Bistrot La Minette has a secret sanctuary. Invisible from the street and the main dining room, its newly opened bricked-in patio is the prettiest in town. Window boxes bloom over unvarnished teak tables. Tiny white lights twinkle overhead. French tunes float in the air as servers appear and disappear through the door. And free movies play on Monday nights. Order a quiche and a glass of house red, and pretend you’re in Paris. It’s not hard.

Bistrot La Minette | 623 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-925-8000 | http://bistrotlaminette.com