Brasserie Perrier $$$

1619 Walnut St., 215/568-3000,
www.brasserieperrier.com [1]

HOURS: Main dining room:
Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5:30–10 p.m.,
Fri.–Sat. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5:30 –10:30 p.m.,
Sun. 5–9:30 p.m.;
Lounge:
Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. and 5:30–11 p.m.,
Fri.–Sat. 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. and 5:30–11:30 p.m., Sun. 5–9:30 p.m.

COST: Most entrées more than $20

If, like most people in the world, you’re priced out of Philly’s legendary Le Bec-Fin [2], you can still get a taste of restaurateur Georges Perrier at his bistro, Brasserie Perrier.

Still not cheap by any stretch, the poshly appointed restaurant caters mostly to a hip, young professional crowd. High-end, French-influenced fare like frisée salad, pommes frites, potato gnocchi, chicken spanakopita, gazpacho, and more are quite good, and for dessert, chocolate beignets, crème brûlée, and chocolate lava cake are spectacular.

Sunny days allow patrons to take advantage of the outdoor seating, where they can watch the scene on Walnut Street.