Pigalle 8th Ave, N.Y.
 

What is your opinion of this place. After having it recommended to us we tried it and found it disappointing. Did we just hit a bad day? The cassoulet was absolutely terrible. Is it worth a second try? Other places in the same general area that you would suggest.

I've been a number of times and have always enjoyed the experience. I'm not a french food enthusiast, but the croque madame is great at brunch, and the many fish fillets I've had have always been wonderful as well. I also like the very laid back atmosphere...it's a nice neighborhood place for me, as I live only a few blocks away. I'd say give it another shot!

ttt

Thanks for the reply. Guess I need to give it another try.

I think it's definitely hit or miss. I live in the neighborhood and have eaten there four times. The best experience we had was when we went there just for late night drinks and dessert. Two breakfasts were mediocre. What kind of place are you looking for? Dinner? Breakfast?

Since there are so many places to recommend in NYC, to me, any restaurant that one describes as "hit or miss" isn't worth keeping on the list!

You know I've been passing Pigalle (staying very close to there) and noticing it always seems busy. It is in the Day's Inn building and just thought it was because it was their restaurant, but perhaps it is totally independent. Doesn't sound like enough recommendation to me to give it a shot.

Well, I've actually never eaten there, but... the reason I've never eaten there was that both times I've tried to go for breakfast on a Saturday we waited more than 20 minutes for a waiter to even approach the table, so we gave up both times and crossed over to the Olympic diner, where we had coffee and menus within 45 seconds.

We are usually looking for just a quick place to eat pre or post theater. Mostly we go to the early shows so we can catch the train back to CT. and still get home fairly early. We love French, then Italian or seafood. At Pigalle the Cassoulet had beans that were pretty much Campbells pork & beans and Duck that was overdone beyond belief. Have tried to get to Carmines <sp>, but haven't been willing to wait 1 1/2 hours. Guess we keep trying at the wrong times. Not interested in a huge portion, just a good meal. If possible for around $20/entree or so. Thanks all for your help.

Le Zoo on West 11th is a fine small bistro with great people watching and pretty good bistro food.
Extremely casual and at times, very French:)

For French I recommend Marseille (corner of 9th & 44th) or Le Madeleine(43rd between 9th & 10th).

For seafood, I recommend Blue Fin(corner of 47th & Broadway - ask to be seated upstairs when you make the reservation for a better experience).

I rarely eat Italian so I don't have any recommendations. One place I've been meaning to try is Cascina (on 9th between 45 & 46 - http://www.cascinanyc.com/). It got a good mention in New York magazine.

I'd be nervous about Cascina. They advertise heavily which might justify a New York magazine approval. But every discount theatre site I go to has coupons for 10% or 20% off at Cascina. That signals a problem to me. Any good restaurant in the theatre district shouldn't need to give everybody discounts.

As far as a mention in New York Magazine, it depends where it was mentioned. If it was in the regular dining out column, then okay. But, if was in the back of the book in the restaurant listings, take the praise in the manner intended: I believe those are paid listings.

Thanks for the help. I will keep these new places in mind for our next trip to the city.

I agree the discounts aren't a good sign. I'm surprised to hear it because they usually look busy. In any event, we will probably try them eventually because we live in Hell's Kitchen and eat out two or three times a week.

Jean, we just walked by Cascina before our matinee today -- we ate at the inexpensive but good Trattoria Daniela on 8th near 45th, then circled a couple blocks. While a lot of places were pretty busy at 1 PM- pre Saturday matinee business, there was exactly one table being occupied in Cascina and a man who looked like he must be the owner or manager sitting at a table by the door looking very bored.

But Jean, since we're at 45th and 8th for a month, can you tell me a few of your local favorites? We had a great $13.95 special for a 1 1/4 pound lobster dinner at Mercury Bar last Monday -- available every Monday. And all their food looked good as well. So many places along 9th!!

Hi Patrick,

Yes, there are a lot. That man (at Cascina) is usually standing outside in the late afternoon. He often says hello to me when I'm on my way home.

I'm not sure what you are looking for, so I'll give you all our neighborhood favorites:

Cheap Eats
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Amy's Bread (9th between 46 & 47)
A bakery, not a restaurant, however there are some tiny tables in the back. We sometimes stop in for a quick breakfast; they have good coffee & scones. Excellent breads.

Azuri Cafe (51st between 9 & 10)
A hole in the wall with a few tables. The owner can be surly, but the falafel and hummus are awesome. So if you like Middle Eastern food order the platter so you can sample all his salads.

Island Burgers & Shakes (9th between 51 & 52)
Great for chicken sandwiches (churasco) and shakes. Also a tiny space.

Uncle Vanya (54th between 8th & 9th)
Good homemade Russian food in a homey environment. They have good soups: cold borscht (better than the hot) & cucumber soup. The pelmeni is also excellent. The beef stroganoff is served over kasha, not noodles, so if you don't like buckwheat you might not like that.

Zen Palate (9th & 46th)
Very unique and delicious vegetarian food. We love it & we're meat eaters. Also a nice atmosphere for an inexpensive restaurant if you eat in the dining room, not the store front. Enter on 46th for the dining room. No alcohol served.

Moderately Priced ($15 - $25 entrees)
Besides the above mentioned Blue Fin, Le Madeleine, and Marseille, we enjoy these:

Brazil Grill (8th & 48th)
It can be cramped but we've always had a good experience here. OTOH, I always order the same thing (the filet mignon with mushrooms & brown sauce - yummy!) so I can't claim to have sampled the menu.

Hell's Kitchen (9th between 46 & 47)
Great Upscale Mexican. They take reservations before 7pm which I recommend making. If you go late you will probably wait.

Jack Rose (8th & 47th)
American. Really nice atmosphere: dimly lit room with big leather booths and a fireplace. We've had consistently good steaks & seafood here.

Russian Samovar (52nd between Broadway & 8th)
Good Russian food & great vodka. If you like cold borscht, you can order it here even though it's not on the menu, and it's delicious. The piano player that comes after 7pm makes it fun. OTOH, not a great value, a little pricey for what you get.

Uncle Nicks (9th between 50 & 51)
Greek. The traditional greek dishes are good, but the fish in my experience is bland. I love their eggplant salad appetizer(melitzanosalata).

I hope you enjoy your stay in New York!

Too funny, Jean. I missed this post last night and earlier this morning. We just headed out this morning with umbrellas in the pouring rain and went to Amy's Bread -- that place has been calling to me every time I go by -- despite the fact I try to avoid breads generally. Got giant sticky buns and a couple big cookies for later. But wished I had read your post; I didn't see the tables or coffee. So got some Starbuck's and headed back to our apartment to have them.
Yours is not the first recommendation I've seen for Jack Rose, including a praise by Zagat's. Isn't that funny? This place just looks like a tourist rip-off joint-- don't ask me why. But I assure you we will try it, and some of the others as well. Brazil Grill looks good, and now I know what to order -- anything with mushrooms can't be half bad! And yes, I love borscht, but only cold usually, so we'll try at least one of the Russian places. Thanks for the suggestions.