Lacroix or Fountain for Anniversary dinner

[DCGUY5]

Hello,

My wife and I are going to enjoy an evening in Philly next week and we have a dilemna; we need to decide on a restaurant! Le Bec-Fin is out of our $$$ range so we skipped it. Now...it's down to the above mentioned. Thoughts, suggestions???

Our criteria is wonderful food, beautiful ambience and incredible service.

[OlderPhiladelphian]

What event???????

[saturninus]

Is anyone attending The Lacroix event October 4?

[urbanfabric]

It's a preview of new menu items... I got an invite through the PR firm, but I don't know if others received invites from the restaurant itself.

I'm planning on going, but recently learned that I have a work obligation at 7, so I think I'll try to get there early and try to make the most of the first 45 minutes!

[DCGUY5]

I did not see Le Bec's 3 course menu, but I did see their 4 course for $90. Did I miss it? Would you pick Fountain or Le Bec's 4 course menu?

[Main Line Tracey]

If you are seated in the regular dining room, as I imagine you would be, I would choose Le Bec's $90. One of the reasons that the $40 Garden Room Menu is so inexpensive is that the garden room does not have quite the ambiance of the regular dining room. I absolutely enjoyed it anyway, but it isn't as fancy-dancy. Le Bec is amazing and I am amazed that Gourmet magazine did not put them on the 50 best list.

[Main Line Tracey]

If you are coming during the week, go to Le Bec Fin. Mon-Thurs they have a special that is $40 for 3 courses. Look at the Garden room menu on their website. We ate there during the summer (different menu) and it was great. Same fabulous food and same portions, limited menu, great atmosphere & service. I highly recommend.

[OlderPhiladelphian]

I also ate at Le Bec for the special fixed price and loved the food. However, you are seated upstairs in the back, and I found it to be a bit claustrophobic. I also unknowingly ordered a glass of wine that set me back 18 bucks!
If I had to choose, I would go to Lacroix. Fine food, great ambience and wonderful service. If you tell them it is an anniversary, they will make it special.

[DCGUY5]

Thanks both of you. I have made reservations at the Fountain and we look forward to it. The reservation is for the weekday next week and I told them it was our anniversary. Any dishes to "not miss.?

Thanks so much...Also, we are staying at the Sofitel. Should we have breakfast there (is it good) or maybe go to Lacroix? Any other recs?

Thanks again!

[joluvscards]

It may be tough to get a reservation at the Fountain mext week if it is a weekend night. BTW both of these restaurants can run into the big bucks for dinner too. That said, the fountain would be my choice. Not a close call.

[Tonyjlive]

Sorry for not elaborating, I thought more responses would roll in(which I'm sure they will) and you could do a tally. Both restaurants in question are very good and you won't go wrong either way. Fountain would be my choice simply because I enjoyed my overall experience there a bit better than at Lacroix. I was only at each restaurant one time and they were both within the last 14 months. From the talk on here and elsewhere, Chef Lacroix is now the "ambassador" instead of the executive there and I haven't been there since that change. I don't know if there is a difference at this point but that's my experience and my opinion on the matter. Enjoy whichever you pick and please report back.
PS. Not sure if you feel like it, but when making reservations you may want to tell them it is your anniversary, may get preferential seating if you call early enough, although the place is beautiful all around.

[DCGUY5]

why Tony?

[Tonyjlive]

Fountain