Last week, Atlantic writer Caity Weaver claimed that Parc in Philadelphia had the best free restaurant bread in the entire country — specifically the restaurant’s cranberry walnut loaf.
Certainly, Parc’s signature bread basket is fresh, warm and delicious (we’d also like to shout out their baguette). Still, we were curious to see what Philadelphians thought of Weaver’s claim, asking readers whether Parc really has the best free bread in Philadelphia — let alone the United States.
Turns out BP readers had a lot of different takes on their go-to complimentary bread. While there was no consensus among voters, there was a strong trend towards Italian spots — and one establishment did get the most votes.
Andiario
Andiario is an upscale Italian restaurant in West Chester with house made, rustic Italian bread. The spot was celebrated for its crunchy crust and chewy middle. Sometimes simple is the answer.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Barcelona Wine Bar in Passyunk was a favorite amongst readers. One resident dubbed it “without a doubt, the best free restaurant bread in Philly.” “It’s crusty — but not too crusty, and soft — but not too soft,” said another. “Served with high-end olive oil, my 8-year-old can’t get enough. And neither can we. Because she literally eats all of it.”
Barclay Prime
Parc isn’t the only Stephen Starr spot with exemplary free bread. Barclay Prime, the popular steakhouse, also thinks out of the box — offering hot popovers instead of a more traditional approach. Our readers appreciated the airy and addictive treat…