Bibou Reviews

This is one of the best BYOB restaurants I've ever enjoyed. Fantastic meal, service and environment. Enjoy but be prepared and patient with reservations. Limited seating makes the seating a premium. Check on BYOB and cash only status.

If you are in search of the fine sophisticated dining experiense, you found it. very complex and tasty food with great French culinary tradition. Foye Gras and everything related to it as well as pig feet and marrow bone are a must. Attention to every detail plus fresh ingredients multiplied by Peter Calmels culinary art and Charlotte Calmels great personality complete the picture. Reservations are a must! You will wnat to come back again and again...I do!

Charlotte and Pierre create a warm environment to share wine and Pierre's fabulous food sense. Always exceeds expectations

Very tiny establishment. Intimate. High end service. BYOB! The food was top notch, and only a price fixe menu. All courses were excellent. The bouillabaisse broth was a bit fishy and somewhat too light, and the wild boar chewy, otherwise, excellent.

Escargot (my favorite food) was nothing special at all. Service was very good. If you want excellent food, this is very good but not excellent.

You won’t find a better dinning experience in Philadelphia. At its beginning the dinning room was pretty but very tight with less than comfortable furniture. Since the renovations, the seating has been drastically reduced and the seats upgraded. The staff has always been and continues to be the very best. The menu is always phenomenal. I’m not totally on board with the change from a menu to a single set chefs choice menu. This is a small select restaurant (seating for about 22), BYOB, and pricey. This is truly a great dining experience but not for everyone. Public parking across the street If you enjoy great food, you want to try Bibou at least once. I’m sure you’ll go back!

I went here last weekend with my family, wondering how I would manage to enjoy the city without baseball. The trip wasn't at all bad; we went to some great museums and experienced the beauty of urban life that we don't really have in the middle-of-nowhere agricultural suburbs of Washington, DC. However, when we went here, I knew that this wasn't just any weekend getaway. The restaurant, which was small, fancy, inviting, and cozy, was the highlight of the trip. We had to wait some time for our table (which implied that it was worth the wait), but we used the time well by walking around South Philly, grabbing a Ginger Ale, and unsuccessfully looking for mobsters. The dinner - Foi Grois (Please excuse my spelling) was great, with two versions to enjoy. Main course, sea bass, was some of the best fish I've had in 2013 (and 2012), and that's coming from someone who traveled to five different European countries last summer, INCLUDING France. The atmosphere was awesome; everything was so lively, differing from the common elegant restaurants at home which are packed with nearly-dead old white people (no offense if you're one; that'll be me in seventy years or so). But seriously, I felt like I was living in the movie Midnight in Paris. To sum it up, the restaurant is...get ready...FRENCH! And it wasn't fake French either. I mean, if I could retrieve Brigitte Bardot (I'm referring to when she was hot), take her to this place, and dine with her under Monet's Vanilla Sky, my dreams of French culture would be right here in America. But I'll live in reality; that's not going to happen.

We have been to France on several occasions,, but I would put this cozy Bella Vista BYOB gem at the top of the list. Our meal was a work of art from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. Jeff guided us through the options, answered our questions and made us feel at home. I was reluctant to share my selections but our group of four insisted and we all gushed, oohing and ahhing through every bite. Chef Ron came out to greet us and all the guests. What a night. Go ahead and take a risk when you order, it's all good. They have two counter seats that give you a view of the kitchen action that would be great for any couple. Cash only, but with BYOB, an outstanding value.

..first of all, the dinner was excellent, great service, great setting. It is French food, which is usually (as in never) on my agenda but was great. To paraphrase Ferris Bueller "we ate partridge". It is a BYOB place, and my associate who organized it is a wine expert, personally holding over $450,000 of rare wine in his home, I flew to Phila so bought wine in town at the Wine Store at 17th and JFK. Freaked out as they have only low grade swill, so I simply bought the most expensive bottle ($39) and hoped that my friend did not disembowel me with a Bowie knife, like Muammar Khaddafi. A great meal.

Bibou is one of the finest restaurants in Philadelphia. Pierre is the chef, Charlotte is the hostess. The food is excellent. The menu changes weekly, although some items are permanent. We especially like the Sunday night prix-fixe. $45 for 4 courses. The soup is the only course people don't select. The apps, main plates and desserts are chosen by the diners. There is a good selection for these courses. Escargot, fois gras, terrine are some of the apps. There is always a fish dish or two, beef and pork on the menu. One of their specialties is the bone marrow dish. The marrow is mixed with bread crumbs and other things and then returned to a half bone. Another specialty is the pigs feet with fois gras. Desserts and a cheese platter make for a nice ending. The service is always cordial and professional. Bibou is a BYOB restaurant and is cash only. Choose some nice French wines and enjoy a wonderful meal.

The restaurant of course is named for its BYOB policy. We went for the hard-to-book Sunday night $49 prix-fixe menu: a cup of soup, and then appetizer, entree and dessert of your choice. The lemon soup, foie gras and apple appetizer, and Floating Island dessert were all terrific, combining unexpected flavors for a piquant, delicious result that lived up to the restaurant's reputation. The trout entree, however, despite being perfectly cooked (crispy skin, moist interior) was rather bland. With the trout, there was a little vegetable/tomato kind of salsa that tasted great, but there wasn't enough of it to cover the whole trout so there were a lot of bland bites. The hangar steak was better and also had good sides. I'll probably come back, but I'll try one of their better-known entrees.

I Love Philly's food critic Craig LeBan and respect his ratings, but the night we went was not up to the standard 4 bells. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but its $100/ pp cash BYO. The first 2 courses were superb! Canapes were creative and delicious. Cheese souflee - never had a souflee like this, which made me realize, I had never had a real souflee! The rest was Eh. Not a fan of fou gras, so perhaps I am a harsh review, but fish was a bit boring and entree was a bit too much of one note. Desert was good, loved the macaroons and madelines.

We visited Bibou after a friend recommended it. I was able to get a same day reservation (although a little late in the evening). It is a small, crowded room with tiny tables that barely hold all the plates, glasses and table decorations. BYOB and cash only - so come prepared. The menu is very limited but everything on it is of the utmost quality. For appetizers we had the escargot (very very good!), the crab salad (what a nice surprise - forget all crab salads you've had so far! Award winning taste!), mushrooms special (excellent sauce made this dish outstanding!). We were also able to try quite a few entrees. We ordered the bone marrow special (what a delight to my taste buds), the tile fish (melted gloriously in the mouth) and the sea scallops (very good, but not outstanding). We finished every little bit on our plates and when it came time for desserts it was really hard, but we did order some - the floating dessert (A MUST - out of this world good!), the NJ blueberry crumble pie (delicious) and sorbet/ice-cream combination that my son noted "this is now my favorite place for ice cream!". Everything came very well presented and decorated (I took pictures of all the dishes :) ) Service was great, the owner (the wife) was always around talking to the guests. Couldn't ask for more. We will definitely return soon!

We had been trying to make reservations for dinner at Bibou for quite some time. As luck would have it, I was able to get a reservation for Saturday evening at 5:30 PM--albeit early, but, hey--works for me. That being said, we took my daughter to Bibou for a birthday celebration...and I'm just so happy we went!! First of all, the restaurant is small..but well-arranged. There is a municipal parking lot right next door with two hour parking so the fact you don't have to pay for parking or drive around in search of that elusive parking space is very enticing. Back to Bibou--even though small inside, it is elegantly decorated in it's simplicity. There is a small bar to the back, which seats a couple of people.and you can, if seated facing the back, get a view of the kitchen goings-on. My fiancé, a Frenchman, thought the restaurant was loud..but he's French so he is used to a more quiet dining experience. My daughter and I didn't think it was loud at all..so the verdict is up to you when you dine there. Our waiter was very attentive. When we gave him our bottle of Chateau Margeaux (sp) 2005, to open, he came back with our wine in a very, very fancy decanter. Sweet! We started off with Kir Royals--which, thanks to the BYOB aspect was great. The bread..WOWOWOWOWOW!! Amazing. Super crusty on the outside, soft as a cloud on the inside. I would also like to add that my Frenchman cannot stand salted butter, which is what was served with the baguette. He asked if any unsalted butter was available and a moment later we had it. Great touch! Our appetizers consisted of the escargot, which my daughter ordered and raved about. We all tasted them and agreed. They were fantastic. I had the extremely thinly sliced melon with a kind of carpaccio-infused balsamic that was just the perfect start and my S.O. had the terrine which he also loved. For dinner, both DD and DF had the filet mignon which both agreed was cooked to perfection and they raved--absolutely raved about the sauce and the potato gratin. I had the pied du porc with the lentils and carrots and it was a touch choice for me because I almost went with the bone marrow *makes the sign of the cross and prays that bone marrow is a choice next time I go to Bibou*. I ended up with the pied du porc..I have to add, the waiter did tell me that it was a dish that was a "little fatty"--so I appreciated the heads up on that, but I also told him I was a "little fatty" so it didn't matter! That being said, my dish was fantastic and was a great, great, stick-to-your-ribs bit of comfort food for me. Since we were in a happy mood, we also ordered the cheese plate and the unpasteurized cheese. We. Were. In. Cheese. Heaven!!! All cheeses we had were a great way to end a meal--before dessert..and the blue cheese was especially great! For dessert, I went with the floating island..and I have to say, I've made this dessert at home before and Bibou's was genuine, home-cooked greatest floating island I've had --it was so airy and light the perfect, perfect dessert. DF had the sorbet which he loved and DD had the Frozen Chocolate Grand Marnier Sofffle and it was intensely flavored and delicious. All in all, Bibou was great..and I have to add, it was comparable to Frenchie in Paris. Seriously...the meal we had a Bibou was actually better than the last meal I had at Frenchie --and I've been to Frenchie a few times. It was the best meal I've had at an American restaurant. The portions were just enough--you didn't feel stuffed at the end of such a fantastic meal and..well, I just cannot wait to go back!! Since it is a BOYB, the prices are actually quite good giving you great value for great food! If you live within a decent distance to Philly, do yourself a favor and try to make a reso here..you really will be glad you did. If you are planning a future trip to Philly--by all means, make your resos well in advance and enjoy this lovely place. Thank you for reading and I hoped I helped a bit.

After visiting Paris in November, my husband and I have been on a quest to find something close to restaurants, ingredients and atmosphere we so enjoyed when dining in neighborhood bistro in France. Bibou does just that and more. Food is impeccably prepared and presented without being pretentous. The Chef /owner and his wife take the time to speak with each and every customer at length and make you feel so welcome. Fabulous all around dining experience! Well worth the money and aggravation trying to find a parking spot. Reservations are hard to get, had to make ours 3 weeks in advance, but well worth the wait.

Bibou is placed a taxi ride to the south of Rittenhouse square. It is very tiny, extremely popular, and deservedly so. They are BYOB. They have some signature dishes, e g their snails with beans and their stuffed pigs trotter. Both are really excellent. We had their tasting menu this sunday, which was VERY competitively priced. The cold asparagus soup could have held some more allure and my wife's Quenelles were unappreciated, Other than that a solid meal, but perhaps not the WONDERFUL experience we had hoped for. Solid, good, exciting dishes at an affordable price is surely good enough and we will definitively return, but perhaps not twice in one week.

The food was just plain bad, and fell into one of two categories -- either undercooked, or allowed to cool before served -- I guess they had new staff in the kitchen or something. I asked about substituting a side dish because of food allergies and was told the chef serves his dishes only one way, and that I should order something else. I'll pay good money for high quality and service, but I will never, ever make the mistake of going back to Pif.

We had a party of seven people at Bibou to celebrate my daughters graduation from the University of Pennsylvania graduate school. The restaurant has a preset seven course menu, with menu items primarily classically french inspired. The fact that Bibou is also BYOB is outstanding. Unlike most BYOB places they treat and wine service like it is their own, properly storing, opening and serving the wine in the appropriate glass ware. Since we had a large party we had seven different bottles of wine and the servicer switched out our glass ever time. The menu and food preperation were outstanding. We even were served an extra course that the wine person from our hotel, Wh. Mulherins phoned ahead and arranged for our table. I would highly recommend Bibou, we will definitely be going back.

I'm a local and have gone to Bibou for years. Pierre is now doing a tasting only dinner and it has been amazing to watch the evolution of his food. This is French food with an attention to detail. Always amazing, the dishes now have even more elegance in their presentation. If you are visiting Philly, go to Bibou. And if you live in Philly, you should have already been there :-)

If you like high-quality, well-prepared food, this place is for you. This place is small, so expect to get intimate. The menu is small as well, but quite diverse and whatever it may lack in size, the flavors and tastes of the food far overcome it. We had three appetizers, two entres, and two cheese plates and with tip, the bill came to $135. Being a BYOB, you can spend your money here on great food! The tilefish entre was superb as was the monkfish. We weren't overwhelmed by the salmon mousse, but it was still way better than most restaurants. We ordered a special cheese in addition to the regular cheese plate, nice time around we will stick with the latter. In our mind, this is the best bargain in town. The food is delicious and for the most part the staff is unpretentious. Definitely try this restaurant.

What a wonderful dining experience!! My husband took me there for a birthday celebration and I could not have asked for anything better. The restaurant is small and intimate with only 7 or so tables but you don't feel crowded and on top of everyone and each diner gets a unique experience. The service is off the charts good, every server gives personal attention while taking in the whole dining room at the same time. The level of professionalism in this establishment is outstanding. The food was a wonderful adventure, each course being a well thought out culinary adventure in flavor and presentation. I will add that one of the best points is that this is a BYOB so that helps with the cost and in my opinion, added to our dining experience. Funny but I think that one of my favorite courses of the evening was the cheese course. I loved all of the food, but those cheeses were so different and so very French. And let's call it a cheat day, but I had given up bread before dining at Bibou but that all went out the window as I was a glutton with the delicious fresh baked baguettes that they served.. And finally Chef coming around to the tables after the meal and smiling and shaking hands with his diners was the perfect ending. We felt welcome, well cared for, well fed and the recipients of a very elevated dining experience. My only question is: when can I go back?

This restaurant reopened following renovations in mid-May 2015 with a new format so reviews prior to that are obsolete though the chef is the same. Format is fixed 7 course dinner $108 with tax plus tip BYOB, CASH ONLY. I waited two weeks for a table. Capacity is 18 so i suggest groups reserve well in advance. Pace is leisurely. Plan on 2 and a half hours. The menu changes weekly and provides 20-25 different, beautifully presented taste sensations. When the chef visited the diners at the end of the first seating everyone raved about their dinner as did my wife and I. I overheard him say he plans to include a something like a fish, fois gois and squab on each menu. We also enjoyed truffles and soufflé. I checked with the hostess and they will accommodate vegan with advance notice. We usually eat a bit light and left full but not bloated after our meal. I could rave at length about every aspect of this restaurant but I leave that to other reviewers, or my next visit.

Amazing, it was absolutely wonderful, everything was great- the pigs feet’s I loved it, and just the hand shake, it heat everything

I'm ridding my review of all pretense and I"ve officially hung up my foodie apron after this evening's tasting menu. I realize that Bibou went under renovations in May of this past year. Last Christmas we received a gift certificate to Bibou and decided not to use it right away. We were told, however, that the certificate would expire at year's end. I wasn't too fond of that policy--especially given the timeframe of the renovations not being taken into consideration but hey, I don't make the rules. We had reservations for last month, but due to a death in the family, we had to fly to Paris to attend the funeral and had to cancel. The only time we could get reservations was on a Friday evening. No problem at all.... First of all, Bibou's renovation is really nice. There is more room for comfort and the ambiance is wonderful. As usual, the service is spectacular--they are educated and know their stuff. In addition, due to the new format of tasting only, they take into consideration any food allergies--that is incredibly respectful. So why didn't I rate Bibou excellent? It's the tasting menu. Granted, all courses were amazing--but there was just something missing. I think that "something" was heart. Look--I'm not into huge portions--I enjoy a fine meal that offers just enough. My issue with the tasting menu was the pricing point. I honestly don't think it was worth $108. per person. The old formatting at Bibou was off-the-charts incredible. The regular meals at Bibou were just incredible. I"m not knocking the chef nor am I knocking the restaurant's establishment either. The samples on the tasting menu were amazing--but lacked love. There was something cold and austere about the entire evening. The best part was having a nice conversation with the couple next to us. I realized it is now time to hang up my foodie apron because I'm just over the tastings. I would still highly recommend Bibou to those who adore the chance to discuss the latest and greatest tasting menu--but to those who really want a fine, French full-course dinner, I suggest either getting a ticket to France or learning how to cook a wonderful French meal at home. Thank you for reading--and I feel slightly snotty for writing some of this but I keep my reviews completely honest. And this is how I honestly feel--in fact, I'm in the process of devoting a blog post on this.

Lovely 9 course meal. Each course is delicious. Service is impeccable BYOB...so bring your favorite bottles. I suggest a white for the first couple of courses and then make a switch to red The chef personally makes a round at the end of the meal, spending a couple of minutes at each table....a nice touch. Cash only

This was just wow !!! Every course was just a gastronomic masterpiece food was amazing !! Beautifully presented with such flavours and such amazing presentation The atmosphere in the restaurant was intimate and the staff was so attentive Bring your own alcohol worked can’t recommend this restaurant enough it’s a gastronomic heaven

Bibou does not appear in Trip Advisor's top 20 restaurants in Philadelphia although it is number 4 on another well known rating list. This makes me wonder about the discernment of Philadelphia's contributors. My wife and I are transplanted New Yorkers and have traveled the world. Bibou is the best restaurant we have discovered so far in Philadelphia and we recognize that Philadelphia has now achieved a well deserved reputation as a city with many good restaurants with a young and adventurous vibe. Bibou offers a 7-course preset tasting menu only, which varies every week. It is BYOB, which saves some money, but the tab with tax and gratuity will be close to $300.00 for two. It is worth every penny because we could not get this level of cuisine in a bigger city for close to twice as much. The cash-only policy is gone despite Internet misinformation and the restaurant honors all major credit cards.

We had a fantastic dinner at Bibou, a small French restaurant in the Bella Vista section of South Philly. It's a price fixed menu but the chef is able to accomadate different dietary needs if known in advance. Bibou is small so you'll need reservations. The staff is super attentive and the food was wonderful. It made for a great special night out.

The first thing I noticed is the owner/couple worked hard to warm up the room. Decor is much more attractive then when it was Pif. Attention to detail, and just a cozier atmosphere. The owner and his wife are a great team, so accommodating and welcoming and charming. I especially like that the chef comes out of the kitchen and greets and chats with each table, answers questions and they both make themselves available. Always a nice touch. The night I went our server was a bit haughty which I didn't care for. He was an older gentleman , with glasses and a German accent. But other than that, the place did such a wonderful amazing job. The food was extraordinaire, naturellment, and even though the menu seems limited everything sounds so delicious it was hard to decide. Sigh....looking forward to my next meal there so I can try more delicious things. Also love that it's BYOB and municipal parking lot right next door.

Highly recommend. The chef pays attention to every detail when preparing his unique menu. Everyone should try Bibou at least once.

Great place to visit for dinner. I am there once a month. It is true French cooking with sophistication,consistency, and wonderful atmosphere.

My wife and I dined and had the 7-course tasting at the 'chef's table' for our anniversary. The setting feels a bit like an afterthought as you have a limited view into the kitchen while seated at basically a server station. It's a little awkward at first, but I still enjoyed 'the show' The food was very good, and I really have no complaints, and if I could give 4.5 stars I would, but I took a notch off because I didn't feel there was any single dish that was AWESOME. Something that I would be thinking about days later or trying to replicate at home. In the end, it was a very enjoyable experience, but maybe not quite worth $70 per person.

It was a very adventurous meal. Everyone in our group stepped out of their comfort zones a little, and my god ... Are we glad we did. Highlights were the marrow bone, the steak tartare, and the escargot. My entree was interesting. It was a seafood dumpling. I've never had anything like it. It was this cakey-doughy dumpling with fish and lobster folded into the dough in a tomato sauciness that was really incredible. My friend doesn't eat fish at all, and she even enjoyed a bite. It was SUPER-TINY in there. But I really enjoy that kind of atmosphere. Desserts were incredible. Something called a 'floating island' was a favorite at the table. And they also brought out the most perfectly crisped, delicious macaroons I've ever tasted in my life. The chef came to our table at the end I our meal and we gabbed about how incredible everything was - something he already knows. It was a very decadent meal so for me, it's not an all the time thing but a nice occasional treat for sure. Can't wait to see the seasonal changes for Spring/Summer.

Tiny sized but food of enormous depth and refinement. Prix fixed BYO, Pierre Calmels just gets better and better. A real treat.

Second visit and still impressed and excited about the food. Hard to get a reservation since it is only dinner Wed-Sun but worth planning ahead. All our appetizers and main dishes have been special and the menu changes often. Small, sweet dining room, byob and cash only. The chef will come by all the tables- a nice touch.

This meal was incredible. It was a small restaurant and a very intimate setting. The chef came over several times to explain dishes and was very kind. The services was top notch and the ingredients were too. Make a reservation and its BYOB!!

It's a small dining room a few blocks from the fashionable areas, but the food and selections are authentically French and delicious. Our stuffed pig's knuckle and steak were delicious. Reservations, or in our case an early arrival, necessary . They couldn't be friendlier. Two musts to know: BYOB and cash only.

Had a wonderful meal at Bibou, the menu is small but each dish is beautifully prepared and the flavors are wonderful. Can't wiat to go back.

One of the best in Philly which has become a great foodie city Menu was among the most interesting I have ever seen Perpetration was perfect as was the service Is a BYOB which does put a lid on the costs.

I've been meaning to try this restaurant since they opened. Tonight I finally got my chance & I can see why this establishment is consistently in the top ten lists for Philadelphia dining. The food is excellent from appetizers though dessert. Our party of four sampled the terrine of boar & pistachio, the mushroom soup and a special of truffle risotto as starters. For entrees, the duck, a mahi-mahi dish, the legendary pig foot and another special: a bone marrow dish. Each item was executed meticulously. Flavors were rich and deep & subtle when they were supposed to be. Desserts consisted of a wonderful Floating Island, a small plate of Truffled Brie and a Cranberry tart served with complimentary macaroons & meringue cookies. Strong espresso & coffee to finish. So why not five stars? A few things but mostly it's just an issue of size. It's a small restaurant. Tiny. While 32 seats aren't a lot, in this size room it can feel very cramped. On the plus side it is much quieter thanks to the acoustical tiles on the ceiling. The other issue worth mentioning is the amount of menu options. This is not a great restaurant for a vegetarian or a non adventurous eater. There are 6-8 app/entree choices on the menu and a lot of them include meat but also selections that may scare off some diners. Portion sizes are what I would expect. You will leave sated after 3 courses but not stuffed. If you are looking for large portions this would be the wrong venue. Service was very good & the staff are obviously dedicated. The chef came out before we left & took the time to thank us for coming. A delightful & charming touch specially given that the restaurant was full & he had a busy night ahead. Expect to spend $60-70 for 3 courses, tax & tip per person. It's a BYO & Cash Only. Reservations are a must on Friday & Saturday nights. Lastly, parking can be difficult in this part of South Philly so add in some extra circling time if driving.

We were a party of 3. Each of us ordered different things for appetizers, entrees but only 2 desserts. Every single item was wonderful, special and unique. I can't describe all the wonderful flavors and preparation. It may be the only time I've ever eaten at a restaurant that EVERYTHING was fabulous. There is a very small negative. We had a 5:30 reservation (that was the only one available). We felt only a "little bit" rushed. There were empty tables when we left on a Thurs. nite. But, I made a reservation for another time, in 2 months. It is a little pricy and worth every cent.

I've been to Bibou twice now and both times I've been extremely impressed by the care, creativity and deliciousness of the food. It's such a comfortable setting. There's no pretension. Just excellent food. The chef and owner comes out periodically to greet each and every guest to let us know that our presence is valued and appreciated. In a tiny kitchen, amazing dishes are conjured. The foie gras three ways - food politics aside - is one of the most delicious dishes I've had in a long time. The fish is amazing. So are desserts. And although this restaurant is very crowded and it's hard to get a reservation, it's worth getting on the waiting list. We were able to cadge a table at the last minute when someone canceled.

The service was good and the food, outstanding. We took advantage of the prix fix menu on Sunday afternoon--and it was one of the better Philly bargains. From the starter soup, which was delicate and delicious, through the courses, we had nothing but praise. The food was well and subtly seasoned. Just perfect. We'll definitely go back--when we plan far ahead enough to get in. (We waited two months for this reservation)

Wonderful meal, wonderful waiter at this popular little BYOB restaurant. Our table of 4 loved our meals of marrow and duck...so unique and tasty. Only one complaint...we understand that this place is in high demand - especially on a Sat. - but they really should not 'rush' the table clearing. It felt like we were being swiftly moved along after each course to accomodate the next reservation. A 3 course dinner should be given at least 2 hours of time. We felt obliged to leave (taking an open bottle of wine with us) because we could see the next party of 4 standing a few feet away staring at our cleared table. Bibou, space those reservations a bit further apart...then it would have been a perfect experience.

For me, this is the best restaurant in Philadelphia. Its down near the Italian Market in South Philly near 8th and Washington. There is a free public parking lot right next to the restaurant - making it very convenient. If you like French style cooking this is place to go. They have a small seasonal menu augmented with a variety of specials. Try the bone-marrow, gravlax, foie gras or the escargots - all excellent. If you like fish, they always have a dish or two and its always prepared perfectly - never over done. Its a nice BYOB with a very friendly staff and terrific owners - Pierre and Charlotte. We've been going since they opened and try to get there once a month. Now that Craig LeBan gave them a well deserved 4 bells its a little harder to get into.

Chef Pierre Camels has achieved to elevate the art of dining. Bibou's understated elegance in dining is refreshing, with exquisite menus. This is no ordinary "let's go out for dinner tonight" place. Reservations are a must. The chef's tasting menu changes every week and is posted on line at the beginning of the week. Bibou is only open Wed-Sat, fixed price of $100 plus 8% tax (+ gratuity). It is a superb 3 hour experience, and at the end Chef Pierre talks with his guests. There are only 7 tables, and he takes the time to explain how and what he prepares. A bientot.

Having grown up in Philly my wife and I come back regularly to see friends. This time we had a late dinner after a concert. We called when we knew we were going to be delayed and were assured there was no problem. We were graciously welcomed and after ordering served quickly but not hurriedly. The menu changed frequently and reflects the season. Two of us had the fresh anchovy appetizer which was delicious as was the snail filled ravioli. It was followed by each of the fish main courses and the lamb chops. I had the cheese to finish and the other diners had dessert. Everything was perfect. We definitely plan to dine here again.

We have never been disappointed at Bibou. Last Friday to start, we ordered a chilled asparagus soup that tasted of Spring. A salad with a very interesting way of getting a whisper of blue cheese in there. And a scallop still attached to its shell; very sweet and fresh. I placed myself in Pierre's hands and ordered the quinelle, a lobster mousse in a deep and rich broth (lobster shells used for the base?). My dining companions split an aged steak offered as one of the specials for the evening. We shared the bone marrow which we all fought over (and it was worth fighting for). Service is always top-notch. With Pierre's skilled hand, I can really taste my fish or meat; they don't get lost in a sauce. And, I think that is French cooking at its very best. Reservations a must and cash only. BYOB.

Awesome! My wife took me for my birthday. We brought nice wine. Menu is set so you have to call ahead to arrange if you have strong food preference needs. The portions are small but there are so many courses we were full be the end of the meal. Each course was well thought out with flavor combinations that were unique and very memorable. Highly recommend. We are definitely going back.

Rare, indeed, is a world-class French restaurant that seats merely 18, plus two bar-type seats. Moreover, it's located in a decidedly non-prosperous Southeast Asian (formerly Italian) ethnic enclave and offers no wine. The entire concept is reminiscent of the comic BC's apteryx: a hairy winged bird with no feathers. It works because of top-drawer cuisine, a lovely setting, and pleasant folks right down to the chef who chats at length with patrons. Indeed, his patient, pleasant demeanor stands in contrast to that of his testy fabled mentor, Georges Perrier. Too, unlike Perrier's Le Bec Fin, Bibou is refreshingly casual and unpretentious, yet in impeccable taste. Only a $100 tasting menu is offered, and it changes weekly. All but that week's codfish course were excellent, with the fresh foie gras ranking as one of the great dishes to grace Planet Earth. Unsurprisingly, this is one of Bibou's warhorses, and deservedly so. Another of Bibou's pluses is that it is blessedly unrushed. Figure 2 1/2 to three hours, so if you're parked at the public lot next door you may or may not get ticketed for going over the two-hour limit (we lucked out, no $26 fine). The following night we had the paired tasting menu at Lacroix on Rittenhouse Square, and although it is pricier there is virtually no time between courses as you're whisked in and out in under two hours. Yet, overall we preferred Lacroix for one fundamental reason: They offer wine pairing with their tasting menu, and for the most part their mating is superb. Alas for poor Bibou, trying to operate a cozy facility with a wine license is financially unfeasible given Pennsylvania's barbarian laws, tariffs and regulations. Bibou makes the best of that unfortunate situation by recommending online two appropriate wines you can purchase in advance for each specific menu. While this doesn't rise to the level of having a different wine for each course, it is an economical and reasonably effective solution. A life well lived in Philadelphia has to include at least one visit to Bibou -- not just for the cuisine, but the entire wonderful and unpretentious experience reminiscent of what was found in France generations back.

An amazing small BYOB restaurant offering a great multi-course degustation menu with excellent combinations of food.

Bibou is now the best French cooking in Philadelphia! This small restaurant is difficult to get a reservation at on short notice so plan to make the reservation weeks in advance. Many people have a standing reservation on a weekly basis. The facility is not upscale but works with the neighborhood and size of the room. The service is excellent and the wait staff is knowledgable. Outstanding - always.

We are kicking ourselves that we waited so long to enjoy this restaurant. Perhaps a special occassion place at $115 per person for a 7 course plus an amuse bouche, palate cleanser...who knows? From beginning to end each course was exqusite. No mis-steps along the way. Refined ingrediients served by talented waitstaff. Would normally take you through each course but trust me, it was all so good, and you have to trust the chef. Menu changes as local foods becomes available. Trust the chef to serve you the best. Should you have special dietary needs, no nuts, seeds, the chef will work around your needs and serve you just as good substitutes. This is a BYOB. You need to make reservations in advance. Restaurant is small. They do accept credit cards even though some of the sites say cash only .Just outstanding food and we cannot wait until we get back. If you are visiting Philadelphia and want to save airfare to France make a reservation and enjoy.

We were kept waiting for 20 minutes in the tiny vestibule while the 2 diners at what had been designated our table lingered over their glasses of wine and persons with reservations 15 minutes after ours were seated and being served. The hostess copped something of an attitude when we told her we were willing to wait another 5 minutes and then we would leave. When we finally were seated, the food turned out to be good (but not great, by any means), This resuaurant's Web site quotes extensively from a notice by Robert Parker, the wine critic, who lists the dozen or so wines he enjoyed with his meal. He must have brought them all to this BYOB. Cash only! A little too prissy...

Small, romantic and intimate! Great food and service. Pricey, but deserves to rank with any of top restaurants/ BYOBs in Philadelphia. Menu full of interesting choices from appetizers through desserts. Near Italian Market.

If I lived in Philadelphia, I would eat here once a week, if not more. The food is outstanding. The service is superb.

After completing two half marathons in as many weekends, my husband and I booked a table at Bibou to celebrate. I made our reservation early in the morning the first day it became available for the Saturday we wanted to eat there and had no problem getting a 6pm seating. Early in the week of our dinner, we checked Bibou's website to look at the menu and suggested wine pairings. We picked up a bottle of white and red, similar to those recommended. We arrived at 6pm and proceeded to enjoy a wonderful meal in the cosy environment. The pace of the meal was very relaxed and the service attentive, but not intrusive. We loved each dish and never wanted the meal to end! The fresh baked bread was divine and the tea and cappuccino we ordered at the end of the meal were a perfect ending. We would definitely come back here again! Although it is expensive, it is worth every penny and the BYOB factor helps keep the cost down. Note Bibou does now take credit card. We were seated at 6pm and ended our meal around 8:45pm.

Another TripAdvisor WINNER. Left Palm Springs inthe morning and could have been in France for dinner but really only a 30 minute walk from the downtown Marriott in Philly. French Onion Soup with thick broth, escargot in country broth not bathed in garlic, rabbit for the lady, swordfish with citrus salsa for the gent. BYOB. Not even a corkage. Under $120 for two for beautiful food excellent service, topped off with a table visit from owner chef Pierre. Reserve early. We got in at 9pm and they were still seating after us as seats at the 32 guest bistro became available.

This is my favorite restaurant in the US. The food is often better and more inventive than places like Daniel or the French Laundry--obviously more simple, but fine--pheasants in wine sauce with puree of squash. There is really no place like it. The service is 3 star and the food is mind boggling. Consommes, morels with duck hearts, rouget in escabeche--this is real French food, at the highest level, and its cheap. If you get a reservation, you are lucky!!!!

We try to go here for special occasions. Everything that comes from the kitchen is spectacular and the service is attentive without being fussy. If I win the lottery, I would eat here every week. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself!

Went there last night to celebrate our anniversary. They have just re-opened after a remodeling and it is a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere in which you did not feel at all crowded. Best of all was that we could have a conversation. Thank you, thank you. The set menu was sublime. BYOB. My impression was that they have not always had a set menu, but this has changed. The chef’s selection was fabulous and they accommodated my gluten issues. The sauces were fabulous and I felt like a bit of a piggy using my bread to sop them up. Service was friendly and efficient. There were a few very minor hiccups -- one of the servers poured regular water into my glass that had sparkling. No problem though. Portions were appropriately small for a multi course menu. Soup was terrific. Fish was marvelous. Cheese course was to die for, but the best was the souffle. JUST FAB. Highly recommend. Make reservations early. Small restaurant so it fills up fast.

We dined at Bibou on a Sunday night; only the fixed price menu was available. We started with a soup (delicious) and chose the foie gras appetizer (even more delicious). One member of our party chose the fish while the rest of us chose the pork. My husband's pork was perfect, moist and tender. Unfortunately, another member of our party and I received pork that was overcooked and dry. We sent it back and were told that there was none left; we were given some options to order from the regular menu. (I had hanger steak, very good.) We were also given a complimentary cheese plate. My feeling was that the chef knew the pork was at "the end" and not up to par but sent it out anyway. (This was not the usual chef/owner, he was not there that night.) The meat never should have been put on the plates. That is why I cannot give Bibou a 5 rating. They did try to do everything to make it right, though and I do have to say that the desserts (I had the floating island, others had the Grand Marnier and chocolate cakes) were heavenly and that our waiter could not have been better. I also love the BYOB option. I would definitely return, but might try a night when I can order off of the regular menu.

Philly has a number of French bistros, all different styles. Bibou leans toward more classic style in terms of richness, but not overly heavy. I never pass up an invitation as reservations have to be made well in advance.

Our evening at Bibou was perfect from the moment we arrived. The service was excellent and food beyond compare. Not only did they have fresh-baked gluten-free bread, but they printed a separate menu showing the gluten-free accommodation. Each course was as delicious as it was beautiful and the staff could not have been more gracious. Thank you for making our anniversary so special!

Came to this cosy place and asked the waiter for recommendations. He mentioned the two type foie gras (delicious!) and the specials. One of the main course specials was bonemarrow with mushrooms and breadcrums. I had to try bc it is so special. The food was absolutely great and the chef actually came out to meet people. All in all great service, fabulous food and you can bring your own bottle of wine, saving money on drinks!

This small upscale restaurant has a very nice selected menu, the food is exquisite, the service is top notch, the fact that you can bring your own bottle, Priceless...

The food and service at Bibou are outstanding! Each time my husband and I eat there, we are consistently thrilled with the preparation of the meal and the warmth that Pierre and Charlotte share with all of their customers. They really make you feel like family there, and it makes it such a wonderful dining experience.

Bibou never fails to impress. The food is unfailingly delicious, the service attentive and warm, and the atmosphere transports your to Europe every time. Pierre and Charlotte go out of their way to accomodate dietary needs (even vegetarians!) and always go above and beyond to make each person's dining experience one to remember. If you are looking for an authentic, delicious, and enjoyable French meal, this is the best in Philly.

Bibou Restaurant is superb!!! It's tiny in size, but HUGE in atmosphere, TASTE, authenticity, and warmth! Every single bite was excellent - parsnip soup, confit hen, crabmeat and saffron creme caramel. The service was impecible, and chef Ron came over to chat with us after we finished - which made the whole evening beyond perfect. I think there are no more than 8 or 9 tables, which makes you feel well cared for, and part of the "family" there. You cannot go wrong! We will be back next time we're in Philly!!

We went here because of the generally favorable buzz in town and were not disappointed. The food is excellent, hearty and changes with the season and availability of ingredients. Being a BYOB is a major plus. They don't do anything adventurous, but you should go to La Croix if you want that... and want to spend major coin. The room is simply decorated. The drop ceiling is very 70s. Not my thing. I had the Coq au vin, which was wonderful. My partner had the skirt steak, which was unctuously decadent. Bring a good Bordeaux (we had a 2005 Chateau Chauvin easily found at Total Wine near the Cherry Hill mall). Desserts were very good. Bring a sauternes for that. Go to the Royal Tavern down the street for pre dinner cocktails or if there is going to be a wait. We did not have to wait, and there is no room to stand there. If you think you may want to linger over your wine, then get a later seating.

Everything you know about fine dining is there: presentation, selection, quality. It is probably best BYOB in the city, chef de cuisine is a master. Pierre is fantastic and very hospitable. Try anything on the menu and you will not be disappointed!

I have been wanting to go to Bibou for a while now and for whatever reason, I did not get there until tonight to celebrate a special birthday for a special person but now that I have been there, I WILL BE BACK! The 7 course tasting menu we had (which changes weekly according to Chef Calmels) was phenomenal. Every dish was beautiful to look at, a delight to eat and savor and I am in awe of his talent and finesse. The service was great, the ambiance great (except for the obnoxiously loud diners behind us) and the food was phenomenal. The Lobster Salad – sublime. The Leek Soupe – fantastic, the mushroom duxelle and pickled fiddlehead elevate this to amazing heights. The Pike was easily the BEST fish dish I have eaten in years – phenomenal. The Foie Gras, foie gras crème caramel and ginger brigande with micro mini brunoise of squash was a delight and a surprise. The veal medallion, short rib ravioli was made extra special by the young onion and chanterelles – the natural jus, silk perfection. The trio of amuse, the port granite and desserts were also great notes in a fantastic dinner experience. Chef also took time out to stop by and chat with us which was the crowning note on the evening. Chef Calmels, nous avons apprécié l'un des meilleurs repas que nous avons eu ce soir. De début à la fin, tout était perfection pure, l'art sublime et d'habileté phénoménale. Merci pour une soirée si spéciale et mémorable. Nous reviendrons bientôt! Bravo!

Last family diner in Philadelphia before heading back. We manage to book a table on the sunday, fix menu but choice is enough. This is a very cosy place with excellent service, our waiter made the evening a success just by himself. The food is traditional french food with a chef who really care about products and cooking. The food was delicious and we will go back as soon as we visit our daughter. Really a place not to be missed.

We had a wondrul meal, as we exete fom th igh rating . All choces were excllent, the servie alo. We hope that when the place eopes aftre remodellng, th ne ce nd newmeu will be at leatas good if not bette.

The service was great. The food - done just right. The fish I had was perfect....and the atmosphere, though a tad noisy, is perfect for a great meal in an enjoyable atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Last evening (February 14, 2006) we had reservations at Pif Restaurant, 8th & Washington Ave. in Philadelphia. After making my reservation for this restaurant the owner called and told me they would have a set price for the evening of $65. This is a BYOB and he said it is normally $40 but Valentine's Day $65. I said OK and asked about Credit Cards. I was told Visa and Master Card were accepted. We were taking 2 clients of my husband. The dinner was pretty good. Not the best selection but again it was Valentine's Day. The waitress presented the bill and my husband gave her his credit card. She then told him that they did not accept credit cards. We told her that we asked and also looked on the web site where it states that Visa and MC are accepted. She said no. We had to pay cash. This was not a pleasant experience to try in front of clients to come up with $340 in cash not expected. We will not return to this restaurant.

We originally had reservations at another restaurant for Saturday night, but after hearing the forecast for the weekend scrambled to find another restaurant for Friday night. We had the good fortune to get a reservation for four at the 6 pm seating. It was to celebrate my birthday and my husband called to not only make the reservation but to also ask what was on the menu and what kind of wines would they suggest. The 7 course meal was sublime! Although I am a person in love with food, I sometimes am nervous & hesitate to eat foods that I'm not comfortable or usually dislike but I jumped in with two feet totally trusting the chef and my husband who encouraged me eat it. The first was a platter with taste of escargot in an oatmeal crust, some fish mousse and something else that I don't remember but the four of us all made sure we got our share. The first course was a toasted baguette cream with a quail egg & black truffle - didn't know quite what to do with the hollow baguette so I scooped the egg into it along with the truffle cream and ate it. Got a piece of bread and wiped the ramakin clean of any leftover truffle. Followed by Langoustine soup, red mullet and a perfect Fois Gras and tasty Venision. After the cheese course we had individual baked Alaska which were fired up at table side and delicious. Service was impeccable but relaxed and the chef stopped by to make sure we enjoyed our meal which we did. I know some people don't like tasting menus but the concentration on each course was superb. I'm not a chef but to be able to spend more time to perfect these ingredients and then deliver a perfect plate made with love... What more can be said?

Four of us went to this highly rated and busy byob in phila. The restaurant was housed in a small, tight, noisy store front. Service and food were very good - however, way over the top as far as price. $60 a person (approx 25-30% over-valued) for a meal is usually associated with a much nicer ambiance and does not generally typify a byob. some of the dishes did have uncommon restuarant foods like frog legs, bone marrrow and pigs foot. preparation of food was clearly made with care and complexity however for me needed more spices. desserts were very good but small. french press coffee was an excellent end.

She had a " to die for" monkfish in langoustine sauce with bits of the langoustine tail in the sauce. That was great. I had a piece of sturgeon that was beautifully prepared, but which had some herb in the sauce that which wasn't quite to my taste. She had started with a rich bean soup as an appetizer that was also fabulous. All in all a nice meal. As always, the BYOB feature is excellent....I brought with me a bottle of French wine that would have cost $60-70 in a restaurant, but which I had picked up at a local liquor store for just $15...It is always much more psychologically palatable to get a check for $120, rather than $200.....

Your classic Parisian neighborhood café - small, tight and cozy. Food is pretty good and service is excellent. The Foie gras is very tasty. Bone marrow, escargot, pig foot and steak are just good. I would call it rather expensive - $200 without drinks. Probably will explore different French places for next time unless they update their menu.

We live in Reading so it is a bit of a trek to have dinner in Philadelphia. We thought we would put forth the effort for our anniversary. It was well worth it. It so happened our anniversary fell on a Sunday - the day they have the prix fix dinner - which is 3 courses for $45. Since it is BYOB, it is a terrific bargain. For starters, we had the shrimp "Napoleon" and the house made terrine. For the main course we had trout and Pompano and for dessert we had chocolate fondant with red wine poached peach and a wonderful flan. The bread and French butter are a highlight for me. Everything was delicious and well presented. Service is perfect.

the food was out of this world delicious. the atmosphere is cozy but not plush. please bring good wine to go with this great food

Accompanied friends here and was horrified that the only reservation we could get was at 5.30pm. However the food was excellent and the fact that it is BYOB made it well priced. had a delicious warm seafood salad as a starter and then the stuffed pigs foot. Others in the party had mussels and a special fish dish...both very tasty. Despite the early hour this was one of the best evening meals I have had in Philly and it left most of the evening for other excitements!

We returned for another Sunday prix fixe meal. It was as delicious as the first time we ate there. I just wish we had brought white wine instead of red. It was a nice summer evening and we ate mostly seafood, so the French chablis we left in the refrigerator at home (in Reading, PA) would have been very nice. We both had the snails to start, then one of us had cod and the other halibut - both yummy. For dessert we had floating islands and a frozen lemon souffle - delicious. Service was fine. There seemed to be all new staff from our previous visit. One tiny complaint -we were served VERY burnt bread. My husband does not like to complain about anything, but this bread was so burnt it left a lasting nasty taste in my mouth. Next time - please do not serve bread that is too well baked! I loved the French butter we were served last time. This time, it was the same butter, but it was served in a small sealed packet, at a very cold temperature. Once it warmed up, it was delicious. We plan to return, but since it is more than an hour's drive away, it will continue to be a sporadic treat.

BYOB PRIX FIXE Menu - changes frequently. Reservations are very hard to get to make in advance. Parking is available for 2 hrs free in the adjacent public parking lot. Food was great, and I would definitely return. If I am comparing French food, I would put this in second place behind Bistrot La Minette for Philly French restaurants but a close 2nd. I will definitely be back. Enjoy!

Robert Parker has called Bibou the best French restaurant in the US and our meal did nothing to dispute his findings. This intimate South Philadelphia BYOB combines great food, great service and a wonderful ambience. Their signature escargot appetizer was outstanding. Entrees were excellent and sauces delicious. The macaroons are worth the price of admission. Bibou deserves to be ranked in the top five of Philaxdelphia restaurants.

Finally, a french person with a sense of humour. The wife of this dynamic duo manages the front of the house and she is just charming. The kitchen is run by her husband, and the food that came out of that room was great! We had 4 people eating, and we each at 1/4 of each meal. It meant we ate through most of the menu. I had never tried pigs feet before and they were very tasty. The atmosphere is friendly, the size is a bit cramped. Will definitely go back

This continues to be one of (if not) the best Philadelphia restaurant. Food an service are excellent and memorable, Pierre is back in the kitchen and he is an artist with creating fine food. That being said the new price is for a tasting menu only and at $100 per person + tax, gratuity, and a worthy BYOB wine it adds up to $300 or more per couple, No longer affordable for retirees on a pension; but if the price is not beyond your means, it's worth it. Décor is charming but no way elegant. Neighborhood is marginal and choices are limited. Still, food is heavenly.

The meal we had last evening was truly incredible. It was on Sunday, which is the only day they serve a $45 prix fixe menu. It started with a wonderful leek soup with steamed clams. You then had your choice of five appetizers, five entrees and five desserts. You could also opt for a cheese course for an additional charge. Our appetizers were a sweetbread terrine with a green bean salad and the tastiest pickled "spring onions" I have ever had and chanterrelle mushrooms in a cream sauce. Our entrees were wild hare in a puff pastry and quenelles de poisson in lobster and tomato sauce served with red rice (never had red rice before but it was yummy). For dessert, we had floating islands and creme brulee, as well as petit fours. I could have made a meal of the sour dough crusty French bread and the imported French Echire butter they served. Every dish was fantastic. The service was excellent. The hostess and waiters stopped by our table to ask how/if we liked our food and seemed genuinely concerned about our response. This is a very small restaurant with only 32 seats and reservations are not easy to secure - especially for Sunday. I was surprised at the large groups which were there. There were two groups of six, several groups of four as well as parties of two. One of the groups of six was supposed to have 8 people and it was only when they arrived that they informed the waiter two of their party would not be coming. The waiter looked annoyed. A restaurant this small relies on filling all of their seats for all of their seatings. Plus they maintain a waiting list for people who want a reservation, if someone cancels. Because of the small size of the restaurant and the large groups who were there, the noise level was quite high.This is my only negative comment. The opening hours are: Wednesady and Thursday 5 pm - 10 pm; Friday and Saturday 5 pm - 11 pm and Sunday 5 pm - 10 pm. They are closed Monday and Tuesday. This is a BYOB, so you can bring what ever type of wine you choose. There is no corkage fee. It is STRICTLY CASH ONLY. The people at the table behind us had to leave briefly to find an ATM machine because they were not aware of the cash only policy. Fortunately, there is a bank close by. There is a city parking lot next door, but the neighbors occupy most of the spaces, so finding parking could be an issue. The chef, Pierre Calmels, who is from France, used to be the executive chef at Le Bec-Fin. In 2009, he and his wife Charlotte opened Bibou. His food is outstanding, his presentation is artisitc and he cooks like he is still in France. This was a wonderful meal and if we did not live more than an hour's drive away, we would dine here on a regular basis.

Fantastic food and happy servers! The location of South Philly adds to this restaurant's charm. You truly feel that you are having a unique dinning experience and even possibly have been magically swept away to a little bistro in France. Being a part of family that shares every meal - our favorites turned out to be the octopus (special on the menu), foie gras, truffle risotto, & finally my personal favorite the bone marrow. The bone marrow was especially amazing - I was a little nervous before ordering it and it was absolutely the best decision. The family atmosphere of the restaurant makes the food taste even better! Excellent value for the money especially since it is a BYOB and still the dishes are not priced that high. Only recommendation - make sure not to eat too fast because the food is just that good & you will be sad when dinner is over.

Earlier this evening my wife and I dined at Bibou. We selected Bibou based on reading Tripadvisor reviews and because we were trying to add another valued restaurant to our lexicon of dining establishments. According to our count, Bibou only seats 28 and the tables are quite close to one another. Fortunately, we dined early and the restaurant was less than half full. My wife ordered the chilled cantaloupe soup and shared it with me. It was tasty, but not exceptional. Next, she ordered the shrimp with avocado appetizer. She said it was tasty, but had very few shrimp. I skipped over ordering an appetizer. Instead I ordered the hanger steak with a peppercorn sauce, with a side of fingerling potatoes and butternut squash puree. The portion size of steak was on the small size, while the peppercorn sauce was bland and watery. The fingerling potatoes were ok. The squash puree was quite tasty. The best part of our meal was dessert. My wife ordered the "floating" dessert, which she described as "to die for." I ordered the chocolate "fondant" dessert, which was a thickened mousse with brandied pear slices on top. My dessert was delicious. My wife and I agreed that we most likely will not return unless it is solely for Bibou's desserts.

We have been here twice and love it! Great food, friendly owners, reserve two months in advance. Menu based on whatever is fresh and available.

Food 5 Service 4 Atmosphere 4 Bibou is a perfect spot for a foodie (tasting menu) or a romantic dinner for a small (repeat, small) group. It is CASH only and BYOB (wine...don't show up with a 2L coke or boxed wine). The place is small but well appointed. There are 2 counter seats for the tasting menu (which I had) and 30 other seats at two or 4 top tables. The servers were all professionals. Food: I started with a green olive soup served with an herbed olive oil and lemo paste. This was followed by a tuna tartare with pickled persimmons, green papaya salad, and wrapped with cucumber. Foie gras two ways: 1. FG custard with berry compote (excellent), 2. FG cut seared and placed over a pumpkin spice cake served with a maple jus (This was the best foie and also one of the best things I've EVER had). Next was a duck heart stew then a duck breast dish. The dessert was floating island (excellent). Finished off with macaroon cookies and meringues. At $70, this meal was very high value when you considered the ingredients and skill in the kitchen. Highly recommend as a destination for french cuisine.

After friends had been Raving about Bibou, I finally got the opportunity to join them for a Fabulous Dinner there. Their comments were "Did it live up to our Hype?", My response, "It Exceeded my expectations". This was definitely a Culinary Adventure "French Style". Serving Traditional French Dishes such as "Bone Marrow" & "Pied de Porc", Braised pig foot stuffed with foie gras, every touch of the fork will be heavenly! Chef Pierre Calmels is a true Culinary Artist! The Restaurant is a very small, cash only, BYOB. It also can be difficult to get a reservation. My Suggestion is to plan 5 to 6 weeks in advance if you're looking to get in on the weekend. Always Crowded, but Cozy, The Chef and Staff welcome you as if you were a relative they haven't seen in a while. The Adventure started with one of my favorites " Tartare de Thon " Ahi tuna tartar,pickled squash, spiced butternut squash glaze. The Tuna had hints of Citrus, and a slight saltiness of the Sea. My Date Chose the "Soupe " Lobster bisque, fish cervelas. Lighter than an average bisque, The server, pours the bisque into a prepared bowl with Fresh Lobster & Butter. The Flavors were Fantastic! Our Hosts Chose the "Duo de Foie Gras "Seared foie gras with sautéed persimmon;Foie gras custard. They Raved about. It was Seared Perfectly. A couple of Baguettes with Real French Butter was Served. Second Course was my difficult, Which to choose? The "Pheasant" or the "Bone Marrow"? My choice of "Pied de Porc" Braised pig foot stuffed with foie gras, French lentils "Du Puy" was a great one. I can't begin to tell you about this dish. A Traditional French Meal, Everything about it was Seasoned Perfectly, and Cooked to perfection. My Date had the "Striped Bass"Sautéed wild striped bass fillet, black trumpet mushroom and watercress fricassée, red beets, lemongrass and ginger jus de poulet emulsion. Once again, Everything about this meal was PERFECTION! Dessert Course was choices of Chocolate Fondant, Several Choices of Ices & Sorbets including a popular Lemoncello. My Choice was a Creme Floating Island with a Goats Milk Meringue. Served with French Press Coffee. Our Wine Pairings Included a Chateau Coucheroy 2010, Elegant Light Body, With a Nose hinting of Citrus. Also, a French Pinot Noir, that finished the Evening. The Service Was Impeccable and NOT STUFFY like some establishments. My Summation, I can't wait to go back!!! The Go To Place in Philiadelphia!!! Thank you Chef Pierre!!!

Perfectly delightful experience. Perfect pairings. Perfect balance. Perfect portion size. Perfectly amiable chef/owner. Can't wait to go back.

This is a new restaurant in the old PIF. The food is worth the drive, city parking lot next door also helps. The pigs trotter was deboned and stuffed with foie gras, naughty but heavenly. The escargots are divine, and the casserole of chantrelles with cream and herbs is simple and delicious. Nice couple who run an amazing place. It is a small space. Reservations are a must.

We were so glad we made a reservation more than a month before our trip to Philly. This is a very special restaurant. The byob policy helps one splurge on the food. The dinners were some of best French food we have ever eaten. The macroons were a nice touch after our dinners.

Ahhhh Bibou! This is an amazing BYOB that you will have the time of your life at! It is almost impossible to get a table for normal dinning hours if that tells you anything but it is worth the wait (weather you get a table a month in the future or 9 pm at night). The ambiance of Bibou is incredible, romantic and sexy. I went for an anniversary dinner and it will be one that I will never forget. The husband/wife duo that run Bibou are adorable. The food is delicious and I am pretty picky (my soon to be husband is the foody in this duo). Even with my picky palate (texture mostly) I was able to savor everything we tried. Being a BYOB allows you to have an amazing dining adventure and not rob your wallet. They even provide the correct glasses for whatever wine you bring, definitely impressive. I love it when a chef makes a personal appearance at your table it really puts a personal touch on the whole experience. The chef came and spoke to us for a few moments and he was a blast! I wish more restaurants in Philly would take a page out of Bibou's book. This is one of the best dinning experiences I have had in Philadelphia... kudos!

Order from every course because the portions are small, marrow especially good. You do get the feeling that you are judged by the wine you bring, if that matters to you bring the best you can afford.

This is a top Phila. restaurant, but very small and intimate, chef husband and wife hostess set the tone for delicious food and good service- a bistro environment

Lovely tiny restaurant on 8th just north of Washington Ave in South Philly. Great for a birthday or other evening out. Authentic classic french food (fish dishes like Dorade, filet mingon, rare duck breast, escargots, foie, etc) done with very good expertise. The duck breast is very rare and very tender. The pork foot stuffed with foie gras was very interesting. The raw tuna appetizer was very light and tasty and a decent size. Don't expect anything groundbreaking -- its classic french. The prices are a little high $28-ish per entree, but this is greatly helped by it being a BYOB.

Who would have expected authentic French country cooking in the heart of South Philly? This tiny (32 seats), family-owned and -operated place delivers. The cuisine was innovative as well as delightful. For example, the escargot came not in the usual butter and garlic, but in a hearty country sauce. The quenelles were light and airy, and very flavorful, the best I've had anywhere. It's BYOB. There's a free parking lot next door, a welcome convenience. The only drawback: it's tough to get a reservation! We loved this place, and we're definitely going back.

WE have eaten at Bibou since they first opened. Pierre Calmels has just continued to amp up his game. The service is personal and professional, but not at all stuffy. The food is simply remarkable. If you ask me this place, LaCroix and Vetri are the three best restaurants in Philadelphia. Pierre has a clear point of view and the food is just wonderful.

It was a great dinner. The food is excellent ; staff and service are awesome. Small room so make reservations ; 2 seatings. Excellent and great!!!

It is a very small restaurant and it was very difficult to get a resv. I understand this is because many folks have standing regular reservations. And people are raving...She started with a cauliflower soup that was tasty, but not transcendent . i with the special appetiser of duck hearts and mushrooms in a heavy sauce. Not an offal maven, perhaps I should have ordered more conservatively. Sauce was excellent and delicious for about 4 or 5 bites but then just too overpoweringly rich for me. From there I ordered partridge. Breasts were just a pinch dry served again in a seriously rich sauce, the legs I enjoyed more (prepared confit-duck fat in this case). My better half ordered hanger steak ordered medium, but then she decided she liked the bird better so we switched. I'd have preferred medium rare, not their fault, presented as ordered. Again , a VERY heavy sauce, perhaps could have done with less sauce on the plate. Dessert was a divine tarte tatin. At $130 for two, a very reasonable meal. BYOB is great ....certainly could have spent another $120 on the 2 bottles of wine we brought in if had been a conventional restaurant. I'll need to try again, next time with food closer to my usuals, including fish. That being said we leave restaurants in France after meals of duck and beef often raving. Not really raving today.

Imaginative cuisine -- the ingredients sometimes looked over the top, but the results were magnficent. Friendly service, with the chef coming out to talk to all the customers. We were lucky to get in without a long-standing reservation.

Every serving of the 7 courses was great. We were 6 people and no one could complain about anything. The service was impeccable which made the experience even better.

I don’t understand (except from the vagaries of crowdsourcing) why this restaurant isn’t in the top 5 places in Philadelphia. Instead it is rated at about top 5% and much lower than other places I’ve been to that, while excellent, are eclipsed by Bibou. First, the downside: Bibou is a BYOB place, one tasting menu only, $100 which is a bit high for tasting menu in Philly, no valet parking and a difficult parking situation generally in South Philly, and cash only. Plus they have a reservation policy that requires a credit card to hold and policy of charging $50 per person if you cancel or reduce party size after noon the day of your reservation. Still with me? If you’ve already left, you’re going to miss one of the finest dining experiences available. And that is notwithstanding the downside I’ve mentioned. (Let’s talk a bit about the reservation policy which I feel is defensible. The restaurant is tiny — space for 18 people plus two at the bar. At most two seatings per night. And the place was full when we went on a Wednesday night. They say that they’ve had to institute the policy because people haven’t been honoring the reservations. Sadly, I know that is the case in many places and I think it’s long past time for we diners to take reservations as seriously as the restaurants do. Policies like those at Bibou are brought on ourselves.) Bibou, as noted, offers one seven-course tasting menu (which changes weekly on Wednesday). If you have food allergies or issues, though, don’t despair. When you make your reservation (or when they confirm it a few days before) they ask about food issues. In our case, one of our party was allergic to tomato and we told them that. When we arrived, there were menus showing what is served (see photo) for each of us and for her the menu showed a substitution for the tomato product. They talked the issue of food allergies seriously — indeed more seriously than some claims of food allergies. (And, before I ignite a battle on this issue, let me say that I know food allergies are serious — some of the people I dine with have to carry an epi-pen. Other get terribly sick or vomit (including myself) if we eat certain foods even unknowingly. But there are people who take the issue of food preferences to the level of allergies. If you have a preference, I’m all for noting it but don’t claim its an allergy.) Now, if I haven’t driven you away, let’s begin to look at the food itself. As is typical, before the first item on the menu is served, there is an amuse bouche — or canapés as they called it. (See photo.) I don’t have notes as to what each was but I can say they were delicious — three little items for each of us. The first course was the soup lyonnaise (see photo). This was a cream based onion soup which was wonderfully flavored, and with a comte tuille (which is that small rectangular thing across the top of the soup bowl). The tuille is cheese based and calls to mind the cheese that tops traditional French onion soup. One member of our party, who doesn’t ordinarily like onion soup, said this was delicious. I have to agree. And Chef Pierre Calmels hails originally from Lyon so this is an understandable choice on his menu. Let me take a brief break here to say that the wonderful thing about Bibou is the way Chef Calmels combines various flavors in each dish. All flavors seem to be perfect and blend nicely in each dish. Yes, the ingredients in each dish are also perfectly chosen and cooked, but it is really the flavors where Chef’s artistry truly shines. The grilled veal tongue (see photo) was flavorful and quite tender considering it was tongue. The swordfish belly (see photo) was perfectly done and very flavorful and the little piece of acorn squash provided a nice flavor and texture contrast. Finally the jicama and mustard seed were a very nice flavor addition with a little bit of a tang. When the foie gras (see photo) was served we were presented with a surprise. We had brought both some red and white wine (the restaurant as noted is BYO) and we had glasses on the table for both. When setting up for the foie gras course, they brought another wine glass for each of us. When the foie gras was served, the mystery was solved when they brought an opened partial bottle of wine and poured us each a serving of a wonderful 1989(!) sauternes (see photo), which goes wonderfully with the foie gras. Indeed the variety of flavors in the foie gras item was absolutely spectacular. Before the main course, we were served another traditional add-on to tasting menus, a palate cleanser (see photo), in this case a blood orange based scoop of crushed ice. What impressed me here was that that item was served at the perfect Goldilocks temperature, not too warn (runny) and not too cold (hard). Since the freezer in which it is kept is unlikely to be at that temperature, this is another little touch showing how the chef manages everything for the diner’s delight. The partridge (see photo) was also wonderfully flavorful and we found out it was indeed not-famed when one of the portions had a small piece of shot in it. As an extra ($25) you can have shaved truffle on the partridge — a nice addition to those who like truffle. The “cheese course” was a truffled brie (see photo) served with a little tomato jam and dried apricot. It is served with some cranberry bread. And while we’re on the subject of bread, they also serve three different choices of bread continuously throughout the mean (possibly an homage of Chef Calmels to his prior service at Le Bec Fin) — an olive bread, a baguette roll, and a multi-grain bread. It was nice to try the cheese on the baguette as well as the cranberry bread. Dessert was a hot passion fruit soufflé with goat milk crème anglaise (see photo). I am not normally a fan of soufflé. But this one was so light and flavorful that I would happily order it again and again. And, again in keeping with the tradition of tasting menus, we were served a small plate of two cookies each (see photo). There were absolutely perfect, pleasant little ends to a wonderful meal. Now on to the service. The two servers have followed Chef Calmels from Le Bec Fin and he was wise to have them. They provide quiet, friendly without being intrusive, attentive without being overbearing, in-a-word perfect service. They are also quite knowledgeable about the menu, the Chef, and food and wine generally. In addition, Chef Calmels makes time during the evening to come around and chat briefly with each table. So, the next time the Michelin inspector goes to New York, I would hope he or she takes a detour to Philadelphia. There are many wonderful restaurants in this town and Bibou is most likely, in my (not so) humble opinion, at the top of this list either by itself or shared with a few others. Unfortunately I don’t hold much hope for that, especially when Michelin can’t even see fit to award a single star to the restaurant in Berkeley that invented California cuisine. But that shouldn’t stop all of you from trying Bibou. And if you do, I hope you’ll join me here in giving it a tip top rating.

Wow, this is classic French dining in a neighbourhood restaurant. We came from Central Philly and walked past the rather downmarket Vietnamese eateries, the scruffy Italian market, and the small residential sidestreets (stopping at a liqueur store for a good bottle of cold Pinot Grigio - Bibou is BYOB) until we came upon this fabulous place. It's small, cosy, friendly and serves very good food. The guinea fowl was delicious, as was the steak. Excellent cheeses, good bread, helpful service: all we wanted. I particularly liked the way the waiter told us the price of specials as well as the details of the dishes. It's no wonder you have trouble booking it - the neighbourhood cognoscenti must be there all the time! Highly recommended, in particular if you like classic cuisine.

Real nice french restaurant. The bottle of wine I brought felt like a $100 dollar bottle, the way they served it. Its small, so reservations have to be made way in advance, but well worth it.

Dinner came with easy to follow cooking instructions - this is how Takeout should be! Hard to be more fresh than when you're preparing (heating it up) yourself. All items are packed cold, with reheating instructions. We chose 1 of the weekly, 3 course $45 dinners. This included a Potato and Shrimp Salad with red onions, capers and eggs in sauce Aurore. It was simple and delicious. The next course was an Olive Oil poached Cod Fish Loin with slivered carrots, zucchini, fennel and ginger with an Orange Vinaigrette. This was also delicious. Since we were just sharing the one 3 course dinner, we added another entree, which was amazing. The Quenelle de Poisson was a soufflé-like Fish Mousse glazed in a rosy lobster cream. With everything being delicious, this was still the winner! We also ordered Baguettes. Dinner ended with a fantastic Baba au Rhum dessert - Pineapple Rum cake. For a future Cassoulet dinner we also ordered Tarbais beans and 2 Duck Leg confit. Obviously it's not the same as being at Bibou but still an exceptional dinner. For the above with tip the bill came to around $130.

What a great restaurant. Small, friendly, quiet, food cooked to perfection. I have visited four or five times and every meal has been great. Prices are reasonably. BYOB. Doesn't get any better than this.

An absolute must for foodies. I had the Fois Gras duo (both generous portions) and the Duck. The latter was particularly tender, and cooked to perfection, with a delicious red wine sauce. Service (a delightful gentleman from Stuttgart), was impeccable. Just remember to bring your own wine and cash! (The only negative was finding parking, but we found spaces on the other side of Washington far easier than right by the restaurant).

The Bibou prix fixe menu is always outstanding French cuisine under the expert hand of chef Pierre Calmels. Bibou is a small, cozy, and romantic BYOB restaurant near the Italian Market section of Philadelphia (and they now take credit cards!). For our dinner, we especially enjoyed the carmelized onion soup (Pierre's soups are amazing) and the magret de canard. Of course we took the optional black truffles, shaved over our Turbot and Duck dishes. And the hot chocolate souffle with creme Anglaise was phenomenal as well -- it's so nice to have a souffle to finish a French dining experience. Bring your absolute best French wines!

After securing a reservation exactly one month in advance, four of us were looking forward to experiencing this much talked about bistro. Perhaps the hype set our expectations too high. Yes it is small and charming but I didn't feel the service was overly warm. Our waiter reminded me of the typical Parisian waiter, efficient, matter of fact but a bit aloof. The food was all very good, nicely prepared and well seasoned but I didn't think any of the dishes were "OMG, this is the best thing I ever ate" good. We ordered two of the specials for the evening, the appetizer of smoked escargot cannelloni and the bone marrow. The cannelloni were tasty but I tasted the regular escargot appetizer which I thought was superior. The bone marrow seemed to be mostly a richly favored bread crumb. I thoroughly enjoyed my hanger steak entree and we shared the floating island and two ice creams for dessert. The fact that it is a BYOB keeps the total tab within reason. I'd like to return to try the tasting menu.

My wife and I enjoyed the chef's tasting menu for my birthday dinner. Outstanding food: fresh, plentiful, imaginative, and satisfying. Staff is attentive and friendly, patiently explaining the ingredients. The tasting menu is a great value and allows you to try a range of dishes. Byob makes it even better. Foie gras, whole Bronzino, venison terrine, mushroom soup, wild boar puff pastry, bone marrow, and a floating island for dessert. Excellent.

Teeny spot filled with food worshipers. Everyone is in on the experience. The waiters and staff are determined to be at their best. But it's not stuffy or pretentious, just damned good food. BYO means you can go wild if you like.

My wife and I live all of 35 miles from Center City but planned on spending the weekend in town after a Friday night show at the Kimmel Center. We somehow snagged a Sunday night reservation at Bibou on OT just two nights in advance. Everything about our meal confirmed why Bibou was on the top of my list of must-go-to Philly restaurants. Yes, they fit a lot of tables into the dining space, an no, none of the staff was aloof. In fact, all of the staff was very welcoming (including chef) and the meal was all one could expect and a great value. The Sunday prix fixe 4 course meal should be your first experience at this warm and wonderful restaurant where newcomers are as welcomed as are the many repeat patrons.

There's something about this place. Anyone who had travelled to France will recognize it immediately. And anyone who has worked in a fine restaurant will get the vibe -- the deep, primitive imprint of "la technique" that we carry in our hearts from the traditions of France, our favorite grandmother. I think of it as exquisite comfort. There are plenty of French restaurants and scores of food preparers who know how to make the dishes but it takes something unique to bring this extra feeling to life. It was a delightful experience and Sunday dinner was just the perfect time to experience it!

This is the place where you say to yourself "If I could, I would dine here every night..." The food was outstanding, the servers are very professional, and it's a BYOB so you can bring your own wine to complement the great food. Parking was not an issue, plenty of street parking plus a 3 hour lot where you can park for free right next to the restaurant. Chef Pierre Calmes made rounds and talked to patrons at each table. We were able to personally thank him for the wonderful meal and he seemed really appreciative of our comments about his cooking. It is very rare that the chef himself has time to talk to the diners and discuss the methods of preparation of certain dishes and share ideas about his future menus. His wife Charlotte was also very nice and friendly. The place itself is tiny, 10 tables in a room the size of my living room. You are literally rubbing elbows with people at the next table but it adds certain charm to the place. The food at Bibou was amazing, flawlessly executed by Chef Pierre and his sous chef. The prices are reasonable for French food of that quality but the best thing about Bibou is that there is no pretentiousness that is usually associated with fine French dining. For appetizers, we ordered Foie Gras Duo; it was a piece of seared foie gras and Bergamot creme brûlée. The creme brûlée really made that dish stand out; the flavors were really intense and not sweet at all. The preparation was flawless and this is something we would definitely order again. For our entrées, we had the duck confit and dorado fish. The dorado was delicious prepared with a nice watercress emulsion. The duck was probably the best duck I have ever had. It was server with sauerkraut and duck sausage with their homestyle coarse grain mustard. All of the dishes were excellent. Most of the clientele seemed like foodies who can really appreciate things like organ meats; I have seen a few tables go for their bone marrow special and that is probably something I will try next time. The waiter described it as bone marrow, mushrooms and bread made into a stuffing. He told us that it was a very rich dish. The interesting thing about the food at Bibou is that some dishes like escargots or foie gras duo have really sophisticated presentation while others such as duck confit look really rustic and define French comfort food at its best. If only it were easier to get reservations here.

Just ate at Bibou and although Pierre is now manning the kitchen at Le Cheri, Chef Ron did an outstanding job. The food was just as delicious and the staff, especially Hans and Yuki, were,as usual, warm, friendly and professional. Always worth a visit. The quenelles, foie gras, bone marrow and pheasant were outstanding. We also ate at Le Cheri which was fabulous. We were 14 and unlike most restaurants all of the food came out hot and delicious at the same time. Kudos to chef Pierre and his wonderful counterpart Charlotte. Le Cheri was amazing, we'll be back to both Le Cheri and Bibou this month. Can't wait!

I have been eating at Bibou for years. I was somewhat skeptical about Bibou moving from an al a carte menu to a tasting menu with no choices. My concerns were unfounded. Whatever Pierre makes is creative, amazing and as good as any French meal I have ever eaten. I have been fortunate over the years to eat at most French Michelin stars restaurants around the world. I would put Bibou in that category. I think Bibou is the best French restaurant in Philadelphia and certainly the best BYOB. I have never had a bad meal or even a mediocre meal at Bibou. The tasting menu works. The 7 courses all work well together and built on each other. I fondly remember the truffle risotto, the best foie gras in the city, quail and rabbit. Every time I eat at Bibou it is a wonderful and incredible culinary adventure. The ambience is intimate. There are only 28 seats and there is plenty room to enjoy dining without the typical jammed room of a small BYOB. It is pricey, but not really when you consider that you won't have a bar bill or have to buy wine(s) to go with the exquisite cuisine. For foodies in Philly, it is the place to go.

My wife and I have enjoyed this restaurant for several years, actually since an accomplished chef and his wife opened it. We were worried when they moved over to start a new restaurant (they did retain ownership ). But atlas no worries, it is a fine and fun as ever. Now we have only gone to the Sunday pre fixe. At 45 a person this is the best value in North America. Great authentic choices, a fun, no frills but greAt vibe. Need to reserve only because every spot gets taken in this only 30 0r so table establishment. Every mouthful is well conceived and outright special. It's byob so u save even more. Always rated one of Phillies best French restaurants. And always for good cause.

Loved the small charming feel of this restaurant. Excellent service, food and atmosphere. Only thing, I was surprised there was no salad on the menu. The waiter said they could fix us one if we wanted; but since it was not on the menu, I just decided not to special order. It was a real treat to go to this establishment and was glad someone had recommended it to us.

The reviews posted below are for Pif, a restaurant that has closed, and not for Bibou, a very popular new French BYOB. Disregard the reviews below if you are looking for Bibou.

Our second visit, about a year after our first. No material changes - food excellently prepared and genuinely French. From the cheese to the fish to the deserts, its definitely tops in Philly. Great ambiance and BYO to boot.

Despite the chefs absence on our last visit, had an excellent meal under the sous chefs direction. Service was efficient and helpful. We enjoyed succulent foie gras with cherries and tuna tartare as appetizers. Wonderful! Entrees included hangar steak, sturgeon and scallops, excellent, excellent and very good. It is very hard to secure reservations as it is so popular. Our next visit is in two and a half months. Atmosphere is just OK, you go here for the food!

Am I a connoisseur of French food? Absolutely not. I was looking for a unique place to dine with a friend that I hadn't seen in years. Did this place fit the bill? Yes. This was my first time eating snails. I can't say that I was a big fan but no harm no foul - the fava beans went very well with the Chianti that we were drinking. My lamb entree was very good. My friend enjoyed her fish a lot. Desserts and coffee were also very good. Was this the best French food that I've ever had? No. Was the food still excellent? Yes. Was it a nice place to eat? Absolutely. Being able to BYOB kept the costs very reasonable, especially because they only accept cash.

It's good to be back home and enjoy real French food. Can't wait to visit again and try the creambrulee.

Let me first say that when Bibou opened, it immediately filled a void created by the departure of Pif, the previous occupant of this space. Bibou is a very welcome presence in Bella Vista. The food is wonderfully authentic French. The baguettes are as if flown in daily from a boulangerie. This is an intimate little bistro with space for perhaps twenty people, and is very hard (nearly impossible) to obtain a short-term reservation. Diners are advised to visit ---------------- and secure a spot, possibly a month out. I think it is worth the wait. I have had the pig's feet and the sauteed foie gras at a previous visit. Deliciously decadent! Can't wait to return. Figure on $50-$75 per person assuming an appetizer and entree. It's BYOB and cash only. No corkage fee. Five out of five for Bibou!

Amazing in so many ways...the food was out of this world; each course was better than the last, tasty, creative and "scrumptious" as my husband says! The soufflé for dessert was indescribable! I have no idea how chef Pierre does it. The ambiance of environment is delightful, small, seating for 20, intimate. The service was impeccable with smiles. It's a gem! We'll be back!

If this review was based solely on my experience, I would give it a perfect score. But my wife didn't care much for the escargots she ordered -- which I ended up eating. Other than that, we had a great time... great food.... great service. A bit pricey for such a small place and you have to bring your own wine. Free parking is a big plus. Would definitely come back but not with my wife.

Well, Bibou never dissapoints. Everything is top notch and service to match. It is trully gourmet dining experience where you are for real culinary treat. Just bring your own good bottle of wine. Leave everything to the chef and you will not regret it. Be openminded and try everything on the menu. Your taste buds will thank you!

We have wanted to dine at Bibou for quite a while. Fortunately, we have friends who have regular reservations and they invited us to join them. The food was delicious and the service very good (just enough, without being overbearing). Chef Pierre greeted us shortly after we were seated and again came to our table before we left. We did not partake of the day's special (tripe), but enjoyed everything we ordered. I especially liked the steak tartare appetizer. This is a lovely little restaurant with a wonderful feel. Delightful.

Went to bibou last nite.vv easy to find thanxs to our gps. Reached 30 mins early but they were vv kind n accommodated us. A vvvvv small place. Portions r also small but then I loved the portions coz I eat less.we started with escargots which was to die for n the soup of the day.the service was fabulous n our server helped us n was vv fruendly.the good thing is that it's a BYO n they took our wine n got it in a nice decanter.amazing fish n lamb.thoroughly enjoyed my meal.it felt really nice n I was soooo happy when Chef Pierre came out n personally greeted everyone on each n every table n explained how they change menus every week n if he cud answer any questions for us.my only regret is I wish I cud hv clicked a picture with him but was too shy. Mayb next time.lovely place

The restaurant is very tiny, we sat in the middle of two couples and could here both sides of the conversation. It's fine but don't expect privacy of any sort. It was freezing. I complained and they did turn the air down. It it was still cold. I don't think they have to thermastats because it's so small and I realize the kitchen gets hot. Just make sure you are dressed warm. I will say I'm always cold but my husband isn't and he was cold too. Oh and wear flats and bring heels because parking is a pain, but in a city so not a surprise. Now for the good. The wait staff were very attentive and could foresee anything you might need. I like the fact that it's a set meal, makes it easy there's no deciding. The food was good. The foie gras was amazing. I've never had sweetbreads before and it wasn't bad. I would say have an open mind and try new things. Its a reasonable price. If you go to New York and have the chef tasting menu you would pay at least double.

My husband and I have been Bibou regulars now for several years. This past, week we found ourselves in a rare situation. We were able to dine at Bibou twice that week. On the Wednesday night we when were there, the restaurant had patrons who obviously knew each other for years were hugging, sharing wine. It was a lot of fun to observe. The food goes without saying is fantastic! The menu is reflective of the time of year, and availabilities of seasonal items. We had Softshell Crabs, Tuna Tartare, Zucchini flower stuffed with fish moose, with Lobster and Truffle Sauce. We were treated to a delicious fresh gazpacho taster from the Chef. It is a BYOB place, so that we get to bring our favorite wines to offset the dishes. So yummy! Desert for us means a cheese plate first, and a sweet selection to follow. The owners are wonderful, and warm. The staff is attentive, and highly professional. Any meal at Bibou is a total treat. On Friday we returned. We choose Foie gras, and a Pigs Head Terrine, Hen, and Bouilabasisse. Our typical cheese plate , and sweets came last. I don't even want to get on the scale right now! But it was all worth it. Bibou is a gem in the foody world in Philadelphia. It is French that harkens back to the best cooking you can imagine from the best places you might have experienced in your life. Reservations are near impossible. Expect to wait months for that special table. We make our reservations for the next time when we are there. I can't wait until we return next.

I can't say enough about this little gem of a restaurant. The mushroom soup was spectacular and the Artic Char entree was delightful, cooked to perfection, complex and robust in flavor. The service was very prompt but not so much so that we felt rushed. Both of the owners made a point to come to our table and make sure we were pleased with everything. The restaurant is very nicely decorated and surprisingly elegant for the South Philly location yet it's not so elegant that you would feel uncomfortable wearing dress jeans. It's cash only and BYO in case you were wondering. When we paid our bill and departed the owner/chef made it a point to come out of the kitchen and wish us farewell. We go out to dinner 5 times a week and this place is now at the top of our list!

My wife and I first visited Bibou several years ago based upon a stellar review in the Philadelphia Inquirer. We are out-of-town foodies who seek out the best restaurants a city can offer and Bibou remains one of our top two favorites in Philadelphia (along with Vetri). During this visit to this 18-seat gem, we were warmly welcomed by General Manager Jeffrey Gillespie who made us feel at home and, between courses, shared stories with us about the city and our respective experiences with baseball (his Phillies and our Miami Marlins). Bibou has seen some interior renovations since our last visit which have nicely enhanced the dining area. I disclosed some mobility limitations and dietary restrictions when making reservations and these were discretely accommodated without need for a reminder upon arrival. Now for the food. This may have been among the top ten meals I've ever had - and my top 5 meals for 2016 alone have been stellar! Our meal from the kitchen of Chef Pierre Calmels included a delightful Chilled Apple & Celery Soup with fennel smoked corn accra; Cured Marlin (which proved to be an omen for its namesake baseball club that was visiting the Phillies that weekend) with marinated New Jersey heirloom carrots and avocado remoulade; Arctic Char Confit with green cauliflower couscous, shrimp & key lime foam; an amazing Lapin "Chasseur" - braised rabbit ravioli, saddle, chanterelle soubise & oven dried yellow tomato; Cervelle de Canuts with shallot, olive oil and red wine vinegar; and we finished the meal with espresso and a wonderful Fig Hot Souffle with goat milk creme anglaise. I skipped a course in that listing. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her Foie Gras with muscadine, foie gras crème caramel, pumpkin bread and verjus emulsion. That's where my dietary limitation arose. Chef Calmels prepared a Chanterelle Fricassee in madeira cream for me as a substitute. This dish made me grateful for the first time that I had inherited gout from my father since I otherwise would have missed this simple but delightful treat. We dined on a Thursday evening and were the last guests to arrive. This enabled Chef Calmels to leisurely chat with us at the end of our meal - although we observed that he took special care to visit with each dining party throughout the evening. Some helpful hints to diners: (1) Bring cash - credit cards are only accepted to secure reservations; (2) bring your best wine [we brought a Ramey Chardonnay and a Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon]; and (3) let Uber do the driving to spare you the headaches of parking in Philadelphia and to let you wine and dine without any worries about driving afterwards. Bon appetit!

My husband and I had the 7 course Prix fix dinner at Bibou on Saturday night. Bibou is an experience no one should miss, the food, atmosphere and staff are exceptional. The chef, Pierre Camels is by far above above and beyond comparison. The snail and scallop mousse cannelloni (2nd course) was something out of a dream, so creative and delicious. Course 4 was morel mushroom fricassee in Maderia cream sauce, mouthwatering and then some. I won't go through all courses, they change weekly but anticipate a main course, cheese and I experienced a hot souffle dessert. This prix fix is more than worth the $100 person based on the quality and creativity of the food. When you reserve be sure to note any food allergies for consideration. This restaurant is about 20 seats and the service is both top notch but warm and friendly (something that can't be said for other five star restaurants). I have dined in many fine restaurants throughout the world including Paris. This French Chef is number 1 in my heart. His attention to every detail is amazing. This is an experience I recommend for everyone. We will return to Bibou again and again. Remember the restaurant is cash only.

A gem: small and brilliant. Pleasingly quiet and beautifully orchestrated, unhurried and well-paced. Numerous small plates with a delight of tastes. I found the cheese course (Langres from Champagne-Ardenne with marvelous accompaniments) memorable; also the soufflé. Bring your own wine, usually more than one bottle, maybe even three, in order to complement the food properly; but the clientele are used to that and the servers manage the carry-in wines faultlessly. Chef Pierre comes from Lyon, the home of Paul Bocuse and renowned even before that: he has brought with him a worthy portion of the excellence which made Lyon famous. Their loss is our gain. Definitely worth a journey.

What a treat. This small French BYOB offers delicate and delicious food with warm and attentive service. Take the time to talk with the owners (he is the chef and she runs the front) and feel their passion for their restuarant. Tough to get a weekend night reservation b/c they have lots of regulars. go midweek, bring a good bottle of wine and relax. It will be a very enjoyable evening.

Wonderful dinner altogether! This was one of the greatest meals I have ever had – the food, the atmosphere, and the service. Superb! The chef came out to talk with us and it was obvious he cares and appreciates his customer. Five stars! We had the tasting menu.

Scoring a table at this new star on the South Philly scene takes pluck, or in my case, the right friend. But regardless how you get there, the Calmels will not disappoint. Be ready for cozy, but not cramped, seating in the modest dining room. Flawless, knowledgable and unobtrusive service make you quickly succumb to the happy energy of this place. Whatever bottle (or two) that you bring will be expertly handled, and decanted if you wish. Do explore the very creative "rustic french" menu. The portions allow you to sneak both an appetizer and dessert in without too much guilt. I have struggled, even in New York, to find a careful and balanced steak tartare, until Bibou. And for somone who still hesitates to go all in on the organ meats, a wonderful pig's foot croquette on a bed of lentils was a a happy adventure. And on top of great food, Bibou has a municipal parking lot right next to it...really! (Usually, getting a good parking place is the real problem. Here, it is the table. The only thing easier would be valet.) Merci beaucoup, Bibou!

My husband and I have always enjoyed having dinner at Bibou and could not wait for the reopening of this fine restaurant in May. They had been closed for renovations. We were not disappointed when we went to dinner on 6/27/15. It was wonderful to see many of the staff members that we have come to know . Chef Pierre is back in the kitchen and as his trademark; makes it a point to come out of the kitchen and meet with his guests. The menu is a 7 course meal . From the first course to the last course ; everything is done with perfection.The dining room is intimate and very relaxing. Staff are very attentive throughout the dinner. This is a BYOB and CASH ONLY. Because of the size of the restaurant; reservations should be made early. There are 2 seatings available . Plan 2 1/2 to 3 hours for your dining experience. Pace is leisurely and this allows you to enjoy each course without feeling rushed. . We are looking forward to our next dining experience at Bibou.

A party of 4, we had the chef tasting dinner. Everyone raved about the 7 courses. For the tasting menu, they serve a different dish for your partner. So if you like to share, it is like having 14 courses. They only take cash and I would recommend reservations 3 weeks in advance.

I was treated to a meal at the Bibou on a Sunday evening. We had booked which was good job as it was busy. It was a set 4 course menu with a very good choice of dishes.The service was excellent and the staff went out of their way to ensure you had a good evening

Not the first visit, but new decor and table arrangement made it better than ever. From the appetizers to the entree to the cheese plate to dessert, simply wonderful, creative, delicious food. This is an experience not just dinner. Worth every $ and then some. Felt like I was transformed back to Paris. Yes, understated elegance.... And you can bring your own wine!!!! Wonderful service as well. I rate it 5+ stars.

Pierre Calmels and his wife have a delightful restaurant. Elevating French "country" cooking to "high art," the food is adventurous, and the service is always among the most friendly in the city. We have been here four times with no disappointment. I suggest leaving your "prized collectible" bottles at home (it's BYOB), and instead bring high-quality examples of Middle Loire Valley reds, Right-Bank Bordeaux, and/or well-farmed Rhone reds. For white wines, Sancerre, German or Alsace Pinot Blanc seem to work best (we always bring an assortment...it's my "job" to drink wine and to find seamless pairings so I may pass them along to my customers. This is always fun, but remember, it's "cash only" (well undervalued at that).

Bibou is the best French byob restaurant in Philadelphia. Sunday is a tasting menu for $45, and, it is well worth it. The restaurant is just right in size, the chef Pierre is a great chef, and, he comes to greet each guest while eating. His wife, Charlotte, is very friendly, and, will make sure you are satisfied with the food and service. The two of them take great pride in their restaurant, and, make sure you’re happy enough to want to come back again. Believe me, you will.

An amazing dinner every time we come. Each dish has incredible flavors and presentation. You will not be disappointed

Went here with my wife, and similar to many other readers we were quite simply wowed. The head chef/owner is a former Le Bec Fin exec chef, and you can see little touches of the famed Philly restaurant (the butter and rolls being the best example). Service is impeccably classic french, very formal with no details missed. At 7 course for $100 and being a BYOB, I found the price to be a real bargain. The food was excellent all around. Can't think of a single dish that didn't land, from a classic mushroom bisque to seared foie gras, and a venison loin that was a beautifully cooked medium rare. Again, very classic high end French food, but done extremely well with great attention to detail. Should also mention that the atmosphere is cozy and intimate, so great for a romantic evening or anniversary dinner.