Caribou Café

1126 Walnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19107

$$ French Top 10 Recommended Editor's Pick Special Offer

Only a few strides removed from the Forrest Theater in the gentrified neighborhood of Wash West, the Caribou Café corrals a hip mix of city crawlers, theater goers, local and national personalities, and plain old Philly folk. The festive décor in this vibrant slice of France frames the intoxicating upbeat insouciance that replicates the spirit and verve of the real-deal French café. The moderately priced menu focuses on regional everyday French standbys while simultaneously providing a gastronomic tour of France. Diverse delights from Alsace to Provence tempt the palate – all interpreted delectably by Maitre Cuisinier de France, Olivier Desaintmartin.

A Savory Slice of France in Wash West

Review by TableAgent

Don't fret. The theater is not dead. At least not in Wash West. In fact, it's quite alive at the Caribou Café. Listen carefully to the joyful buzz reverberating between these hallowed old Philly floors and high ceilings and you just might catch the hushed, hopeful tones of a preppy young actor reciting lines and prepping for an audition at a nearby playhouse. Or you might tune into a passionate argument at a nearby table where tidy Main Line types banter on about the artistic merits of the Walnut Theater's playbill. Or you might chuckle as you eavesdrop on a gaggle of Iggles or Phillies “phans” alternately extolling and decrying their team's latest fiascos. Suffice it to say, the Caribou Café crowd confounds categorization.

Caribou Cafe is in the 'hood known as Washington West – Wash West, if you want to be Philly hip. This area was the second slice of Philly pie to be bitten into in the gentrification scheme to rehab the decay Philadelphia suffered in the forties and fifties. Quaker City's clean-up/ paint-up/ fix-up scheme rolled from the Delaware River westward. Thus the more riparian quarters like Society Hill and Olde City were the first areas to undergo full-scale re-buffing. Next came Washington West. Philly purists will tell you Wash West is the area bounded on the east and west by 6th and 10th Streets and on the north and south by Walnut and South Streets. Not so these days. With Wash Wests' still-burgeoning cachet, those boundaries have stretched. The bustling, world-class theater and restaurant scene in the area stokes a bustling pedestrian and vehicle thoroughfare. Gentrification is galloping there as well. For residents Wash West has the advantage of being within striking distance of most Philly happenings, particularly theater happenings. A few doors away is the Forrest Theater where shows like “Funny Girl”, “The Music Man”, and “Chicago” debuted before wowing Broadway and the rest of the globe. The Walnut Street Theater lies only a few blocks to the south. This historic playhouse, which debuted in 1809, is the oldest continually operating theater in the English-speaking world [is it time for Great Britain to consider dropping the “Great” portion of that title?]. Three blocks west of the Caribou Café is the Avenue of the Arts, site of the marvelously modern Kimmel Center, the Merriam Theater, the Wilma Street Theater and others.

Ah but don't be misled. The Caribou Café is anything but the exclusive domain of the theater crowd. This eatery is not the exclusive domain of any one group or tranche of society or business, which is just the way personable Chef Olivier Desaintmartin wants it. Olivier's little Walnut Street gem authentically replicates the feel, the warmth, the smells, the sounds, and the vibes of a bona fide French café. It's the kind of place that romantics get starry-eyed about, the kind of place that Van Gogh captured on canvas in Arles. The small tables, wall-side banquettes, and dark wood throughout provide the kindling for the establishment's pervasive charm. That vibe is then set aflame by a cheery, knowledgeable, and loyal waitstaff [most have been here since the Caribou debuted] coupled with the Café's lively, diverse crowd.

On the main floor, bistro tables in the front of the house give way to a row of wall banquettes as you make your way deeper into the room. A jumbo 30-foot-long Art Deco bar from Belgium made of deep-dark-wood, is über-laden with bottles sporting provenances from numerous places around the globe. The bar is tastefully ornamented with figurines and statues, eye-catchy kitch the curious eye can't resist. The bar boasts one of the city's highest bars in terms of quality and sweep when it comes to imported beers. You'll find brews from Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, England, Ireland, the Czech Republic and elsewhere. A generous list of wines, mostly from France, is available by the glass. It's not surprising that the bar serves up a terrific Etienne Dupont, but the bartenders can also whip up a pretty potent pomegranate or applejack martini as well as any other specialty drink you mention. Sorry though, the bar doesn't serve absinthe despite being as traditional a French café as you'll find on our shores. Besides the main floor dining room and communicating bar, there's an upstairs room that stretches half the length of the main floor. Two-top tables line two of the walls, thus providing another riff on the Cafe's overlying theme.

And that overlying theme is? Make no mistake, the focus of this delightful eatery is to recreate a savory slice of France in the heart of Philadelphia. The Quaker City, after all, has maintained a soft place in its heart for the French ever since the Marquis de Lafayette was a Philadelphia fixture and man about town [The General incidentally was in attendance for the opening performance at the Walnut Street Theater].

To recreate the insouciance and essence of the French café, Chef/ Owner Olivier Desaintmartin links outstanding, vibrant regional French cuisine with an atmosphere that is at once festive and relaxing. Desaintmartin brings a winning measure of gastronomic savvy, training and excellence to the task. His mettle and the respect he earns in his métier has been recognized. In 2009, he was admitted into the highly selective society of Maitres Cuisineir de France. That's no meager feat. The honor is conferred on only about 300 chefs worldwide.

Olivier perfected his culinary chops while working in some of the world's most renowned food palaces where he had the good fortune of apprenticing under some superstars of French cuisine – legends like Paul Bocuse and Michel Gerard. Olivier also helped open Le Bernardin in the US. His introduction to the City of Brotherly Love came when he was selected fro the prestigious task of reopening the Bellevue Stratford following the fallout from “Legionnaire's Disease” which caused the grand old hotel to be closed. In opening Caribou Café however, Olivier chose a different path: a return to the cuisine he grew up on. He opted not to open a posh French white-tablecloth palace but rather one that showcased the diversity of French regional cuisine for the everyman. His menu is a veritable tour de force gastronomique around France.

Tartare de Boeuf, an Alsacien favorite is a wide, heaping compact coupon of red, diced beef that towers next to a green tangle of frisée speckled with red chunks of tomato. Presented on a huge white recessed plate, the tartare is no less a treat to the eye than to the taste buds.

The classic Soupe à l'Oignon, a Parisian standby, restores the gusto I've lost over the years for this dish. On our shores, too often the preparation suffers from kitchen ennui. Familiarity breeds blandness that results in an uninspired and disappointing dish. Not at Caribou Café. The delicious hot concoction redolent of Gruyère sets the mouth watering before it even hits the table. The soup is served in an attractive terrine in which the Gruyère has melted cheesy muscle into the crunchy baked cap atop the soup. Salade de Chèvre, a popular salad in Burgundy as well as other regions of France is a colorful temptation that scores with textural interest and vivid flavoring. A pair of red beets play pedestal to a leafy green column of spinach with a dulcet hit of balsamic vinegar. Perched on top of the spinach is a browned crisped slice of crusty French bread hoisting a warmed silky slab of goat cheese garnished appetizingly with parsley.

Among the entrées, Raie aux Câpres is a pet dish of Olivier that he perfected in his days in Provençe. Haricots verts alternating with salsifis [oyster plants] lay across the plate side-by-side like a veggie logjam. The ripply look of the vegetables is replicated in the undulated profile of the skate. A brownish pool of caper sauce rims the plate while a full green battalion of capers caps the skate. Delicious.

Truite Farcie, a dish that makes them go gaga in the south of France, uses a hefty cod brandade to give the trout oomf. The trout is lightly dusted with flour and pan seared with lots of lemon and butter. Then the brandade of cod, a pounded combination of salted cod, olive oil, garlic, milk and cream. is stuffed into the trout which is layered with slivered almonds that lend subtle crunch. Beside the trout, which rests on a green bed of haricots verts, is a sweet, grilled half tomato infused with garlic. Filet de Porc, Choucroute d'Alsace, Saumon Provençal round up a few of the other regional treats gracing the country-trotting carte.

As one who apprenticed under legendary pastry chef Gaston Lenotre, Olivier confects a plethora of dessert dandies. Crème brulée is prepared in the classic fashion with Tahitian beans. Souflé Au Chocolat soars on Arabica crème anglaise. Served à la mode, it becomes sinfully good. There's also a series of zestily flavored crèpes as well as a long slate of additional post-entrée temptations.

But why Caribou Café? Well the name is a holdover from the previous owner. Olivier decided to keep it, since the century-old building holds historic value in a neighborhood where preservation rules. And again: Why the Caribou Café? Because this eatery distinguishes itself from scores of ersatz wannabes. The Caribou Café comes off authentic and real because it is. This place has all the ingredients: Outstanding down-to-earth regional food, a vivacious vibe, delightful décor, and attentive service. In fact, if Toulouse Lautrec ever came to Philly, he'd make a beeline for the Caribou Café even though they don't serve absinthe. He wouldn't give up his absinthe for any place but the best.

Insider Tip: When you are in the mood for your favorite French dish but your group can't or won't go out to eat, don't fret, because Caribou Cafe will cater!

Reservations

Caribou Café Reservations

(215) 625-9535

Date

Time

Party Size

Business Info

Address: 1126 Walnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19107
Cross Street: South Quince Street
Location: Center City | Washington Square West
Cuisine: French |
Cost: | Inexpensive
Category: Casual Dining
Star Rating:
Reservations: Recommended
Dress Code: Business Casual
Meals Served: Brunch | Lunch | Dinner |
Parking: Street |
Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover | Diners Club |
Corkage Fee: 20.00 | Per 750ml bottle.
Staff: Olivier Desaintmartin | Chef
Website: http://www.cariboucafe.com
Phone: (215) 625-9535
Features: Full Bar, Sunday Brunch, Late Dining, Catering Services, Outdoor Seating, Prix Fixe Menu, Takeout Available, Wheelchair Access, Happy Hours,
Occasion: Child Friendly, Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, People Watching, Quiet Conversation, Special Occasion, Quick Bite, Trendy / Hip, Celebrity Spotting,

Photos

Caribou Café - Provencal Vegetable Tart Tartin

Business Hours

Reservations Available

Monday: Lunch - Main Dining Room 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM; Happy Hours - Main Dining Room 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: Lunch - Main Dining Room 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM; Happy Hours - Main Dining Room 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: Lunch - Main Dining Room 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM; Happy Hours - Main Dining Room 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: Lunch - Main Dining Room 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM; Happy Hours - Main Dining Room 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday: Lunch - Main Dining Room 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:30 PM - 11:30 PM; Happy Hours - Main Dining Room 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: Brunch - Main Dining Room 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:30 PM - 11:30 PM; Happy Hours - Main Dining Room 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday: Brunch - Main Dining Room 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM; Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM; Happy Hours - Main Dining Room 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

F.A.Q.s

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a special room or seating area available for large parties?: Yes, Caribou Café’s mezzanine seating can comfortably seat 40 guests.
Is the brunch menu pre fix?: No, Caribou Cafe has an a la cart brunch menu.
aRE YOU HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE?: Yes.

Menus

All Day Menu

18% gratuities will be added for parties of 5 and more

Les Appetizers

Escargots en Croustade 9.50: Served in a brioche with garlic butter and tomatoes
Paté du Jour 9.50: Homemade paté, celery root slaw and cornichons
Rillettes de Saumon 10.00: Smoked and fresh salmon terrine with cucumber salad, orange and basil dressing
Flammenkuche 9.50: Individual ultra thin pizza with bacon, Boursin cheese and onions
Fromage 12.00: Cheese plate with pear and fig spread 3, 4 or 5 selections ($12/$16/$19)

Les Soupes

Soupe à l’oignon 8.00: Onion soup Gratinée, croûtons and Gruyère
Soupe au Pistou 7.50: Vegetable and basil soup, chicken stock Grated cheese and penne pasta

Les Sandwiches

Burger on brioche bun 9.50: Black Angus beef, caramelized onions, tomato rémoulade
Roasted chicken with brie 11.00: Spinach and mushroom on country bread
Croque Monsieur 9.00: Parisian grilled ham and cheese
Croque Madame 10.50: with a fried egg
Pan Bagnat (French fisherman’s sandwich) 12.00: White tuna salad, on a basil oil rubbed Ciabatta roll Salad, tomatoes, eggs and anchovies

Les Salades

Salade Maison 8.00: Lettuces, haricots verts, tomatoes, beets Mustard dressing
Salade de chèvre 10.00: Warm marinated goat cheese, rosemary toasts Spinach salad and fig dressing
Salade Caesar 8.00: Classic Caesar salad with olives, Parmesan twist Add roasted chicken or smoked salmon ($8/$12)
Salade d’endives au gravlax 9.50: Belgium endive salad with gravlax, shaved fennel Eggs and capers, olive oil and lemon
Salade grillée composée 12.50: Grilled heart of lettuce, Portobello and onions. Pear and Fourme D’ambert. Black mission figs
Salade de boeuf grillé au Roquefort et aux échalotes 16.00: Marinated grilled steak, haricots verts, arugula roasted shallots, Roquefort cheese and pommes gaufrettes
Salade Niçoise 16.50: Poached salmon, lettuce, tomatoes, haricots verts Potato salad, hard boiled egg and anchovy lemon dressing

Les Bistros Classiques

Quiche du Jour (Lunch Only) 9.50: Served with a petite salad
Les Crêpes Crab, salmon and shrimp au gratin, spinach 17.00: Served with a petite salad
Les Crêpes Ham and cheese 12.00: Served with a petite salad
Les Crêpes Short ribs and caramelized onions 17.00: Served with a petite salad
Les pâtes au basilic, chèvre et amandes grillées 16.00: Home made egg pasta with basil, goat cheese and toasted almonds
Millefeuille de saumon aux poireaux 25.00: Pan seared salmon, leeks, purée mousseline, red wine sauce
Raie aux câpres, ragoût d’haricots tomaté 23.00: Skatefish, white beans tomato ragoût, brown butter caper sauce
Truite aux amandes 23.00: Rainbow trout, toasted almonds, zucchini flan, red beet vinaigrette
Saint Jacques Basquaise 24.00: Sea scallops and Merguez sausage with beans, tomatoes and peppers, saffron and thyme au jus
Moules Frites 17.00: Steamed mussels in wine with curry and cream, fries
Onglet à l’échalote 22.00: French favorite cut of beef, shallot sauce, fries and Provencal tomato
12 oz faux filet au poivre 28.00: 12oz NY strip au poivre style. Brandy sauce, fries and Provencal tomato
Steak Tartare 22.00: Raw beef filet chopped and seasoned, fries and salad
Confit de canard au chou rouge et au cassis 23.00: Crispy duck leg confit, braised red cabbage with cassis and apples
Choucroute Garnie 23.00: Pork sausages and pork shank braised with home made sauerkraut, potatoes and bacon
Poulet rôti 22.00: Roasted half Crystal Valley chicken, potato purée, olive au jus
Saucisses Grillees Frites 17.50: Grilled bratwurst, knackwurst and Merguez sausages, fries
Longe de Porc Farcie 22.00: Pork loin with sausage and Swiss chards, green peppercorn sauce
Veau Milanaise, salade de roquette 17.50: Veal paillard, arugula salad, lemon caper sauce and chopped hard boiled eggs

Les Desserts

Fromages 12.00: Cheese plate with pear and fig spread. 3, 4 or 5 selections ($12 /$16 /$19)
Tarte Tatin 7.50: Upside down apple tart served warm (à la mode $9.50)
Crème brulée 7.50: Caramelized vanilla custard
Caribou brioche bread pudding 8.50: White chocolate butterscotch sauce
Profiteroles 8.50: Choux, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce
Crepe Bretonne 6.50: Choice of salty caramel or chocolate and almonds (a la mode $2 extra)
Chocolate Mousse 7.00: Chef’s mother recipe
Citron Americain 8.50: Key lime cheesecake on a brown sugar crust
Ice Creams and Sorbets du Jour 7.00
Biscotti 2.00
Coffee 2.50
Cappuccino 3.50
Espresso 3.00: Double ($4.5)
Teas 3.50

All Day Prix-Fixe

$28.00

First Course

Choice of:

Onion Soup 0.00
Pistou Soup 0.00
Salmon rillettes 0.00
Endive Salad 0.00
Paté Maison 0.00
Caesar Salad 0.00

Second Course