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"The beauty of Parc is that there is something on the menu for anyone. And these crispy, pale-golden fries are a perfect complement to anything you might order. If you’re there with a group, tack on a couple of side orders (they’re always served with both ketchup and mayonnaise). But if you’re there solo, be sure to get them, too. Even if they’re just accompanying your martini. Warm shrimp salad and the french onion soup" - alison kessler
"Parc is iconic and over-discussed for good reason. The classic French bistro looks like the set of a movie that takes place in Paris and anchors the east side of Rittenhouse Square. It's open all day and is always full of people and tiny dogs. And, on a nice day with a cold martini and the right pair of sunglasses, their sidewalk is one of the most glorious places you can sit in the neighborhood. Come for lunch on a day off or plop down at the bar and eat steak tartare and fries. Just don't settle for one of those dinky wooden tables in the middle of the dining room where servers will forget you exist. What are you, a tourist?" - candis mclean, alison kessler
"Parc is here for you in almost every situation: a steak frites craving, a weekend brunch, and your high school theater club’s reunion before a showing of Dreamgirls. The French restaurant in Rittenhouse has plenty of seating for groups and starters like french onion soup, escargot, and a warm shrimp salad that are good enough to be dinner headliners rather than opening acts. But if you want a lineup to get you through the next 10 songs—plus an intermission—go for crispy skinned roast chicken and trout amandine with a lemony brown butter sauce while happily belting out “Love You I Do” between bites." - candis mclean
"Like most things at a great French bistro, this dish heavily features butter. Crisp greens, avocado, and sundried tomatoes are tossed in creamy, buttery lemon vinaigrette, alongside four plump shrimp. Parc’s best salad is a great warm-up for steak frites, but works just as well on its own for lunch. Be sure to keep some of that famous housemade bread to dip in the pool of butter—we mean dressing." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"Parc is iconic. The long-running bistro has essentially fused with Rittenhouse Square itself, and it’s the city’s go-to restaurant for brunch, date night, or watching a Jack Nicholson lookalike order a grapefruit martini. You can’t go wrong with the roast chicken or the warm shrimp salad, but it’s their gruyere-topped French onion soup that's a non-negotiable. Plop down at the bar for a solo steak frites, or if it’s nice out, try to get a seat on 18th Street. Just don't settle for one of those dinky wooden tables across from the bathrooms where servers will forget you exist. What are you, a tourist?" - alison kessler
