For all intents and purposes, Marmont is a restaurant with comfy chairs and a small bar in the back. The lighting is low, illumination provided by candles at the tables and by candles that hang on the walls. During our visit, all of the seats at the bar were filled so we were relegated to stand within arms length of the bar. Unfortunately Marmont is narrow and any standing position is "in the way."

Marmont's menu features Tapas, Sandwiches and Entree's. Tapas have origins in Spanish cooking traditions where the portions are small, and best enjoyed with wine between meals. Tapas can be though of as well-made appetizers that include: Lamb Empanadas, Curry Shrimp and a Smoked Salmon Tart. On a recent visit to Marmont by Phillytown crony Swankdaddy, he and his date were stuck right next to one of the DJ's speakers. When they asked the hostess if they could be moved, the hostess got nasty and said "we play the music loud and this is all we have available."  Jeez, whatever happened to the customer is always right ???

During warmer months, there are a few tables and chairs set-up on the Market Street sidewalk. If the nights get too cold, Marmont has two huge propane heaters that provide overhead warmth to the swanky diners.

It's difficult to say who or what the establishment was named after. On one hand, there is the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood. The Chateau Marmont is the hotel most famous for being the place where John Belushi overdosed. On the other hand, the French Marshall Auguste Marmont was a confidant of Napoleon. Out of frustration, Marmont surrendered his troops in 1814 to the Allies and allowed them to enter Paris unabated. This action (or lack thereof) eventually led to Napoleon's abdication and Marmont to be considered, by most French, as a traitor.

Marmont, the restaurant, is one of the great places on Olde City to take a date. The low lights, hip music and inventive menu are all right, all you have to do is bring the conversation (and find a table away from the speaker seats).