Just had an excellent dinner at Bistro du Vent, 411 West 42nd St. T: 212 239 3060. We had just come off the Circle Line Harbour Lights cruise (around 9.15pm) & were very pleasantly surprised to stumble across this gem. Two Steak frittes, a superb moroccan lamb shank, Peach tatin, a pineapple (something - can't remember, but the taste I had was delicious), & a very good St.Emillion. They have a very extensive wine list with a good representation of most French regions. We thought the VFM was excellent. It's really only a block or so away from the tatt of Times Square. And they have a $27.50 fixed price option.

Thanks for posting! I'm really enjoying your comments about your stay in NYC - keep them coming and continue to have a wonderful time.

We tried Bistro du Vent a few months ago and had an opposite experience. We were very unimpressed with the food and service.
So, the question is did we hit it on a rare bad day or did Bokhara hit it on a rare good day?
(PS: Friends went on another day and had an experience similar to ours.)

In response to Howard, I think that the original poster is from another country, possibly Australia? In that respect, her food preferences may be different than yours. I've found that this can be true even with respect to recommendations from people from different states.

I'm not saying that this necessarily explains the different experiences in this particular case, but it's something to consider.

That's interesting, HowardR. I'd be interested in what happened, food etc when you were there. As Judy24 says, food's such a subjective area; and of course, can always be a matter of menu choice. One of our trio has the "knack" of choosing duds, but really did well with the lamb shank last night. Our steaks were cooked perfectly to order (rare & blue).
The service was attentive but not intrusive, with water glasses being refilled constantly and the wine NOT being poured too quickly with that often popular trick of pouring the last into one or two glasses leaving one "needing" so another bottle is ordered.
I forgot to say that we ended up being the last to leave and at no stage did any of the staff make us conscious of it - in fact when we asked for the bill, laughing that we were keeping them up, our waiter asked if we were sure we wouldn't like some coffee etc.

We paid $153 (+tip) which included $60 for the wine, a 1990 Chateau Simard Saint Emilion, which I thought was pretty good value.

Interestingly, du Vert is apparently owned by Mario Batali & Joe Bastianich who also own Babbo (27 Zagat), Esca (24) Lupa(25)Otto(21) & Mono.

It can certainly be a matter of expectations v's experience. I found this at Artisanal yesterday, with the service. I trekked across town (in the midst of the Indian Day parades), down side alleys to this "mecca". Inside, wow, looked great, wonderful aromas, superb range of cheeses both on the menu & in the showcases. Good wine selection, but once my order was delivered - that was it. At 2.30 there were probably only 4 or 5 other tables so the waiters were not exactly rushed off their feet. My waiter attended the table about 10 feet away from me several times while I was parched (LOL) for more water. Eventually, having tried in vain to catch his averted eye (or any one else's) I walked over to the "service post" & asked whether someone might be able to bring me some more water. I did consider my famous "taxi whistle", but thought in this case discretion may be more appropriate In contrast to the v.helpful somellier at du Vert when I asked for a recommendation (all French wines and I actually do know quite a few but always like to see what the S. will recommmend), at Artisanal, there were a lot of American wines which I don't know and was keen to try, my waiter was either not too knowledgeable (which I doubt as he'd clearly been there for a some time by his familiarity with some of the other guests) or not too interested. Not off-hand, but not too far off it (LOL).
Anyway, I did manage an excellent Pinot & the Salad Frisse was v.good.
The long espresso came as a short one. I think I paid about $30. When the bill (check?) arrived, I immediately put my credit card on it and left on the edge of the table - as I would normally do. After about 10 mins I decided this must be self service too - so picked it up took it to the same "service area", where the girl took it, gave it to someone else who, without a word, went across the room, leaving me wondering whether I was expected to follow (I didn't). So after standing there another 2 or 3 minutes, he arrived back and I signed for it on the edge of another table. The tip was not the biggest I've given (All this and I didn't have my "Ozzie on the loose - luv NY" tee shirt, "bum bag" & cork hat on [LOL])
I'd give it another try, but on this occasion I'd have to say my experience didn't meet my expectations in the service area.

HELP: How can I order what in Australia would be a "long black" ? I've tried "doppio lungo" which would do it in Italy, only to get a very watery long.

Before I respond to your inquiry about Bistro du Vent, Bokhara, I must say that I am chuckling after reading your last response, because we had the opposite experience at Artismal, where we were totally satisfied!
I guess we just better never go out for dinner together!
Back to Bistro du Vent, we went there with high expectations as it was recommended by a friend whose taste in restaurants are usually on the mark. My wife had a shrimp dish, which was said very, very salty and not palatable at all. I forget what I had, but I remember that it, too, was salty. As for the service, we had to seek out the waiter to order dessert and coffee and then again to get our check. He wasn't much more attentive during the rest of our experience.
(PS: The friend that recommended Bistro du Vent went back after I told her of our less-than-favorable experience. She was very disappointed that time.)
I guess it just goes to show that we Fodor's posters are indeed a heterogeneous lot!

PS: I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how much I'm enjoying your reports on your visit to our fair city!

Hi HowardR,
Funny, isn't it? Actually, I've had shrimp a few times here and found it v.salty to my palate, too. As I said, I'll give Artisanal another go as so many Fodorites have recommended it (and thevinoman would never forgive me if I went away thinking it wasn't 11/10 ). Maybe it was just "the Sunday thing".
Hey, I've found a great coffee. Here in "my" apartment kitchen - bought some coffee from M.Rohr's the other day . Borrowed a plunger - heaven !

Enjoy your day. I think (my plans so often change once I get out the door!) I'm off to Grand Central oyster bar for lunch, perhaps the Frick & Witney & then a little retail therapy down in the East Village (or at one of the Designer discount places I've read about).

That's so funny about the water thing at Artisinal. My partner and I drink TONS of water. The last time we were there for lunch (in June), there was a separate girl who did nothing but wander around pouring water (well, maybe she also removed dishes). We joked and joked about the water as she never let our glasses get below half empty and she must have filled them at least a dozen times. Meanwhile my partner has become the slowest eater in the world -- I'm talking up to an hour to complete his entree. We also had a running joke everytime someone came to see if he had finished yet (I had finished ages before). The waitress said, "I don't want to rush you, I just think your partner is starting to drool with anticipation over the cheese course" -- as I had mentioned from the start that was a definite. Our service there was not only attentive, but friendly and fun as well.

Ah well .... you'll be pleased to know I'm not starving yet (LOL).

After a little sojourn to B & H and a
couple of other RT stops, revived at the legendary Oyster Bar at Grand Central on the way home.

Mixed dozen (Bluepoint, Glidden Point, Westott Bay Sweet) and a glass of Wyatt 2003 SB. Very, very good - and what a fabulous setting.

I wished I'd a black & white film, there were so many wonderful opportunities. Hopefully the coloured ones will capture the essence.

Took the subway from Madison Gardens at 5.45, caught a fantastic trio of "breakdancers" busking at G.C. Don't know if they're always there or just peak hours, but they're great exponents of their art.