Back in the Eighties, a little known Austrian-American chef opened a restaurant on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, serving a concept called “California cuisine,” which, at the time, seemed an oxymoron to many food snobs.
Yet, Wolfgang Puck was on to something – and almost overnight, Spago became an international hit, feeding a steady supply of Hollywood stars and celebrities from a menu featuring fusion food like pineapple pizza.
One drunken night, we dined there with a recording industry heavy who proceeded to get plowed and insisted upon sending a bottle of Champagne to George Michael who was dining at a neighboring table (with a male! a boyfriend! Quel scandale!) – and all this before she attempted to steal the silver, at which point a hasty exit was made from the premises.
Well, those madcap nights and drunken days are back again, thanks to the opening of Bistro Academie at the recently restored Ballroom at the Academy of Music in the heart of the Avenue of the Arts at Broad and Locust Streets in Philadelphia. As a part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), Wolfgang Puck Catering will offer a Parisian-inspired seasonal buffet, serving dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Sunday brunch from the 7th of April through the duration of the Festival.
Opened in 1857, the Academy of Music is the oldest grand opera house in the United States, still used for its original purpose – and the Ballroom, with a capacity of 350, was inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
As well as Sunday brunch and weekend dinners, Wolfgang Puck Catering will be serving French-inspired food such as crepes, croissants and other gateaux in the Kimmel Center Commonwealth Plaza.
Just don’t try to steal the silver.
Bistro Academie
Beginning April 7 through May 1
Friday & Saturday Dinner
5:30pm – 8:30pm
$38.00
Sunday Brunch
11:30am – 2:30pm
$24.00
For reservations: call 215.670.2388 or email PIFA@wolfgangpuck.com.
LINK: Bistro Academie
