LT's: French bistro with an urban twist

Urban Paris night club meets a quaint bistro along the Seine in a remarkable blend of fine dining and an intoxicating atmosphere -- and it's right in Penn's own backyard.

For those longing for a smattering of French cuisine, LT's Cafe provides the perfect getaway.

Nestled in between the Law School and Mad 4 Mex on Sansom Street, the cafe is a delightful alternative to its more expensive and intimate counterpart, La Terrasse. The bar, although quiet and cozy in the early hours of the evening, anxiously awaits the influx of the eager 21-and-over club.

Neatly tucked away behind the bar lies a series of small tables, surrounded by crimson red walls and lit up with candles -- a brilliant contrast for a very authentic feel.

After thumbing through an extensive wine list, my companion and I both decided on a glass of red merlot ($6.75) -- a fitting complement for any of a wide variety of appetizers and entrees on a fairly moderately-priced menu.

To quench our thirst from the sweet merlot, we decided to share an appetizer of beer steamed mussels ($9.50). Though some of the selections were nearly as expensive as the entrees, the mussels were a fine choice -- soft, yet not overcooked, swimming in a delicious sauce with a side of crispy frites.

My companion chose the grilled bacon-wrapped filet mignon served with mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and a bordelaise sauce ($11.75). My eyes were immediately drawn to the pan seared salmon served on vegetable cous cous in a tomato dijon sauce ($9). For those who prefer something a little less on the fancy side, the menu offers a wide variety of sandwiches, as well as other meat-lover delights.

As my companion took the first bite of her filet mignon her face lit up with pure ecstasy. My salmon meshed together with the tomato dijon for a most delectable taste.

Anxiously awaiting a second glass of merlot, we savored every morsel of our dinners.

Despite an overwhelming feeling of fulfillment, we were easily persuaded by our very helpful waitress to order from the dessert menu. With a handful of choices ranging from ice cream to tiramasu, my companion was wooed by the raspberry and chocolate mousse, so I decided to order the apple and brandy pie.

In search of a camera to capture the picturesque display of the chocolate crusted mousse, I dove into my apple pie, which appeared more like an oversized dumpling, accompanied by ice cream with brandy sauce elegantly strewn over the plate. The apples were fresh and sweet, with a crust that tasted like a succulent fountain of butter.

As my companion sipped on a glass of Bailey's Irish Creme, I realized if I closed my eyes I could imagine myself in Paris.

After an evening of wonderful service, surrounded by small groups of Penn students enjoying a night out with their friends, we made our way back past the bar to find it packed with patrons.

So whether it's a cozy dinner for two or a few cocktails with some friends, LT's puts the tr‚s in tr‚s magnifique!

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