Philly’s French Bistro Scene Takes Another Hit

Bella Vista’s French-Canadian bistro Coeur will close for good at midnight this Sunday, October 2. Co-owner Leigh Maida is inviting everyone and anyone to come by for a last hurrah: “the poutine flows until the last second!”

The crew behind Memphis Taproom, Local 44, Strangelove's and Clarkville gave their best effort to revitalize the address plagued by an awkward layout (previously The Mildred), and despite the food being what Inquirer critic Craig LaBan deemed “very good”, and what Philly Mag’s Jason Sheehan called “the kind of place you could get lost in”, the restaurant couldn’t last longer than a year.

With Fishtown’s French bistro The Pickled Heron switching to private events-only, La Peg going full-American, and Coeur ending things in Bella Vista, Philadelphia’s French-bistro landscape seems to have hit its max potential, leaving it up to The Good King, Zinc, and Bistrot La Minette to fulfill Philadelphia’s casual-French dining scene.

Any parties interested in renting the Coeur space (824 South Eighth Street), permanently, for pop-ups, or other private event uses, email info@coeurphilly.com