DAVID ANSILL
Pif | Philadelphia, PA

Biography
At first, it may seem like a mistake; a French country restaurant next to the Italian market, but after tasting Ansill’s savory French fare, its apparent that his fresh, delicious cuisine is anything but unintentional.

Ansill, a Cheltenham native, was trained at The Restaurant School and spent 14 years perfecting his dishes and honing his skills cooking at such renowned Philadelphia eateries as the Rittenhouse Hotel, Judy’s Café, Café Nola, Cobblefish, Lucy’s Hat Shop and Continental. He also spent time perfecting his culinary skills in Sweden and Miami Beach, Florida, including stints at the Delano Hotel, Le Deux Fountains and South Beach Brasserie.

Ansill’s latest endeavor is Pif, an intimate French restaurant located in the heart of South Philadelphia. Pif, whose name comes from a children's book character beloved by Ansill’s daughter, features a seasonal menu that changes monthly, weekly - and even daily, depending on what produce and meats are available and fresh at the market that morning. Ansill owns and operates his BYOB restaurant with his French wife, Catherine, who doubles as Pif’s pastry chef.

Ansill’s concept in quite simple. He wanted to create a restaurant you could dine at several times a week, a neighborhood favorite.