We’ve all heard of a dinner-and-a-show combo, but at Lacroix, brunch is where creativity is just as important to the process as the menu. All you have to do is figure out what experience you want to order up.
The new early service, led by Chef de Cuisine Joshua Quintana, invites guests to “dress up, dig in, and linger a little longer.” Diners can expect elevated comfort food with a French twist (what the AAA Four Diamond signature restaurant is known for), but the real fun rolls right up to the table.
The venue debuted a trio of roaming carts in September of this year. The carts serve either a giant browned-butter cinnamon roll doused with frosting and cinnamon, made-to-order ice cream sundaes or freshly mixed spritzes.
For example, the establishment’s A.M. Old Fashioned comes prepared tableside. The ingredients are clearly listed on the menu — but, it’s not until the cocktail connoisseur describes the process of washing rye whiskey in bacon fat while squeezing in a fresh orange zest and smoking it tableside that you really get to appreciate the flavors.
The whole drink menu is thoughtfully composed through Lacroix’s ongoing collaboration with James Beard Award-winning beverage innovator Danny Childs. The botanical-forward cocktail lineup also includes the Espresso du Mondé, a blend of cognac, chicory coffee syrup, China-China and fresh espresso, and the Brunch-Tini, a mix of Bluecoat gin, St. Dalfour orange jam, Cointreau and lemon.
For those who prefer something lighter, the Rolling Spritz Cart also offers Aperol, Hugo, and other seasonal signature spritzes directly to the table, mixed to order. Or, there’s also the ever-classic option of bottomless Bloody Marys and bubbles alongside a few other spirited creations.
Food-wise, the flavors are also meant to make an impression. Think lobster hashbrowns crowned with lobster salad, peppery arugula, and hollandaise; Crab Cake Benedicts with housemade crab cakes and brown butter sauce; and the LCX Croque Madame, a rich, cheesy stack of Parisian ham, Gruyère, Comté and béchamel. The presentation is meant to be elegant, but the flavors are very welcoming — even the pickiest of eaters will likely ask for a second bite of any dish.
For a sweet touch, there’s also a French Toast Suzette served with crème anglaise, blood orange, and Grand Marnier; or savory lovers can order up a French Omelet with raclette cheese; Steak & Eggs; or indulge in a raw bar filled with oysters, chilled ember-roasted prawns and King Crab Remoulade. The venue will also feature a rotating Pastry of the Month alongside other specials.
But perhaps the biggest draw to dine here besides the food (and highly attentive service) is the backdrop of the picturesque Rittenhouse Park. When sinking your fork into an order of perfectly plated moules frites, you can glance over to see the park come alive.
The experience is as much about the atmosphere as the menu. As a release notes, inspired by the tradition of dressing in one's Sunday best, Lacroix's new concept celebrates “bold colors, statement-making style, and a little occasion-worthy flair.” Each brunch will also feature live piano and violin performances, and for the kiddos, there are some fun additions like a Pancake Skewer on the children's menu.
“We created this menu to bring people together and make brunch feel like an occasion,” says Joshua Quintana, Chef de Cuisine of Lacroix. “Everything people love about brunch is there, but elevated with elements that feel surprising and indulgent. We want guests to reach for that favorite outfit, come ready to have fun, and expect the unexpected.”
Philadelphians can get breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner at Lacroix (210 W Rittenhouse Square). Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable. More information can be found online at lacroixrestaurant.com
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