Brasserie Perrier, one of the landmarks on the Walnut Street restaurant row, closed without notice. New Year's Eve was the finale, as staff learned that night.
The bistro, which opened in January 1997 under Georges Perrier, got a slew of awards, including 4 stars from Mobil.
Its closing had been inevitable. Co-owner Chris Scarduzio, who started as a sous chef and was elevated to partner in March 2004, told me that based on the lease signed in 1996, the partnership was paying about $19 a square foot for rent at 1619 Walnut -- about a third of current local rates. Seeking a better-paying retail tenant, the building owner was negotiating an end to the lease, which was to end in October with a three-year renewal option, Scarduzio said. Business had been OK.
Fresh rumors of an imminent demise circulated early in the week. When I asked Scarduzio on Tuesday afternoon if the shutdown was near, he said he had no date in mind. When asked today about that, Scarduzio backpedaled. The upshot: Word did not get out, and staff did not abandon ship on New Year's Eve. I hear that waiters have been calling other high-end restaurants today to find work. It's not clear how many workers have been affected.
Scarduzio, who seemed quite upset at the closing, said he and Perrier would redouble their efforts at their other jointly owned restaurants, Table 31 in the Comcast Center and Mia's at Caesars in Atlantic City. They're also negotiating a deal for a Le Bec-Fin in Dubai. Perrier owns Georges' in Wayne and Le Bec-Fin in Center City.
More info: A rep for the restaurant says all outstanding Brasserie Perrier gift cards will be honored at Le Bec-Fin , Table 31 and Georges', and all parties booked at Brasserie Perrier in ’09 will be transferred to Le Bec-Fin, Table 31 or Georges with the contracted menus and pricing.
That is a crappy way to treat your employees. He should be ashamed. Not just the short notice, but also during the holidays. There oughta be a law...— Tatts- This is George being George, only caring for himself. Will I miss it? Nope. was there once early on Food was ok, but high priced. But again It was George being George.— cdm48
- Je ne crois pas que ce resto est reste pendent douze annees. C'etais horrible, meme pour Monsieur Perrier.— TripleCap
Comment removed.- This used to be a good place to grab a meal but gradually became seriously overpriced for a mediocre meal.— PennAlum07
- Yeah, give the staff notice so they can not show up, provide lousy service or steal from the owners on their last days. You all try running a restaurant and then let's see how bad you feel for the employees.— kofpm
- Stories like this help to fuel my cynicism of the real estate industry. Greed, whether sourced in real estate developers, wall street stockbrokers, or everyday Americans using credit cards they may be unable to pay back when the bills come due, may be one of the key contributors to the economic demise this country is seeing right now.— justinnachod
- Not giving workers notice stinks. On the other hand, based on kofpm's comment, that situation that employees are likely to phone it in and steal, that stinks too.— geoffrobinson
- Typical George - mediocre food at a high price. You are buying the name...that is all. The food was decent, but TGI Friday or Ruby Tuesday decent. Not Capital Grille or Mortons quality.— Bill Penn
- Except for the last week or two, when the menu was substantially changed, the food was quite wonderful. Consistent and high quality. I did not mind paying the prices at all. The service was always impeccable and we were treated like family. I am so sad. I feel like I have lost a part of my family. RIP BP.— bachgirl
- Having been in the business for 35 years, I will say that there was nothing mediocre about the food or service at BP. On the contrary, it was a consistent value in the high end restaurant scene. I was not a fan of the bar scene but walking back into the restaurant to dine was always rewarding. BP will be missed but I am afraid that its demise is symptomatic of our economy and similar events may follow.— weaverl
Yes, it will be missed. Even though I never ate there, I have always appreciated their frou-frou atomosphere. I liked the fact that they were one of the few restaurants in the CC-distict to have an outdoor eaterie section. This is sad, for everyone, especially the workers.— Professor Smart E. Pants, PhD.- Comment removed.
- Come on... Post my Post..... Freee Speeech at Least I hope......— Jondude64
- Comment removed.
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