Beyond Le Bec-Fin

Georges Perrier runs a demanding ship at his flagship Le Bec-Fin (1523 Walnut St.). But while stories of smashed plates and tantrums are passed around the service industry, a quick count shows at least a dozen local head chefs who have Le Bec-Fin on their résumés.

Daniel Stern, who was Le Bec-Fin’s executive chef from 2002 through 2004, received plenty of notice when he went out on his own with Gayle (617 S. Third St.). He’s dropping the curtain on the restaurant early this September, but has plans to open two spots this fall: Midatlantic Restaurant and Tap Room (3711 Market St.) and R2L (2 Liberty Place), which overlooks the city from the 37th floor.

Back on the ground, Pierre Calmels and his wife Charlotte are being praised  for Bibou (1009 S. Eighth St.). Calmels, who was Le Bec-Fin’s executive chef for five years, opened the French BYOB in May.

Not far from Bibou, Fond (1623 E. Passyunk Ave.) will be opening by the end of the month. Owners Lee Styer and Jessie Prawlucki both worked at Le Bec-Fin while Tory Keomanivong, no slouch himself, learned the ropes at Lacroix.