Parc - Philadelphia

There are few better places in Philadelphia to drink a martini than at Parc. Perched on the edge of Rittenhouse Square, the brasserie opens onto the park with wide windows and the kind of golden-hour light that makes the city feel cinematic. The air hums with conversation, the clink of plates, and the smell of butter and bread. It’s Paris by way of Philadelphia. Elegant, familiar, and unmistakably alive.

The martini to order here is the Martini Niçoise, a drink that perfectly captures the restaurant’s French sensibility. Built with Harlen Wheatley vodka and Carpano Bianco vermouth, it’s finished with Niçoise olives and a touch of their brine that provides a light pink hue. The result is a martini that leans savory rather than sharp. Silky and cold, with a briny whisper that lingers at the back of the palate. The vodka brings clarity and texture, while the Bianco vermouth adds a soft sweetness and depth. It’s the kind of martini that feels composed, elegant, and quietly confident.

I had mine sitting outside, watching the last of the sunlight stretch across Rittenhouse Square as the evening crowd drifted in. The martini arrived in its chilled glass, the Niçoise olives glinting dark against the pale drink. I sipped slowly, letting the brine echo the saltiness of the warm breeze, the faint hum of the city mixing with the clatter of cutlery around me.

At Parc, the martini is an accessory to the setting. The Martini Niçoise fits the scene perfectly: cool, balanced, and just a little indulgent, best enjoyed as the sun slips below the trees and the city settles into evening.

Website: Parc