Let's begin with the good news … Chef Georges Perrier is not about to close one of Philadelphia's classic restaurants, and that's good news for the City. Le Bec-Fin will remain open and I simply don't understand the negativity surrounding his New Year's Eve announcement. There are some that would prefer a KFC at 1523 Walnut Street (and don't laugh because they did build a McDonald's in the same neighborhood) - a decision that might be the worst in the history of Downtown Philadelphia. KFC actually replaced the once charming San Marco in Bala-Cynwyd,and I would also add Applebee's replacing Bookbinder's on 15th Street, and certainly Chipolte's replacing Susanna Foo at 15th & Walnut.

Here is a list that is something to think about (Top Ten Restaurant Cities from Esquire Magazine)...

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. San Francisco
4. New Orleans
5. Los Angeles
6. Las Vegas
7. Houston
8. Washington,DC
9. Boston
10. Seattle

Philadelphia is noticeably absent, and that has become a continuing problem. We are not getting the national publicity, and in my opinion, the Philadelphia restaurant
community is incredibly under-rated. The New York Times just did a fantastic travel
piece on the Philadelphia restaurant scene and some in the local media are actually complaining that the article will make it more difficult for the locals to obtain a
reservation in some of our more popular restaurants.

With this in mind, why would some criticize the decision of Le Bec-Fin to remain open? We are talking about one of the most famous restaurants in the world. The truth is that we need all the celebrity chefs we can find, and Philadelphia has to
be more aggressive in terms of positioning itself as a truly significant culinary destination. We need Georges Perrier, Stephen Starr, Jose Garces, Marc Vetri(and a host of others).

I just attended the Travel Show at the Convention Center and it was amazing to hear
out-of-town travel professionals raving about the Philadelphia Restaurants. So many of them identified themselves as "foodies" and they were blown away with our restaurant scene.

The one negative comment (so to speak) came from a travel professional from Newport, Rhode Island. She fell in love with the Reading Terminal and could not believe the Market would close so early... "the place was closing down at 5:30, and they are walking away from so much potential evening business".

Now that might be something to think about.

I Haven't Been to Heaven, but I Did Taste Sequoia Grove Wines at Bern's Steakhouse...

When I grow-up, I want to be like Mike (pictured above). Michael Trujillo is obviously enjoying himself and should he ever decide to do something other than be the President (and Director of Winemaking)at Sequoia Grove in the Napa Valley, I will gladly make myself available to fill the vacancy.

I'm certain that it's not as easy as it looks, but I will take my chances. What is extremely easy is enjoying a dinner at one of the best steakhouses in the world, and tasting the superb wines of the highly acclaimed Sequoia Grove. Our host was indeed Mike Trujillo and the experience was as good as it gets.

If wine is part of the process,Bern's is certainly an appropriate venue. This classic Tampa restaurant has some 6,800 selections, and some half a million bottles. What's amazing is that they offer
many old and rare bottles at extremely reasonable prices. At a time when most American restaurants think nothing of a 300% markup, the prices on Bern's
famous list could almost convince you that it is the 1950s all over again. The steaks, dry-aged for up to eight weeks, are trimmed and cut once you order, and
broiled over lump hardwood charcoal and they are indeed something special. My advice to anyone interested in tasting a truly superb wine from Napa Valley,
Sequoia Grove and Berns go very well together.