Lacroix at the Rittenhouse Review

Been all around the world and this is one of my favorite restaurants. It s my boyfriends birthday in a month and I want to fly him down to Philly just to indulge him here.

My husband and I find the Lacroix and the Rittenhouse Hotel a beautiful setting having wonderful service. The view from the dining room is perfect, looking out on the square with a perfect bottle of wine from a top notch wine list. The dining experience and food is right up there with the best of the best. The attention to detail, from the rooms to the glassware is impeccable. One of our favorite special occasion weekend retreats.

I've taken out of town guests here frequently because I know the service and food are great, however I recently had an experience that has turned me off completely---and it wasn't even within the establishment. I was at my usual watering hole one block over when four chefs from LaCroix came in for a few hours to enjoy some beers and citywides one night. When given the bill, one chef began screaming at the bartender that he'd been overcharged and throwing a complete tantrum. The other three were silent while the bartender changed the bill even though the chef was clearly wrong {and being a jerk to boot} and told him the next time he'd have to "Pay as you go" because of the scene he caused. It was just ridiculous and I can't believe someone who works in a restaurant tried to pull that. It really soured my feelings towards LaCroix and I'm not sure I can go back.

Had a great seafood brunch and appreciated access to the kitchen.

The valet crashed my car and the company took zero responsibility for this. This brunch literally cost me thousands of dollars.

Lacroix's Sunday brunch is famous throughout Philadelphia as one of the best in the region. There is a Bloody Mary bar, a raw bar, and a full brunch buffet served in the kitchen! Amazing!

Food was so appetizing. I will be back with my friends.

Certainly a top place in the area. Looking forward to returning with my friends. The place has a nice feel to it.

I was just there for sunday brunch. It was a spectacular experiance. They didnt have room for reservations but we had no problem walking in and getting a seat in the bar area. Also I noticed they were out of duck prosciutto so I asked the chef if he had some. He said he wasnt sure and he had to check. 5 min later a server brought over a plate of duck prosciutto I loved it. I look forward to having brunch next sunday

Absolutely delicious! Service, atmosphere and food was amazing.

The food and atmosphere definitely live up to their 5 star standards. Loved every minute of it

Arrived at seven, it wasn't crowded. I will be bringing friends next time.

I love snacking here. Looking forward to returning with my coworkers.

this restaurant is expensive but worth every penny. the wine list is fantastic and the food is superb. the service and staff was first class. the sunday brunch was so outstanding that i will return for dinner.

Nothing to complain about. The service was friendly and sociable. It has an awesome atmosphere.

I had lunch and it was good. Service is impeccable. The location is gorgeous! Valet parking is $10 off with validation from lunch. So $20 at today's rate. The mini desserts were super super yummy! Go and enjoy!

Before I begin I want to say the scallops were a little salty, but, I Came here for an anniversary and had a great time. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. I recommend the raclette.

MY Husband merely placed a reservation via open table for the two of us to have our 3rd wedding anniversary dinner on a Tues night- I had no idea it was a surprise. all he wrote in the notes was it was our anniversary. CAN I tell u the from the moment we arrived we were greeted as if we were royalty- we were given one of the best tables with views in the place, then not ONE but 3 add ons compliments of the kitchen, chef and staff ( on behalf of our anniversary)to our 4 course chefs tasting we ordered , Then a glass of Champagne, then a special dessert with candle and chocolate writing wishing us a happy anniversary..THEN an edible take away favor of amazing zucchini nut bread. To say it was a night i will never forget is saying it mildly . I was made to feel so amazing and special for just a simple 3rd wedding anniversary on an ordinary Tues. I am just speechless of how amazing EVERYONE in the restaurant were to us. and I CANNOT thank the staff and Chefs enough for the amazing gift of a an UNFORGETTABLE and AMAZINGLY SPECIAL dining experience they gave us! THANK YOU THANK YOU I LOVE YOU GUYS AND this restaurant and have not stop telling everyone i know about my night and to GO TO this restaurant for any special occasion!!

Excellent all around...don't be too greedy with the portions..I'm a big guy and I was satisfied..been here twice...love it everytime..an ABSOLUTE MUST GO!! Definitely worth the extra bucks! You won't regret it!

This brunch is amazing. As tourists from DC the closest we have to this brunch is the Four Season and Ritz Carlton brunches.

For two people and a Bloody Mary it was about $210.00

Pull into the Rittenhouse hotel for valet, it is $20.00 with validation. Take the elevators to the 2nd floor and make a left to see a sign "Lacroix 210".

My jacket was taken and we were seated promptly for our 11 AM reservation.

Our waiter was a bit shaky, he was a younger guy, but he took so long to get the iced, bottled, and sparkling water going, let alone my vodka, that we got up without his guidance and headed to the buffet. Fortunately the capable host saw our overwhelmed faces and took us on the tour. I HIGHLY recommend you allow someone to show you around for the tour if it is your first time here!

First they walk you back into the working kitchen! The menu is EXTENSIVE and the heartiest food is back here. Chefs will carve and serve a majority of the food to you. The best desserts (hello liquid nitrogen apple cider and chocolate fountain!!) are in the kitchen as well.

Exiting the kitchen you'll find desserts, healthy desserts, and Vietnamese styles desserts sitting next to a mini Buddha.

The main hall contains smaller, appetizer portion plates. This food here was a little too much for my palette. I like my brunches to be simple, smoked salmon, omelettes, champagne or vodka, and bacon. lol

Speaking of omelettes there is not a traditional omelette station. Request your omelette through your waiter and he will bring it directly to your table. The bloody mary bar is next to the host stand. They were only missing bacon as far as I could tell. (they have bacon they just don't have it at the Bloody mary bar).

We were in a rush to get to the football game but we could have easily stayed here for hours enjoying the range of foods.

I was in black leggings and a long sweater. My boyfriend was a in dark pants, a football jersey, and a Northface coat. We did not feel out of place at all. There were people in collared shirts and dresses but there was also a couple next to us in a t-shirt and sweatpants.

The ambiance here is much more relaxed than a Ritz Carlton brunch and we loved it!

In our opinion one of the finest dining options in town. We have been here several times now and they have been performing consistently at the highest level. The restaurant and location are beautiful and they only offer a set seasonal menu. Every dish is equally refined and servings are small so that you want to continue to eat more. Last night s highlights included gazpacho, foie Gras, black cod, lamb and semifreddo. Clearly, and by far, the best espresso in town, perhaps in the country. The wine list is good, but not as extensive as some of the other big names in town. Service was as always impeccable. We ll be back very soon.

They fed me a pigeon with a fancy name and charged me $200 for my meal, however the food was impeccably prepared. The service surpassed even my expectations. I'll be more careful with my choices when I visit next time. Google it first if you're not sure. I heard the brunch is amazing. I don't think it gets much fancier than this.

Very expensive and worth every penny. I came here for brunch on a special occasion with my fiance. Their attention to detail cannot be described as anything other than meticulous. All of the food is fantastic, and their variety is unbeatable. Come expecting to be blown away, and they will exceed your expectations.

Went for Thanksgiving brunch and it was nothing but spectacular! There was a generous raw bar, traditional breakfast items, foie gras s'mores ...in the kitchen there was multiple carving stations, traditional Thanksgiving entrees and More

Decent. While the atmosphere and presentation lived up to our expectations (we went to celebrate a special occasion back in January), the food itself felt only okay. I think we only liked one dish out of the whole course menu. As for the rest, either the flavor or texture were off, or it just felt like "I kind of get what the chef was going for, but it's not quite there." To anyone to suggest we just don't get French cuisine or modern fusion cuisine, we lived in Tokyo for 8 years, and anyone who's ever been to Japan knows that they worship food (not just Japanese cuisine, but all food, including world cuisines.) There is a restaurant/cafe/bar on almost every floor of each building around any given subway station, just around our subway station there were about 500-600 total of various food establishments - from cheap rice bowl type (cheap, but yummy!) to authentic Indian, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Lebanese, Romanian, and much much more. But French cuisine occupies a special place - many Japanese, we found, love it! And the competition in Tokyo between high-end French restaurants is insane. All of this info to make one point - in our 8 years in Tokyo, we've tried enough to become a little more literate about authenticity and quality of food. It is great to have traditionally made authentic dish, it is also great to see chefs experiment with ingredients, flavors, and textures. Lacroix for us did not hit the right spot with either (minus one star), and while the staff was courteous enough when they finally arrived, we did feel forgotten about few times (it was not a busy night, filled to maybe 40-50% of seating capacity), therefore minus one more star, hence a total of three.
Edit 2019/07/22
Quick response to our review much appreciated. Corrected to four stars.

I travel around the world together with my wife. 1 trip per mounts because is our way to get relax outside the our clinic in punta cana. Basically, Isn t French concept the environment is really small. The main course is bad, hight price - bad service. The food is really impossible to eat, the fish was undercooked and salty. My wife felt upset. I ve never seen like this restaurant in my life.

We celebrated our anniversary here and immediately felt as if we were transported to another world of culinary and service excellence. The staff were highly attentive (the one's who'll fold your napkin if you leave your table for longer than 10 seconds), the decor was beautiful

the service here is great. this place has a nice atmosphere.

Always impeccable at Lacroix! The waiters are so attentive to every need. My wife consistently manages to recreate her entree and the chefs are so cooperative, always exceeding her expectations. Bartenders always know your name and your preferred wine. Totally recommend for a special occasion or just a wonderful dining experience. So excited they are now on the Seated platform!

Sunday brunch here is amazing. The lunch is very reasonable price. And dinner is good too but definitly come for Sunday brunch if it's your first time there

Variety of dishes but better than everything is the service

LaCroix Restaurant in the Rittenhouse Hotel serves Breakfast and Lunch in a casual setting. We had a Breakfast Buffet. There were Eggs, meats, muffins, fruit etc. The staff is attentive.

I have been there twice awesome food service and atmosphere.

The lunch buffet includes a selection of foods that includes no less than 50 items including desert. There is a meat carving station with wagyu beef which you can see being sous vided in the kitchen, oysters, caviar, foie gras smores, liquid nitrogen station for dippin dots esque ice cream... and more. I've hit my highlights. It was a truly indulgent feast.

Great place to meet and catch up with friends. Next time I'll be back with my friends.

Incredible brunch. Nothing else even compares. Service is fantastic.

Everything about this resturaunt was wonderful. The service was prompt and incredibly polite. It was beautifully decorated with a wonderful view of the park. The drinks at the bar were high quality. If you have the money, definitely go for the 8 course tasting option. I tried things I'd never had before and it was all beautifully prepared and very delicious. When the staff found out it was our anniversary, they even brought out a small cake congratulating us. I can not go on enough about how wonderful everything was.

The food was so savory. I had a cousin come into town and asked me to take him back here. The bill was average for the menu.

Another successful Thanksgiving Brunch. Everyone is friendly and they go out of their way to be helpful and accommodating. Fifth year in a row and will go back again.

One of the best restaurant in United States, and I do not say this lightly, we are from Paris, live in Manhattan and frequent 2, 3 and 4 Michelin rated restaurants on monthly basis. Take the tasting menu. Unforgettable, period. Staff is impeccable, decor tasteful and the food is Outstanding!! Wine list is also at the level. Could not recommend it with more enthusiasm! Michelin, get this jewel rated ASAP, 2 stars minimum!!!!!

Entered near ten, it was not crowded. Feels similar to a restaurant in New York I liked.

Wonderful! Good food, service and ambiance. Will be stopping by again

Service is always super even when they have a full house. The service here is better than most. Prices were good for how much you get. Menu is similar to a restaurant in El Paso I liked.

Overlooking Rittenhouse Square, it doesn t get any better on any given Sunday. The Staff is so attentive. The kitchen is not to be believed. You are overwhelmed by all the choices of appetizers, main courses and the desserts. Go hungry and sample everything. Highly recommended.

The brunch at Lacroix is the best I ve ever been to, hands down. Not only is the quality of the food top notch, flawlessly executed, but you re also immersed in their innovative combinations and presentations from a group of stellar front of house and back if house team. Cheap? No, but worth every penny....absolutely! I ve been visiting Lacroix for brunch for 10+ years and have never once been disappointed

Impeccable service, Delicious food, lovely atmosphere!

i'll return with my coworkers. it has a nice atmosphere. mood here reminds me of san diego's scene.

The food was incredible and super tasty. The staff was amicable and made the experience memorable. I have not had such delightful desserts and I would recommend their 5 course meal to experience something new, beautifully decorated, and flavorful. I will definitely return with friends!

The best restaurant in Philly if not the country, bar none. Have had the privilege of having both dinner and brunch here several times and cannot wait to return. So underrated, it is completely deserving of all three Michelin stars if it was located in New York. The tasting menu is not only exquiste, but also inventive (i.e. sea bass cooked in the french tradition but using north african spices). The service is also equally as exquiste. When I dined here with my mother for her birthday, I put in the reservation that she loves chocolate, and the chef customized the tasting menu around a chocolate theme from start to finish. Don't think just go, and do the tasting menu, it's a must.

very elegent and quite a wonderful experience. however, the food falls a little short when put up against the decor and service.

Great service. Only ever been for brunch: expensive but quite a treat.

The buffet selection was awesome. They give you a thorough tour of the place and even let you walk through the kitchen where more buffet serving stations are located. I went with a group of 13. Half of my group got food poisoning. They are oysters from the raw bar that day. I told the servers from our table how the oysters didn't tastef foul. He said he would go check on it. He walked in the direction of the oyster bar but didn't check at all. He came back with our check and didn't bother to address my complaint.

We stayed at the hotel this weekend and slept in and missed breakfast. We wandered down to the restaurant to have lunch before hitting the museums.
The greeting was warm and welcoming (both at lunch and later for a cocktail). Our server was knowledgeable and the perfect blend of being there when we needed something and retreating when we were engaged in conversations.
We ordered the credit to start with glasses of wine.The jicama was a treat and the avocado mousse was the best I have ever had. Wine list was great and my husband and I both enjoyed a few glasses.
I got the veggie burger - again - one of the best I have ever had. My husband got the cobb salad and raved about the freshness.
The staff was quick to keep water glasses full, wish away empty plates, and keep the wine glasses full. The manager stopped my to assure everything was perfect - and it it was. Impressed with the food and service and can't wait to go back.

Lacroix at The Rittenhouse is one of the finest restaurants I've dined at. The moment you arrive, the ambiance exudes class, beauty and romance. Not only is the food exceptional but the entire staff is exceptional...attentive and accommodating! Chef Lacro

The place offers an awesome variety of fresh food. I liked eating here. Employees are always friendly, prices are fair and the spot is always clean.

The best in the area. I lover their food and service!

breakfast was delicious but i expected more ingenuity. lovely setting & view of the square.

We look forward to our annual brunch every New Years. There are always a few new, creative elements and 'the usual' excellence in everything else.

Awesome and delightful food, I liked the vibes the spot has, and the workers were nice. I will surely visit here again.

Afternoon tea here is an experience that you must try. Its a throw back to a long gone era but its so enjoyable. The tea to the snacks are prepared with care and style. Its a real treat. A must do for a weekend in Philly.

(Update: 2020)
I loved Lacroix until a while, and I think recently the taste of the food has gone a bit down. During my recent visit, I did the Chef's tasting. While the food was plated in an eye-catching manner, the taste was a bit lacking. I was especially displeased with the Pheasant, which was just plain dry. I would, however, extend my compliments to the pastry chef, because the desserts were on point. Hope you guys get better, and back to your previous quality.

On a side note - The service is still one of the best in the city and the ambiance is fantastic as usual.

(2 years ago)
One of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. The food was sumptuous, and the service was mind blowing.

Doug is an absolute genius. The corn tasting menu was fabulous. Chef's table with him is 100% worth it. So far Lacroix is my absolute favorite restaurant (better than some of the 1-3 Michelin star restaurants I've been too). Service is phenomenal!

I rarely eat meat but loved their Long Island duck; deserts to die for; great service and elegant atmosphere. Perfect for business dinners.

Extremely expensive, but worth every penny, and then some.

Spectacular one-of-a-kind Sunday brunch with every conceivable food.

This restaurant is located inside the Rittenhouse Hotel in downtown Philadelphia. The hotel itself is very fancy. You go on the elevator and go up to the floor of the restaurant and then you are greeted with a hostess. Everyone is very courteous and very kind. We did the Grand Prix menu with wine list. Each time the gentleman came by to pour a new glass of wine with each meal he gave us a short explanation of why and where it came from. The meal cost about $400 for two people. I was very full at the end of it because it was about a five course meal with moderate portions. It is very private and it feels very exclusive when you re there. Did not care for the wine selections made for the Grand Prix menu. Chef signs a menu of the food you ate to take home as a souvenir. Also gave us small pieces of candies in a nice box to eat (it was ok). Presentation and service is first class.

Food is very good. Service is very good. Food is slow to come out. Decor is very good. Parking is street or valet. Discount for eating at LaCroix.

Delightful. Probably best food in Philadelphia. Ignore brunch reviews. This is a dinner spot. Surprised they don t have a Michelin star. Review is based on half a dozen visits and comparisons to Michelin eateries in Europe. Looking forward to return again.

Service is awesome even when they are busy. Prices were average for the menu.

exceptionally good food, stellar service, beautiful location. can't think of anything negative to say. i was very impressed. i'll be back.

Excellent service great food nice atmosphere great views.

I have Had Brunch at La Croix two years straight the last weekend in April a party of 6 in 2017 and this year a party of 8. This is not just a Resturant, it is a dining and culinary experience you must share with family and friends. My wife and friends consider this the highlight of our weekend. This year was more enjoyable than last. 2019 I am sure will be even better. We to a person look forward to returning !
Paul M.

Overlooking Rittenhouse Square, it doesn t get any better on any given Sunday. The Staff is so attentive. The kitchen is not to be believed. You are overwhelmed by all the choices of appetizers, main courses and the desserts. Go hungry and sample everything. Highly recommend.

Was seated in the bar area. One other guest was there. Perhaps 5 tables were occupied in the restaurant. Wait staff came and went to the bar as the bartender filled their orders one after another. She promised to get to me but more people walked up to the bar and she kept making their drinks instead. After 10 minutes I got up and left, explained why I was leaving to the hostess and she just smiled blankly as if she were filtering out everything I said and I walked out. No remorse or effort on the part of the staff.

Very tasty. Next time I'll be back with my friends. Prices are fair I would say.

My bf took me there for my bday and it was Magical! Outstanding food and service. The food and drinks were delectable. We did the tasting menu and it was worth every penny. Chris was our server/presenter is quite knowledgeable about food and wine pairings.

Dropped in on Tues. I will probably become a regular. The prices are fair for the quality of food.

Lacroix offers a beautiful layout, featuring many different menus under the Lacroix name. I came for a Saturday breakfast and was pleasantly pleased by the upscale atmosphere and the foreign guests I sat next too. For breakfast, they start you off with a soft mini croissant with artisan butter that is flaky and perfectly prepared. I moved onto the Benedict from there, and the egg was perfect, the potatoes were crisp, and my coffee was strong. I had a french press at the table that served a blend from La Columbe. There is a beautiful view of Rittenhouse park that will allow you to see the full extent of the area and presents a nice view not too far or high from the pleasant area. It was hard to compare Lacroix to the Brunch at the Parc situated across the street in sight. Though I only visited for breakfast, I would say that the only reason I would choose one over the other would be for the atmosphere or how large of a menu my party needed (Lacroix s breakfast menu is not too large). It was an excellent breakfast, and I would happily return.

Sitting with an expansive view of fall leaves over Rittenhouse Square we indulged on an exceptional breakfast brunch. Phenomenal service with painstaking care in the kitchen create a very unique experience. This is something you should do if not once in your lifetime.

I hate to make the comparison, but here it is: I remember going to Le Bec Fin about 15 years ago and just being blown away by the whole experience and Lacroix didn't even come close to that feeling. The service was fantastic, but the food was meh for 200$ per person (including wine and caviar course). I have very high expectations when throwing down this kind of money for a meal and Lacroix did not meet them.

I wish there were more places like this around town. I've had nothing but pleasant experiences here and plan to keep coming back.

I should have took a photo of the food but it was too good to interrupt.

Enjoyed the fine food.
The service personal were quite helpful and courteous.

Such an amazing experience. Chris, Joe, Johnathan, Muhammad? (I think) and the entire crew made me feel so special and made the experience an unforgettable event. Chris has an exceptional knowledge of wines & food pairing

After having thoroughly enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Lacroix, we decided to experience a tasting dinner offered by the restaurant. The 6-courses affair (with the addition of various amuse-bouches, small bites and gourmandises it is actually more an 8- to 9-course offering). Without dwelling on particular dishes, for the menu varies and gets constantly reinvented, we can only express the highest degree of contentment and satisfaction we experienced and convey the continuous feeling of surprise, discovery and gratitude to Chef Eric L., the Chef de Cuisine of this supreme destination for the lovers of the high gastronomy.

Had the tasting menu, and the wine pairing tonight. I have to be totally honest here, the food at LaCroix is seriously overrated and shockingly disappointing. One of the courses is actually aloe vera, a gelatin substance which is paired with actual cystallized plants...that you eat. It's terrible. The restaurant should be embarrassed to serve it to their guests. We took 1 bite. Lobster course was chared and overcooked, served on actual twigs, and is 1 bite. A joke! It's ridiculous. A mouth satisfying delight though...was the Wagyu tartar NY strip course. Again, superb, exceptional actually, and the lamb is also quite tasty-it also came paired with a sausage that was actually raw inside-my date's sausage was cooked well done inside-same course, made no sense. I've eaten at many French restaurants, and the desserts are always to die for. I would give the desert course here a failing grade. It's a joke, and an absolute disappointment-nothing really French about it, at all, one of the 4 logs of dessert was an onion cream log-it was actually an embarrassment to French cuisine. Such a disappointing experience overall-for not only the extremely small portion sizes- different temperatures for the same people in the same meal-for most of what came to the table, but it's mostly fair-at best. Now, onto the wine pairings-which were exceptional. The restaurant somalias, and team, have paired the most perfect choices-the wine seriously outshines the food here, in every way, and comes to your table with a rich history lesson. The serving staff is exceptional and knowledgeable. I have had tasting menus with wine pairings at more exceptional restaurants (which actually were exceptional) than I can count...and this is the worst one I've ever had the displeasure to dine at. I would never go back here, unless it was to have the wonderful wine-but not the food. I gave it three stars just because the wine. I give the food here 2 stars.

the staff was helpful and kind. the prices are well within reason for the quality. food is like a restaurant in louisville i loved.