Looking for recs: French restaurants in NYC
Nov 26th, 2006, 11:01 AM
#21
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Wow, Howard, you mean even you have weakened on the defense of the food? I have always wanted to love Chez Josephine as I sure love the feel and the atmosphere, but have never appreciated the food. We've sampled "seared rare tuna" that was totally well done and a waiter simply walked away saying "it's that kind of tuna", huh? A steak ordered rare came out the same way -- well done. I've tried the fried chicken as Howared suggested and it was horribly dry and overcooked. Right now I forget what else we've tried in the three attempts to eat there. If only they could get their kitchen together to match the other aspects of the restaurant!
Nov 26th, 2006, 11:35 AM
#22
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To be honest, I didn't question the hearing thing... I actually was trying to figure out if the French accent was real or fake. He did answer a couple of my questions in French before switching back to English. 
Nov 26th, 2006, 04:07 PM
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In response to Patrick, I didn't say the food was bad. Please don't interpret my comments as damning the quality of the menu. I've always had a decent meal there. I readily admit that it cannot hold a candle to the "best" of New York...but very few restaurants can! I don't question Patrick's experiences there; however, I have never had the same negative experiences there as he writes about.
Meanwhile, we will continue to go there and no doubt will continue to thoroughly enjoy the total experience, including the food!
Meanwhile, we will continue to go there and no doubt will continue to thoroughly enjoy the total experience, including the food!
Nov 26th, 2006, 05:05 PM
#25
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No, Howard. Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that you were damning the food at all. But saying it is "decent" is a long cry from the raves that food is sometimes given by posters-- including from you. My three meals there have all been "less than impressive". I guess I could call them "decent" however, as well.
Nov 26th, 2006, 06:17 PM
#26
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I ate at Marseille a while ago and I liked it. I wonder how that restaurant is these days.
I also ate at Fleur de Sel a while ago and I also liked it. I wonder how it is these days also.
I ate at Le Pere Pinard a few times and I liked it, but I've not been there in a year. I thought the prix fixe dinner was a very good value.
Bruni has given L'Atelier du Joel Robuchon 3 stars. Haven't tried it yet. Wondering if it's simply overrated. It's located at the Four Seasons Hotel.
I had dinner at Daniel once. Thought it was overpriced. Haven't eaten at Jean Georges.
I also ate at Fleur de Sel a while ago and I also liked it. I wonder how it is these days also.
I ate at Le Pere Pinard a few times and I liked it, but I've not been there in a year. I thought the prix fixe dinner was a very good value.
Bruni has given L'Atelier du Joel Robuchon 3 stars. Haven't tried it yet. Wondering if it's simply overrated. It's located at the Four Seasons Hotel.
I had dinner at Daniel once. Thought it was overpriced. Haven't eaten at Jean Georges.
Nov 27th, 2006, 03:27 AM
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charming, intimate and quiet is Bistro Les Amis in soho. I also love Balthazar. I haven't been for a few years but wonder if the lovely Provence is still around. Probably not. What about Le Gigot? Balthazar and Le Gigot might be more happening. Les Amis is more of a neighborhood place but filled with charm. HG
Nov 27th, 2006, 03:51 AM
#29
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Provence is still around HG. www.provence-soho.com
Nov 27th, 2006, 02:03 PM
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thanks for the link, McLaurie. I used to love that place. It's been a while. Have you been there recently enough to report?
Website telegraphs the restaurant well. Not too avant-garde with too many fades and incessant music. Merci, Honoria.
Website telegraphs the restaurant well. Not too avant-garde with too many fades and incessant music. Merci, Honoria.
Nov 27th, 2006, 02:25 PM
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Did I read that JoJo closed or something? I know that it underwent a renovation at one point, so maybe I was just confused. I think it's one of the first Jean Georges restaurants. I enjoyed my lunch there once.
Nov 27th, 2006, 04:38 PM
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Is JoJo closed? You can find out at www.jean-gorges.com
I am surprised no one has mentioned Tocqueville, Tournesol, Ivo/Lulu.
Yes, alas, Le Zinc is now closed. Thankfully, we still have Chantarelle.
I am surprised no one has mentioned Tocqueville, Tournesol, Ivo/Lulu.
Yes, alas, Le Zinc is now closed. Thankfully, we still have Chantarelle.
Nov 27th, 2006, 07:00 PM
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Nov 27th, 2006, 08:35 PM
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Again, we are always thrilled with Chez Josephine. Patrick/NeoPatrick complained of "dry chicken", but he seems to complain about "dry chicken" everywhere he goes. We never order chicken in restaurants, as I prepare it magnificently at home.
We have always found the food at Chez Josephine absolutely fabulous.
And, if you find the food less than satisfactory (not likely), just say so, and you will be taken care of. Magnificently! Trust me on this!
We have always found the food at Chez Josephine absolutely fabulous.
And, if you find the food less than satisfactory (not likely), just say so, and you will be taken care of. Magnificently! Trust me on this!
Nov 28th, 2006, 05:32 AM
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I went to the venerable yet new Le Cirque over the weekend and it was simply extraordinary. I honestly can not imagine a more perfect dining experience. From the pastis to the port, from le pain to le petit fours, it was amazing.
Do not miss dessert (the chocoloate stove, for example).
Do not miss dessert (the chocoloate stove, for example).
Nov 28th, 2006, 05:49 AM
#38
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"Patrick/NeoPatrick complained of "dry chicken", but he seems to complain about "dry chicken" everywhere he goes."
Huh, Why do people make up such outrageous statements? In the past week alone I've posted on a Europe thread about rotisserie chickens in Paris, raving about them at a number of places. And on a thread about Naples (Fla) dining, I've also raved about the wonderful chicken at a new place.
Anyway, what does "dry chicken" have to do with a waiter insisting that tuna which is well done in the center when ordered rare is "just that kind of tuna"? Or a rare steak being dark brown in the center? Is that explanation and walking away by the waiter what you call "And, if you find the food less than satisfactory (not likely), just say so, and you will be taken care of. Magnificently!" Sorry, but by personal experience I cannot "trust" you on that one.
I'm still not saying Chez Josephine is bad -- but anyone who insists that I couldn't have had a mediocre meal there -- in fact three of them -- just has his/her head in the clouds. I'm glad you like it. I had not so great food experiences there -- three times.
Should I then mention that you, always say that New York is a horrible place and complain about everything there? There is an equal amount of truth to such a statement. In other words -- NONE. Again what is the totally dishonest point of trying to discredit me by saying I complain about dry chicken everywhere. How RUDE of you! And for the record, the only reason I ordered chicken was that it was our third time there and I was told by a Fodorite that my previous experiences with the steak and tuna were because I should have ordered the chicken -- "their best dish". So I did.
Huh, Why do people make up such outrageous statements? In the past week alone I've posted on a Europe thread about rotisserie chickens in Paris, raving about them at a number of places. And on a thread about Naples (Fla) dining, I've also raved about the wonderful chicken at a new place.
Anyway, what does "dry chicken" have to do with a waiter insisting that tuna which is well done in the center when ordered rare is "just that kind of tuna"? Or a rare steak being dark brown in the center? Is that explanation and walking away by the waiter what you call "And, if you find the food less than satisfactory (not likely), just say so, and you will be taken care of. Magnificently!" Sorry, but by personal experience I cannot "trust" you on that one.
I'm still not saying Chez Josephine is bad -- but anyone who insists that I couldn't have had a mediocre meal there -- in fact three of them -- just has his/her head in the clouds. I'm glad you like it. I had not so great food experiences there -- three times.
Should I then mention that you, always say that New York is a horrible place and complain about everything there? There is an equal amount of truth to such a statement. In other words -- NONE. Again what is the totally dishonest point of trying to discredit me by saying I complain about dry chicken everywhere. How RUDE of you! And for the record, the only reason I ordered chicken was that it was our third time there and I was told by a Fodorite that my previous experiences with the steak and tuna were because I should have ordered the chicken -- "their best dish". So I did.
Nov 28th, 2006, 06:04 AM
#39
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You're cruisin' for a bannin, sir!
Just joking.
But seriously, it's okay to say that Chez Josephine is "bad." It rates a mediocre 21 for food in Zagat's, which is probably tourist-generous, and New Yorkers certainly avoid such a "has-been" spot.
One time I was forced to "dine" there and the food was passable at best, the chicken very, very dry! (Okay, the chicken comment is another attempt at humor, but the food was a 16 that night.)
With so many incredible options in New York, C.J. certainly would not make my list.
But to each his own.
Just joking.
But seriously, it's okay to say that Chez Josephine is "bad." It rates a mediocre 21 for food in Zagat's, which is probably tourist-generous, and New Yorkers certainly avoid such a "has-been" spot.
One time I was forced to "dine" there and the food was passable at best, the chicken very, very dry! (Okay, the chicken comment is another attempt at humor, but the food was a 16 that night.)
With so many incredible options in New York, C.J. certainly would not make my list.
But to each his own.
Nov 28th, 2006, 06:04 AM
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MM..I would hardly put Tournesol in Long Island City in the category of best French places in NYC. I like it well enough but not to send someone on a visit to Manhattan who is looking for "great ones."
..Regarding Jean Georges, I ate there for the first time two weeks ago and had one of the best NY meals I can remember. Everything about the experience was stellar; service is knowledgeable and congenial, not the least bit stuffy. The food is delicious and interesting without the connotations that that word often brings. Price is very fair...$98 for four-course meal with many choices. And JGV was present throughout the meal, standing on the side, observing. They have a more casual eatery as well, called Nougatine.
..Regarding Jean Georges, I ate there for the first time two weeks ago and had one of the best NY meals I can remember. Everything about the experience was stellar; service is knowledgeable and congenial, not the least bit stuffy. The food is delicious and interesting without the connotations that that word often brings. Price is very fair...$98 for four-course meal with many choices. And JGV was present throughout the meal, standing on the side, observing. They have a more casual eatery as well, called Nougatine.
