Opened at 623 South 6th Street in Queen Village, Side Eye occupies the former home of the beloved Bistrot La Minette, which closed in summer 2024 after 16 years of service. Owner Hank Allingham assembled a seasoned team of Philadelphia restaurant veterans, including executive chef Finn Connors and beverage director Ryan Foster, to bring a fresh but familiar energy to the storied address. Describing their concept as "French-ish," the team is stripping away the formality of traditional French dining and replacing it with something warm, welcoming, and completely unpretentious.
- Side Eye serves French inspired dishes like beef tartare, moules marinières, and peppercorn burgers in a relaxed Queen Village setting open seven days a week
- The restaurant features a 20-seat wraparound bar, 40-seat dining floor, private dining room, and a late-night menu running until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends
- Philadelphia's French dining scene is experiencing a notable resurgence with new concepts including Supérette, Medium Rare, Fleur, and the upcoming Soufiane joining the conversation
- Cocktails, $12 German riesling, French wine, California cabs, and Budweiser on draft reflect the restaurant's commitment to accessibility at every price point
Side Eye arrives at just the right moment, proving that French food does not need white tablecloths or steep price tags to feel extraordinary. If it can capture the same neighborhood magic as its predecessor, Philadelphia's French revival is only getting started.
By: Jason Sheehan | Philadelphia Magazine | February 9, 2026
Photo: Courtesy of Side Eye
