Balthazar is a fabulous recreation of a typical French brasserie: bold, loud, and exciting. The space is dominated by red leather banquettes with retro mirrors, giving it a spacious look. The restaurant is a venture by Keith McNally, who also owns Pastis in the Meatpacking District. It offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner menus as well as special inventories for desserts, wines, and after-hours. You will find items such as grilled lamb T-Bones, duck confit, and crisp Berkshire pork belly. The Sunday Brunch is particularly popular.
Lafayette, owned by Andrew Carmellini, is a quaint French restaurant which whips up some delightful treats for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The cozy and artfully furnished interior is adorned in classy and attractive decor, and the establishment boasts a concept and menu derived from the tradition and culture of several parts of France, with the ingenious chefs creating some absolutely astounding variations of classic French cuisine. Sample delights like lemon pancakes, almond croissants, shrimp cocktail, salads, sandwiches, sunchoke agnolotti, bistro steal, grilled local trout, and dry aged duck among others. In addition, they have a bakery and desserts section along with an extensive drinks and wine list. The well lit interiors of the bistro-style joint are designed by Roman and Williams. The Lafayette proves to be a statement restaurant where the rich and famous hob-nob often.
A lovely French-style bistro, Buvette effortlessly blends vintage with modern chic. Featuring a delightfully rustic but trendy vibe, the little bistro is a popular local spot for an elegant breakfast, light lunch or after work drink. The menu stays close to its bistro theme, serving up a nice array of retro classics like the mouth-watering selection of baked delights from flaky croissants perfect for a quick breakfast to more substantial steak tartare, ratatouille and coq au vin. A lovely spot for a quiet evening out and a nice place to enjoy the perfect glass of French wine accompanied by one of the delicious small eats, in quaint little jars and bowls, meant to be shared. Round off the evening with a slice of melt-in-the-mouth tarte tatin, for a truly satisfying experience. Since they do not accept reservations, expect a wait on weekends.
French Louie offers minimalist interiors where the focus is on the gourmet food and wine. It has an elongated dining room with stark white walls, one of which features wall art depicting conifers. Guests can start their meal with appetizers such as oysters, smoked sardines and lobster cocktail. This is followed by entrees like sugar snap pea salad, a blend of peas, avocados, and basil, and mains such as lamb Navarin with baby turnips. The desserts include lime meringue tart and profiteroles served with pistachio ice cream. In the traditional French style, the meal ends with cheese from regions like Pyrénées and Normandy, accompanied by a selection of cognacs and sherries.
Located on Atlantic Avenue, Bacchus Bistro is a fine French feast. Inside is fairly rustic, and there is an outdoor area that is great in the summertime. Francophones should be delighted by the vibe and the food. Escargot and a great goat-cheese dish start things off right. Solid entree choices include boeuf bourguignon and carré d'agneau. The wine selection is extensive. Another option includes a prix-fixe menu, and weekend brunch is a treat. The staff are very attentive and friendly, definitely worth a trek to Brooklyn.
Although this quintessential Manhattan French restaurant may be pricey, La Grenouille is a thoroughly romantic place to enjoy a memorable meal. It has long been known for its spectacular floral displays, great food, and good service. The prix fixe dinner combined with wine makes for an excellent combination. Dishes can be ordered a la carte as well, these include delicacies such as frogs' legs sauteed with garlic and tomato compote and filet mignon with potato and onion crisps. Do not forget to cap the meal with some indulgent desserts.
In 1986, sibling owners Maguy and Gilbert Le Coze opened Le Bernardin in New York after tasting phenomenal success with their 1972 flagship restaurant in Paris. It has continued to thrive under Chef Éric Ripert after Gilbert’s tragic demise in 1994. Seafood has been the inspiration behind the menu at Le Bernardin since inception. The tasting menu takes diners through delicacies such as Osetra Caviar, Dungeness Crab, Lobster Tail and Black Bass. Moreover, an extensive collection of around 900 wines complements every dish to perfection. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails from your eclectic lounge. The appetizers are tasty, and dinner is like a set menu but one that affords you the freedom to choose from different dishes for your meal. The flavors are good, given the chef’s experiments with different cuisines, not only French but a smattering of Asian as well, e.g., shrimps with coconut sauce. A dash of Caribbean is thrown into the mix, with the fruits added to the dessert.
World-renowned chef Alain Ducasse brings the spirit of a French bistro to New York at Benoit. Since its opening, Benoit has charmed and enticed diners with its bright and tasteful decor, adorned with charming small touches, and, of course, its fantastic food. The cuisine at Benoit is essentially classic French, featuring dishes like the puff-pastry encased salmon served with a tarragon and shallot sauce, and the perfectly roasted chicken accompanied by roasted garlic cloves and French fries. For night owls, there is a late-night menu available, and the restaurant also boasts an excellent wine list.
Food lovers should take stock of this casual French Midtown charmer, which offers a warm and comfortable setting and seasonal outdoor dining. Exceptional soups like mushroom, lamb with barley, and cream of vegetables attract soup lovers from all over. For those in the mood for other dishes, the restaurant also serves quiche, omelets, fondues, and salads. So when you are tired from shopping on Fifth Avenue or visiting the nearby Museum of Modern Art, settle down for lunch or dinner.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten's impeccable French Contemporary restaurant, located on the southwest corner of Central Park in the Trump International Hotel & Tower, offers modern French food with Pan-Asian and other modern influences. The gleaming, modern space complements phenomenal dishes like herb-crusted rack of lamb and crispy sauteed frog legs. Black-clad waiters provide unsurpassed service. In addition to its main dining room, Jean-Georges also features a bar and lounge area where guests can enjoy cocktails and small plates. Jean-Georges has been awarded two Michelin stars and has consistently been ranked as one of the top restaurants in New York City and the world.
Owned by the legendary Chef Daniel Boulud, this award-winning French restaurant is considered by many to be the one of the best dining experiences in the city. The cuisine is contemporary, putting a fresh spin on traditional recipes and is both expertly prepared and exquisitely plated. Enjoy divine dishes like rabbit saddle with chorizo and tarragon mustard or wasabi-marinated hamachi with white sturgeon caviar and Meyer lemon coulis amid fine Italian Renaissance décor. Opt for the tasting menu or let the knowledgeable staff at Daniel help you create your perfect meal, complete with outstanding drink pairings.
Bar Boulud is a sophisticated restaurant and wine bar catering to an upscale crowd in New York. Established by the famous chef Daniel Boulud, Bar Boulud serves a variety of great wines from Burgundy and the Rhone Valley. The sommelier here is knowledgeable and recommends you the right wine to complement your meal. Apart from the great wines, the delicious French food served is immensely popular among its patrons. Some of the famous dishes served here include tagine d' agneu and the compote de joue de boeuf. Definitely a place to experience for its food and the exquisite wine collection.