In our modern food world, where chefs often races to replicate the hottest trend, a timeless French bistro offers comfort. Caribou Café has been offering a taste of France in a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Center City for over 20 years. Here, diners enjoy their meals, comfortably seated in leather banquettes throughout the surprisingly large, two-story restaurant. While the ambiance of this Parisian bistro is timeless, the food is both classical and modern. After all, Chef/Owner Olivier Desaintmartin, a native of Champagne, aims to delight palettes, just as he did when he was featured on -- and won! -- Food Network’s Chopped. Chef Desaintmartin’s menu highlights all the French staples. For starters, the escargots are served in a brioche with mellow garlic butter and tomatoes. The French onion soup will provide warmth on a cold day, a plethora of gourmet salads will refresh in the summer, and the smoked and fresh salmon terrine appetizer will satisfy any time of year. For the main course, sample the traditional crepes, served light, fluffy and filled with ingredients like their popular crab, salmon, shrimp au gratin and spinach. Indulge in steak frites, a French steak, served medium-rare with shallot sauce, crisp fries and Provencal tomato. The pan-seared skate is visually stunning, perfectly plated atop a white bean and tomato ragout and a mouth-watering brown butter caper sauce. For dessert, classics like crème brulée and profiteroles are rightfully divine. The Caribou brioche bread pudding, served like a towering slice of cake, is smothered in a white chocolate butterscotch sauce, which will satisfy your mind, soul and sweet tooth.