beverages left unfilled). The food was also just ok. The duck was dry, the macaroni and cheese was a bit oily and the quiche Lorraine was heavy on salt. The best thing we had was the side of creamed swiss chard. My husband enjoyed his escargot, too. Dessert was also a 50/50 toss up- the vanilla cream and raspberry layered pastry was amazing, the pain perdu wasn't that great (the caramel ice cream was heavenly, however). The thing is, you just can't beat is the price ($25 for any app, entree and dessert on the menu). But when we've been to Bistrot La Minette for the prix fixe dinner menu, we've left feeling like we stole something. Today I was relieved we didn't pay "full price".
(2)Jon D.
La Minette's movie night is a must-do experience, a vacation in itself. Movies are shown on the rear patio and take you to another place, helping you forget that Fat Tuesday's & Johnny Rockets are just a few blocks away. Maybe it was the two pitchers of wine, Audrey Tautou on the big screen, or the quaint decor between the neighboring warehouses, but I felt taken far away. The food was delicious. Bread was crusty & fluffy (though not quite as good as Parc's - sorry!); the escargot appetizer served as a perfect & delicious introduction to snail, which i'll absolutely have again; the sea bass had crunchy skin atop tenderly cooked fillets; the polenta dumplings were buttery & fluffy; the sorbet was rich and fresh. And - dangerously - the house pitchers of wine were a reasonable $20.
(5)Pallavi A.
I made a reservation for lunch and reached a half hour late! But, I called ahead and the owner who picked up was very nice about it. Bistrot La Minette is a perfect little french cafe in the South Street area. The staff was super friendly and helped us in choosing from the menu. The ambiance of this place was great- cozy and well lit. A nice lunch altogether.
(4)Scot G.
My wife and I decided to try Bistrot La Minette last night after reading the many great reviews and seeing it on many 'best of' lists for foodies in Philly. Sadly to say we came away disappointed with the entire experience. There was some good - the place is very cosy inside and really does feel like a little bistro in Paris. Also, the grilled sardine first course was excellent - well prepared and delicious. Things pretty much went downhill from there. We ordered four dishes and asked for them to come out one at a time. They brought them out two at a time without a word. We told them we were sharing everything, but instead of bringing us share plates, they just brought two dishes out at a time and separated them between us. Worse though was the food. It wasn't terrible as much as it was sub-par. We had the salmon tartar, the squash soup and the duck breast entree. Each dish was unbalanced. The salmon tartar had just a little too much going on and was a bit on the sweet side for an appetizer. The soup was even sweeter - the nuts in it and the broth tasted closer to a dessert than something savory or appropriate as a First Course. The duck breast was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was also way too sweet and didn't have anything to balance itself with. My wife puked after the evening and I felt a little uncomfy in the stomach. Overall, dishes that weren't balanced, overly sweet, etc. / mediocre service and an unsatisfactory meal. I would skip this one.
(2)Frank S.
Delicious straight forward food - charming restaurant and service. This is going to be a very dry review. Simply put, we just had a great time with delicious food and great service. Very nice bistro, not over decorated, it just doesn't feel fake. With only half the restaurant filled on a Wednesday night, two friends and I had ample space and time without being pushed or being squeezed. We had grilled sardines with red pepper (delicious) and flammkuchen (Alsace flatbread, little drier than it's original siblings, but very tasty). Entrees sampled were leg of lamb, duck breast and the entrecote. All meat was done perfectly, the sides were awesome (the gratin rivals Nan), dishes are prepared not too heavy. We shared ice cream and sorbets for dessert, which is too sweet for me, but the flavors were greattt (rhubarb, caramel, cassis). The wine and menu selection is just the right balance and size to fulfill all desires and not let you be overwhelmed. Actually the homemade chocolate that came with the bill was fantastic and their espresso was very good, too. I put down four stars in the beginning, just changed to 5 now after I can not find anything in my memory worth downgrading a star. Bottomline, if I have to choose between Bistrot La Minette and Parc, where food, service and ambience are totally overrated (loud, cramped, attitude, rush), I don't even have to blink. They offer french movie nights on Mondays during August and family style french dining for 4-20 people for $45 to $65 per person. We will try that soon. Disclaimer: This is not eclectic french 9 course five star dining, it is a bistro!!
(5)Julie M.
I first decided to try this bistro as a place to celebrate a personal advancement. The restaurant is just off South Street and is noticable at first because of a tiny deck out front. It continues to be just as cozy as you enter. It is an intimate place, with a nice amount of ambient noise but not too loud. The food is quite a find. Lamb, chicken, dumplings, steak, onion tarts, all cooked perfectly. The ingredients are sometimes a bit upscale but the final dish isn't very fussy. Every dish is perfectly seasoned and well balanced. I never have room for dessert. As an aficionado of beers, they manage to have a decent local selection of beer with a couple seasonal options. I recently went back a second time and it confirmed my previous opinion. If you are looking for a special treat, the Bistrot is worth the price.
(4)Alex S.
For an upscale French place it lacks creativity. The dishes are fairly mundane and so is the taste. The food lacks the "Wow" factor that I would expect from a high-end French place. The food is otherwise good. I would give it 4 stars if it billed itself as an "American" food establishment. If you're looking for a taste of great French food, you won't find it here. The service is OK but nothing special.
(3)Molly M.
The scallops were fantastic as was the bread and butter. Yum.
(4)Simon E.
Exquisite. Food, atmosphere and staff were top notch. We rang late with a reservation for 7, still managed to fit us in. A good wine list, and the caraffes of house wine are excellent value if you don't want to go overboard. A lot of the non-BYOB Philly restaurants could learn a thing or two from Bistrot La Minette on this front. The food was outstanding. I had the grilled Sardines to start and then the Lamb stew for main. The lamb blew any other Lamb I've had out of the water, so tender but so much flavour packed in. Other friends had snails, which were done well. One friend had the Filet special, which whilst by far the most expensive thing on the menu, he still claims it is the best value steak he has had in the city. Sure, the food isn't cheap but at this quality level, it never will be. I can't recommend this place enough. I'm sure I'll be back soon, especially as the outdoor seating is apparently now open.
(5)Katia S.
What a fantastic meal. The scallops were divine and the half chicken was perfectly done. The atmosphere was cozy yet still vibrant and the service was attentive. We're definitely going back for the pre-fixe menu and I would love to try the courtyard when the weather warms up.
(4)Brett V.
I had planned on going to Beau Monde (across the street from Bistrot) for a first date but it was a Monday and to my embarrassment it was closed. Thankfully Bistrot La Minette, with its recently completed outdoor seating area, was there to save the day. If you're looking for authentic French food served in a cozy bistro setting without all the pretentiousness this is the place for you. We were greeted at the door and quickly shown to our choice of outdoor seating. Fresh bread arrived shortly accompanied by deliciously creamy butter lightly topped with sea salt. A salmon spread amuse bouche on toast came out next. It was very pleasant and light. We shared a puff pastry wild mushroom appetizer, which was flaky savory and delicious, followed by entrees of vegetarian dumplings and duck breast with white asparagus and lentils. The duck was perfectly cooked and tender; the dumplings melted in your mouth. For dessert we split the homemade ice cream and sorbet (you get your choice of 3 that change daily). The caramel ice cream was rich but not to sweet. The sorbets were on the tart side - just the way i like them. Although Bistrot is certainly not the cheapest place in town and the portions are not huge the quality and attention to detail justify the price. If you're looking for a cheaper option try the prix fixe lunch for $14. The only thing that others might take issue with is the fact that our server was fairly clueless with her mastery of French. That said, she knew the menu inside and out and competently answered all the questions we had.
(4)Fred C.
The room is charming . . . old, old with exposed wood floors, high ornamented metal ceilings and an exposed brick wall. The service was a bit slow, but the servers were efficient and cheerful. The pea soup was disappointing, very bland and we had to season it with lots of salt and black pepper; even then it wasn't great. The quiche was very good. The food notwithstanding, it was a pleasant lunch. Goes to show what ambiance and cheerful service can accomplish.
(4)Stephen S.
Came here for a celebratory dinner with a group of friends. We went a little overboard with what we ordered, but it allowed me to really experience the menu and what they offered. One of my friend's was a Parisian native who said it was as authentic as a meal as she's had in the states. Some of the traditional dishes were modified a bit, but she said most French bistrots would be making similar modifications to seem chic and cool. I thought the Soupe de Potiron was truly special and would highly recommend it amongst the entrees. I will say that the macaroni and cheese was so good that we ordered it twice. For dessert we ordered everything and I will say the Gateau l'Opera was the table favorite. The service was pretty good. We shared the side room with another party which was nice when we were alone but a little frustrating when they came in. It felt like their birthday party was overwhelming us and there were several times that we had to stop our dinner conversation because the other group was so loud. I really question the wisdom of seating two parties in the side room as it feels private enough that one feels they were out of the main restaurant.
(3)Jim R.
Who would have thought that the feel and tastes of an authentic Parisian bistro could be found just off of South Street in Philadelphia - but that's the experience you'll have while dining here. The atmosphere, the setup, the staff, all promise a great experience and we were not disappointed. Both appetizers were fantastic. A special that night was one of the best pate's we've had in a long time. The other, although maybe sounding a little strange, was absolutely amazing. The Oeuf du Pêcheur - Fisherman's-Style Poached Egg, with Mussels in a Tarragon Cream Sauce would, in itself, be reason enough to return. The entrees were equally delicious. The Mustard-Braised Rabbit was half a rabbit served along side of a house-made tagliatelle pasta. The Seared Duck Breast was served over thin strips of white asparagus, with a black currant sauce and a side of Puy lentils. Both entrée portions were very generous. Although we were tempted, we passed on having dessert. So with the above, 2 drinks, before tip, the bill came to around $100. We are looking forward to returning here with friends who I know will also enjoy the entire experience.
(5)Anna Marie C.
cute. cute, cute, cute. one wintry cold night (did i mention it was snowing??), i came here with a friend. a charming french bistro with tasty food and good people. i even liked things i didn't think i would...like sardines! quail was done well, and so was the monkfish. the alsatian pizza is to die for. you can tell the chef-owner and his wife put their heart and soul into the place, from the warm lighting, open kitchen in the back, cute tables, and friendly folks. wait. i think i used the word cute probably one too many times.
(4)David W.
Outstanding service, wonderful dinner. The rabbit & duck, never better. wonderful desserts. Highly recommend.
(5)Rob T.
The food was delicious; the waitstaff was exceptional, and the ambiance is very nice. Great date spot. Try the escargot.
(5)Peter W.
Pros. Great food, Great value. I had the pate and lamb, my wife had the rabbit and creme brulee. Serving sizes were perfect. Really enjoyed the evening. Cons: Service a little slow - but that's a bit nit picky Will definitely recommend it to friendst
(4)Thomas B.
Short: Great service, great food and drink, wonderful setting. A must. Went to La Minette on a Thursday night for dinner. Thankfully the heat broke and we were able to sit outside comfortably in the setting sun. We started with a bottle of Rose that was perfectly crisp and tart. Our server nailed the flavor, "tastes like unsweetened strawberry juice." For our first course we ordered the octopus salad and tomato salad. Both came out quickly and were flavorful and perfectly assembled. They marinate the octopus for 9 hours in the tomato broth and only remove it when ordered, to grill. Very tender and flavorful. The tomato salad was light and refreshing. We sopped up all of the broth from the tomato salad with the very good sliced baguette they provided as well... amazing to get such flavor from the simple ingredients. For main courses we ordered the braised rabbit and the Halibut. The rabbit loin was slightly dry on one side but the leg was fantastic, the wine sauce it came with was dark and complex and the mushrooms caramelized pearl onions added to the flavor of the rabbit. The house-made tagliatelle with the rabbit was buttery and a good texture. The halibut was the best either of us have ever had; crusted with lemony breadcrumbs, perfectly cooked and fresh. The saffron sauce was excellent and haricot verts were a suitable accompaniment. For dessert we ordered the lemon tart and sorbet selections. Both were wonderful. The meal was reasonably priced for what you received. The wine was around $40/bottle, first courses in the mid-teens, entrees were mid-$20s and desserts were under $10. If you ordered house wine (or no wine, ha) and only an entree this would be a suitable 'any time' destination, but you can certainly make it spendy, too. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a casual romantic setting with fantastic food. A+
(5)Jaycee H.
Read about it being one of the best in the city and I love French food. So gave it a try. Upon entering I was surprised at the professional service and parisian decor. I thought this is going to be good and It was. Foie Gras yes please, and the mussels with poached egg over toasted baguette excellent. My rabbit entree was the best I've had, and there are some reasonably priced wine options of decent quality. The service is top notch, in a city where we have to settle for mediocrity with attitude, the waiters and host here are quite professional, just wish they wouldn't offer up their favorite items on the menu, frankly it means nothing to me what you like, I'm going to order what I like. If I want a suggestion I'll ask for it.
(4)Wyn F.
Went here for lunch. Pretty sure I ordered from their Prix Fixe menu. The food was amazing, the atmosphere spot on. The service was attentive, and every detail of our meal was delicious and artfully prepared. I enjoy Parc, but it comes in a distant second to this friendly gem of a restaurant. Please try out Bistrot La Minette! I wish I could eat like I did there daily! PS- I would say it is good for well-behaved kids.
(5)B B.
Very. Good. The night we dined was the sous-chef's last night and, according to our waiter, everyone had been celebrating for a couple of days so there would be no specials. Oh well! He should have lied -- anything other than "we're a little hung over to pump out a special or two, but we can cook the menu in our sleep, so don't you fret, mon ami" Turned out to be a non-issue. First, the bread was awesome. "Hello leettle bread, do you know how special you are?" I always notice awesome bread. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meals. The big winner was the Oeuf du Pechur (poached egg w/mussels in tarragon cream sauce). How tasty are you!? I had the duck leg confit w/ foie gras and it was damned fine. Excellent foie. Service was attentive. Lovely room. Low points: The "recommended" special gingerbeer-champagne cocktail I ordered was room temp ("bleccch"). And two in our party, who ordered the roasted pork chop (and loved it while eating it), got the "poo's" later that night, so maybe the sous-chef should have left a day earlier.
(3)Elena S.
I would like to give this place 4.5 stars (please change this feature!) for a delicious, well-executed meal last night with my lovely mother-in-law. The setting is intimate, authentic bistro, without any of the slightly contrived quality of Parc (although I really like Parc). There is a tiny bar in the front where we waited for our table while enjoying the beginning of our delicious bottle of Sancerre. The wait staff were warm and friendly, and the whole environment felt professional but relaxed. Compared with a recent experience at Lotus of Siam in NY, this was a welcome change of ambiance and I was digging it as soon as I walked in the door. When we were seated, the bartender magically transformed into our waiter. And he was attentive and knowledgeable, but never intrusive. Water was efficiently and regularly filled, food was perfectly timed and just the right temperature, and, most importantly, everything tasted wonderful. I started with the escargot, which was buttery-garlicky deliciousness with great texture. It came in maybe 9 or 10 tiny pots, and I soaked up the remainder of the sauce with the fabulous housemade bread they serve with soft butter. My mother-in-law started with the foie gras, which she enjoyed, but found a bit too rich for her taste. We both had the fluke cooked in brown butter with brussel sprouts for our main, which was fabulous and definitely my favorite of the evening. Everything about the dish was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and went together perfectly. We finished with the opera cake, which was also an outstanding way to go out. The prices are in the mid-20s for entrees with a few special items in the 40s, but I think the price is right for the quality of the food. All in all, a wonderful experience and will definitely be back.
(4)Turku I.
I love Bistrot la Minette for its unpretentious ambiance (particularly in the summer), courteous staff, the exciting and dynamic menu, and the unfailing perfection of every dish that is put in front of me. The host (owner?) is always polite and accommodating. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and the aperitifs always seduce. On summer nights, don't miss out on the cozy and romantic patio with the angel lights overhead. (We've never been to the Sunday movie screenings but would love to go). They serve French bistrot fare, adjusted to season, but the chef is careful to steer clear of the cliches of what passes for French bistrot food ici. Bistrot la Minette has quickly become our go-to French joint in the city.
(5)Maggie G.
Ben and I just got married and had our wedding luncheon here. It was everything we had imagined and totally thrilled us. The chef and manager (co-owners) are incredibly helpful and seemed sincerely enthusiastic about accommodating us. They prepared a menu at the price we wanted and that would suit our party comprised of real vegetarians, pescovegatarians and carnivores. All of our guests were shocked at how delicious everything was and at the gorgeous and comfortable interior. Three days later I am still salivating at the mere thought of the potato leek soup. My friend Karl, whom I have almost NEVER heard rave about food, said that the Grenoble style ravioli had changed his food-outlook for life. At the end of the meal Ben and I disassembled the top of the croque en buche (a traditional French wedding desert, basically a tower of creme puffs wrapped in spun sugar--AMAZING!) which was far and away the best wedding desert I've ever had. It was crunchy and sweet and flavorful with multiple textures, served with delicious cold sweet tart cassis sorbet. Oh yum. I wish I could post pictures of our wedding on Yelp just to further prove how perfect it all was. Obviously, we will have to come here every year for our anniversary. Hell, we may even decide to celebrate on a monthly basis.
(5)Ali C.
My fiance and I ate at Bistrost La Minette last night and LOVED it! Warm ambiance and friendly staff. We ordered the Œuf du Pêcheur (mussels), the Salade Bettraves avec ses Croûtes de Chèvre Chaud (beet salad), and the Boeuf Bourguignonne (beef entree). The mussels were AMAZING!! You must order this, it was our favorite of the night! I would have licked my plate clean if it was socially acceptable :) The beet salad and beef entree were delicious as well! Yum, yum, yum!
(5)barbara k.
We were visiting from Seattle, and 2 Phila friends recommended Bistro La Minette. We went there with one, and were so happy we did, especially as the next night we went to another French restaurant that was not very good. I started with the beet salad, with a citrus vinaigrette that was indescribably delicious. One of the best salads I've ever had. I had the foie gras special for a main, as I knew with the richness I wouldn't want or need anything else. Fabulous! The others had Truite Meuniere and "the chicken", and both said they were great. Unfortunately we did not have dessert, which I'm sure was also excellent. The ambiance was lovely, and quiet enough that we could talk, since we had a lot of catching up to do. Overall, a great evening!
(5)M N.
One of my favorite spots in Philly. Every time I go to Philly I try to go to this place and enjoy their poached egg with mussel. It is beyond perfect. I have been to many French restaurants but never tasted anything like this. Their entrees are also very delicious. Everything I tried was perfect. I was also surprised they cooked the rabbit meat to be so tender and juicy. I know it's not that easy. It's not a cheap place but quality comes with a price so definitely worth it!
(5)Ken B.
Excellent drinks, excellent food, excellent service. Pricey but that's ok once in a while for an experience this good. Have the sweetbreads.
(5)Lucy Y.
Had the best night here. The staff was very attentive and helpful. The ambience was romantic but not too crowded because the restaurant was a good size. Try the French beers! The chestnut honey one was especially yummy. We got the onion and potato soup, grapefruit and endive salad, lamb shank, duck confit and the raspberry mille feuille for dessert and they were all delicious! We were celebrating a special occasion and they even sent over complimentary truffles at the end. Perfect experience
(5)Wesley C.
Absolutely amazing. Seared fois gras, escargot, lamb shoulder, duck confit, creme brûlée, gateau, cafe. That was our meal, from start to finish. Pretty much like I don't think I can adequately describe this meal. Complex subtleties mixed with rich buttery boldness. Can I just say even their bread and butter is delicious?! Just delightful on the tongue and palate. BYO, but they also have some drinks to chose from if you want. We did both. lol and were VERY happy. You will not go wrong in coming here. And if you plan accordingly and bring enough people, you can even experience a "family style" french feast.
(5)Stefano D.
I'm not a huge French cuisine fan, but I must say this restaurant is spot on. The food was amazing and their beer list is very interesting with several hard to find French beers. Definitely try the lamb shank! Will be back for sure.
(5)Trev S.
Everything here was well prepared and delicious, great wine, reasonably priced. My girlfriend and I had a full, several course meal. Waitstaff was really friendly and well mannered. All in all a great experience. I would highly recommend for a special night out.
(5)Elva L.
i think of our meal here the other night as one of the best i've had in at least a few weeks, maybe months. to start, we received a little gift from the chef: a cheese ball, eh, okay. i am impressed that they coaxed some complex flavor out of whatever cheese they used and rendered it ubiquitous in the puffy dough. that must be harder that it looked/tasted. anyway, it was unexpected, but i didn't feel like it changed or enhanced our dinner. complimentary bread and butter: not much to say here, only that the bread was served warm and the butter soft. surprisingly many restaurants cannot manage to serve bread and butter properly. BLM did, good for them. starters: The Boy had pea soup, which I did not taste. I'm pretty specific about what color things have to be before I can eat them, and green soup is not on my list of acceptable color/texture combinations. I had the burgundy snails to start, um, gorgeous plate! insanely buttery, salty lead and a healthy trail of herbs per bite and the cutest little disc of CRISPY crouton in EACH container. you can very much see the amount of work put into each bite. additionally, it was served in TINY individual ceramic cups, rather than the kind of ramekin-like dish you normally see with escargot holes. main course: the special was a fresh caught halibut. our waiter explained it was only caught the day before, and i made up my mind that i couldn't not try it. i mean, this is probably the closest any of us will get to playing god-- to eat something that was alive only the day before?? sign me up! the halibut was cooked perfectly-- masterfully browned to a crisp on top, and a milky, tender flesh that was piping hot under. there is a difference between blasting a piece of fish on high heat for a short amount of time and letting it rest to near room temperature and cooking some more so as to Not overcook it, and what i got, which was a delicate filet cooked and served at impressively controlled doneness and temperature. The Boy had lamb shank which was just about melt in your mouth. I couldn't stop eating it, was already full, and did not want to offer up bites of my blissful fish for trade... it was rough. dessert: i will always go for creme brulee as long as it's available, so i forced the chocolate mousse cake on the boy (who didn't want dessert, I KNOW! blasphemy!!). the creme brulee was denser than i am used to, but the amount of sweetness was the perfect complement. As in, the sweetness matched the texture divinely so that the custard was still an absolute delight. The chocolate mousse was well executed, but not remarkable in my biased opinion. My only gripe was with the pistachio ice cream, which tasted to me rather like how some hand lotions smell. I did not care for it though it came at the recommendation of our waiter and I was excited to have it. speaking of whom, when we asked to have the lamb shank bone wrapped for our dog, he informed us that bones that have been cooked are likely to splinter and cause harm. this is something i did not know about, and i am glad he brought it to our attention and deterred us from making a potentially devastating mistake. kudos to this guy.
(5)Alessia K.
This gem continues to be our favorite place in the city to get an amazing meal in such a wonderful atmosphere. It is such a charming restaurant with a friendly staff and the kitchen turns out some serious food. We met the chef at a Cook event and he was gracious enough to come over and say hi to us during our most recent dinner. I will continue to recommend this place to anyone and everyone!
(5)Tina K.
The BEST dining experience I've had. 'Nuff said. The service was impeccable. Our glasses were never empty, and the waiters were friendly and professional. My boyfriend and I were really impressed with the amuse-bouche; it was still warm, fresh, crispy, and overall delicious. They gave a basket of bread, which was also very tasty. Hands down the best bread I've ever had--better than from bakeries! I ordered escargot and foie gras with a side of pommes anna. The foie gras was simply divine. I would go there again just to get more foie gras (and bread!). The raspberry mille crepe was also delicious. The atmosphere was upscale but still pretty casual. I really liked the soothing ambience and the clean-and-classy bathroom. Yay to clean bathrooms! Overall, I really recommend Bistrot La Minette. I would suggest making a reservation at least a day in advance if you don't want to go there at 5:30 because the reservations are often full for later times on the same day.
(5)Hoang T.
Received an email update regarding the restaurant's new April specials. Decided to head there for happy hour on a Wednesday. I've been there for dinner and I'll give dinner 5 stars too. Happy hour was great!!! It's really a slice of France in philly... Although I've never been to France.. I've studied the language and culture for years. The house red (wine) was delicious and not too light given it was a happy hour special. We ended up ordering snails, AMAZING AS ALWAYS... First timers must order this. Especially escargot lovers. Beef tartare... Not the best I had but definitely a very good dish if you like beef served this way. The scallops were cooked well and were just great. The mussel with poached egg was prob the highlight for me. It was truly a rich dish that hit many notes and I'd even argue one of the best appetizers in Philadelphia... It definitely screams French!! Creamy buttery sauce mushrooms mussels and baguette!!! What more could you ask for? Service is top notch!! For both happy hour and dinner. The wait staff are definitely a notch above the rest of Philly's establishments. The place is clean and just really nice overall. Can't wait to go back when it's warmer to sit outside on their patio. And to make my review more over the top.... I would vote bistro Philly's top 5 restaurants.
(5)Cole S.
I'm not surprised that Bistrot La Minette came up as #1 when searching for French Restaurants in Philadelphia. I ate here in late March with my cousin and found the cuisine to be among the best this side of the Atlantic. I had to check my ticket stub to make sure the plane actually landed in Philadelphia instead of Paris. This is an establishment that surpasses my trifecta of requirements for five yelp stars; service, food, and atmosphere. My cousin eats at Bistrot La Minette often and the servers recognized her. That type of personal connection always impresses me. Throughout the whole meal, I felt as if we were VIP guests. The food was excellent. I just can't say enough about how wonderful everything tasted. As expected, the wine was perfect. Finally, the ambiance was perfect. This wasn't a place that merely served French style food. It was a full on French restaurant plucked from the streets of Paris. If you're in Philadelphia. Eat here.
(5)Lianna N.
I havent been to France, but IF I did go, I imagine it would be a fine experience like this one. Our waiter was charming and mischievous; choosing me to be the targets of his jests and banter. He teased and played with us all night, and his rich french accent didn't leave anything to be desired. The setting was intimate, and queens village off of penns landing was a perfect location to tuck this little gem of a bistro. Parked a block away in a lot that costed $15 for after 5pm. I didnt want to circle endlessly looking for parking. It's also across the street from THE best creperie! Anyhow I digress. The food was excellent, and I was most looking forward to the escargot. The little pots of creamy garlicky butter toast bits with the escargot leaves my mouth watering in it's memory. I dunked chucks of the free bread into the delicious butter till I greedily devoured every cholesterol ridden morsel. And then I did something really unclassy. I licked the edge of the pot. I hope no one saw. The rest of the meal unfolded less eventfully. I did the duck confit/lamb stew which was rich hearty and filling. I sampled off everyone else's plate to make sure I had a well rounded experience. I captured most of the dishes we tried in photos. I left floating on a little cloud. My wallet was empty, but my heart was full. Merci, Bistrot La Minette.
(4)David H.
When my wife and I first dined here...she just smiled. She lived in France for many years. We have both dined many times in Paris and other areas of France and Europe. A true experience in the quality, outcome of the product, ambience, and overall cost. Nothing more needs to be said. Keep up the good work.
(5)Kara S.
The best French cuisine I've ever had. Went this fall for a weekend lunch seating and it was absolutely empty. As a result, my party got VIP service all the way. I couldn't believe how well priced this place was. You can watch the chefs work in the kitchen from your table and the waiter knows his specials. Everything felt lush and romantic and beautiful. I had about four courses, and loved it all. I practically licked my plate. That's normal right? What do you absolutely have to order? Escargots, Tartine aux Figues et Fromage Blanc (figs, bread, cheese and dips), and creme brulee. My party also had the fish and a chicken dishes. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with ordering at this restaurant. We even got a table side visit from the main chef himself. You'll love this place for a fun lunch with friends, a romantic date night or a cool hangout around cocktail hour I imagine. Do not pass up a chance to visit this place!
(5)Lindsay V.
I've never had French cuisine before, but I am so glad I came here to try it. M and I came here for Restaurant Week: since we didn't know if we would like it, we didn't want to pay full price for our first time here. We arrived just in time for our reservation and were seated promptly. They also have coat check (yay!). Our waiter gave us some time to decide on drinks (I got a glass of pinot grigio and M got a Kronenbourg 1664), then proceeded to take our food order. I ordered the mussels with tarragon creme and poached egg and the mustard braised rabbit. M got the root vegetable soup and boeuf bourguignon. Before our food came out, we were served cheesy profiteroles, compliments of the chef! The mussels were TO. DIE. FOR. They were incredible. I couldn't stop fawning over them. I would have licked the sauce from the plate if I were slightly less classy (let's face it, I'm not too classy to begin with). I am normally not a big fan of egg, the taste always turns me off, but I ate that whole poached egg. It was wonderful. The rabbit was good. I've never had rabbit before so unfortunately, I have nothing to compare it to. The pasta it came with was perfectly done and was served in a nice, buttery sauce. M's soup was really good and surprisingly light. His boeuf bourguignon was especially tasty, too, but it was a small portion. For dessert, M order the opera cake and I ordered the puff pastry with raspberry sauce. My dessert ended my meal perfectly -- the raspberry sauce provided enough tartness to cut through the richness of the rest of my meal. M's opera cake was tasty, but heavy. I'm glad I didn't order it. The service was great. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. In our past Restaurant Week experiences, it seemed like the waitstaff was turned off by us, which made for an awkward experience. It wasn't like that at all at Bistrot La Minette. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Arianna K.
This is one of my faves for consistently good food and nice atmosphere. Delish wine and cocktails-the butter! I dream of their bread and butter. This is french comfort food!
(5)Katie L.
I've been a fan of Bistrot La Minette for a long time, but this was my first time dining there for brunch. I was surprised to learn of their $25 prix flxe lunch menu, and as you well know, any chance to over-indulge will not be overlooked by yours truly. Started with the charcuterie plate which featured bacon-wrapped pork terrine (drool), rabbit liver mousse (swoon), and duck rillettes (quack.) Had the oeufs en meurette for my entree, which was covered in the kind of red wine shallot sauce that makes you want to lick the plate. The eggs were perfectly poached & the accompanying mushrooms, pearl onions, and lardons were delightful. Finished with the poached pear that just melted in my mouth. When I'm asked what my favorite French restaurant is in Philadelphia, I'm always tempted to say La Minette, and this meal might have sealed the deal.
(5)Evelina E.
AMAZING! My boyfriend made surprise reservations here for our anniversary. Apparently reservations were a little tricky a week ahead of time and after experiencing dinner tonight I completely understand why! We started with Frog Legs and a Salad - both fantastic (my boyfriend refuses to eat salad but actually liked this salad!). For our main course I had the Faux Filet Sauce au Poive (black pepper-crusted New York strip with pomme puree and bacon-wrapped haricot verts) which was not only the best steak either one of us has ever tasted, but honestly the best meal I've ever had! My boyfriend had the duck, which was new tonight so I cant give a better description because it's not on their menu yet, but it was as delicious as the steak. We kept trading bites because neither of use was willing to give up a bite without an equal trade - haha :P We're grad students so we can't afford fancy meals that often but this was definitely worth it! We'll certainly be back the next time we have a special occasion.
(5)Moe W.
I try to go to Bistrot La Minette as often as my budget allows. It's my favorite restaurant in Philly. Everything from the pleasant greeting at the door to the perfectly wonderful crust on the bread to the intermezzo treats....SUPERB! Can't wait to try the special evening menus!
(5)Ky T.
Dined here for restaurant week jan 2015. Loved everything and booked another dinner that same week. This restaurant has some of the best bread and butter. The baguette slices are served warm with amazing french butter. I can't stand when restaurants give you cold bread! My meal was great but what made me want to come back immediately was my girlfriends beef bourguignon. They used short rib and it was melt in your mouth delicious! Definitely give this place a try!
(5)Melissa P.
Went for their 4th anniversary prix fixe dinner and it was AMAZING. One of the best dining experience I've had in Philly. Great place, adorable atmosphere, cozy but not on top of each other table. Really good service. The Vichyssoise was soo good. For appetizers we chose the Bouchees a la Reine and the salmon tartar-both delicious. We tried the coq au vin (OMG. IT WAS SO GOOD) and the Daube provencale (the gnocchis were like little puff of heaven,and the meat-SO TENDER). The cheese plate for dessert was so good we packed half of it to go home. The flourless chocolate cake was great too. Can't wait to go back when I can afford it any not worry about the prices!
(5)Claire S.
Had an absolutely perfect birthday dinner here last Saturday. Great food, great atmosphere, great wine list. The duck cassoulet was impeccable, and all of the bread is made in-house. Who could ask for more? Oh wait, there is more, because it is black truffle season and you can add them to any dish! It was my birthday and one of the members of my party must've said something to the staff because they treated me like an absolute princess the whole night. Also, my father, who is a classically trained French chef, swears this is one of the most authentic French restaurants in Philadelphia. I'd eat here again in a heartbeat.
(5)Patricia H.
I wanted to update my review of Bistro La Minette. I have been here several times since 2012 and always have a great experience. They have an amazing new happy hour special with $2 beer, $3 wine (good French wine!) , and $4 kirs. All appetizers are 50% off during the happy hour. I think it's the best deal in Philadelphia. My husband and I ordered the pea soup, which was amazing, a mushroom puff pastry, and seas scallops. Everything was delicious. Another thing that really sets the restaurant apart is the outstanding staff. All the servers are very knowledgeable about the food and many it seems have worked there fora while. They are very attentive but not too ov erbearing. I don't feel rushed but they were very prompt with providing more drinks as needed. The restaurant itself is really cute and has a great atmosphere.
(5)Yiwen S.
we came for restaurant week back in january, and even though it was RW, i was STILL impressed with the food. that says something about this restaurant. probably one of the best bread baskets i've ever tried. rivals that of parc, which was my favorite up until now. the inside has kind of a rustic feel to it, kind of like being in the french countryside. and the space is much larger than i imagined. service is top notch here. and the menus change seasonally. that being said, here comes the food: 1. foie gras - pretty typical foie, but not the best i've had. 2. escargots - neat presentation in separate pots, made it difficult to eat though. 3. beef bourguignon - SO.DELICIOUS. beef cheeks so tender it melts in your mouth. also, the medley of veggies that it's served with is great at enhancing the flavor of the beef. 4. lamb cassoulet - i'm not usually a fan of overly stew-based dishes, but this one was amazing. i think the duckfat breadcrumbs really topped off the flavor for me. that's right, DUCKFAT breadcrumbs. 5. tarte tatin - nice balance of sweet (caramel ice cream) and tarte (upside down apple tart) flavors. 6. mille feuille - basically a caramelized puff pastry with raspberries. unique and delicious in every sense of the word. normally i would give this place 4-4.5 stars if i'm judging on food alone. but what puts it over the top for me is that our server was able to recommend the best cote du rhone i've had to date. dining is a wholistic experience, and should be graded as such.
(5)Brian C.
I absolutely love this place. I've been here a few times and every single time i've been very pleased. the service is very attentive, the food is delicious, and if you're available in the summer, try out the movie and dinner out in the back patio. Honestly all the food is good, but a few standouts: - Œuf du Pêcheur - a generous portion of mussels in a lovely, balanced creamy and acidic sauce. - Mille Feuille aux Framboises - crispy, light puff pastry filled with raspberries and cream. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Philly!
(5)Nataly N.
In a world without consequences, I would eat the little cups of butter that come with the bread here by the spoonful. Many restaurants provide mediocre bread and butter when you order, but when you taste a freshly toasted slice of baguette at Bistrot La Minette, topped with thick, delicious, creamy butter, you know that BLM is bringing a taste of France to your palate. This place offers the most authentic French cuisine I've tasted in Philadelphia. I've been here twice now. I'd come here more often if it were closer to my neighborhood. BLM offers great 4-course prix fixe menus on a regular basis, exploring cuisines from all regions of France. My most recent experience was their 4-year anniversary dinner, which included a $30 menu (4 courses) and $4 drink specials: Drink - The Kir Royal au cassis and Lillet were both very good First Course - The Vichyssoise Glacée, a chilled potato and leek soup, was very light, silky, and refreshing. Second Course - The Terrine de Foie Gras (Duck liver) was very tasty and buttery in texture. The fig compote went very well with it. I thought the toasted brioche could have been replaced by a more firm toasted bread to provide more texture, but perhaps the dish was meant to focus more on the foie gras... The Bouchées à la Reine was also good, but I thought there was too much puff pastry and not enough sauce. As a result, the puff pastry was dry, and its taste overshadowed the taste of the wild mushrooms. Third Course - Both the Daube Provençal (beef stew) and Coq au Vin (wine-braised chicken) were tasty, though the beef and the chicken in these respective dishes were a bit too dry. Fourth Course - my favorite course! - The Mille Feuille aux Framboises was just as tasty as it was during my last visit, though not as well assembled. Gateau de Mousse au Chocolat and the strawberry sorbet that came with it were both delicious. These desserts were pretty solid. I've had similar desserts at above-average patisseries in France. While they were not the best I've had, the entire meal was a great deal for the quality of the menu. Forget about Restaurant Week when you can get 4 delicious courses here for $30-$35 on a regular basis.
(4)Peter C.
Excellent! Parfait! Just got up from a superb brunch here. You can get an app, main and a desert for 25 which is a steal given the quality of the food. I had the potage st. Germain for my app, omelette basquaise for my main and the orange tarte for my dessert. All of my dishes were cooked to perfection and I could tell that freshness and quality of ingredients are a top priority at this bistro. The crown jewel of the meal was my tarte. It came with a rich chocolate ice cream that really complimented the sour quality of the tarte. Magnifique! Our table also ordered a plate of haricots verts that were cooked in brown butter. Really tasty. Can't wait to come back to try dinner.
(5)Carolyn F.
I came here for my birthday: it was a tasty meal, but didn't blow me away. I love the decor and service is very attentive. The drinks were probably my favorite part. The Vesper cocktail is outstandingly unusual, a delicious mix of lavender gin and pepper vodka. My partner and I ordered the rabbit and the lamb. Both were well-prepared, but neither dish made me want to come back for more. The creme brulee was generously portioned and yummy.
(3)John P.
Took my girlfriend out for a valentines day dinner here (yes, I'm finally writing a review four months later). I understand that Valentine's day usually places a huge burden on kitchen and service, but I was unimpressed with Bistrot la Minette's performance, given its great reviews. The food was definitely solid, I had the escargot and duck; however it was nothing superb, when compared to other French bistrots I've visited in the US (mainly in NYC) and when prices are taken into consideration. Don't remember what I had for desert. Service was mediocre, nothing special. This was to be expected because it was Valentines Day. What really got me was that we sat closest to the door (which had a flap that was supposed to keep cold air out). This flap did a horrible job, as every time someone would walk in, a rush of cold air would hit my girlfriend and I, completely ruining the atmosphere for us. We asked to be reseated, but as it was too busy we decided against waiting to switch. We even thought about putting on our bulky winter jackets at the table. In sum--good, but overpriced food, decent service, and horrible flap at the front door! If you get the table next to door in winter be sure to move! To the management: you need to add another door/mechanism to keep cold out during winter (perhaps my food would've tasted better were I not worrying about the next person to open the door).
(3)Erica V.
The escargot was the best I've had. Served in petite stoneware pods with each snail floating in garlic butter and topped with a crunchy crouton, these had none of the off-putting earthy aroma I've experienced elsewhere. If you're an escargot virgin, Bistrot La Minette is the perfect place to [insert favorite euphemism for losing one's virginity]. C'était parfait. Desiring something vegetal, I ordered the leek ravioli. The pasta was supremely tender and the creamy carrot puree accompaniment smooth-as-silk. I found it difficult to refrain from licking my plate. C'était délicieux. The only middling moment in a meal that otherwise enticed all the senses was the cheese course. Because I don't know French cheeses well, I asked the server to select for me, explaining that I had a taste for something piquant (I wanted "smelly") and something creamy and mild. She brought two cow and one sheep's milk cheese, but I found all rather mild and similar in texture. Pas intéressant.
(5)Lindsay H.
After walking in, we soon discovered that this place is the perfect date spot for a cold winter evening! It has a great cozy upscale feel with wonderful food. We both started with some tasty bubbly cocktails. If you love some bubbly than this is the place for you. They have plenty of options. We then split the grilled quail with wilted arugala and a sherry au jus and it was lovely. Yes, quail is always tough to eat because it's just so tiny but the flavors were really tasty. It was a very fall dish. My only wish was that the quail came with more of a grilled texture but all and all, great start. I should also mention that the bread and butter was awesome. I loooove a french baguette and they serve a great one! For our entrees we went with the seared duck breast and the butter poached salmon. The duck was perfect. I love a seared duck breast and this dish had every component I love in a duck dish. Perfectly medium rare, sweet and savory with a creamy puree to pair. Great. Very rich but well worth the richness! The salmon was also a winner. It was more on the rare side which is fine by me with the perfect buttery flavor. The other components all paired well with the dish and didn't take anything away from the salmon. With the cold winter months upon us, absolutely check this place out!
(4)Angie M.
This is the BEST place in Philly!! We had dinner here last Saturday night with 18 guests: they were from New York City, London, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle and Philadelphia. You could say the world's greatest Foodie cities! And EVERY PERSON LOVED your restaurant! They raved!!!!!!!! The service was EXTRAORDINARY and SEAMLESS! The group wanted to make sure David was acknowledged. He was on top of his game! And the Food was just PERFECT! I don't even know what words would really capture how great the entire experience was! AND as a local, I was just proud.
(5)Anthony S.
Sadly, this year I could only go to one place this year for restaurant week. Fortunately, I ended up at Bistrot La Minette. I happened to tell some friends I was going here, and they said if you haven't had escargot that this is the place to try it. Never having tried escargot, I felt obligated to get it as my first course. The flavor was buttery and garlicy, and who can complain about that?! For the main course, I had the lamb shank. It was ridiculously tender, served in a little broth with root vegetables. We got a carafe of the house red wine, which was perfect to wash down the delicious hunks of lamb. And finally, for dessert I had the poached pear (in red wine and with black currants--are you kidding me??! Yes please!). If you know me, you know how much I love pear. And this was definitely the perfect dessert.
(5)Oliver P.
Delicious, in a saucy kind of French way. The bar selections are very French -- lots of kirs, wines, and French cocktails. We split the beet salad and porcini tart four ways for starters. Both were very good, though half of us declared the beets the best and the others praised the mushroom tart. For dinner, we had the beef burgundy, the braised lamb, and the duck. The duck was served on puréed celeriac with fois gras wine reduction. Simply put, it was amazing. We ordered two, both medium rare. One came medium, and the other came very rare. I would recommend ordering the duck medium.
(5)Kendrah R.
Atmosphere is wonderful. Food is average. Bread is excellent. If you are looking for a cafe in this neighborhood to have a nice long hang out lunch to catch up with friends, I would consider going here. It is the kind of place that makes you want to sit and talk for hours. If I were looking for excellent French food, this is not the first place that comes to mind. I went for lunch so cannot comment on dinner. I had a lyonnaise salad that was not good. I couldn't finish it. The frisee was wilted, the egg tasted soft boiled slimy rather than nicely poached, the dressing was nothing, there was no zing. My partner had trout that was good. I noticed they had a private little dining room which could be great for events.
(3)Felix P.
I went here during a huge snow storm. The staff was super friendly and didn't let the bad weather get in the way of offering great food and service. The also understand wine pairing very well. Overall the food paired with the experience is 5 star.
(5)Danni M.
I've been a uber fan of this place for ages. It has been my go to place for event dinners, anniversaries, birthdays and when friend s drop in from out of town, but lately, I've been hitting them for appetizers and drinks during happy hour in the week. Although all the food is fab, especially the food they roll out for specialty events like Bastille Day and special paring menu, their standard menu always works for me. Food is seasonal (as it should be) but luckily for me the gorgeously garlicky escargot, to their Oeuf de peucher (mussels in tarragon cream with a poached egg) have permanent residence on the menu, which is a very good thing. An they do brunch that should make the surrounding eateries hang their heads in shame.. Peter Woolsey's food and culinary reputation have seen him branch out to La Peg, but Bistrot will always have a place in my heart for great service and fabulous food that after eating, imbues me with a sense of sated bliss.
(5)Adam K.
Wonderful French Restaurant, 1.romantic, 2. great service, 3. Great food 4. Great wine and drinks So easy to sum up this wonderful gem!
(4)John M.
Anime. I have no friends so of course I'd be writing yelp reviews. Before the food even came I knew it was good. This guy came over to us with these samples and said complements from the chef. That was the first time that ever happened to me. My fellow table occupants were not as excited as I was. The first course was delicious. The main courses were also delicious I only wish they had crepes.
(5)Theresa A.
THE. PERFECT. DATE. RESTAURANT. If you are trying to decide where to go for a lovely, fabulous, delicious, memorable dinner--look no further than Bistrot La Minette. Every single part of our dinner was worth raving about. Our server, Edward, was FANTASTIC! Our appetizers--the Heirloom Tomato Salad and Pea & Parsley Soup were INCREDIBLE. Our entrees--the 1/2 Roast Chicken and Braised Short Rib were YUM! Our dessert--the piece de resistance!--the Creme Brulee with fresh Blackberries and the Peach Tart with homemade Apricot Sorbet--WOW! Stop reading my review and go make a reservation!!!! (but eat inside since the building next door is currently under construction and isn't too picturesque at the moment)
(5)Steve C.
Everything is amazing here. I dream of the Oeuf du Pecheur. I chose here for my Valentine's Day date this year. This was after failing, believing the hype about another place further up the South St last year. The service is amazing, The floor manager immediately attended to us, made us feel welcome, seconds after we were seated. That's not one of the reasons I visit a restaurant, and fortunately they knocked all the reasons I do out of the park. Every course was incredible, engaging, and the perfect amount of food. The favorite familiar items were there, along with perfectly chosen items for the occasion. The cocktails followed the same script. It's the kind of place, where you feel like you owe them a favor when you leave. The service and food is that good, with zero pretentiousness. You've had such a good experience after you've left, you want to go back for every meal, and think of them as great friends.
(5)G C.
Quaint place, not large but not small that everyone's squished. Has a french feel. Came here thinking it's byo but waiter then mentioned there's a $15 per bottle corkage fee which we took us by surprise. In the end we just opened one bottle so it was okay. I got the poached egg with mussels which was so yummy and creamy with the toast. Then I got the duck confit which was cooked in a casserole style with break crumbs and beans. So delicious. I had a taste of my friend's beef cheeks which was so soft and the rabbit tasted delicious as well. For dessert i had the mille feuille with raspberry which was divine. I am partial though because i love flaky consistencies.
(4)Matthew L.
Like being in Paris, but the convenience of paying with USD. Update: moved from 4-5 stars because I'm not sure why I listed it at 4 to begin with. If you're a fan of personal space, this isn't really the place for you. A strong Parisian vibe emanates from this restaurant, from the decor to the food. Portions are larger than in France, though not very large by American standards. The food is excellent across the board and I look forward to my next visit. Best French food in this price range that I've found in the city.
(5)Paul B.
For a French Bistro... this is as good as it gets in Philly! And beyond. Kane the bartender was excellent! Thank you Kane (forgive me if I'm getting your name wrong). The service and food are both excellent. The space is quaint and charming. They are doing it right there! Excellent!
(5)Nancy L.
Absolutely delicious french food.
(5)Alethia C.
My husband and I ventured here a few nights ago to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. After hearing good things and reading prior reviews, we were excited to try Bistro la Minette out. However, from the moment we walked into the restaurant, I knew the service was going to be shoddy. I'm not one for over-the-top fake niceties, but a little enthusiasm would have been appreciated upon our arrival. Once seated, our waiter quickly rattled off the specials and then disappeared for about 10 minutes - no drink order was taken, no offer was given to open the bottle of wine that was clearly sitting on top of our table. Once the waiter returned, I asked a question about adding some morels to my appetizer dish - and was told I could 'absolutely not' add them. Really? I understand if its the chef's policy, but at least give me that as an answer, not an incredibly rude and brush off. I wasn't asking for them to be free - just a possibility. Then the bread arrived. My God, that bread is certainly a gift from heaven. Perfectly warm, served with room temp butter, it all but melted in our mouths - things were looking up (but only briefly). The black truffle pasta 1st course was delicious, fresh pasta with a light cream sauce and shaved black truffles (best dish of the night). My husband's octopus, however, did not fare as well. It was cooked perfectly, but the red sauce completely overwhelmed the flavor of the octopus leaving us to wonder what they were trying to cover up and the mollusk's degree of freshness. Our main courses were also just OK. Nothing spectacular and certainly not worth the $28/entrée. The final blow came at dessert - I ordered the clafoutis and was brought something different. Upon sending it back, very politely might I add, I actually witnessed a direct eye-roll from our server. I understand, being a server is difficult, diners can be total jerks (which I wasn't), but honestly, an eye-roll? We will not be returning - and had it not been for the french bread and that delicious pasta dish, this rating would have been much more dismal.
(2)Melissa P.
I went to Bistrot La Minette for lunch with a friend last week and every encounter was a pleasant surprise. Their lunch special is insanely good. For $15, I had a sumptuous split pea soup and a Nicoise salad. In between each course we had little treats, compliments of the chef. The ambience rivals the food. Every detail is articulately cared for, from the quaint bar to the copper pots at the back of the restaurant. The staff was very friendly. Even though they were busy, took very good care of us.
(5)Lauren M.
We love French food so when we were in Philly for the night (and had gotten some of the other staples earlier in the day), we decided to come here based on the reviews. We were right on time for our reservation and a table in the front was open when we walked in, but the host asked us to sit at the bar. The place is not very big and after waiting for 15-20 minutes and being seated at the same table that was open when we walked in, I made my husband asked what the deal was. They were hoping another table was going to open up. That's fine, I realize this table was near the front, and the tables on either side were occupied, but it would have been nice if we had been given the option - 'look, we have this table open now, but it looks like we'll have a better one opening up in a few minutes, do you want to wait?'. We were an 8:30 res as it was, so it wasn't like they were turning all the tables again after us. Anyway, that started it off a bit poorly, then our waitress wasn't very good. She didn't have personal recommendations for wine, sort of went with whatever my husband asked about. Then throughout the night, there were times when she was just gone. Finally when we were trying to get our check, we see her at the front bar drying dishes, chatting away with another server. We were just far enough away that we couldn't get her attn, as there was another table between us and the bar, so we waited, and waited, she never looked over, it was like she was a bartender, not our server. Unfortunately the service spoiled the experience for us, but I'll get into the food too. I had escargots to start, my husband had a salad. Both were fine, not my favorite escargot, in fact, they were already shelled which was the first time I'd seen that, but was convenient! I had the duck confit which I really enjoyed and I can't remember what my husband had , but he liked it as well. Overall, the food was fairly good, especially my main course, but hopefully they tighten up the service a bit more.
(3)Ted M.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Bistrot la Minette is a unique gem. Owner/Chef Peter Woolsey trained in France for two years before opening the place. Their atmosphere is very realistic and the menu often includes more obscure dishes found mainly in home cooked meals Their mustard braised rabbit leg is a favorite of mine and not to be missed. They also have a great selection of French beers which are often hard to find in Pennsylvania. The location is a bit of a distance from many of the better known restaurants, but definitely worth the trip
(5)Katrina C.
I was here last week on a date, and I think this place is fabulous! I had a special - Filet and my date had a chicken and duck dish. We started with a mushroom puff pastry and I had a soup. Creme Brule was fabulous and the service was exceptional!! This place certainly is out of my normal budget, but for a special occasion, I think it's great!
(5)Tim P.
Excellent classic French. Superb service. Incredible mushroom soup. Try it now.
(5)Roseanne F.
My husband, daughter and father-in-law wandered in five minutes until closing, desperate for a meal (we had just flown in, hungry and tired). I expected to be treated like an interloper, but when we asked if we could still get dinner, we were welcomed warmly and without hesitation, like they were actually pleased to see us. (My pet peeve is restaurants who say they are open until, say, 10:30, but if you walk in at 10:15, they give you the stink-eye and the bum's rush. Just say that you close at 10:00, then, and save us both some trouble.) We were just beginning our vacation, on our way to New York for a few days, and I have to say, this was the best dining experience we had the entire trip, including a Jean George joint in NYC, and restaurants which cost twice as much. Not to say that BdM is inexpensive, because it is not. But considering the quality of food, the adorable atmosphere and the fantastic service, it was a great value. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable and courteous. He knew his shit. I had the freshwater sardines app. The little fillets were charred to perfection and tasted of woodfire and yum. The lemon vinagarette was just so. Next, I had the trout menuire with haricorts verts and fingerling potatoes: simple, classic deliciousness. My husband had the cassoulet with a duck drumstick and assorted other meats. He said it was one of the best things he's ever had. I didn't have dessert, but it looked wonderful (some kind of donuts with raspberry sauce and ice cream). We were the last people left in the room, but not once did we get a nudge out the door. As we left, I felt like we were dinner guests, not customers. Corny as it sounds, you could see there is a lot of love in this place. (Also, the waiter ran two blocks to where our car was parked to return a forgotten scarf...sweet!) If I lived in Philly, this would be my favorite place. We couldn't stop talking about it for days.
(5)Carol K.
This place is an absolute gem. I don't think it's possible to get a dish here that isn't superb. We've been several times now and while the service can be a tad slow in actually getting you to order, the servers are always fast and attentive in removing plates, checking on your meal, etc. The food is -- well, it's amazing, frankly. The foie gras is fantastic and the ouef de pecheur tastes way better than any poached egg dish has a right too. (I literally could not stop exclaiming about how good it was -- even as I shoveled it in my face. Just order it. Trust me.) Entrees were all excellent as well, though in my experience, they tend to do fish slightly better than red meats. We've always gotten an amuse bouche to start and a small desert tasting comped, which is a nice touch -- especially since we never have room to actually order desserts (which look awesome). The space itself is very nice. Inside dining room is classic Paris bistro, and the outdoor "garden" is lovely in the evening. Can't recommend this place enough.
(5)Tasha P.
I took my mom here - she was visiting from California. We love French food so I'm always on the lookout for great places to eat. This place surpassed our expectations! Service was exceptional, food was incredible. The servers recommended a delish merlot for me. I had the mussels - served on toast with a poached egg and in a white sauce, and the scallops served with potatoes and capers. Mom had the trout with fingerling potatoes and lemon sauce. We sat out in the "garden" and, although there were a few other tables seated, it was quiet. We had a marvelous time and left with very full bellies. I'm anxious to try their "Family Dinner" they were advertising on the menu. I'm already planning my return visit...this time with my husband!
(5)Liz M.
So happy to have finally made it here; it did not disappoint. Loved the foie gras, the trout, and the sardines. Adored the rabbit--can't wait to have that again. The service was impeccable. They really make you feel welcome. The tables for two against the wall are a little crowded, but it is a French bistro, so I guess that's part of the whole experience. Overall a great dinner.
(5)Daniel S.
Four of us decided to eat here last night - in the mood for a French bistro experience. There are two that sit across the street from each other and, after checking out the menus, Bistrot La Minette won out. We came in without a reservation around 8:30 on a Saturday night and we were seated within 5 minutes. This is not to say the place was empty - it was pretty full and lively and, frankly, we were happy for our good luck! The ambiance is what first drew us in. The decor is like looking in the windows of a bistro in Paris - without being kitschy. Once inside it was easy to relax and imagine that we had been transported to a different time and place. The lower light cast by wrought iron lamps and bulbous chandeliers, the ornate claw-footed side board where long house-made baguettes were being cut for each table, the decorations that look like they had been taken from the basement of the farmhouse down the road. It all worked together to make your senses accept you were no longer in Philly. Our waiter, Kane, was excellent - explaining the specials and guiding us through the house favorites as well as his own. I think we all went with specialties of the house and no one was disappointed! We all shared and tasted and everything here was absolutely delicious. For mise en bouche we got sardines with roasted red peppers, escargot, mussels in tarragon sauce, and a salad vert with a great mustard vinaigrette. Each of these was great in not only the flavors but the presentation as well. For our main courses we ordered the chicken, rabbit and duck. Again, they may sound like simple dishes but the layers of flavor took each to a new level. Everything was perfectly cooked and presented beautifully. If you are a dessert person, do not skip the last course just because you may be feeling like you could pop from the incredible meal you have had up to this point. Take it slow and enjoy it - the perfect ending to a great dining experience. There is an outdoor garden area that can seat about 30. In the summer they show French movies twice a week out there with dinner service. We didn't see it in action but definitely will before the end of the season! I absolutely recommend Bistrot La Mienette and am looking for an occasion to try it again soon!
(5)FoodForHerSoul d.
The place is adorable and charming. The bread and butter were perfect. Bread was freshly baked and cut, warm, and the crust was a little bit buttery. The butter was a little sweet and salty and not cold! YAY for room temperature butter! We were here at 5:30pm on a Wednesday and there was only one other table dining there. I loved seeing the cooks in the little french kitchen in the back with the wonderful french music playing. We only ordered two things because we had an appetite to save. My boyfriend got the Vol-au-Vent appetizer (Puff pastry with lobster, shrimp, crayfish, scallop, english peas and an american sauce) and I had the Vegetable tart with Jerusalem artichoke puree, oven-roasted tomatoes, wild mushrooms zucchini, frisee, beurre blanc. Mine was unbelievably good. (I liked his too but mine I think was by far the better dish) The tart was just perfect from the crust, to the little salad on the side; every bite made me want another and I think I could have eaten 5 of these. There was nothing boring about this but nothing overwhelming either. The buerre blanc just brought everything together and if I'm ever in Philly again I am coming here and trying so much more. If it ends up disappointing me next time, at least the bread and butter make me happy.
(5)Jared S.
Def a 4.5er. I went here FOREVER ago. Can't recall it that well. It was really good though. The mussels still haunt me. They are FANTASTIC. Get them. Everything else was above average. I got the cassoulet. Very nice. I had leftovers due to the powerful and filling french flavors. The inside is cute like Paris Bistro imitationish, but they pull it off. We were seated right by the door if I recall, but it wasn't awful and someone has to sit there I guess. The place wasn't over crowded table was in general though, which is always nice especially for bistro type spots. I will be returning for sure. Someday...as it is not exactly cheap. They do have a 4 course menu Sunday nights for 29 I believe. I think that I'll check that out the next time I return.
(4)Steve J.
Went here for National Escargot Day and had a really nice time. My girlfriend loves escargot and when I saw that had a special pre-fixe menu with all snails I knew I had to take her. We sat outside in the back garden area and it was really quiet and romantic. All of our courses were good, but nothing amazed me. I really would love to go back and try the regular menu sometime.
(4)Donnie V.
Very traditional French food, very well done and with excellent service. We loved the atmosphere and the food.
(4)Nick B.
I had a nice dinner outside in the front of the restaurant patio. My first course was roasted quail with leak stuffing and vinegar shallot jus. I have never had quail before but pleasantly (or maybe pheasantly ok...... bad joke haha) surprised. The bird was roasted perfectly and the stuffing blended well and added to the flavor. For the main course I had red-wine spice-braised rabbit. Also a first for me and was very good. The staff was professional and timely. I will probably go back again when I am in town.
(5)Amy B.
I'm certainly their Number 1 fan. Maybe its my growing love for french food or that it's within walking distance in my hood but I simply can't get enough of this place. The decor is intimate and charming. So for those romantics out there...this is your place!! The music selection and volume is subtle yet present. OH and The Food! I have yet to walk away feeling hungry or disappointed. From the beet salad to the rabbit or lamb shank (I'm a creature of habit) my belly is happy. I often would just go there for a drink or five on the outside patio or go have dinner and a movie on Monday's and Thursday's (All french subtitled films of course). The service is friendly yet professional which in those parts are true treasures. So if I'm setting high expectation for you...I am!! You can tell'em I sent you ;-)
(5)Michelle H.
Bistrot La Minette is one of my favorite spots in the whole city. Delicious, carefully crafted and beautifully presented dishes, lovely warm atmosphere, plus they have a bar. (I love BYOBs as much as the next girl, but sometimes I enjoy a good cocktail before dinner.) My husband and I used to go there a lot before we had kids, but after having kids we've only gone there once or twice. Well yesterday we decided to go there for an early supper and to take the girls with us. The staff welcomed us, set up two high chairs, and brought us plenty of bread and a quick order of macaroni au gratin for the girls. Then when our entrees came out, one of my girls suddenly vomited up the entire contents of her stomach. I was holding her at the time and it went all over her shirt, my pants, and the floor. It was disgusting and it was everywhere. It was clumpy and gooey and there was spinach in there from lunch... just gross, and it stunk to high heaven. I hustled her off to the bathroom to try to clean her up. Moments later, the manager knocked on the door with a pile of clean towels for me to use. By the time I emerged, the mess at our table was cleaned up. I was mortified so I kept apologizing, but they downplayed it and refused to make a big deal out of it. After we got home and put the girls to bed, I wrote them an email apologizing again and thanking them for not making us feel worse than we already did. Today I received this email from the owner: "Please, no apologies necessary. Children get sick. My son has vomited on that very floor two or three times. We hope to see you here soon." And this email from the general manager: "I just wanted to reiterate what Peter has already said. And next time you come back please bring the kids. We want families to feel welcome here." I am so used to getting unfriendly or indifferent service, especially when I have my kids in tow. This was such a refreshing change. So I wanted to publicly recognize this perfect jewel of a restaurant that just got even shinier and lovelier in my eyes.
(5)Jack N.
Having eaten at many of Philly's finest French restaurants I'd say Bistrot La Minette is the best . The servers are incredibly knowledgeable and professional. Dishes such as the rabbit and escargot are prepared perfectly. .
(5)Nora C.
They were great when they first opened. I had the worst food and worst experience with service ever the last two times I ate there. If I have had good food and service, then have one bad experience, I give it a second chance, but not a third! Very, very disappointing.
(1)Erin P.
With Bistrot la Minette on one corner, Beau Monde across the street, and Coquette down the street, we think that the area around 6th and Bainbridge in Philadelphia should be called the French Quarter. Last Thursday, Bistrot la Minette had a special tasting menu with wine pairings for $50. We were really excited to sit in the new courtyard in the back. Soft french bread with salted butter staved off our hunger while we waited for the first course. Next was an olive tapenade amuse bouche that tasted like standard olive tapenade with a good salinity. The first course was fish soup with toast pieces topped with pureed potatoes and shredded cheese. The soup had a rich and full briny seafood taste. I thought it was a bit too strong but the toasts cut the fishy taste for me perfectly. This course was served with a rose from Chateau Mourlet. It was like pulling teeth getting that little bit of information from the waiter! These scallops were the best scallops we've ever had. The seasonings were simply salt and olive oil, served with diced vegetables (summer squash, red pepper, onion) AKA Ratatouille as per the chalk menu in front- far more helpful than our waiter. We were served a Viognier with this course. When I asked where it was from, the server said: "um, Provence." Thanks. I didn't pry. The wine was surprisingly and overly sweet. The beef stew, Provencal style, was very tasty. The beef fell apart. Some of it was extremely tender but a few random pieces had gotten a bit too dried out. Cooked with the beef were perfectly roasted fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, and olives. The sauce was rich but was used in just the right amount. The beef came with a Cotes du Rhone. By this point we had given up asking for any additional information about what we were being served. Our final drink was St. Germain liquer and Savignon Blanc with spritzer and ice. Dessert was a creamy creme brulee with a rich berry sorbet filled with bits of caramel. The sorbet was so dark it looked like chocolate. Besides the scallops, this was my favorite course. The moral of this restaurant adventure was that the food was delicious but the service should have been much better. A trained monkey could have served us our wine and food. None of the dishes were explained to us. "This is fish soup." "These are scallops." "Viognier is a grape. This is Viognier from, um, Provence." Um, thanks. But we have no idea exactly what that was, nor the Cotes du Rhone that was served with the beef. One of the appealing aspects of a tasting menu is that you don't always know what you are getting until it is set in front of you, but then you usually have a trained server explain the food and drink in detail. We'll go back, but only when we can order and know what it is that we are eating and drinking.
(3)Ryan D.
After reading such good reviews on Bistrot La Minette I took my sister and mom there on a friday night and it did not disappoint. Food was amazing, service very good and overall ambiance very lovely. Sure it may not be the best fine french dining on the east coast but for a reasonably priced local place off south street, very well done indeed.
(5)Evelyn G.
try the brunch! awesome bread...le fini
(5)Max T.
Recommend for anyone looking for an authentically French restaurant. Menu has a lot of choices if you're not a huge fan of sometimes very rich and heavy French food.
(4)Caroline V.
Made a last minute reservation for dinner last night and what a brilliant idea that was!! I've been wanting to come here for a while but haven't found a chance. So i made myself a chance!! 845pm dinner, not crowded and outdoor seating available if you want it. Our server Wade was SUPER! Recommendations were on point and all delicious. Service was wonderful. And may i add the bread and butter they bring out is one of the best we've had (my mom is super picky when it comes to french bread). It was piping hot, thinly sliced and the butter was soft, spreadable with a hint of salt. YUM!! *Œuf du Pêcheur / Fisherman's-Style Poached Egg, Mussels, Tarragon Cream Sauce: the poached egg was creamy and perfectly cooked and was gooey all over the tarragon cream sauce and the mussels (OMG). Mussels were cooked/reduced in the sauce and were delectable. Once we finished we made sure to get every last taste with our bread...mmm *Halibut avec sa Croûte de Citron et sa Sauce au Safran / Pan-seared halibut, lemon crust, saffron sauce, herb purée, haricots verts, fingerling potatoe: fish was flaky and oh so light, the lemon crust was amazing (and i usually dont like citrus in my food) fingerling potatoes were nicely roasted. delicious! *Filet de Daurade à la Poêle Sur Son Lit de Fenouil / Pan-Seared Daurade, Baby Carrots, Fennel Confit, Walnut-Caper Vinaigrette: this was a filet seared with skin on which made the skin crisp and flavorful. Daurade was moist and tasty and the walnut-caper vinaigrette just made is so much more. Fennel confit was a nice light touch with its subtle and refreshing flavor. *coffee here is very light and not strong, but nice with dessert *Mille Feuille aux Framboises / Carmelized Puff Pastry, Vanilla Pastry Cream, Raspberries: the caramelization gave the pasty a nice crunch and of course had that melting flakiness you look for. Raspberries were fresh and sweet, just perfect and of course the pastry cream just made it all go together so nicely. GREAT dessert choice, just the right amount of sweet to end dinner and not so heavy that you can't enjoy even if you're full ;) Wonderful dinner with Mom and we'll be returning again soon.
(4)K G.
I am so confused by how this restaurant is rated so high. The food itself was cooked well, but the sauces were funky. They ruined the meal. Between us we had the Halibut, Hare and a pea soup. The best part was the pea soup. I wouldn't go back here.
(2)Nick R.
Just moved around the corner and I am so pumped that this place exists. I love the french bistro experience... great food without the stuffiness of fine french dining... Moved back down to the area from NYC suburbs and have been here twice already. First Visit Pitchers of wine for the special lady friend and me Heirloom Tomato App for the wife and foie gras for me. Both Amazing... Pan-seared NY strip for the wife and braised rabbit for me. Again, Both Amazing! Second Visit Pitchers of wine Split the Euf de pecheur (Sorry if I butchered the speling) Very good, not as good as the previous but only because we liked the previous two so much. NY strip for the wife again.... and I went with a special which if I remember correctly was similar to their duck option (pan roasted duck breast, white asparagus, black truffle?) with additional features including foie gras and duck confit... Awesome again. This is quickly turning into my favorite philly spot.
(5)Tracy D.
This was by far one of the best meals that I ever had. The mussels appetizer was definitely one of the best things I ever ate and would highly recommend getting it. I am a sucker for anything with a poached egg. My girlfriend got the escargot and that was good but it's just not really my thing. The bread and butter was incredible and I had to stop myself from filling up on it. I then ordered the poached salmon cooked in duck fat. The flavors were incredible but my salmon was a bit undercooked. I traditionally like fish cooked medium but this was still a little jelly like on the inside. I was so full that I didn't even tell them because I didn't want them to cook me another piece. We shared the carmelized puff pastry dessert and that was yummy. The server was wonderful and very helpful. I went on a weeknight at 8:30 so there wasn't a crowd just a couple tables. It was relaxing and romantic and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic place to eat dinner.
(5)Jon S.
Had late lunch with my daughter there Friday. My second visit. We were the only customers. Sat at the cheery table by the bar and front window. We had their $14 two plate lunch specials (to which we added their ice cream sampler and sorbet sampler for $5 each.) Just astonishingly good hearty food (duck) and well made (quiche), plus interesting salads. On both visits we were very well treated by friendly and smart wait-staff. Very nice house wines in custom made carafes and we had a well turned out Kir Royal too. Understated bistro antiques. Waiting for the rain to stop so that we can go back for their free French movie night in the open air back "room". Love this place. Easy daytime parking on the next block South.
(5)Bill E.
Took my wife there for the October tasting menu inspired by Burgundy. It was excellent and not overpriced at all for a multiple course meal. The ambiance of the place makes it a great place to bring your lady and to have a wonderful evening. I like when the service at a restaurant makes the experience laid back and worry free, when I am out w the wife the last thing that I want to do is chase down the waiter when I need another drink or another glass of wine and this place left me satisfied and will definitely be back when they have their next tasting menu night.
(5)Allitia D.
There is nothing quite like a dinner at La Minette--the go-to place for haute rustique French. Savory, beautiful, assured plates. Silky smooth maitre de table and wait staff in long linen aprons. Connoisseur cheeses, and desserts of exquisite form and superlative tastes. Tonight was typical: delightful people, delightful neighboring tables, fabulous oeufs en meurette, egg-shell french bread with salted butter, crisp white wine, buttery vinaigrette over billowy bibb lettuce, sunny warm yellow room, bustle without hassle, heaven!
(5)Scott H.
I can't say anything bad about my meal. The cheese plate was awsome and so was the escargot. Good wine selection and great service. I will be back !
(5)jennifer y.
I was told this place rocked...and was good as Bistro 7, which I ADORE, but I can't agree! So I'm going to have to go back, but I'll do it when someone else is paying. Cause I just dropped $120 and I feel very let down, and I hate that. I love good food and a great meal is truly the highlight of a day or week. Please, please don't order the Coquille St. Jacques, diver scallops. They were sandy, and their lovely taste, and preparation was overshadowed by the heavy orange flavors in the dish. Its a shame cause the flavor was delish. The steak was very good, but I ordered it medium rare, but I got a Medium, to medium well steak. The potato side dish was good but overly salty. Additionally, I LOVE harricot vert...but not these. Both myself and my date were shocked. They tasted so stunningly bad. The garlic soup, was fine. But I wouldn't do again. Order the Alzacian pizza instead. It's like yummy carbonara on a thin-crust. Surprisingly good.
(2)Trauts N.
Good. Very good. Had the rabbit. All 4 of us enjoyed the meal and the ambiance. Would go back.
(5)Scout S.
Good wine list. However, I ordered the beef bourguignon and it was SUPER salty (and I'm a salt person) and ALL beef and maybe one pearl onion... where were the carrots and potatoes? Or is that too American?
(3)Joshua L.
I haven't written any review on yelp, but I had to write about this one. so I just signed up for yelp. I took my girl friend here and we were seated in the back garden. It was nicely decorated and food was excellent as other reviewers mentioned before. What suprisemd me was their service. I left my credit card behind. They called me within an hour (probably looked up my phone number on reservation list) even before I became aware of it. I couldn't go back to restaurant because of my schedule and they mailed it to me the same day I talked to a manger over the phone. and it came a couple days later. The waiter made me very comfortable and did't interrupt our conversation much nor pressured me to order more food.
(5)anne l.
We checked out this new bistro (what's with the t?) last weekend after reading the harrowing story of what the owner went through to get the place set up. You know what? It's pretty damn good and I hope it succeeds for him! The atmosphere is busy french bistro - feels good - not too fussy. Food is truly excellent and the service was wonderful. Very attentive without being in your face. Sometimes I found the decor trying too hard, and the unisex bathroom scene isn't for everyone. Don't miss the potatos dauphin (or something like that - they're with cream and cheese). and try a pastis instead of your usual cocktail while you're at it.
(4)Read T.
LOVE that this south philly restaurant is not a byob. The service and food are impeccable. The portions are a smiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge on the small side (especially in the seafood category), and so that's always just a little disappointing.
(4)Pink T.
Possibly the best meal I've had in Philadelphia. Only James comes close in terms of the food, but the atmosphere and service at Bistrot La Minette is superior. Bistrot La Minette is a French bistro in Philadelphia. Not an approximation or replica of one, but an actual, authentic French bistro (sans the Gauloises smoke). As such, there's no pretension or holding up of appearances, because the staff is not faking it. One feels relaxed, at ease, at home eating here. And the food was great. The type of place you could enjoy for an appetizer and glass of wine, a nice date, or family-style dinner (they conveniently have a private room that can seat up to 20). After a delicious amuse-bouche of salmon rillette that was so buttery smooth and flavorful, my date and I had the salmon tartare. This was fantastic, covered with toothy lentils. The fish was chopped perfectly, and evenly, and was fresh and delicious. We also split the Alsatian Flammkueche, which is essentially a small pizza-like item--great, great dough covered in caramelized onions and lardons and cooked in heavy cream. That's obviously going to be delicious, but the dough was the best part, chewy, crisp, i could still taste the cornmeal on the bottom. It's in my top 10 favorite food items in the city. For dinner we had the lamb stew and the rabbit. The stew was great with large chunks of lamb braised in white wine and fresh beans. Well cooked and light. I enjoyed the rabbit with mustard sauce over a bed of fresh tagliatelle. The rabbit was tender and appropriately fatty with nicely colored skin. The mustard sauce was smooth and perfect. I could eat that on everything. The tagliatelle was good, but didn't add much to the dish. I would've preferred mashed potatoes or some grilled vegetables instead. For dessert we ate the beignets--doughy, but not oily, balls covered in cinnamon sugar and served with raspberry sauce and homemade ice cream. What really elevated our meal was great service, including by the maitre'd who showed us around the restaurant, including the new outdoor seating, and talked about the plans for the space. I will personally do my best to keep this place in business. 5 Stars. Without equivocation.
(5)Grace L.
My meal here tonight has to be the best meal that I've had in Philadelphia in recent memory. So awesome was this meal that I had to sign up for Yelp to review it. I went with three other friends. 2 of us ordered the 4 course menu (sardine appetizer, haricot vert and duck confit salad, fillet, and the opera cake.) I ordered the tomato terrine and trout while another friend ordered the mussels appetizer and the tarragon chicken. The bread was delicious, the kir royales were delightful and each successive dish that came out did not disappoint. We were all deliriously giddy by the end of our meal. However, the only thing that holds me back from giving this a full five star rating was the service. Our waiter was a complete jerk. He was rude and condescending. I almost felt like he expected us to thank him for having had the privilege of being served by him. This was especially disappointing as this was actually my birthday dinner celebration. Everyone else from the host to the other waiters and busboys seemed to be perfectly pleasant. Other than the rude server, I completely fell in love with the food here and would love to go back.
(4)Maria C.
Amazing food. Great service. Intimate space. I've been here a few times over the past couple of months and have to say each time I leave, I am planning my next trip back. Each time I've dined at Bistrot, our party has been the last to leave...literally shutting the place down. And the staff continues to smile, no dirty, "get the hell out of here" looks from them. The chef (Peter Woolsely) is equally as gracious as his staff, stopping by each table to chat throughout the service. I'm so happy that this place is consistently busy and receiving such great feedback because he seems like a genuinely nice, hardworking guy who deserves the praise! The food...well, the food is amazing. Simple, yet unique. The rabbit is by far one of the better dishes on the menu, in my opinion, and worth a try even if you are hesitant about well, eating rabbit. Portion sizes are substantial yet not so small that you feel like you paid a lot for nothing. Of course for dessert, the creme brulee...
(5)Panda N.
Philadelphia has few French inspired restaurants that I can compare to, but I came here on my birthday and had a lovely experience. It was quite busy on a Friday, so I strongly recommend reservations. Though we had one, we were not seated immediately upon arrival, but I'm not one to complain about waiting.... I work in the service industry and these things just happen. We sat at the bar where we ordered drinks while we waited, the bartender was friendly and informative on the different wines and specialty cocktails. When finally seated, we were offered a warm cheese ball from our server and a detailed explanation of specials and menu items. Duck being my favorite I had the terrine de foie gras and the confit de canard. The foie gras was beautifully plated and was absolutely mouth watering. It was perfect with the baguette and a little dollop of the fig compote that accompanied it. The terrine was a perfect balance of rich, smooth, delicate, and savory. As for my confit de canard, it was almost boring. Though it is something traditionally prepared I am assuming, it just didn't really make me want to eat it again and again. My boyfriend being a pastry chef he prepared my birthday cake which was bittersweet because the dessert menu looked amazing. After 2 courses and two bottles we almost hit the $300 mark after tip. Definitely not a cheap eat, but it is a fabulous place to take someone for a special occasion. The ambiance was dark and romantic. A perfect place for good wine and conversation. Our meal was a little over 2 and a half hours which is something I feel that many diners do not always get to take advantage of. I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and enjoying every bite of my food without being thrown my check and the server taking away my plate at every chance. I hope to come back to Bistrot La Minette!
(4)Dee H.
We had a fantastic french dinner here, thanks to the recommendations by the yelp reviewers. Our party had the semolina dumplings, the rabbit and the duck entrees. All wonderfully savory and delicious. We followed with a lovely trio of capuccino, raspberry puff pastry with cream, and chocolae mousse cake with sorbet. The maitre d and wait staff were the most wonderful gentlemen. My daughter and a young friend with us absolutely adored the interior and the wash rooms (and nobody minded the young ladies' casual dress). A super ending to our day of touring beautiful Philadelphia.
(5)Lilly P.
I had been looking forward to coming here for almost a year, and finally went on my Birthday yesterday. My friend and I made reservations for 2:30. When we arrived, we were told to hurry up and order fast because they didn't have time and were prepping the kitchen for dinner. The waiter literally stared us down as we were forced to pick something off the menu while our coats were still on! He then demanded we pay him while we were still eating, and never brought me my cafe au lait because "the espresso machiene is broken" Hello! its just coffee and milk! He finally brought it after I had eaten my dessert. Overall, the service was just so rude and they treated us like crap from the get-go. I have never experienced servers this rude - even in France. In the end he actually appologized to me - for the rude service. But it didn't matter, he had already ruined our meal - which was not even that good to begin with.
(1)Julia S.
yum.yum.yummm. i went here with my boyfriend last night on the early side at 6pm. we sat in their lovely outdoor patio in the back. i have to say, i am always impressed when a restaurant serves an amuse bouche!! our waiter was wonderful: he was so knowledgeable of the menu (all ingredients and cooking methods), he suggested numerous dishes that would go well with our wine choice, and he was friendly and attentive. the atmosphere was wonderful: french music, patio with candles and string lights, and flower boxes. now...the food...WAS AMAZING. we started with the scallops and asparagus soup. then i had the rabbit (my first time!) and my boyfriend had the daurade. both were DELICIOUS...especially the rabbit dish. the daurade was more rustic and the rabbit was more hearty. THEN the dessert. oh myyyyy. SOOO yummy. we ordered the lemon tart with cassis sorbet--one of the yummiest combinations i have had. then...since I know one of the cooks...we were given the unbelievable mille feuille with raspberries, on the house. i can say that this was hands down one of the best desserts of my LIFE. the vanilla cream was to die for. basically, the service is impeccable. the food is beautifully plated and perfectly executed, and the atmosphere is romantic and unpretentious. i will definitely go here again.
(5)Meg R.
I'd have to echo all the praises sung of La Minette. Contrary to Parc, feels as though you're on a stage set, La Minette "is" what it makes itself out to be - a cozy, not overly pretentious, full of deliciousness French Bistro. The maitre d' greets you, friendly and accomodating. The wait staff, knowledgeable without being aloof. The Prix Fix menu can be ordered w/ or w/o wine, which makes it affordable if you don't want to spend more than $30/person. I had lamb stew with the lamb dripping off the bone as though it had been stewed for days, in a tomato and bean soup, and the portions surprisingly hearty; there was little room for desert. I did try someone else's Creme Brulee....it is worth getting here - the best I've had in a long time. Oh and I have to mention that the sinks in the bathrooms are my favorite - the water comes out in a ribbon; it feels so luxurious; you'll have to try it out to know what I'm saying. La Minette succeeds in paying attention to the subtle details. This is a great place to while away the hours with a loved one or group of friends or family.
(5)Gordon B.
Awesome restaurant! Had dinner here on a Saturday night, prime time. Arrived at the scheduled time for our reservation and we were immediately greeted and shown to our table. Food was fantastic. The mussels with a poached egg was maybe one of the best dishes I've had in awhile. I could eat it every day for breakfast and never tire of it! Tasted everbody elses dishes and they were perfect (foie gras, Alsatian "pizza" and escargot to name a few). Main course for me was the rib eye. This dish finally puts to rest the conundrum of haricot vert not having enough bacon! Wrapped in bacon and grilled, wonderfully tasty! The rib eye was of top notch quality and cooked perfectly. Desserts were delicious as well, but being that I had my fair share of wine I can't be too specific. Staff was friendly and extremely helpful. Always there when you need them and not there when you don't. I can't wait to return!
(5)Jonny S.
NIce place. Great decor. Lots of mustard used in their dishes but I liked it. I was hungry so I had a lot to eat. I also (inexplicably) was fond of the red aprons worn by the wait-staff.
(4)Mia F.
This was such a great find. My friends suggested we go to Bistrot La Minette because on Monday and Thursday evenings at 8:30pm in the Spring and Summer you can sit on the outdoor patio and take in a french film (complete with subtitles) while you enjoy your meal. It's the closest you'll feel to sitting in a french cafe in Philadelphia. The food was amazing (I had the rabbit) but the experience alone was worth the trip.
(5)Daniel V.
This place has a nice decor and though the food is quite tasty, especially the fresh baked bread, our experience was completely ruined by the terrible service. It was our 2 year wedding anniversary, and we chose to celebrate it at this place. We were very excited to eat at Bistrot La Minette, but were greeted and served by a curt asshole of a waiter. It's really too bad. I know it was just poor luck of the draw, but I won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)Nicholas M.
I was reminded again last night how good this charming restaurant is. Every aspect of the restaurant excels. Our waiter was polished, helpful, and attentive. The meal was so good. We had the mussels with egg (Oeuf du pecheur), the green salad, cauliflower gratin, and the chicken entree. The meal was just as good as my first meal here years ago. I don't know why it has taken me so long to get back. I won't make that mistake again.
(5)Amanda F.
Thank you, thank you, Bistrot la Minette, for one of my favorite birthday dinners ever. :) First of all, a note about the service--which was unfailingly nice, courteous, and professional, from the guy at the front desk to our waiters. They called to confirm my online reservation and when I called them back, they told me that not only could we sit in the lovely back courtyard if we wanted, but if we didn't want to watch the French movies they project on the wall on Mondays (!!) they would hold a seat for us out front instead--but no pressure, we could decide when we got there. When we did arrive, the man at the front not only remembered talking to me, he was amusingly nonjudgmental about my complete lack of phone skills. And our waiters throughout the meal were perfect: they explained the menu but not too much, they were always there when you needed to ask for something but were not too intrusive, and basically just contributed a lot to an already fantastic meal. This may seem like a lot of superlatives, but I really enjoyed myself in all aspects of the dinner. The outdoor courtyard deserves all of the accolades that blogs and magazines have heaped upon it. It's small and narrow, but they pack a lot of tables in, and not so close as they seemed to be in the dining room. Fairy lights are strung across the top of it, enclosing it but leaving a view of the sky open. The tables, a gray-stained wood, complimented the gray stucco walls nicely. The yard hummed with good conversation as people ate, and later, transformed into an adorable outdoor movie theatre, a background for an early Audrey Tautou movie. If the weather is good DEFINITELY try and sit back here--it was fantastic. Also, to the woman I was sitting next to, if you are on Yelp, I apologize for not holding a better conversation... by that time I'd had a little bit of the delicious house blanc. Oops. We decided to do the September fixed price menu, and although everything was great, I definitely want to save up the money and do La Minette proper. The meal began with the complimentary gougere, which was crispy on the outside and warm and savory on the inside. The bread, also, was just as it should be; a crispy outside that shattered when you bit into it, and cool, soft fluffy butter. We went through two baskets of it and I'm sure only embarrassment stopped us from eating more. As for the main meals, I ordered the tomato terrine, trout in a lemony brown butter sauce, and the creme brulee. My boyfriend ordered the potato leek soup, the half-roasted chicken, and the chocolate mousse cake. So between us, we'd tried everything on that little menu, and everything was fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect from the tomato terrine, but it was a slice of what looked like tomatoes pressed in a loaf shape. In between the two main sections were slivers of basil and aged balsamic vinegar. It was a little odd looking but surprisingly good. I tasted a spoonful of the soup and it was hearty, creamy, and satisfying. I LOVED the main course: two thin trout fillets, with the crispy skin still attached, atop haricots verts and fingerling potatoes, in a tart brown butter sauce. I normally don't even like green beans but I ate everything. And my boyfriend, who doesn't eat fish usually, tried a bite of my entree and liked it. Ah, the power of good cooking. There are two types of creme brulees: those that focus on a higher burnt sugar content to those that seem more about the custard. Personally I am in favor of more burnt sugar, hence the lower, wider ramekins are preferred. Bistro La Minette gets it right: and as a bonus the custard was chilled when brought out. I couldn't eat all of it, though, because although the portions of the rest of the meal were perfectly sized, the richness of the custard (and the combination of a bottle and a half of wine) proved too much for me. I also didn't try my boyfriend's cake but it looked beautifully arranged on the plate. With the check, two cold chocolate truffles were brought out, which I thought was an adorable touch. All in all, everything was wonderful! I am definitely going to save up so that I can go back and experience the restaurant properly...partially because I spent a large portion of the dinner eyeing my neighbors' rabbit enviously, but mostly because it was such a lovely evening.
(5)Allyson P.
Amazing! Drinks, appetizer, entrees all made perfectly. Worth the price for a special occasion - and they have specials that aren't too costly too!
(5)Tough Crowd T.
Had dinner with friends last Saturday evening and enjoyed the experience. I was stunned, however, how expensive the meal turned out to be. It reminded me why I typically prefer BYOs to full service restaurants. We had four appetizers (truffle pasta, sardines, beet salad and mussles), four entrees (duck, rabbit, steak and dorade), two drinks/glasses of wine each and two desserts (lemon tart and opera cake) and our bill came to $360, all in. Everything was fine, but nothing was outstanding or remarkable. As frequently the case, the appetizers outshined the entrees, except for the truffle pasta, which was mediocre. The sardines are very good, indeed, but have been on the menu since the restaurant opened. The mussles were very good, and so was the beet salad, but not particularly creative or pushing the culinary envelope in any way. Of the desserts, the lemon tart was actually quite poor -- the crust was cold and too hard and the custard was too runny. The opera cake was delicious though. I will have dinner here again, but will either order more carefully or make it into a parents-in-law dinner night out.
(4)jen m.
we had a mishap occur with a coat rack falling on our table and thusly breaking a wine glass and spraying red wine on some of us, but nevertheless i am giving this place 5 stars for the great food and the service which was exceptional (despite the coat rack). it's saying a lot of me to forgive the fact that one of our party's shirt was stained from the wine and we had to get all new appetizers because ours was filled with broken glass. but our waiter, kane, was very knowledgeable and friendly. the other waitstaff were very courteous. they gave us free wine for the mishap. and all in all it was a pleasant experience. i would return.
(5)Penelope K.
Very disappointing. Nothing tasted fresh-it all seemed warmed over. Brutalist service (Just because the French are reputed to be rude?), small portions of overly salted and buttered food, lamb seriously undercooked (we asked for medium, this was less than blue) and poor cut, Sardines limp and inferior despite being touted as plat de la maison, Rhubarb sorbet tasted like salt and nothing else. Back garden is a heat sink between two high walls and very loud if a large party is next to you. I would not return.
(1)Tom W.
My wife and I were staying in Philly over night and wanted to celebrated with a nice meal. While this restaurant was on the pricier end for us, it was definitely worth the money. We loved the atmosphere, it had a hip French feel with out being pretentious. We really enjoyed the French music that was playing: it was edgy enough to be interesting without being obnoxious. We have both spent some time in France, so some of the lyrics made us laugh. We refrained from wine, but ordered appetizers. The Alsatian Pizza, which has onion, lardon (like bacon but better) and creme fraiche (like sour cream but better), was excellent. The escargot were deliciously tender, each in their little pot of garlic butter. For our main course, my wife got the Duck and I got the Salmon. It was hard to discern which entree was better, we both enjoyed picking from each other's plates. The salmon was very buttery -- the mash potatoes were a little salty, though that did not detract much from the experience as a whole. I must say also that our server was excellent. Very attentive without being obstructive.
(5)Meredith B.
I was looking forward to dinner, but meh sums it up. Nice ambience. Started with amuse bouche of Lilliputian sized gougere. My appetizer was soupe parmentier which was supposed to be a puree of winter root vegetables. The dominant taste was cream. Who doesn't love cream, but was there potato, celery root, parsnip, onion? I couldn't discern any particular vegetable. Husband had the oeufs pecheur, poached egg with cream sauce and mussels. That was the best dish of the evening. For main I had boeuf bourgignon. For $27 I expected some richness and depth of flavor, but this was a lackluster stew, with no wine or mushroom flavor. Very bland other than the crispy lardons on top. Husband got mustard sauced rabbit with tagliatelle. Fairly tender, but sauce with little dijon flavor, tagliatelle not homemade, in all just an ok dish. Skipped dessert (2 mediocre courses and we cut our losses) and had coffee which came with a couple of cute chocolates. I would have given 3 stars, but given the prices, the food should be more than mediocre, plus I got a stomache after the meal, before we even made it home. Other reviewers seemed to love it but I just don't get.
(2)steven g.
excellent food preparation and plating; knowledgeable, courteous and well-trained wait staff; varied selection of menu offerings...al in all, a worthy experience
(5)tilla e.
The space is really lovely. We were there with a toddler and felt welcomed, which isn't always the case. The food was very good but not amazing. The pea soup was excellent as were the scallops. I had the rabbit. It came in two pieces - the leg being cooked perfectly but the thigh was a little dry. It was also just a "hare" too salty (couldn't help myself, sorry). All in all, I would go back.
(4)Rudy M.
A great French restaurant! Everything I have had there was delicious: "escargots", fish, duck, etc. You'll have much choice, and the menu is renewed from time to time. The service is very professional, the winelist satisfying, the place very charming, both classy and relaxed. There is a terrace on the street, but I definitely prefer the retro atmosphere inside. As many French restaurants in the US, this one tends to be pricey. So spare and enjoy!
(5)