Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Parking: Street parking only.
Handicap access: Wheelchair accessible.
Handicap access: Wheelchair accessible.
Related reviews:
Imaginative treatments of seemingly straightforward bistro dishes show promise at a place that still is a bit rough.
Craig LaBan: The restaurant's name evokes a homeyness that informs the rustic simplicity of the small menu. But there's also an edginess, too.
The constantly-changing, seasonal fare embodies both spirits, with seemingly straightforward bistro dishes that get a rise from quality ingredients, a modern eye, and sharp techniques that coax maximum flavor from every dish. » Read more
The constantly-changing, seasonal fare embodies both spirits, with seemingly straightforward bistro dishes that get a rise from quality ingredients, a modern eye, and sharp techniques that coax maximum flavor from every dish. » Read more
Cuisine type: French
Meals Served:
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Style:
Talented chef David Katz has transformed the charmed corner nook of the former Melograno into an austere, yet lively, showcase for vividly redefined rustic bistro flavors. A small, seasonal menu focused on great ingredients, sharing-size portions, and sharp technique produced memorable takes on standards from skillet-sizzling mussels to roast chicken. At a revisit, some early service wrinkles that held Mémé back at its initial review have clearly been smoothed. Katz's cooking, meanwhile, has only gotten better, with signatures like his knock-out fried chicken Thursday lunch, a spectacular pork chop for two that's one of the best sharing plates in town, and simple wonders - like his milky chestnut soup - that show a chef in command of his flavors. The small, new wine list could be more bold with its limited choices, but this corner is still in good hands.
Specialties:
Sizzling mussels; beef tartare; mixed chicories; foie gras tart; whole chicken; pork rack for two; skate; skirt steak; fettuccine with spicy boar ragu; maple pot de crème; brown butter cake.
Alcohol:
A recently arrived liquor license (after opening months as a BYOB) brings a small but smart collection of craft beer, and well-chosen wines from France, Italy and America, focused around $40 a bottle with very reasonable mark-ups. BYOB is still allowed for a $10-per-bottle corkage fee.
Hours: Dinner Monday through Thursday, 5:30-10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, until 11 p.m.; Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Lunch Thursday only, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Brunch Sunday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Reservations: Recommended
Prices:
$$$
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