NeoPatrick

Hey, just for the record I never said the steaks were wonderful at Steak Frites. I only said it was as close to the real Paris as you can get (steaks included). But surprised it closed as it was always so busy. Maybe they closed it for repairs? It looked like it hadn't had a good going over in about 50 years -- just like some Paris bistros.

doug_stallings

Actually, Steak Frites by Union Square is no longer. I think it's moved. For French bistro-style food, I would recommend DB Bistro Moderne. It's not by Union Square but it's very good; I also like Cafe Bouloud (best duck I've had in a long long time). Or Artisinal (and it's particularly good if you like cheese, but the food is generally solid).

bellastarr

Steak Frites moved to the West Village and doesn't currently draw in crowds, to say the least.

elysag

You also might want to check out Pastis or Odeon if you are sticking with the French Bistro idea.

andrew8

I would go with the Clinton St Baking Co on the lower east side for breakfast.
For dinner, you could go with Le Bernardin(French/Seafood) for dinner. Its a Michelin 3 star like Per Se. Another option is Restaurant Daniel which is Daniel Boulud's New French restaurant.Le Bernardin accepts reservations 60 days in advance and I believe Daniel does as well.
http://www.clintonstreetbaking.com/
http://danielnyc.com/daniel/
http://www.le-bernardin.com/

mp

Steak Frites moved over to Varick and Houston Street . . a relatively desolate block where it will make $$$ from the captive office workers on Varick St. If they only walk a few blocks over to Carmine Street, they'd find better food!

I've been to Olives in the W a few times - it's kinda generic - I'd skip it and take Adu's suggestions of City Bakery for breakfast - a VERY New York scene with excellent pastries and coffees and a great organic breakfast bar and luncheon salad bar. Lots of young media and publishing people and models . . . there's a little "chocolate room" which displays a lot of their high end chocolate products.

For bistro food - you might like Gascogne on 8th Avenue and 18th Street - extremely atmospheric, good food - a neighborhood place, but good. Or certainly Balthazar - high energy, tasty food.

I strongly disagree with Cherrybomb about both Eleven Madison and Gotham Bar and Grill - I've had extraordinary meals at both - Gotham is especially good, IMHO - the service has always been topnotch, and the food is wonderful. I live nearby - it's a place we go to for a special night, a place I always feel comfortable recommending. Eleven Madison changed chefs in the last year and has garnered wonderful reviews - I haven't been recently. Gramercy Tavern is actually very close to your hotel - that too has a new chef and is revitalized after a brief downswing. The front room is great for a drink and a snack. The formal dining room is beautiful.

Adu makes a great suggestion with Toqueville - very small portions of wonderful, imaginative food.

You can check out menus and addresses at www.menupages.com . . you can ignore the reviews there, tho - they always seem phony and staged to me . . .

Rhea58

On the upper East side for dinner:

http://www.labsinthe.com

Might be out of your way but does fit the French Bistro moniker.

csabia

I'm also a foodie and sprung for Per Se. I was disappointed, so don't mourn missing it. Try Bouley in Tribeca for a lovely tasting menu either at lunch or dinner. Enjoy!

ekscrunchy

To Editor Doug Stallings:

I feel obliged to point out, at the risk of being persnickety, that Daniel's last name is spelled: "Boulud"

And "Artisanal" is the correct spelling of that restaurant

gyppielou

I regret to inform everyone here, but it is with great sadness that I must share.

ekscrunchy has been banned from fodors








LOL!!!!!!!! You do have great cajones editing the editing staff!!!!!!!

doug_stallings

OK ... I regret to say that sometimes I'm typing quickly and don't really read through everything very carefully. If anyone has read my other posts, that will become clear very quickly. I wish we had an editing function so we could go back and fix stupid things after posting. Alas, that's not to be, so I'll just have to add my thanks for pointing out my atrocious spelling.

NeoPatrick

Doug, surely you are aware that you can use the back button and go back to the post you want to correct, hit preview, then edit, and edit away before reposting. It replaces your entire post with the new edited version. I've done this quite a while after posting other messages, sometimes backing up 20 or more posts I've done or looked at since posting the "mistake".
I think it was Robespierre who taught us this trick.

doug_stallings

No, actually I didn't know that, but now that I do, I'll probably reload more posts.

NeoPatrick

Oh, I love it when we lowly peons can teach an editor something! LOL

trsny

For breakfast, go to Friend of a Farmer. It's around the corner and a bit from the W on Irving btwn 18th & 19th.