Bibou
| Address: | 1009 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA |
| Phone: | +1 215-965-8290 |
| Site: | biboubyob.com |
| Rating: | 4.5 |
| Working: | Closed Closed 5:30–9PM 5:30–9PM 5:30–9PM 5:30–9PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
A
A Private User
Took my wife to Bibou last weekend for her birthday and wanted to have the exceptional dining experience as described by so many others on this site. Unfortunately it was not to be. Clearly chef Calmels and his wife are lovely people who are passionate about their bistro. Our waiter, however, was aloof and frankly odd in a disconcerting way. I had ordered the tasting menu and when we arrived he reminded me that we were late (B.F. bridge was closed due to flooding). We had called immediately to alert the restaurant to the situation before arriving and the hostess was very gracious about it. However, after his initial "greeting" our waiter was essentially non-verbal for the balance of the evening. Culinary highlights were the beautifully cooked foie gras, the lamb chops, and the scallops. The soup was O.K., the terrine was bland, and the bone marrow special under-seasoned and a bit one-note and greasy rather than rich and satisfyingly decadent. Desserts were tasty but nothing special. Overall we were disappointed. I would definitely give Bibou another try, but never again on a weekend, and certainly not with the same server.
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Sai Pharamaceutical
This is the most over-rated restaurant I have ever been to... We had heard rave reviews of this place. I went here with two colleagues of mine, we had a reservation at 9. It was weekday and we had booked 3 weeks in advance, but still could not get a table before 9. We reached there at 8:50 and were asked to wait outside for 15 minutes. When we knocked the door again at 9:05, we were told to wait for another 15 minutes. It was finally at 9:40 that we were allowed to enter the restaurant. It was a small room bustling with customers leaving very little space for moving. The atmosphere was suffocating. Although am not a fan of french food, but neither do I despise it. But the food here is far below average and definitely does not corresponds to the rosy reviews which we had read before. The only good thing about this place is that the chef personally shake hands with every customer, as if trying to compensate for the limitations this place has to offer. I wonder how Zagat gave it a 29! I could have ate a far satisfying meal at a cosier place and at more convenient timings, at half the rate. Not at all recommended.
DA
David Liang
Food: 3 Decor: 3 Service: 4 Came here for their Sunday $45 4-course prix fixe after snagging a reservation 3 weeks in advance. Its hard to find parking in the area, but I managed to finally find a spot in the parking lot next door after circling around for 15 min. 1. Consomme ~Pretty good. 2. Foie gras with grilled apricot ~Pretty good. Foie gras was tasty, although I was hoping itd be smoother and more buttery. 3. Sea bass ~Delicious. Easily the best course of the night. Bass was cooked perfectly, and the broth was quite good. Side veggies were decent. 4. Frozen souffle ~Okay. More like frozen ice cream (cant remember the dessert Im thinking of). 5. Macaroons and cookies ~Mediocre. A bit too sweet, and I only had a bite of each. Service was good, although it was odd when the server came back and told me there was only 1 bass left and asked me to switch to another fish. Luckily, another server came by and said that I could have the bass.
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Lorie Anzalone
Such a small place but a lot of customers! This place offers everything you would want to be on a menu and food was very good. The place is pretty costy but you get the BYO so that was pretty nice. Food was really good except that it would have been even better if the escargot was made with a butter base instead of a brown sauce and peas. The filet mignon was good and as well as the veal. The banana takin was too sweet but the caramel ice cream was good. Only con was that the server has a terrible accent and when recommending the specialties of the day, he was hesitating and sighing in between which made me felt a little discomfort. Overall, this place was good and the chef even came out to speak to certain tables which was welcoming.
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Karim Awad
Cosy and refined. I beloved the 7 course tasting menu changes regularly so I can only speak to the one u was served. It was truly delicious and everything was cooked to perfection. Only the oyster with smoked jelly and caviar carried me off the beaten paths in terms of originality but everything else was perfectly cooked, balanced and refined, my personal favorites being the soup, grouper and sweetbreads dishes. Service was great apart from a strange insistence to bringing coffee out before desert. A lovely experience overall.
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A Private User
My boyfriend took me to this little gem for my birthday. I love French cuisine, and was completely blown away by the food at Bibou: homey, yet sofisticated; subtle, yet extraordinary - we ended up licking our plates :-) Everything from sweetbreads, foie gras and chanterelle mushrooms to seared tuna, lamb sirloin and goat cheese dessert was delicious! The owners Pierre and Charlotte were very friendly and made us feel at home. This will definitely become our favourite French bistro.
GA
Gary Book
French excellence in Philly. They channel Paul Bocuse and take you on a enchanting journey to french perfection. Mon Dieu. The BYOB makes this place the greatest deal, parking next door & paradise inside. It feels like a bistro with friendly service but delivers like Le Bec-Fin. After an exquisite meal you are warmly greeted by the maestro, Chef Pierre Calmels, veteran of Daniel & Le Bec-Fin himself. Merci Beaucoup were my words to the Chef.
WI
William Cody
A last minute 530 pm reservation for Sunday evening in the middle of the afternoon. Easy access to the restaurant from exit 20 off 95S making travel from NJ convenient. Parked next door(free 2 hour parking) a few steps from the front door. Prompt efficient service. The chef, Pierre , came out to meet us before dessert and discuss the menu. French bagettes are baked fresh daily on premises. Spectacular unique meal!! First visit of many
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Mark DeSouza
Arguably the best restaurant in the city (along with Vetri and Vernick), and definitely the best French food you can find. The service is impeccable and friendly, and you just cannot beat the food. Seems weird to say, but be sure to try the european butter they serve with their baguettes. This place is so good we have taken to making standing reservations to make sure we get there at least every 2 months.
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kerry beals
This is the best french restaurant in philadelphia and is byo. The atmosphere is inviting and warm, the staff very knowledgeable and helpful. With every course I was elated. The escargot, the foie gras, marrow, baked Alaska all left my taste buds wanting more. The chef greets you after your meal and is very pleasant. I will continue to go here for every occasion or any excuse!
CO
Cody Simoneaux
Read so many reviews and articles about this place and it absolutely did not disappoint. The portions are adequately sized and leave you perfectly full. The rosé is really amazing too. I loved how intimate and small the place was. We were in and out in an hour. The menu changes every day so cant wait to come back here.
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Kristina Bevenour
Amazing! My husband and I have been here a several times over the past few years, but this time was our best experience. The frogs legs, and frois grois two ways (pan seared & creme brulee) were incredible. I had the Saint-Jacques scallops and that entree was one of the best plates Ive ever had at any restaurant.
