Parc Recreates Old Paris’ Cuisine, Décor, Social Stratification
August 12, 2008 –
Steven Starr's new Rittenhouse Square restaurant, Parc, is being praised for its uncanny recreation of early 20th century Paris' cuisine, décor, and social stratification. "Just look at this interior and this menu–you really feel like you're in another place; another era," marveled Society Hill resident Julia Kirchoff, 57. "And also, there's virtually no chance that a 'peasant' could eat here. Just like old Paree!"
 Starr revealed the method to the early success of the $9 million bistro, which opened on Bastille Day. "We wanted to get the feel of an old café, right down to the last detail," he said of touches such as a zinc bar, tobacco-stained ceiling, and antique mirrors. "We even considered hiring actors to slouch past in dirty sackcloths, but it would've been too expensive. I guess the regular homeless people will have to do." University of Pennsylvania European history professor Bess Cohen elaborated. "In old France, the richest 5% controlled one third of the wealth–and spent lavishly on meat, wine, and escargots as a way of showing their status," she shouted to be heard above the restaurant's din. "Seems a lot like what's going on here."
Cohen added that such Parisian-style divisions were not to be celebrated. "In 21st century America, we like to think that our social classes are somewhat fluid," she said, scanning the large room of well-heeled, mostly Caucasian diners. "But this really shows how little things have changed from the days of the 'noble classes' and the Club Monarchique." That, however, seemed to be exactly Starr's intention. "I'm thrilled that Parc is so evocative of that bygone time and place. I just hope that the lower classes don't revolt."
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Still Nothing Good at Stoop Sale
August 12, 2008 –
Neighbors and passersby were unsurprised to report yesterday that there was still nothing worth purchasing at a Center City resident's depressing weekly stoop sale. "Every weekend, he's out on his stoop with the same pile of crap," complained Will Meyer, 26, of vendor Stanley Massey, 57, of the 1300 block of Pine St. "It's all scratched Perry Como records and stacks of, like, medical textbooks–and there's never anything new. Since April."
 Christine Jensen, 37, of Washington Square, was similarly disillusioned. "Every week, [Massey is] out there with the same junk–and it's all ridiculously overpriced, to boot!" she smirked. "$20 for a broken Ikea lamp? What a bargain!" Hawthorne's Ray Millar, 50, agreed. "I'm not sure what his deal is, trotting out that crap week in and week out," he said, holding up a tattered feather duster that he purchased from Massey out of sheer pity. "I think it has more to do with some sort of mental illness than making money."
Massey, however, seemed to think he was offering the neighborhood a valuable selection of goods. "Who wouldn't want this stuff, is what I want to know," he smiled, gesturing towards a dirty sheet covered with costume jewelry, worn dress shoes, and a neon-green straw hat. "It'll be hard to part with some of it when, y'know... when someone does buy it." For Meyer, though, a future purchase did not seem likely. "Sure, I could give him $10 for an old Dan Fogelberg LP–just to be nice. But that would only encourage him for the next week."
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