i knew i was going to love it and i did - you've got to drop everything and come here PRONTO tips: line up at around 445 - the first group is a handful of ppl and the second group gets in depending on the first, waits i've seen can be up to or past 3 hours. come in a group of 2 (trust) the food: insane. hanger steak and potatoes is a must, octopus was juicy. need to try the salad next time! the drinks: skin contact wine - superb. the service: so friendly and lovely the space: small but intimate
Maria P.
Was excited to try this place but unfortunately disappointed. We waited an hour for our food and were not checked on. Fish was plain - by the end our server was comically avoiding our table/gaze at an already tiny restaurant.
Bennett Northcutt
Really outstanding spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Panna Cotta & Cherries, Grilled Octopus, Grilled Hanger Steak, Green Salad, Socca De Nice, Steak Tartare
Sophia H.
My boyfriend and I went to dinner here and loved it! The service was great- all servers were super friendly, we got there right at 5:30pm when they opened and got a table right away. The restaurant filled up quickly so I'd definitely recommend getting there on the early side unless you don't mind a short wait- it's worth it though! The food was amazing- we had grilled octopus and escargots for apps. The grilled octopus was excellent. For mains we did the steak and the duck which were both delicious, and the panna cotta dessert was SO good- this was the highlight for me. I highly recommend!
Carlos Martinez
Cozy, delicious, a bit pricy but the entire experience was vibe. Especially on a rainy night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shawn H.
Amazing. We really loved this. The chickpea crepe, octopus, steak tartare, and steak, were all incredible, and the duck was among the best I've ever had. The only thing we'd probably sub out next time was the escargots -- the salad and a couple other items looked really great so we'd probably try those next time.
Buck Meek
Le French Diner is the best restaurant in the world.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janet L.
Very small restaurant we came and put our name done and they called us when the table was ready. The vibe were great but the bathroom and kitchen were a lil too close for my taste. We had orange wine, octopus, eggs, escargot and hangar steak. I enjoyed the orange wine. The eggs and escargot were tiny so not worth in my opinions. Love the potatoes on the steak dish and the octopus was okay. Service was great
Alexandra J.
Amazing, intimate dining experience. My BF and I tried to come here twice before we finally got a spot. The whole place seats about 16, doesn't take reservations and can get really busy. The times I didn't get in I put my name in around 7/7:30 for two. This time, determined, I came around 6 and was quoted 30mins for 2. I went to go wait and after 45 mins and I heard nothing and went back to check. The host/server said he called me twice and that I hadn't picked up. I showed him I never got a call and he was apologetic while we both wondered what had happened. He said he would put us back on the list but it would be another 30 mins. I appreciated this considering others came in and were quoted much longer, he was really doing us a favor. True to his word this time we were seated about 30 mins later in the cozy corner of the bar. Seating is tight but in a very NYC way where it feels authentic and lovely. We asked for a wine recommendation between a couple bottles and ended up loving what was suggested. Wines were reasonably priced and unique. To eat we ordered the socca de nice, escargot, octopus, steak tartar, grilled hangar steak and the panna cotta dessert. It was probably too much food for two but everything was so delicious we couldn't help it. Favorites were the steak tartar (classic and delicious), grilled hangar steak (still thinking about how amazing this was) and the socca de nice (never had something like this before. The octopus and escargot were good, just not as good as the others. The panna cotta to finish had tart cherries and was refreshingly not too sweet, almost like a Greek yogurt. Overall an amazing meal, great staff and food - we hope to come back soon.
Wonderful time! Sebastian and Chef Jeffery are great. The food is delicious. And the wait to get a spot wasn’t long, even though it’s a small place and always seems packed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Panna Cotta & Cherries, Grilled Octopus
Sarah ..
Hangar Steak, Oeuf Mayo, and socca de Nice were incredible... we waited outside for them to open so we wouldn't have to wait, which is def the way to go. It's small and cozy, not great for big groups. Worth the wait, and will return.
Waleed Khalid
Inside, worn walls and a tin ceiling make the restaurant look more like a dive bar than a destination for tartare. One side of the stovetop’s hood is decorated with Polaroids of longtime customers, another used to have a chalkboard listing wine and beer. On one shelf, there’s a Japanese greeting cat flipping customers off; a couple feet away sits a framed illustration of a duck with a chef’s knife and a meat fork crossed in front of it.In the kitchen, which is more of a squeeze, they turn out a succinct menu heavy on the bistro classics. Some dishes never leave the menu, like the crispy chickpea crêpe called socca, the rough-chopped steak tartare, the grilled octopus with lemon aioli, and the hanger steak and shallot sauce.
Pam B.
Everything about this place was perfect. This is what I think of when I think about the quintessential New York City restaurant. At risk of sounding cliche, I literally felt like I stepped into a sex and the city episode. Food was amazing, the staff was so friendly and knowledgeable, and the vibe was great. I think this is my new favorite NYC restaurant.
Daniel Pino
Est. 2014Layout/atmosphere*Intimate to say the least (bathroom located right next to prep station/kitchen); ten seat bar & three tables; brick wall with chalk writing; open kitchen; French hip hop plated over the speakersService*Good considering the hectic nature/cramped conditions and a three person staffFood/drink*Steak tartare (with garlic toast) - Good; tartare had some spice to it; the bread (possibly sourdough) was over toasted/almost burnt*Grilled octopus (aioli, piment espelette) - Good; lemon & aioli complemented the tender fish well
i knew i was going to love it and i did - you've got to drop everything and come here PRONTO tips: line up at around 445 - the first group is a handful of ppl and the second group gets in depending on the first, waits i've seen can be up to or past 3 hours. come in a group of 2 (trust) the food: insane. hanger steak and potatoes is a must, octopus was juicy. need to try the salad next time! the drinks: skin contact wine - superb. the service: so friendly and lovely the space: small but intimate
Was excited to try this place but unfortunately disappointed. We waited an hour for our food and were not checked on. Fish was plain - by the end our server was comically avoiding our table/gaze at an already tiny restaurant.
Really outstanding spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Panna Cotta & Cherries, Grilled Octopus, Grilled Hanger Steak, Green Salad, Socca De Nice, Steak Tartare
My boyfriend and I went to dinner here and loved it! The service was great- all servers were super friendly, we got there right at 5:30pm when they opened and got a table right away. The restaurant filled up quickly so I'd definitely recommend getting there on the early side unless you don't mind a short wait- it's worth it though! The food was amazing- we had grilled octopus and escargots for apps. The grilled octopus was excellent. For mains we did the steak and the duck which were both delicious, and the panna cotta dessert was SO good- this was the highlight for me. I highly recommend!
Cozy, delicious, a bit pricy but the entire experience was vibe. Especially on a rainy night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing. We really loved this. The chickpea crepe, octopus, steak tartare, and steak, were all incredible, and the duck was among the best I've ever had. The only thing we'd probably sub out next time was the escargots -- the salad and a couple other items looked really great so we'd probably try those next time.
Le French Diner is the best restaurant in the world.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very small restaurant we came and put our name done and they called us when the table was ready. The vibe were great but the bathroom and kitchen were a lil too close for my taste. We had orange wine, octopus, eggs, escargot and hangar steak. I enjoyed the orange wine. The eggs and escargot were tiny so not worth in my opinions. Love the potatoes on the steak dish and the octopus was okay. Service was great
Amazing, intimate dining experience. My BF and I tried to come here twice before we finally got a spot. The whole place seats about 16, doesn't take reservations and can get really busy. The times I didn't get in I put my name in around 7/7:30 for two. This time, determined, I came around 6 and was quoted 30mins for 2. I went to go wait and after 45 mins and I heard nothing and went back to check. The host/server said he called me twice and that I hadn't picked up. I showed him I never got a call and he was apologetic while we both wondered what had happened. He said he would put us back on the list but it would be another 30 mins. I appreciated this considering others came in and were quoted much longer, he was really doing us a favor. True to his word this time we were seated about 30 mins later in the cozy corner of the bar. Seating is tight but in a very NYC way where it feels authentic and lovely. We asked for a wine recommendation between a couple bottles and ended up loving what was suggested. Wines were reasonably priced and unique. To eat we ordered the socca de nice, escargot, octopus, steak tartar, grilled hangar steak and the panna cotta dessert. It was probably too much food for two but everything was so delicious we couldn't help it. Favorites were the steak tartar (classic and delicious), grilled hangar steak (still thinking about how amazing this was) and the socca de nice (never had something like this before. The octopus and escargot were good, just not as good as the others. The panna cotta to finish had tart cherries and was refreshingly not too sweet, almost like a Greek yogurt. Overall an amazing meal, great staff and food - we hope to come back soon.
Best French food I’ve had in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful time! Sebastian and Chef Jeffery are great. The food is delicious. And the wait to get a spot wasn’t long, even though it’s a small place and always seems packed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Panna Cotta & Cherries, Grilled Octopus
Hangar Steak, Oeuf Mayo, and socca de Nice were incredible... we waited outside for them to open so we wouldn't have to wait, which is def the way to go. It's small and cozy, not great for big groups. Worth the wait, and will return.
Inside, worn walls and a tin ceiling make the restaurant look more like a dive bar than a destination for tartare. One side of the stovetop’s hood is decorated with Polaroids of longtime customers, another used to have a chalkboard listing wine and beer. On one shelf, there’s a Japanese greeting cat flipping customers off; a couple feet away sits a framed illustration of a duck with a chef’s knife and a meat fork crossed in front of it.In the kitchen, which is more of a squeeze, they turn out a succinct menu heavy on the bistro classics. Some dishes never leave the menu, like the crispy chickpea crêpe called socca, the rough-chopped steak tartare, the grilled octopus with lemon aioli, and the hanger steak and shallot sauce.
Everything about this place was perfect. This is what I think of when I think about the quintessential New York City restaurant. At risk of sounding cliche, I literally felt like I stepped into a sex and the city episode. Food was amazing, the staff was so friendly and knowledgeable, and the vibe was great. I think this is my new favorite NYC restaurant.
Est. 2014Layout/atmosphere*Intimate to say the least (bathroom located right next to prep station/kitchen); ten seat bar & three tables; brick wall with chalk writing; open kitchen; French hip hop plated over the speakersService*Good considering the hectic nature/cramped conditions and a three person staffFood/drink*Steak tartare (with garlic toast) - Good; tartare had some spice to it; the bread (possibly sourdough) was over toasted/almost burnt*Grilled octopus (aioli, piment espelette) - Good; lemon & aioli complemented the tender fish well