radiofanatic

Any recommendations? We love foie gras, duck, lamb, steak au poivre, etc. We're willing to spend $100-125 - don't want to have to dress up if not necessary. And are reservations required?

swalter518

We really enjoyed Balthazar and I know people love Pastis but I've never been there.

Jean_Valjean

I think that the steak au poivre at Raoul's is fantastic (180 Prince St.) Zagat gives it a 22. Another dependable place is Montrachet (239 W. Broadway). Great food and a fantastic wine list. Both places require reservations, but they are not too hard to come by.

Of course, you can always go to the best and try Per Se, Le Bernardin, Daniel or Alain Ducasse, if you are lucky enough to get a reservation and are willing to dress up and break the bank.

HowardR

Is that $100-125 per person or for the two of you? It'll make a big difference in the recommendations.

bugswife1

Try Montrache. I think that on Monday nights you can bring your own wine and there is no corkage, but you might want to double check that they still do that. Definitely will keep the bill down.

bugswife1

Sorry, Montrachet

Jean_Valjean

Forgot to mention... Montrachet has a $20 prix fixe lunch on fridays. One of the best values in Manhattan.

Patrick

Here's the best -- especially for foie gras -- they even do a foie gras dinner, prepared three ways.
D'Artagnan on 46th between Lexington and 3rd. Rather casual (though dressy with businessmen at lunch), sit in the upstairs dining room and enjoy great Gascogne food -- particularly the magret of duck, the foie gras, and real cassoulet. They also import and sell foie gras and other products from the small counter downstairs.

Rene Pujol on 51st between 8th and 9th also serves excellant and non-pretentious French in a pretty little setting.

Ryan

I have several favorites.

Orsay - Really nice, very authentic bistro on the UES. Good value wine selections and less of a scene than Balthazar. Lexington and 74th St.

La Mangeiore - Very good, very casual Provencal place on 2nd and 54th.

Tout Va Bien - W. 51st and 8th. Getting a little rundown, but you really can't get more authentic for food. Last time I was there several sailors from the French navy were having dinner, that should qualify as a recommendation. Very reasonably priced.

Rene Pujol - Classic French on West 51st and 8th. About 1/2 the price of better known place cross town. Believe their menu is a fixed price of approx. $60 pp.

Payard - Better than most pastries I've had in Paris. Expensive but great for a cafe au lait and decadent dessert. Lexington and 73rd.

Gekko

For extraordinary French food & atmosphere (and you don't have to dress up), try Les Deux Gamins on Houston Street near MacDougal. The staff is French, as are many/most of the patrons on any given night.

Reservations are not necessary, but you might want to call ahead if you plan on dining during peak hours, particularly on a weekend.

And unlike the other "expense account" options, the prices are reasonable (around $20-25 for the steak au poivre and amazing duck confit).

My favorite French bistro, also casual, is Le Gigot, located on an amazing block of Cornelia Street in the West Village. It's very small & cozy, different from the midtown establishments.

Enjoy!

Ryan

Patrick,
D'Artagnan's phone number was disconnected when I called for a reservation two weeks ago. I'm assuming it has closed.

Patrick

NO!! Well, I always loved that Zagat's called it a "cardiologist's nightmare". Perhaps the owner died of a heart attack!

radiofanatic

thanks everyone for the wonderful reviews - instead of making things easier, I think it made it harder! I was hoping $100-125 total. Does anyone remember "Dix et Sept"? My dh and I loved that restaurant and were really disappointed when it closed.

LoriNY

Montrachet still does the byob on Monday nites and it is usually a fun time. Especially if you have fun people sitting around you, then you get to share yours with theirs.

jasper

try meli melo on 30th and madison! wonderful, french, casual.

lisettemac

For a delicious french steakhouse -- wonderful au poivre, escargot, pate de campagne, mussels and frites, etc -- try our favorite, Les Halles. There are now two locations, one on Park Ave in the lower 20's (I think) and one downtown on John Street, just off Broadway. No need to dress up.

caribtraveler

We've enjoyed "Tout Va Bien" on several occasions. I would recommend reservations on a weekend night as it's a small place that gets filled up rather quickly.
I love reading all the other suggestions. Except for "Rene Pujol" and "Tout Va Bien", we haven't been to the others. I must make sure that we do!

mikemo

L'Acajou: pretty "Down Home Bistro", a bit nasty, but great food and Alsatian whites and Rhone reds for about retail.
M

Edye

Balthazar - love the scene and the food. Res required well in advance. dress up optional.

Elizabeth

I like Tout Va Bien. It's a pre-theatre restaurant so if you're not going to the theatre, go at 8:15 and have a more relaxed dinner. It's one of a very few surviving family-type French home-style restaurants.

In the village Cafe Loup would also be do-able on the budget you suggest, and it is a neighborhood, non-dressy place.