They call Philadelphia the Paris of the Western Hemisphere.
Oh, wait. No, they don't.
The truth is, Philadelphia is not quite the haven for Francophiles - outside of the three Center City mainstays, Le Bec Fin, Lecroix at the Rittenhouse and Brasserie Perrier, the City of Brotherly Love offers little in terms of fine French cuisine.
But a little trip down past 30th Street Station may do a little more to whet the appetite of anyone searching for a fine French meal.
Named for the Provencal town in the south of France, Bistro St. Tropez is a gem, if not one that's a little too hidden for its own good.
Entering the restaurant, located in the Marketplace Design Center at 2400 Market St., is an adventure in itself, with a trip past a security desk, down a hall littered with furniture showcases, and up an elevator to the 4th floor of the building.
But after finally navigating through the bizarre maze, Bistro St. Tropez presents itself as a chic little eatery fit for either an enchanting Valentine's Day date or, in my case, an equally romantic rendezvous with a friend.
Overall, the restaurant goes for more of a modern French image, equipped with high ceilings, a bar made of corrugated steel and a feel that my dinner companion described as "industrial."
But despite St. Tropez's apparent desire to stay hip and trendy, its menu harks back to traditional French cuisine, with a simple list of delicacies that includes steamed Prince Edward Island mussels ($7.50), pan-seared scallops ($8.95) and duck confit ($8.95).
Our meal began with the hors d'oeuvres and we opted for two favorites of the French - saut‚ed escargots ($8.95) and foie gras ($11.95).
Engulfed in a macadamia nut shitake butter sauce, the escargots was unlike most seen at your typical bistro lining the Champs-?lys‚es, but different is not always a bad thing. Though on the heavy side, the escargots was actually a welcome change from the usual dish that can often inundate your taste buds with its garlic kick.
For the main course, I opted for a filet mignon and rack of lamb combination with a basil ratatouille, potato goat cheese galette and a truffle sauce ($29.95), while my companion ordered a grilled hangar steak accompanied by fries and asparagus ($22.95).
The lamb turned out to be a little on the thin side, but any of its inadequacies were atoned for by a filet that was grilled to perfection.
Finally came the dessert, an obvious French specialty and the highlight of the meal.
As a self-described chocolate mousse lover, I have to say that Bistro St. Tropez's mousse is one of the better I've had, and my companion's profiteroles were a hit-the-spot treat for any sweet tooth.
Overall, Bistro St. Tropez's selection was definitely simple - but with little French nuances that added twists and a sophistication that made it one of the better meals in the area.
