Neighborhood: South Philadelphia
Parking: Street and municipal lot parking only.
Handicap access: No
Handicap access: No
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- Bibou
A mom-and-pop BYOB from chef Pierre Calmels, who left haute cuisine to plunge deep into the rustic soul of his native French bistro tradition, and his wife, Charlotte.
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Another French star is shining brightly in the bistro room once graced by Pif. Its two chefs come fresh from Le Bec-Fin.
Craig LaBan: Great restaurateurs will come and go, often despite their virtues. But special spaces, it seems, can have an almost magical ability to survive.
How else to explain the second lightning strike that has landed yet another French star - the new Bibou - for the tiny corner room at Kimball and South Eighth Streets? » Read more
How else to explain the second lightning strike that has landed yet another French star - the new Bibou - for the tiny corner room at Kimball and South Eighth Streets? » Read more
Cuisine type: French
Meals Served:
Dinner - Wed. thru Sun.
Style:
There's a reason wine lovers clamor for reservations at this cozy South Philly BYOB: Pierre and Charlotte Calmels have created an intimate destination for personal service and soulful French bistro cooking from a master chef with haut-cuisine cred. Adventure eaters thrill to the game birds, stuffed marrow bones and bountiful foie gras, while more reserved diners will remember the braised meats and perfect fish. The Sunday $45 prix-fixe bargain is a perfect introduction to what is already one of the best four-bell values in town.
Specialties:
(Menu changes often) Escargots; sweetbread terrine; crab salad with avocado remoulade; arctic char gravlax; stuffed marrow bone; foie gras-stuffed pig's foot; pig's ear terrine; black bass roulade sauce Joinville; skate wing; poached dorade with rosemary emulsion; seared foie gras with foie gras crème brulée; braised veal cheeks over turmeric spaetzle; lamb chop with lamb Pithiviers; roasted partridge; floating island pyramid with almond praline and goat's milk crème anglaise.
Alcohol:
BYOB. Think French, and bring the best your cellar has to offer.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, until 11 p.m.
Prices:
$$$
Bibou is the best small restaurant I have eaten at in the US. It reminds me of the best places in Europe--a mix of earthy, home cooking and great virtuosity. Most of all, its delicious. Right now, this is my favorite restaurant in the US. Its simply fabulous.