Famed Philly Eatery To Close, Be 'Reimagined' In Fall

It's truly legendary -- an oasis of elegance, fine dining and civility in a crass and common world.

It's been hailed as one of America's meccas of fine cuisine and has attracted diners from all over the world. For decades it's name has been synonymous with the highest culinary standards.

But now, the iconic Philadelphia restaurant Le Bec Fin will close its doors this Summer. 

Under a plan announced today, the main dining room space will be reimagined under the visionary direction of one of America’s rising award-winning Chefs, Justin Bogle. Renowned local Chef Chris Scarduzio will be on hand to assist Bogle with his new endeavor as Director of Operations.

"After being given the opportunity to retire one of the city's most celebrated restaurants and manage the development of a new concept, I knew that Justin Bogle was 'the man' to take on this historic transformation,” said Scarduzio. “I'm excited to help lead this process, and what we have planned for this restaurant under Justin's culinary artistry will make it America's next great restaurant, and a must-visit destination in Philadelphia."

If there is anyone on the food scene who has the pedigree to take over this iconic space, it’s one of the youngest Two Michelin Star award-winning chefs in American history, Justin Bogle. Bogle’s roots in the hospitality industry began in Philadelphia working in the kitchen with the likes of Jose Garces, Douglas Rodriguez, and Christopher Lee. In 2009, he became Executive Chef at Gilt restaurant in NYC, where he gained national recognition as one of the country’s finest culinary artists. This marks Bogle’s first return to his Philadelphia pedigree.

"Philadelphia has always been ‘home’ to me,” said Bogle, who is currently developing the restaurant concept. “It's where I got my start cooking with the incredible Chefs who helped put the city on the map as a world class restaurant destination. To be able to return to Philadelphia with all that I've learned while working in New York City is a dream come true. I am excited to bring my cuisine back to Philadelphia to contribute to the amazing culinary community."

Bogle plans to reimagine the 1523 Walnut Street location with a Progressive American menu concept that highlights his achievements, inspiration from seasonal ingredients, and collaboration with local farmers and foragers. The main dining room will showcase Bogle’s resourceful technique with a variety of pre fixe options. The downstairs lounge will remain open during renovations of the main dining room and will feature a more relaxed ambiance with bistro-type food and speakeasy-inspired cocktails.

This new concept is slated to launch in Fall 2013.

About Justin Bogle
Justin Bogle is one of America’s rising stars in the food and beverage world. He earned his culinary degree at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia and learned under the tutelage of Jose Garces, Douglas Rodriguez, and Christopher Lee. He became the executive Chef of Gilt in NYC where his inventive rendition of items became his trademark style. In 2009, Bogle became one of the youngest chefs in American history to earn two Michelin stars. His cooking technique has been described as distinctive, inventive, and cutting-edge.

About Chris Scarduzio
Chris Scarduzio is a prolific Philadelphia chef & operator who started his career at the Grill Room at The Ritz Carlton. He helped lead the Walnut Street restaurant renaissance at Brasserie Perrier. Scarduzio has several award-winning restaurants in Atlantic City and Philadelphia including Mia’s at Caesars, Scarduzio’s at Showboat and Table 31 in Philadelphia. Chris is also creating an exciting new restaurant concept to be located in South Philadelphia’s Passyunk Avenue booming restaurant corridor.

Spring Fun: Dining, Strolling

Over the weekend we had a great time at the Rittenhouse Row spring festival in Philadelphia where we enjoyed those wondrous beef burgers from legendary Rouge restaurant. We also tasted gellato and other treats while enjoying great music up and down the promenade.
Walnut Street was packed with strollers from Broad right on up to 20th as people turned out to see and be seen on an absolutely glorious spring day. We poked our heads into the new Barney's Co-Op store on Rittenhouse Square but found it far too pricey for out tastes. Still, the store seems to be doing a brisk business and that's got to be good news.
On Saturday morning we had breakfast at Nordstrom's new Cherry Hill Mall store where the management provided coffee, juice, fruit, pastry and breakfast sandwiches for select customers followed by trunk shows and seminars. Great fun!
A nice crowd turned out for the Nordstrom event and the store looked spiffy with plenty of helpful sales people available to take care of customers' needs.
We also continued our quest for the perfect pizza, visiting Tacconelli's pizza across from the Moorestown Mall in Maple Shade and King of Pizza on Route 70 in Cherry Hill. The great appeal of Tacconelli's pie is the crust: thin, fresh, crisp and crunchy. But the pizza itself doesn't stay together very well and there isn't a heck of a lot of cheese on the regular pie. Yet, this South Jersey outlet of the famous Philly pizza family is attracting huge crowds as evidenced by the fact that we had to wait half an hour for a table.
At King of Pizza we found a large, fresh, old-fashioned pizza with a bubbly texture. But, as is often the case, the pizza suffered from too much oil -- or maybe it was the residue from the cheese.
In any event, we can't give our highest rating to an oily pizza or to a pizza that falls apart.
But again, as withh Tacconelli's, King of Pizza was jammed.
So, these two joints are definately doing something right.
It was a busy weekend for us.
And yes, we headed back to Seasons 52 at the Cherry Hill Mall. This was our third visit to this delightful new eatery. And yes, once again we enjoyed excellent meals, fresh and delicious: flatbread, shrimp with crabmeat, trout, penne with tiger shrimp and salmon on a plank. We topped it all off with those wonderful mini dessert treats.
Head on over to Seasons 52! You won't be disappointed.
BTW: While we were at the Rittenhouse Row fete on Saturday we enjyed watching world-renowned chef Georges Perrier hawk his culinary treats right on the sidewalk in front of the his super chic Le Bec Fin restaurant. Perrier is a great chef, a smart businessman, a keen competitor and a good sport. And, he's a champion Philly booster.
Check out Le Bec Fin's web site. You'll be delighted with the surprsingly affordable specials offered by Perrier & Co. Bravo!

Party With Perrier

All of the chairs and tables were removed from Georges Perrier's legendary jewel box last night as Le Bec Fin opened its doors to a reception hosted by the renowned chef himself.

Philadelphia's most revered restaurateur mingled with guests amicably and invited all to enjoy menu samples from appetizers to desserts. Level 1 Vodka and fine wines were the lubricants of choice.

The Perrier empire (dubbed Signature Restaurants) will soon unveil its latest attraction at the dazzling new Comcast Center which will be the tallest building between New York and Chicago and one of the largest and most advanced "green" buildings in the world. Perrier also announced an update of the nearby Brasserie Perrier with more popularly priced menu items and he encouraged diners to stop by Le Bec Fin and its lower level Le Bar Lyonnaisse for new menu choices and more accessible offerings.

Kudos to the evening's architects: the extraordinary Nicole Cashman and her wonderful staff at Cashman and Associates. Nicole told us that she is now representing Philadelphia's Sofitel where big changes are on the horizon for the hotel's restaurant and lounge.

At the event we also chatted with CBS3 meteorologist Doug Kammerer and his lovely wife Holly and Fox29 weatherguy John Bolaris. Doug just moved from NBC10 to his new digs at the up-to-the-minute CBS3 broadcast center. Bolaris has returned to town from New York.