Parc — Restaurant in Philadelphia

WORST DINING EXPERIENCE EVER. CLEAR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

I briefly visited Philly for a writing retreat and decided to treat myself by having my last meal at Parc. I made a reservation for myself and arrived here around 11am. There were so many empty tables when I first walked in, and since I made a reservation, I expected I would get a decent table.

One White blond female-identified young hostess walked me all the way back of the restaurant, right next to the kitchen, where all the waiters and waitresses were busy walking around and preparing whatever they were supposed to do. The hostess cleared up the dishes so that I could face the kitchen, which made me annoyed at first, but I thought maybe she was just new to this job and still learning. I politely asked her to change the position of the dishes so that I wouldn't have to face the kitchen. And then I sat there and started looking around the restaurant and realized that all the tables on this side of the restaurant were empty, whereas other customers (who were mostly white btw) sat at a different side of the restaurant (closer to the main gate of the restaurant). And among all of those many empty tables, she decided to make me sit at the table that was located all the way back of the restaurant, where it was crowded and loud with their staff. There was also a backdoor right behind my seat, so it was definitely not a place where someone could sit and enjoy the meal. At some point, I wondered if they discriminated against people who dine solo, but I saw a white guy who got a much nicer table than I did, so it became clear at that point that she intentionally did this because of my race.

I totally would've been ok sitting at that table if I walked in and the restaurant didn't have any tables left. But I intentionally made a reservation to avoid such circumstances, and the reality was so much worse than my worst scenario. I was extremely infuriated because I had to go through this awful experience, but I didn't want to ruin my last day in Philly (and I also wanted to write the review of this restaurant), so I called someone else and asked if I could sit outdoor instead. Unfortunately, though, I just couldn't simply get rid of this horrendous feeling even after I changed the table. And I hated the fact that these lingering negative feelings would be forever engrained in my body, thanks to this hostess.

Part of me felt sad because I felt like I didn’t get to enjoy my last meal in Philly fully; I'm a foodie, so I was so ready to order multiple dishes and cocktails to end the trip on a good note. But part of me felt glad that I didn't waste my money by ordering more dishes because the dish I ordered was just mediocre – it was something that I could easily replicate at home. In fact, I make this dish pretty regularly at home, so the quality of the dish was disappointing and not satisfying. Putting my experience aside, I honestly don't understand why this place is worth 4.6. My one star only belongs to the manager who changed my table and the waitress who later served me.

I live in DC, and I’m still shocked that I experienced this in 2022, as I’ve never had such a humiliating and mortifying experience when I dine out in the DMV area. This restaurant should educate their employees so that future customers would not have to go through what I...

I recently came to Parc because it had been recommended to me as Philadelphia classic. I was staying at the Hyatt not too far from the restaurant so I decided to go and have a lite meal.

The positives: Service is incredible, warm, attentive, could use a little work on wine recommendations, but overall they did what needed to be done to provide a wonderful experience. As a solo diner the host staff was also extremely accommodating and provided me a seat outside of the hustle and bustle of Rittenhouse square. Great people watching.

The charcuterie was also really amazing and the pork rillettes reminded me of home and the chefs that I've worked for and my Family's restaurant in New Orleans. It was a craving I had been desperately seeking.

The rose was really nice and the server was accommodating in allowing me to have a taste of a few wines.

Cons: The food food was extremely underwhelming. The French Onion soup, their classic, was like drinking hot brown water and onions. No flavor, soul, essence of anything. It appeared that they wanted to distract you from the flavor with an absurd amount of cheese which also lacked anything interesting. I DO NOT RECOMMEND GETTING THIS SOUP and STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO SKIP IT

Now being from a family of Chefs and having been fortunate to work for many chefs throughout the country, Alice Waters, Alon Shaya, Hugh Acherson and THE Mrs Leah Chase, while also working at Piora and Dressler, both unfortunately no longer exist but I was there at each and apart of the team when the earned their Michelin Star. I was told by Chef Alex Harrell and John Harris that a true sign of an amazing restaurant is the care and attention the put into their most basic item to the most creative. Maybe I've just been incorrect in my belief of a medium cooked burger but it was med well, even after I asked several times to the server what their med is, I was served med/well to almost well. The manager agreed the burger was over cooked and took a picture to show the kitchen. My thing is, if you can't execute a simple burger how are you able to execute any of the more complex dishes on the menu, especially in this economy.

My recommendation is to indeed visit, go for the mid day menu, eat outside, get a salad, charcuterie and a cheese board and make follow up dinner reservations at another establishment

This place is giving Commanders Palace, it's reputation and long legacy and location is what sustains it but there are better dining options in this city.

Will visit again, but mid day, charcuterie, cheese and wine but I'll never order off the menu again

Also though it was offered I didn't allow the restaurant to take off anything off my check despite the burger being horribly over cooked and I made sure to take care of my server who did his job well but shouldnt bare the brunt of a kitchen who simply couldnt execute a medium burger

Again, mid day, outside, wine, charcuterie cheese salad and dinner at another...

*updated review: so I was called on Wednesday evening at 9pm from what seemed to be a woman in management. She asked if it was too late or would I rather the following day. As I was having an allergic reaction to my contacts(first time wearing them and am okay but was tired from Benedryl) I asked if I could be called back the following day Thursday and was told I would be called back to hear my side and have an apology. I honestly don't want anything from it as the food was great, however, the service needs to not be what it was in a fine dining establishment. Now it is Friday night and still no call so clearly they don't really care. My old post was a 3 star review

I am from out of town and was looking to have a nice dinner with my girlfriend and my cousin and his girlfriend. We cam across Parc and were excited. Unfortunately the service was very sub par and not what I would expect at an establishment like this. Server reaching across to pour wine and waters, after a round of cocktails we asked for a wine menu as our glasses sat empty on the table, no menus after 10 mins so we asked again... And again which took about 35mins and took us past our oysters and appetizers and mid entree. You could see that there was a gentleman who seemed to be a manager and came over and folded our napkins we had placed on table and seemed to give our server a glare. Our server I guess felt it and started following suit. Cutlery and dishes took forever to be cleared and when cleared they were not replaced until after receiving food and having to ask... Really disappointed and honestly was embarrassed. I understand if this person was new but when dining and paying at a place like this $$$, the manager or training staff member needs to be paying close attention. A few other small things also occurred but I think you get the gist of it.

Now for the good; taste wise everything was fantastic! The oysters were delectable, French onion soup and beet salad 👌the Dijon crusted salmon was perfectly cooked and omg the sauce it sat in. Very fresh assorted breads given at table and an excellent espresso martini (Cafe Parc). The nicest touch was that we were sharing appetizers - THEY MADE TWO SEPERATE PORTIONS FOR EACH COUPLE - so we did not have to dole it out/share the dishes around - AND THEY WERE NOT HALF, THEY WERE 2/3 FULL. Now that is what I would expect service wise and even above and beyond. Their team in the kitchen should be acknowledged and I made sure to let our waiter know to thank the chef and his team. Great job all...