Le Bec Fin

Sunday, June 1 lunch. 

When I heard that Le Bec Fin was closing its doors, I could no longer resist and finally made a reservation for my little group of foodie friends.

Salmon














The salmon was served raw with a the crisp skin on top.

Soup

Pan-Seared Foie Gras

The Foie Gras was seared just right and the brioche under it helped balance the oiliness of the foie gras. 

Sea Bass

The fish retained much of its moisture.

36 Day Dry Aged Filet of Beef – rutabaga, watercress, salisfy, sauce bordelaise

I loved the pinkness of the filet. The meat looks much redder than the actual result. 

Seasonal Sorbet 

A nice and refreshing way to cleanse my palate. 


































Dessert

The almond taste of the dessert with the ice cream on top was a nice way to end the 4-hour long lunch.

I loved it ALL! The decor was really elegant and classy while the service was friendly and attentive. The timing of the dishes allowed for a very leisurely lunch and conversations in between courses. The lunch was so relaxing and refreshing from the rushed schedule I feel during the week.

It's unfortunate that Le Bec Fin is now closed as it was definitely one of the best restaurants I've been to since coming to Philly.

Harvest Seasonal Grill

Friday, June 21 after work sips. 

  After a long week of work, my friend and I just wanted to sit under the sun with a cold beer in our hands. As Harvest is very close to where I lived, we decided to try it out. The outdoors seating area was quite full, but much to our delight, we still managed to be seated on under the sun.
  The waitress approached us and started to enthusiastically introduce the items on the menu; however when we indicated that we were only interested in the drinks, her composure completely changed. She hesitated for a second and said   in a rude manner, "it's pretty full right now, I might have to move you indoors."
  My friend and I were both very much like ???, I mean sure, I get it, but the attitude? I looked around, and everyone else was just sipping drinks. But we let it slide since we both really wanted to stay outside, we told her we would order some food as well. She then took away my set of utensils and just left my friend his...thanks. 

Asian BBQ Chicken Skewers

Asian BBQ Chicken Skewers $9 - Carrot, Daikon, Baby Bok Choy Salad, Miso Vinaigrette
  In case you were wondering, the bok choy salad is hidden right under the chicken skewers. I thought that the chicken was seasoned very well, and for those of you who want something heavier, the sauce on the side provided that option. The baby bok choy salad also added a refreshing touch to the dish. The only thing I didn't like about the dish was that some pieces of chicken were a little too dry and overcooked. 


  Overall, I thought Harvest had okay food but I have yet to try their entrees. Honestly though, I feel like the only reason I would come back is to try the entrees and to enjoy the outdoor seating. Throughout the entire meal, the waitress was so rude and pushy it was just such a turnoff. If you're thinking about trying it out though, I feel like this was just one bad experience with a single waitress. I'm sure I'll be back to try their entrees, and hopefully my experience will be different, so keep an eye out for more reviews!

Website: http://harvestseasonalgrill.com/

Barclay Prime

Sunday, June 30 dinner. 

Complimentary Bread - A croissant like cheese bread.

Hamachi Crudo

Hamachi Crudo $18 - sliced yellowtail with avocado & chili pepper ponzu
 Crispy shreds of..something? The yellowtail was refreshing and the chili pepper had just the right amount of spiciness.

Sea Scallops

Sea Scallops $18 - pan-seared with pea purée & pickled ramps
 My favorite appetizer of the three. The scallops were definitely cooked through, but were not rubbery or overcooked at all. The pea puree also went well with the scallops.

Tempura Soft Shell Crab

Tempura Soft Shell Crab $18 - yellow tomato gazpacho & avocado salad
 It was a little heavier than I expected, bit still yum!

8 oz. Fillet 

8 oz. Fillet $35 
 Fillets can either be really amazing, or just..horrible. I took a chance and ordered the fillet thinking that Barclay Prime would of course be on the amazing side, but I probably should've stuck with the ribeye. I ordered mine medium rare and was quite disappointed. The fillet was overcooked and the only decently medium rare part was a very tiny area in the center. The outside was crispy and a bit dry and tough.

18 oz. Gachot & Gachot Prime Dry Aged Ribey

18 oz. Gachot & Gachot Prime Dry Aged Ribeye $48
 I probably should've gotten this instead. The ribeye was seasoned very well, but still wasn't the best ribeye I've had. According to my friend, the portion also had a lot of lumps of fat.

At the end of dinner, we were all so stuffed even though we wanted to try the dessert. Overall, I was honestly very disappointed with the quality of the steaks, but I must say that all three of the appetizers + creamed spinach (almost forgot that) were impressive. Sometimes, I feel that Stephen Starr restaurants are overrated, but Barclay Prime's atmosphere was one of a kind. I think this I would like to come back again and try their seafood...because as I was dining I sneakily took a peak at the fish someone beside us had and well, I'm sure I'll manage to find another excuse. :D

Website: http://www.barclayprime.com/