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Sel et Poivre

French Bistro$21 - $30
853 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10065

Restaurant Information

For thirty years Sel et Poivre has served classic French bistro fare at their charming location on the Upper East Side. Situated on Lexington Avenue between 64th and 65th Streets, they’re just a few minutes north of Midtown East. Sel et Poivre is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and features a prix fixe brunch menu on the weekends that includes your choice of a mimosa or a Bloody Mary.

The menus are elegant, yet not overdone. Appetizers include terrine de foie gras with red wine grapes, mussels marinière or à la provençale with French fries, and of course, an exceptional French onion soup that should not be missed. Dinner entrées include classic French items such as frog’s legs in Pernod sauce and duck à l’orange with wild rice as well as items such as pan-seared chicken breast served with wild mushroom sauce and mixed vegetables, a bistro burger with French fries, and thin-sliced steak frites and salad. Of course if you’re ready to indulge, they also feature a filet mignon in a red wine shallot sauce with roasted Yukon Gold potatoes and an aged New York sirloin steak with Roquefort or poivre sauce.

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Reviews

Overall Rating

4.3
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72 reviews
  • 5 Stars
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  • 1 Star
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Wesley Satterfield
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2015-06-19
Essentially it is a family-run establishment. I've been dropping in occasionally for decades and am always pleased to find the same fine atmosphere, very good food, and friendly service. The servers don't hover but are always available. We are never rushed. One who enjoys conversation will be happy at Sel et Poivre -- there is no background noise to contend with. I see I can give it only 5 stars. I would prefer 10. May this treasure continue and prosper.
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Patrice Callender
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2014-05-29
Great for a drink or two at the small bar (seats maybe 5) since the bartender is really great, but not a destination for food. Small meant mostly for parties of 2 and basic french style cuisine. You could get more for less in the area in terms of price, flavor and atmosphere. That said the owner and staff were lovely.
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Doug Anderson
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2013-11-06
Nice neighborhood restaurant owned by a real professional who knows how to talk with his guests and make them feel welcome. Last night the bartender was wearing a small hat and looked ridiculous and unprofessional........lose the hat. Other than that, the experience was excellent and we'll be back. I had pea soup then liver with sauteed onions. Very good..........and nicely priced.
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Paul Tenberg
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2012-06-26
The food was good. The service was good by the waitress. Everything would be nice if it wasn't for one bizzare event that spoiled the whole experience for us. There was one guy who is a bar tender/host or not sure what his role is. He mocked my parents who were speaking Russian as we entered the premise (I guess that was his idea of a joke). When my dad ordered the Artichoke appetizer and started eating it with a fork, the guy came up to him told him to put his fork down, reached into my dad's plate with his fingers, took a piece of an artichoke dipped it in the sauce and put it in his mouth in front of our astonished faces. He probably ate 1/3 of the entire appetizer. We were shocked and my parents begged me not to make a scene... Needless to say I will not be going back to this place.
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Cezara Darie
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2016-06-23
Lovely atmosphere and clientele , but the food is mediocre and not really French . Could do better in that area
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Cezara Darie
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2016-06-28
Lovely atmosphere and clientele , but the food is noooooot good and not really French . Could do better in that area . I am sure they didn't change the menu since it's opened (27 years I believe )
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n v
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2016-07-02
Warm. Cozy. Delicious. Great spot.
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Nick Creed
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2016-11-15
Super food great wine
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Jonathan Spangler Bean
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2017-01-31
Great Upper East Side French that is comfortable, has delicious food, and very attentive service. First class all the way.
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Allan Franklin
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2017-01-31
I cant wait to come back
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pedro diaz
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2017-02-07
Great onion soup, wine selection and service.
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Natasha Tkach
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2017-04-01
Nice atmosphere , cozy and traditional decor , service is great . I dine there few times a year, never left disappointed !
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Ramanou Djima
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2017-05-29
Great restaurants.
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Pablo Calamera
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2017-07-02
A little crowded but the food is very good and we'll priced.
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James Kirtley
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2017-07-27
We had the price fix, which was very reasonably priced for the neighborhood. The food is excellent, the service excellent, and it has that white table cloth ambiance that a good french restaurant demands.
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S Ski
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2017-09-10
Cozy and relaxed ambience. I sat with my dinner companion nudged up against the sidewalk and some potted flowers. The wine selection is abundant and is served in generous amounts. The lighting is dim and inviting. Most of the food is french but there is some mix up of American and Italian on the menu as well. The creme Brûlée followed by some english breakfast tea was truly inspiring.
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Emily Damron-Cox
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2017-10-03
In the past four days, I stopped in twice for the prix fixe lunch. Each time I was impressed with the care taken in preparing the food. Everything was delicious, the lemony skate, the green bean salad with slivered carrots and almonds, the vegetable risotto, and the profiteroles. My only complaint: the leek and potato soup was on the thin side, but the flavor was still quite good. The atmosphere at Sel wt Poivre iis all that you'd hope for in a French bistro. The servers were attentive, and the prices reasonable for the Upper East Side.
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Erol Bal
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2017-10-14
Christian is amazing! His staff is wonderful and the food is PHENOMENAL! It’s a perfect spot in the Upper East Side! We love coming here for special occasions!
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Daysi Awad
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2017-11-16
Great food. Nice prefixed lunch
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Melissa McKay
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2018-01-18
I love French restaurants. (Because I am a Francophile) Period. Sel et poivre provided elegant simplicity with it's dishes and the staff is attentive and lovely.
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Charles Denholm
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2018-02-18
Great food, good service and consistently pleasurable.
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E Damron-Cox
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2017-10-03
In the past four days, I stopped in twice for the prix fixe lunch. Each time I was impressed with the care taken in preparing the food. Everything was delicious, the lemony skate, the green bean salad with slivered carrots and almonds, the vegetable risotto, and the profiteroles. My only complaint: the leek and potato soup was on the thin side, but the flavor was still quite good. The atmosphere at Sel wt Poivre iis all that you'd hope for in a French bistro. The servers were attentive, and the prices reasonable for the Upper East Side.
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Paulette Lollar
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2018-05-04
Wonderful service; delicious food; delightful setting. I thought I was back in France.
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jim glegg
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2018-05-14
Price fix lunch at 2pm on Monday (1/2 price) wine, this place is sublime.
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Charles Denholm
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2018-05-29
Great food, good service and consistently pleasurable. Great as usual. The duck is perfectly fine. Monday night is half price off any bottle of wine. Yes!
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Tatyana Doughty
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2018-06-17
Excellent classical French food in a cozy, reliable neighborhood spot.
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Edward Madory
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2018-09-06
Sel et Poivre is a great place for a romantic meal with great food and atmosphere and excellent service.
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David Ray
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2018-10-07
It's old fashioned and in the neighborhood. I mostly like it but don't go there very often anymore.
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Charles Denholm
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2018-12-08
This is a wonderful restaurant with food that you wished your mom made!
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lisa mensah
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2018-12-25
The food wasn't so great. Had the soup du jour and pork chop with braised onions with potatoes. The pork didn't seem thoroughly cooked...it seemed to be missing something. There's a great wine selection and I received a generous pour. Dessert was okay and the staff was friendly. They could definitely do better with food.
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Tom Browne
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2019-01-14
Great service and food as always
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Rebekah Gerard
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2019-01-27
Wonderful place! Service was excellent and the food very good. I can't believe they do a $34 three course prix fixe all night, every day! A true gem!
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Nikkie Smith
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2019-06-28
I like there duck .Waiters are very friendly .#FREDDY and ,ALBERTO are the best..
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Kyung Won Hong
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2019-07-10
This place is very classy, yet very down to earth. Alberto really took care of us. He walked us through the menu and we had pre fix for lunch. It was great. They have wine special on Mondays(50% off). Can’t wait to go back for the oysters and wine.
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Marc Chandler
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2019-08-29
Charming place, classic food. Reasonably priced.
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Frances Singh
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2019-09-23
Price fixed lunch was reasonably priced but my bagel with salmon was inferior.
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Nicholas Madonia
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2019-10-04
The food and service were very good
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Natalia Bergamaschi
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2019-10-22
Old style upper east side little spot. One of those places where you know you will have a solid meal with no surprises or enthusiasm.
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Igor Cohen
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2020-01-26
The food was good, but it was extremely hot in the restaurant, plus very unpleasant smell resembling cockroach poison.
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Jose Garcia
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2020-02-03
They made a great sirloin a poivre sauce and pommel frites
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Warren J Wilson
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2020-02-08
Excellent neighborhood gem. Great rognons à la moutarde, perfectly sautéed skate, delicious steamed artichoke with rémoulade. Friendly service. A great go-to in the hood.
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Souchon Sandrine
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2020-02-16
Food was delicious, service perfect and owner super nice. Will go back for sure
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Peter Elson
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2020-12-01
Good food and helpful and knowledgeable staff.
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shai shani
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2020-12-05
Authentic French food at fair prices. The menu has special dishes that worth to try them. The wine selection is excellent.
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Jonathan Spangler Bean
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2021-01-05
Great Upper East Side white tablecloth French that is comfortable, has delicious food, and very attentive service. First class all the way and deserving of our support during this pandemic.
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Nikola Stanchev
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2021-03-22
Good service. Top location
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Robert Kandel
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2021-03-29
Great to dine again at one of my favorite NYC restaurants!! Great food, service and value!!
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Steven Gaebler
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2021-04-10
Wonderful restaurant, with great atmosphere, delicious food, very friendly owner and terrific service and with a very accommodating and personable waiter who waited on us.
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Haley Karsting
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2021-04-19
Wonderful restaurant! Absolutely excellent service, very attentive. The food was delicious and they were very accommodating to one of group members who is vegan. Highly recommend!
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Erik Johnson
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2021-04-18
Excellent value for casual French food in the UES. We had the prix fixe brunch which included a bloody mary, mimosa or screwdriver as well as a brunch entree for just under $20 total. The croque monsieur was totally serviceable for this price.
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Nicolas L. Paris
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2021-05-07
Went full on French tonight, Paté, Escargots, Veal Rognons (Kidneys...), Pot au Feu and Crêpes au Chocolat! If you are looking for authentic French Food , delicacies that you won't find everywhere else, then Sel et Poivre is where you will find what you seek!
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Cindy Dickey
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2021-05-12
Sel et Poivre is a charming and friendly place where the food exceeds all expectations. They have a great fixed price menu that was all so tempting. Even the dessert of mango ice cream was the best. Waiters were terrific - couldn’t have asked for a xxx better dining experience !
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Lauren Williams
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2021-06-20
I adore this little French bistro. The BEST cold poached salmon in the city and the owner is delightful. Hidden gem!
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Agne Petkute
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2021-08-20
Wonderful experience. We had a pleasant time with my friend and our children. Everyone was so polite and professional. The food was delicious, generous portions. I highly recommend this elegant gem.
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Lyz Kurnitz-Thurlow
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2021-09-19
They let us sit there for 4-1/2 hours! Sat outside. Very pleasant dinner and service.
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Diane Michell
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2021-09-30
Very nice French bistro with good food. Been many times over the years and will continue to dine there. However, I do not recommended Sel et Poivre for holidays. Ordered a typical American Thanksgiving dinner which was pre-prepared and kept hot on a steam table and not very good and had to wait almost an hour beyond our reservation Easter Sunday brunch uneventful. Staff too rushed.
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Aniq Rahman
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2021-10-23
This place has great food, friendly service and is underrated. Randomly walked in for weekend brunch and thought it was excellent.
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stephen peterson
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2021-12-15
I hosted a family dinner there last night. The service was impeccable, the food was fantastic and the ambience a delight. The owner was there and was delightfully charming as ever. If you have not eaten there, you are missing out. I love this place and the people who work there.
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Jonathan Spangler Bean
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2022-02-01
Great Upper East Side white tablecloth French that is comfortable, has delicious food, and very attentive service. Owners are there every night making sure everything is right. First class all the way and deserving of our support during this pandemic.
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Aidan Fitzmaurice
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2022-02-17
Excellent Prix Fixe lunch (my choices: pate, omelette and fries, apricot crepe), very reasonably priced ($24 plus tax, Feb 2022).
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Michel Lalou
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2022-03-16
Incredible. We went for dîner with my friend on monday night. My first time, I ll definitly go again. A real french restaurant, food and service was absolutly fabulous. We had a wonderful experience. Thanks to them.
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Will Tifft
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2022-03-14
Charming restaurant and delicious pris fixe brunch and especially nice service.
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Elodie Beal
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2022-07-20
Very good service and very good french food for the lunch prix fixe
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pamela ambrose
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2022-08-03
Lovely dinner. This, small charming restaurant has true French classic cuisine. Finally I found a chef who can prepare calves liver. The proprietor sits at bar greeting his diners warmly.
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B L
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2022-08-10
One of the best French restaurants in the city, despite being so small of a restaurant. Their steak au poivre is to die for. You will pay the price for the quality tho.
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Ian Wardell
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2022-08-14
Definitely one of the best bang for buck french restaurants in the area. Well priced and good service. C'est Bon! Good atmosphere for having an actual conversation as well.
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Frunze42
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2022-11-08
I did not expect this place to be good, but was so pleasantly surprised with everything served. The food was delicious and the staff polite and accommodating to dietary restrictions. Highly recommend this place.
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Cathy Peterson
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2022-11-11
The trout almondine was fabulous and the vegetables were cooked perfectly too. The atmosphere is charming. The waiters are abrupt and slow to refill water. The food was really amazing.
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David Wilder
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2022-12-16
A true neighborhood bistro as only dedicated owners and staff can consistently deliver. The Sport-jacketed gents, who accompany those Ladies-who-still-Lunch, creates an ambiance so very Upper East Side. Terrific menu full of Francophone value. Sincere and professional service, always.
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Jeovany Arvelo
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2023-03-02
This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in NYC. The food was amazing; some of the best I've had. The atmosphere is not only warm and inviting and intimate, but it resembled that of an actual Parisian restaurant, and the prices were very fair. And the servers and the bar tender were the absolute best; our waiter, Alberto, was one of the kindest and purest person I have ever met. He was super attentive and welcoming and I cannot wait to go back to this place on my next visit to NYC. Definitely one of the main highlights of the trip to NYC Alberto - Merci, gracias, thank you for everything!
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Danielle M.
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2023-03-26
Excellent casual French dining. Pate was amazing as was the schnitzel and the monk fish and shrimp platter. They offer a three course dinner option - recommend that, as well!
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Richard Gid Powers
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2023-04-03
Loved everything, ambience, service and the food. I had the veal kidneys in mustard sauce which were wonderful. The special cucumber salad was delicious and refreshing, and the apricot crepes was a nice change. Sweetbreads on Wednesdays will bring me back.
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