Rim Café

Review
The Rim Cafe will be featured on the Food Network on a new show Sugar High with Duff Goldman. Recently, Duff was in the South Philly neighborhood to film the cafe; Rene had invite several of his close friends (as to Rene, his friends are his customers) to participate. However, reality TV was not what I would think it to be. It turned out we had to wait and wait for the doors to open to give us our chance to showcase the cafe in the true light it should be cast. The cafe began because Rene met a pretty woman and followed her to the USA. Though that love story ended, the cafe has become a haven for women who coo over Rene's drinks and pose for his photos that are spread through out the internet. Though Rene's hot chocolate is the best in Philly, and his drink creations are originals, I doubt the mood of the cafe can be properly captured under bright lights and scripted scenes. To really enjoy the mood of the cafe, you have to come down with your best smile and be prepared to pay for you will be entertained. Though do know that like reality TV, all you see at the cafe is what you want it to be.
Posted by Mika: Jun. June 26th, 2011 at 10:15 AM

Review
In a recent trip to Philadelphia in the italian market, i came across a wonderfull experience tasting the fabulous "Volcano" !!! A very surprising way to treat your tastebuds. An experience indeed. I strongly recommand this place, for the service by a warm mediterranean owner, for the amazing deco and the excellence of everything served. A MUST GO if you stop at Philly :-)))
Posted by Philippe: Aug. August 24th, 2009 at 9:55 AM

Review
Rim cafe is amazing .... Je suis passer par-hasard devant le coin de 9 Federal et là je vois un café Français, je rentre ... est là l'ambiance commence ... René entrain de faire un show d' ice Cappuchino, Ice Volvano... avec les Oh my god !! Mimi sa femme qui prépare les Cannolis, les Truffes, avec un beau sourir !! Je me suis sentis vraiment chez moi avec cet accueille chaleureux. Je vous recommende Le Rim Café car " Is the best "
Posted by monte: Aug. August 20th, 2009 at 1:30 PM

Review
Hands down, the best, and most UNIQUE, coffee shop in The City Of Brotherly Love. Rene makes you feel like you are sitting in Cagnes, France sipping on his uniquely conceived blends of coffee, cappuccino, and some of his own incredible concoctions such as the Iced Raspberry White Chocolate Latte! For a little taste of Europe in America, this should be a destination for any coffee lovers or conversation lovers! Completely unpretentious, yet surprisingly charming, this cafe is full of conversation, friendly smiles, and the best service you could hope for. Sit back and relax as Rene dazzles you at the counter with his amazing "Volcano" or Iced Cappuccinos. Everything this man puts together is just like watching a stage performance. It's obvious that Rene loves what he's doing--he'll usually sing a song in French or Italian while he's making your drink, and he makes you feel like family every time you walk in the place. Expect some homemade fresh chocolate shavings--white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, pepperoncino chocolate, french chocolate, the list goes on-- shaved atop your coffee every time. I could go on and on, but I won't. This is simply the type of place you have to visit to understand. And it usually takes a few visits to believe that it's real, and on an unassuming corner in South Philly, not in a small town in France, where Rene grew up. As a writer, and an artist, finding a coffee shop that has character is very challenging and rare. Most are cold and distant. The Rim Cafe is warm and inviting. This is the only coffee shop I want to visit in Philadelphia from now on. And that's no lie.
Posted by jacques: Aug. August 18th, 2009 at 3:20 AM

Review
am from Nice the city of René, i just want tell you that rené he is the best Barista in France je t'aime mon ami tu es le plus fort en France & aux Usa Bravo & Bravo ton ami jean pierre de Nice
Posted by jean pierre: Aug. August 5th, 2009 at 8:09 PM

Review
RIM is a lovely Cafe that started because two star-crossed lovers fell in love on the Internet; one living on the Mainline, the other living in Nice, France. They met for a rendezvous in Paris, France, the city of lights and romance. Two weeks later, Rene came to Philadelphia, and rest is history—the love story began and continues. It was by chance they found themselves one day on the Italian Market looking for Mediterranean food, when they came upon a grocery store that now is now the home of the famous RIM Cafe and the BEST of Philly HOT chocolate--the Volcano. For those who don't know them, you must go and visit their special chocolate haven, where sensual chocolate meets bold espresso and where love and romance lives not only in South Philly but also comes home each night to the Mainline, as chocolate and love are meant to be together. We need to clone this place all over the city--it is a charm of old European meeting the Godfather of the Italian Market.
Posted by Madaline: Apr. April 22nd, 2009 at 7:45 PM

Review
Lovely Cafe that started all because of two star crossed lovers fell in love on the Internet one living on the Mainline, the other living in Nice, France. They met for a rendevous in Paris, France, the city of lights and romance. Two weeks later, Rene came to Philadelphia and the love story began and continues. It was by chance they found themselves on the Italian Market looking for some Mediterrean food, when they came upon a Grocery store that now is the home of the famous RIM Cafe and the BEST of Philly HOT chocolate--the Volcano. For those who don't know them, you must go and visit their special chocolate heaven, where sensual chocolate meets bold espresso and where love and romance lives not only in South Philly but also on comes home to the Mainline. We need to close this place all over the city--it is a charm of old world meets the godfather.
Posted by Madaline: Apr. April 22nd, 2009 at 7:35 PM

Review
J'ai effectuée deux voyage a philly La première était un souvenir vraiment extraordinaire avec René, surtout sa spécialité : Son chocolat chaud, je n'ai jamais pu imaginer un chocolat chaud aussi delicieux... René a fait un chocolat chaud avec le fromage : mascarpone et ricotta, et bien sur il a fallu avoir une cuillère pour le finir. Ma deuxième fois malheureusement René etait partit en vacances... j'en garde un tres bon souvenir, mais je n'en resterai pas là...
Posted by nadine: Sep. September 1st, 2008 at 7:18 PM

Review
Being from Italia, a place of great coffee, I wandered in here with a smile. Rene has a great skill and love for his coffee. I tried his shot of espresso(in Italia, espresso is caffè)and it was the beginning of a great friendship! Rene has been a friend and will continue to give Philadelphia the best! All YOU have to do is have the passion to accept! Merci Beacoup, Mon Ami!
Posted by Giovanni: Aug. August 12th, 2008 at 11:06 AM

Review
Recent trip to Philadelphia, I had to check out the Italian Market. A friend who had visited Philly just a few weeks ago, stumbled on the RIM Cafe. He told me he had the best ice espresso -- it was real smooth and didn't even need sugar. But, even more than espresso, he was impressed with the owner, Rene, who he said was most charming man and very skilled barista, make the espresso as if he was in a bar making a perfect martini. Well being one that loves martinis and good espresso, I was determined to check it out. Seems I missed the famous Rene, as he was in Italy visiting the Lavazza plant: but the cute blonde that was behind the counter was sure she could make a Rene ice espresso, but not with same flare. Well it was as my friend said, it was cold and went down smooth -- almost as good as martini. LOL. I will be back in Philly in the fall and hope to catch Rene. This time I will have to come back for the Volcano, as it is tauted the best hot chocolate in Philly. I recomment the place highly, at is was a charming and unique experience. and it turns out the blonde is his partner and better half.
Posted by Mara: Aug. August 2nd, 2008 at 11:12 PM

Review
Just the kind of place you would expect to find such great pastries, coffee, atmosphere and syphon coffee. And if you are looking for an alternative to LaColombe coffee, LAVAZZA rules at the RIM
Posted by Rob: May. May 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 PM

Review
The best hot chocolate in town
Posted by Nina: May. May 22nd, 2008 at 1:06 PM

Review
The beat of the South Philadelphian famous Italian Market would not be worth the visit if you do not stroll down to 9th and Federal Street, where the most passionate barista and professional photographer, Rene makes the best espresso in town. Regardless of the brand of bean he uses, which is the Porsche of all coffee, Lavazza, René exuberance and pride in preparing the best espresso you will have on this side of the Atlantic is matched by none. I am a chap that has traveled through a few places around the world, and am inspired to write this review and glad to see that Philadelphia Magazine appreciates the Rim Café contribution to hot chocolate excellence. But, I would want to express that if not already a category, it should be—the best espresso in town. So if you did not make a mistake with which cheesesteak you should have, tor certain, if you make it to the Rim, you will find René will make it worth your while that you stopped by to see him. Oh, and if you are wondering what brought him to the city of brother love, nothing less than love itself.
Posted by Charlies: May. May 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 PM

Review
Recently had the pleasure of experiencing the best hot chocolate drink in Philadelphia, thanks to finding your review. At the RIM it is not just about the taste, which is more than GREAT, it is about the presentation. I don't think anyone can make the experience more enjoyable than the owner, barista and chocolatier, Rene, who whips up his HOT CHOCOLATE volcano with love and passion. Bring your video camera to capture the experience.
Posted by Theo: Mar. March 11th, 2008 at 12:09 AM