Parc — Restaurant in Philadelphia

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...

Let me start by saying: I’ve been coming to this restaurant since 2016. I’ve celebrated birthdays, promotions, and milestones here. I’ve always believed in its quality—both in food and service—which is why it truly saddens me to write this. However, my experience on Thursday night (9/18/25) was so upsetting that I feel compelled to speak out.

My friend and I decided to stop by for drinks and dessert, specifically for Parc’s outstanding crème brûlée. We arrived around 9 PM and asked the hostess for a table for two. She looked at us and said there was a wait and suggested we try the bar area instead.

Now, here’s where I started to feel something was off: the restaurant was far from full. I counted at least 15 open tables—not including the outdoor seating. Still, we took her advice and checked the bar. Unfortunately, there weren’t two seats together, and I didn’t feel comfortable asking people to move.

We returned to the hostess and asked to be added to the waitlist. Her response: “I don’t want to do that since you’re just ordering dessert.” I was stunned. I’ve been seated here many times for just coffee, drinks, or appetizers. Confused, I asked again: “You can’t put us on the waitlist?” She doubled down: “Well, technically there is no waitlist, but I don’t want to give you a table just for dessert. What if people come in and want dinner?”

It was 9 PM. The restaurant was not even close to full. My friend politely asked if the hostess could then ask the people at the bar to move down a stool since we didn’t feel comfortable interrupting people eating. The hostess refused and instead suggested we “just grab some stools and scooch them together.”

I asked again—politely—for a table, explaining we’d also be ordering drinks and possibly more food. After several minutes of back and forth, she finally said, “I GUESS I can give you a table, but it’ll have to be outside.” It wasn’t what she said—it was how she said it.

We were eventually seated. The restaurant remained noticeably empty throughout our visit. Tables near us were open the entire time. The front and back sections were largely vacant.

Here’s the truth I’ve come to realize: the only thing different about this visit was that I was with my best friend—and the hostess didn’t want to seat us because she was racist toward my friend. I left feeling humiliated, disrespected, and incredibly sad. This has weighed on me since that night. If this could happen to us—two respectful, paying customers—how many others has this happened to?

It is heartbreaking to accept that a place I’ve supported for nearly a decade would allow such blatant discrimination at the front of house.

I will not be returning. I cannot support an establishment that treats guests this way and allows racism to go unchecked. It’s truly unfortunate because the food is excellent and I’ve made wonderful memories here—but those memories now carry the weight of this...

After missing my train the night prior because I'm a DORK, I walked into Parc at 9:36am for my last meal in Philly. Is that what the locals call it? Philly? Or is that like calling San Francisco San Fran? Idk, the jury has yet to return to the courtroom on that so lmk.

Philadelphians talk about this place with the same level of pride and confidence-bordering-on-arrogance that they talk about the time they BELTED Santa with snowballs at an Eagles game back in 1968, so needless to say my expectations were high.

As I have mentioned on here before, I often find that high expectations lead to the biggest disappointments, but I couldn't help but walk in here with mine in the stratosphere. Y'all been HYPING Parc up.

Upon entrance, the ambiance and interior really struck a chord with my appendicular skeleton. My initial reaction was, "Oh my god it's like a better Balthazaar." And I LOVE Balthazaar. Parc is a more spacious space, where they don't pack everyone in on top of each other. Lol I really just said "more spacious space" smh.

As my roommate (Former USC Basketball Star) says, I am the king of having a breakfast I could easily make at home myself. Naturally, I ordered the 2 eggs any style with bacon, potatoes, and toast. I also got a blueberry muffin and a cold brew to kick things off.

The blueberry muffin was heaven sent! I tried to get one of those sexy videos where I slice through it so you could see how crispy the outside is then how fluffy the inside is but I got DUBBED lmao, see attached video.

This was one of the best two egg breakfasts I have ever had, and trust me I have had probably over 75 at this point. I wish I was joking but I just LOVE a simple breakfast.

The eggs were the perfect mix of being well done without being runny, bacon did it's job, and the potatoes were absolutely to die for with a crispy exterior but fluffy interior. Kinda like me hehe :)

The toast coming out of left field to really seal the deal. My girl and server, Kashi, told me that the muffins and bread are made in house and I responded with an enthusiastic "AND IT SHOWS KASHI!" Kashi is dope, she really took care of me.

In closing, my dear reader, Parc is a better Balthazaar. And only $26.46 for allat?!? CITY BOYS UP!

I think God had me miss my train for a reason, and that was to be able to go to Parc. When God closes a door, he opens an even bigger door or whatever that phrase is. THANK YOU PARC THANK YOU KASHI THANK YOU SIMPLE BREAKFAST GODS!

IG...