A Murderous Dinner at Paris Wine Bar

At most restaurants, Philadelphia Wine Week means flights of pinot grigio and tables scattered with empty bottles of merlot. But this year at Paris Wine Bar, bottles of bubbly meant something much more serious—murder.

In an out-of-the-ordinary, one-time event, Paris Wine Bar sought to deliver good food and fine wine together with an accompanying improv performance of A Murder in Paris—an interactive murder mystery that brought diners into the spotlight.

Performers from Blue Suede Productions mingled with guests as the first glasses of wine were poured.

And we enjoyed traditional French gougeres as the performance began.

Our first courses arrived just as the news of the murder broke. The crispy exterior of the pork terrine gave way to a rich and creamy filling—it was one of our favorite dishes of the night. The beet cured salmon was lighter and the nuanced sweetness of the beet balanced the more savory notes of the cure.

The bar sent out a different beverage pairing with each course. By the end of the night we had enjoyed a full range of white and red wines.

For the main course, freshly seared salmon came served on a bed of creamy mashed vegetables and served alongside crisp spears of asparagus. The bright green herb sauce drizzled on top brought a note of freshness to the plate.

Just as murderous accusations began to be thrown about, dessert arrived. A moist slice of cake studded with sweet and gooey bits of caramelized pear. In true Parisian style, the slice was topped with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream.

To give the Paris Wine Bar a try for yourself, head on over to 2303 Fairmount Avenue between Thursday and Saturday from 5pm-midnight, or stop by its sister restaurant, London Grill, just next door.

-Chase Matecun and Bryan Choo