http://www.26seatsonb.com/

Proprietor/Chef: ?

Category:

Neighborhood: Alphabet City
168 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
(212) 677-4787

Mood: Homey classic french food without the flair.  Not ideal for romance (or parties larger than 4), but it has its own intimacy and charm.

Tastes Like: classic, simple, hearty, traditional and beautifully plated food.  It doesn’t get any better than this.  Price points are wonderful.  I’ve tried everything from their comforting French onion soup, varietal of salads, pissaladiere, pate with lovely tart cornichons, duck with a marvelous sauce, to lamb, hangar steak & the special of the day, sea bass.  Their wine is lovely…all I’m missing to complete the set is their dessert.  Have not yet tried.

Must Haves: Duck, Sea Bass, Pate, Hangar Steak, French Onion Soup

Stay Away: NA

Ambiance: Intimate, very cozy… and about 26+ odd seats in change.

Service: The times I have been here, we have been well served by two authentic Frenchmen who were eager and happy to please us in any way shape or form.

Rating: 4 stars

Caveat: There can be quite a bit of a wait sometimes…. Call ahead to make reservations.  And yes, they take last minute reservations.  They are quite nice like that.

Proprietor/Chef: ?

Category: French

Neighborhood: West Village
7 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014
(212) 243-2846

Mood: Light lunch in a casual setting.  Crepes, salads or sandwiches… freshly used ingredients.

Tastes Like: it will satisfy the taste bud, whether you choose to have a light or heavy affair for luncheon.  Best yet, they offer sweet or savory crepes and would love to come back to try it.  The portions here are just right. unfortunate for me, I’ve been in the habit of ordering healthy, so you can imagine my taste buds have been adjusting to lots of blandness.  At least I left without feeling guilty.  My dish was totally nutritious.  Nonetheless, judging from my friend’s choice of dish, this place has potential with an endless variety of sandwiches, soups, salads or crepes to choose from.  Why the hell didn’t I go with a crepe instead?  isn’t that one of those foods that the french do better anyways?  If i’m in the neighborhood, I’d love to come in and try something else.   They have lots of dishes that contain ratatouille.  Yummers.

Must Haves: Le Croque Monsieur…. Although the bread was a little bit on the hard, crisp side.. who can say no to ham and oozing cheese on top?  Beware, it’s a bit messy to eat, since all that cheese is sitting on top, but I would not have sacrificed the cheese any other way.

Stay Away: The chicken salad was ok… the ratatouille was the best thing on the plate. The chicken and veggies were cooked and sliced thinly.  Nothing innovative about that.  Everything else was a little bit bland and wished I had ordered something else.  It looked better than it actually tasted.

Ambiance: tucked in West Village on Bedford street.  it’s tiny and very quaint.

Service: swift, quick, friendly & too quiet all around.

Rating: 3 stars

Caveat: Review is for lunch service only.  I don’t recall them having a dinner menu, as it’s a cafe.  Great for brunch, lunch & dessert.

www.barmarche.com

Proprietor: Chris Eddie

Category: Brunch, Bar, French

Neighborhood: Nolita
14 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-2399

Mood: Want coziness & intimacy?   Whether for brunch or dinner, Bar Marche keeps it clean and simplistic, something you can appreciate.  If not for the food, the drinks are creative and excellent!

Tastes Like: for brunch, there didn’t seem anything “French” about it…but you know brunch is good as long as it accomplishes the job of satiating my appetite (and then some).  My usual picks will always include some form of eggs (benedicte preferred), starch and fruit if I’m lucky or pancakes.  I try to stay away from the latter, because I’m usually in a savory mood, but on rare occasions, I love me a great stack of pancakes.  My roommate swears by their blueberry pancakes here, which tasted light & fluffy indeed.  I had the salmon tartare, and while for the most part it was good, one of my eggs were over cooked and the salad was way too salty.  To compensate, they just gave me more salad.  No dressing, just dumped a whole bunch of salt on top… yeah, check!!   if you go here at night for drinks, they have an impressive list of adventurous dare i say exotic listing of drinks?  they taste as interesting as it looks!

Must Haves: Blueberry pancakes! Bass Taquitos!  a fan favorite of my guests when they come here for sure.

Stay Away: Any and all egg dishes.  Over-poached eggs, shame on you.

Service: so-so.  I guess when you’re kinda busy, it’s an excuse, but don’t certainly use it as one.

Rating: 3 stars

Caveat: have not been to dinner service yet, review is strictly for bar service & brunch!

www.bourgeoispigny.com

Proprietor/Chef: ?

Category: French, Fondue

Neighborhood: East Village
111 East 7th St New York, NY 10009
(212) 475-2246

Mood: A place where you can eat and get your drink on….

Tastes Like: a tasty, delectable treat.  1/2 priced bottle of wines Monday & Tuesdsay, and 1/2 price mussels on Weds.  Our two sauce picks for mussels were the tomato bacon and white wine.  I preferred the white wine– subtle, savory, especially delicious with the sliced french bread.  Though I can tell you my roommates beg to differ.  Nobody in their sane minds would refuse bacon.  I’m talking nobody, unless you’re anti-FATTY pork like me.  Haven’t tried their fondues yet, but fondue is fondue, the experience itself generates all the excitement.  Lastly,while they don’t have hard liquor, their drink cocktails comprised of wine/beer/champagne are very distinct.  Take your pick.  Chances are it will be sweet on the palate.

Ambiance: Eclectic, funky & sophisticated vibe all rolled up in one….

Service: Attentive

Rating: 4 stars

Caveat: Their drinks are so interesting and unique, I’d ask for a recommendation, or else you may not like it…..