L'Ecole
462 Broadway
(between Broome St & Grand St)
New York, NY 10013 (212) 219-3300
- Nearest Transit:
Canal Street (J, M, Z, N, Q, R, W, 6)
Canal-Church Sts (A, C, E)
Canal-Varick Sts (1)
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
35 Reviews for L'Ecole
The service was the highlight of my evening. The staff was very knowledgeable and patient in answering all my questions about the dishes and ingredients. In terms of quality, L'Ecole is the best valued restaurant you can dine at. Though its run by students of the French Culinary Institute both in and outside of the kitchen, the quality of food and service is no less than the finest restaurants in New York. The menu changes often so pay a visit to their website before dining in.
Check out my blog http://cidnyc.wordpres... for pictures and reviews on dishes I've had.
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Best bang for your buck...or the duck cause damn it was delicious.
my faves:
appetizer: bay scallop ceviche with caviar. cool and light
fish: i think it was the fluke, but it was nothing like the description
meat: seared duck with a delicious sauce, rhubarb, and jasmine rice (could have just had this and dessert and been happy)
dessert: baked alaska with passion fruit ice cream inside and a side of fresh raspberries. to die for!
p.s. the fish and meat portions are fairly large so prepare yourselves. by the end of our meal we could barely stand up. should have asked for to go boxes.
You absolutely cannot beat L'ecole for an amazing 5 course meal (appetizer, fish course, meat course, digestive salad, dessert) for $42. I've been here twice and as cheesy as it may sound, I'm always excited to try their new menus and I always leave super smiley. What can I say, good food always puts me in a good mood.
Their menu changes often, so I won't go into the fine details of my meal but every dish my friends and I tried was innovative and very, very good. A prime example of their creativity would be the dessert last night. All three of us ordered the apple cherry pie expecting a traditional slice of pie, but we were pleasantly surprised by a deconstructed interpretation of a pie. It came with crumbled cinnamon streusel, a wafer thin brown sugar cookie and macerated cherries. The one component that put it over the top was the apple portion which came in super thin slices in little cigar shapes with an airy custard filling inside.
The ingredients used are always very fresh and of a high quality (my scallop dish had 3 jumbo scallops, I swear they were probably 1.8 inches in diameter). My dining companions and I were all quite satisfied with our entrees (flank steak, venison, and pork chop) as well as our fish dishes (bass, mackeral, and scallops) but I think that the true highlights of last night's meal was the appetizer and dessert, both of which were just so brilliantly unexpected and creative.
The digestive salad comes with a tiny scoop of ginger-yuzu sorbet (which initially struck me as being somewhat odd...salad and sorbet??) but it struck the perfect balance between sweet and tangy while cleansing the palate and preparing you for dessert. It was refreshing and delicious.
It does get a little loud during peak times, but it's tolerable and the food is worth it so I'm not complaining. The wait staff is attentive and friendly and does an excellent job of spacing out the 5 courses. I would recommend making reservations in advance since weekend nights are almost impossible to book and even more impossible to get a table on a walk-in. If you come to NYC, go to L'ecole, it's the embodiment of what perfect food should be: delicious, innovative, and not exorbitantly priced.
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OMG--is all you can say about this fantastic find in NYC.
I do not think a trip to NYC without going here would be financially responsible. This is by far the best buy you will have your entire trip!! Make sure you make a reservation though because this place is always booked for a reason!!!
And the reason is this: 5 course meal for $40
Yes, you read that correctly, and especially for being in NYC this is a steal!! And the food is impeccable--spot on if you will. And to top the food, they have a HUGE wine list and great dessert champagne to end your meal with too. The staff is knowledgeable and this meal is definitely an experience, and with 5 courses set aside some time for your meal, especially if you savor each bite like we did.
Now for the food...you get an appetizer, then a fish dish, then a meat dish, then a digestive salad, and then a dessert!!! The menu changes every 6 months but if you go soon, you have to get the bay scallop ceviche which is served in shells and is so decorative topped with caviar you almost don't want to eat it until you take your first bite and then you can't stop eating it!! My boyfriend's Trout with horseraddish crust and bok choy beat my fluke dish out of the water so much that I wish I would have ordered the trout, but my boyfriend was nice enough to share heh. For the meat dish, the seared duck breast was SO TENDER and juicy and the combinations of flavors on the plate were unforgettable. The hangar steak with red wine and shallots was also perfectly cooked!! Still not at the end, the digestive salad was tasty and small which is good because I barely had room for dessert!!
Dessert topped off the meal and were probably some of the BEST desserts I have ever had in my entire life and my boyfriend agreed. A chocolate tart with caramel ice cream and a baked alaska dish were TO DIE FOR!!! and the restaurant was so nice they even surprised us with "Happy Anniversary" on our plates written elegantly in chocolate and caramel!! We didn't even ask them to, but I had written that the dinner was for our anniversary in my reservation through open table!!
Thoughtful and delicious, you simply cannot get better than that.
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Price and Quality - the two best aspects of L'Ecole.
A kitchen of student chefs - who after 6 or 9 months of training are delivering food far superior to 90% of New York chefs. This place is a credit to its instructors and overseers.
Changing menu is great. My highlight was a roasted duck breast that melted in my mouth - cooked to perfection - I think I nearly shed a tear :) Just straight down the line fantastic French inspired cuisine.
Fixed price is certainly the best value in New York City. And service is intentional and focused.
The dining room is pleasant, could do with a little more glamor or sophitication in the decor, but hey I'm not quibbling. Absolutely perfect for groups, just make sure to book well in advance as this is one popular stop.
Tip: make a student chef's day, call him/her out to say thanks for a job well done.
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Don't let the culinary school restaurant tag fool you--this restaurant has excellent service and food. And combined w/ a $40 prix fix (either 5 course or 4 course) this makes it a great value.
the difference between the 5 and 4 course is the seating time and menu options. the 5course starts seating at 8 while the 4 course starts earlier. also, the options for the appetizers, fish and meat entrees are less then the 4 course. Also, menus vary by the day.
either way, you can't go wrong. we were started of w/ a complimentary amuse bouche...a curry calamari served in shot glass....a perfect way to tantalize the taste buds.
appetizers: i had the open faced seafood ravioli....very delicate and delicious. the beef consomme....i wasn't impressed...but perhaps that was my first time eating consomme
fish entree: both the salmon and another fish dish that i can't remember. both were not spectacular, but still good.
meat entree: i had the bone-in rack of lamb....this was perfectly cook med rare and very flavorful. Easily could have been a $40 entree at some other NYC restaurants. The duck confit was also good.
Predessert salad: the fruity sherbert on top of the salad was a perfect palate cleanser.
dessert: i can't remember now, but both excellent.
Finally, you get complimentary baked goods from the students as a parting gift...very nice touches.
All in all, a perfect place for a special occasion w/out breaking the bank!
My friend and I packed our cameras and met at L'Ecole to try their prix fixe lunch. Available weekdays, you can order their three-course menu (distinct menus daily; $30) which includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert.
We started with tender sea scallops over squid ink risotto and a herb emulsion - deliciously fabulous. Tried the country pate with foie gras and urbani truffles, an excellent combination. For entrees, my friend went for their Provencal-style red snapper fillet, while I enjoyed their sauteed beef fillet (cut just right) with spring farm vegetables and a red wine-marrow sauce, laden with flavor.
To close, my friend opted for the strawberry napoleon. I had a warm chocolate tart (with seasonal fruits), which wasn't bad (but I don't have a sweet tooth). I also had a cup of tea ($2.50). Surprisingly, we were given complimentary desserts (as if we needed any more), in the form of a savory nectarine tarts.
L'Ecole is a divinely Gallic experience, excelling in service (thanks to Stephanie and manager Scott), delivery, and quality of food. Highly recommended!
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L'ecole wins for quantity with its multi-course menu, but I'm not so sure about the actual quality of the food and preparation.
We knew what we were in for -- dinner prepared by student chefs in a straightforward, no-frills ambience. But I still can't help but think that our meal could've tasted much better.
However, the service was great. The staff was really friendly and accommodating with our reservations, despite us changing them several times and arriving late. The waiters were very attentive and warm, but not overly chatty, which is perfect for me. It was also nice to be able to choose from lots of options on the prix fixe menu.
We were served an amuse promptly after being seated, which was something fried that reminded me of my mom's fried pork wontons. However, it wasn't very warm or even crisp -- just a chewy, nondescript bite.
Our appetizers were okay. My smoked salmon dish was actually a huge, fluffy hash brown patty garnished with a sliver of salmon and an asian pear coleslaw. It was good, but only if you like huge fried appetizers.
The tangy, horseradish-y sauce on my BF's bay scallops was good, but the scallops themselves didn't taste very fresh -- which is SO important if you're eating something raw! A+ for presentation, though...the scallops were served on half-shells resting on a bed of sea salt.
Our main courses were a bit off, too. I made the mistake of ordering the skate wing, which perpetuated that evening's theme of fried...two flat, breaded pieces of fish were served with salty fried cubes of potato and a mound of cabbage sauteed with spicy sausage. The best part of the dish was the caper and brown butter sauce, which was perfect for dipping their excellent bread into.
My BF's duck was pretty good -- served in a sweet Asian-style sauce (that reminded me of Chinese rotisserie) with some bok choy. However, some parts of the duck breast were a bit too fatty or chewy for my taste.
Our digestive sorbet, however, smoothed it all over. The tiny dishes of fruity, soft, ruby-red sorbet were light, refreshing and tangy.
Our meal ended well with some solid desserts -- an apple-cranberry cobbler topped with two tiny marbles of ice cream, and a dense zucchini bread pudding with a scoop of ginger ice cream. These were definitely more American comfort food than traditional French, but whatever -- they were good.
Overall, $40 per person wasn't so bad for this meal, especially in the city. If I could have chosen a meal with less fried and more sorbet, I'd give it four stars!
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What a pleasant surprise... where else in NYC can you get a high quality 5-course prix fixe meal for $40?!? Well, now you know. L'Ecole, the restaurant at the French Culinary Institute, offers an excellent menu with some impressive dishes. You'd never guess that these are dishes prepared by students... but then again, this is the FCI, so we're not talking about just any amateurs here. Who knows... I may be tasting the future signature dishes of the next star chef!
I believe the menu changes constantly (another reason to keep going back) but my friend and I had a few stand-out dishes.
* Beef-Chicken consomm with poached egg, bacon and chanterelle mushrooms: perfect combo of ingredients; soothing and delicious
* Mushroom soup with poached duck egg: a bit on the rich side but very good
* Poached cod with leeks, lemons and croutons: cod can be boring but this one was an ideal 2nd course and perfectly and lightly flavored
* Grilled beef fillet w/ mushroom-tarragon sauce: nice cut of meat... too bad I couldn't eat too much of it
* Warm chocolate brioche pudding: oh wow... this was excellent! a nice crispy top and good dark chocolate. plus, i love bread pudding.
The only reason I'm taking off a star is due to 2 reasons: (1) the boring atmosphere... it's a random hodge podge of older clientele, tourists, and foodies. The room felt a bit stodgy with minimal character... not much ambiance here; (2) service was spotty... took awhile for our waiter to get to us in the beginning of the meal; he was fine towards the end when the restaurant emptied out but in the beginning, not so good (maybe the waiters are also students?).
OH! BEWARE -- pace yourself! It's alot of food and the courses can be quite rich. I pulled a total amateur move and filled up on the first 2 courses (app & fish). And by the time the 3rd course (meat) came around, I was so full that I barely ate a quarter of it. I was so disappointed in myself and cursing myself for having eaten every single last drop of that first course soup dish! I almost felt bad getting a dessert b/c I knew I could barely eat it but the waiter said I might as well try it. And I'm glad I did b/c even the few bites were enough to convince me that this is a solid 4-star restaurant... with even the possibility of a future upgrade to 5 stars. Highly recommend this place... I can't think of a better place for an upscale meal at such a value.
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It's a perfect location for tourist, I could come here during my shopping trips to Soho and does not have to take detours (and waste time) to somewhere far for some nice French food with nice service.
Not the best food I've had at French restaurants but it's very good for the price. Their menu changes seasonally, and most of the Entrees and appetizers were good - really good salad dressing, makes me want to steal it. ^__^ We were served a tuna+salmon tartar on the house right after ordering - always a plus. However, their dessert needs some improvement on the textures. The fennel tart was slightly hard and their creme brulee was runny, but both tasted ok.
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The food, ambiance, and service were all fantastic. If you have the chance, try the escargots in gruyere cream. That dish made my entire night.
If you're not familiar with French food, don't be afraid to ask about what's in each dish and how it's prepared. The staff is well-informed and really patient about explaining the menu.
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Like the Weight Watchers commercials, I have to preface this with "Your results may vary," since the kitchen staff rotates regularly here.
I have passed the French Culinary institute several times while in Soho, and have always been intrigued by the cooking classes that they offer to the public. I have yet to actually sign up for one of these classes, but as a great birthday surprise, I was taken there for dinner. If you are not familiar with the premise, they have a well-respected culinary education program, and the chefs and kitchen staff are students of the program.
It was a Thursday night, and due to our late reservation, the restaurant was not terribly crowded. The bar was quiet and the 3/4 full house when we arrived eventually tapered out to about 1/4. This made for a peaceful, enjoyable meal.
Our server was mostly knowledgeable, and extremely friendly and attentive, stopping by after each course to make sure everything was going well, and to engage in light conversation at that perfect level- friendly but not intrusive. He informed us that the wait-staff is in fact professional, and the only part of the staff (save maybe dishwashers and bussers) that are not students.
The menu changes regularly, but always gives you a choice of a number of items for each of 5 courses: Appetizer, Fish, Meat, Post-Meal Salad, and Dessert. I enjoyed a chicken consumm, a seared tuna in octopus broth, stewed lamb with summer vegetables and a key lime dessert that was so airy it was almost frothy. Aside from petty suggestions, I was pleased with everything, including my cocktail, a scotch based drink with lavender-infused honey.
In my opinion, the fixed price charged for the 5 courses was more than fair, and only drinks, coffee and one cheese plate carried an additional levee. So, I suggest calling a date, and heading here for the night. If you are a regular at high-end restaurants, I still ensure you will be refreshed by the creativity and panache. If you are not a frequent customer at such places, this is a great start, and you can have fun pretending you are a judge on one of those "learn to be a chef" reality shows.
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So I'll save upfront, I'm really picky with my food. and if that food comes with a price tag, i get even pickier. and I realize with Mid tier fancy like L'Ecole, you're paying for the experience as much as you are for the food...which is why i usually avoid places like this. And if i do go im usually unhappy and give the place a low rating.
However, L'ecole managed to be the exception. i went to L'ecoloe with a group of 8, all of us flying in from all over to meet up in NYC. And we had a really fun dinner. Its a great deal for a 5 course menu, and while alot of the dishes were average - there were definently some standouts....the garlic lemongrass shrimp and key lime pie for me....but the menu changes.
Our waiter was also awesome, and they were in general really great about service - only 2 of us made it on time and they still sat us and happily fed us drinks, we had 2 delayed flights so people showed up with luggage which they kindly stored, and they didnt kick us out even though we were there way later than anyone else. So if you're looking for a fancy dinner where its more about having fun then having phenomenal place, i think L'ecole is a real winner.
oh! and their cappuccinos were actually awesome. sooo much lovely foam.
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It's kind of hard not to like this place. As others have pointed out, where else in NY can you get a upscale meal for a prix fixe price of $40?! It's fancy food for at least 1/2 of what you'd pay elsewhere. Whether or not you love all the dishes, everything is well-prepared, and they use top notch ingredients.
So why isn't this a four star place? It many ways it could be, but for this reviewer a four star place has to have that something extra like the well oiled flow of a tenured staff or a dish that really surprises me. L'Ecole is on the edge of that - still a recommended place - but just not quite the level of sophistication that a NY four star joint commands - which is fine, actually. L'Ecole is a training ground, and I'm happy to be a guinea pig.
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Been here twice and both times were 3-star... potentially good food that arrived at room temperature. What's up with that?
Also, I couldn't help but feel that I was a guinea pig.
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So I wanted to come to this place when I visited NY last year - but they were totally booked and this year I made reservations on opentable weeks ahead. It was nice...the food was well prepared and well presented and the fact that it was $40 for a four course meal didn't hurt. I was really surprised however with how small and well, unromantic the place was. Portions were good though and the service was above average - worth it if you wanted to get decent french food in the area without breaking the bank.
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Wow, I really should have read the Bergdorf Brunette's review!!!
Let me preface this by saying that I was so excited to try this place. I walk by it a lot and with the reasonably priced menu ($40 prix fixe), reputation for culinary excellence (enhanced by their pop on Top Chef), promise to make any trainee into a chef capable of getting a 24 on Zagats in a matter of months and difficulty in getting a reservation, I had high hopes. Of course because it's basically a restaurant for student chefs I was prepared for slightly uneven food, not quite the best service service and weak ambiance.
Instead, my girlfriend and I found a place with a very basic menu and average execution on the food. For apps, my girlfriend had tuna tartare, while I had mushroom soup. The tartare was pretty good, though my soup was about what I'd expect out of a can (which is to say it was good, but nothing special at all). For mains, I had sesame encrusted Tuna Steak, a pretty basic dish at this point. It was huge, but basically lukewarm by the time I got it. My girlfriend had the black bass on the recommendation of our waitress and was not happy. Surprisingly, our favorite was the Pear Sorbet we had was the highlight of our meal (not a good sign), though I'm annoyed that they considered this the third course. Sorbet should not be a course!!! It's a desert choice. For desert, I had the creme brule (pedestrian), while my girlfriend had the Apple Grenache (OK). With all dishes, the presentation was above average, but nothing to write home about.
L'Ecole has friendly staff, though they can get a little confused on the service (they brought the wrong dishes once and also brought us the wrong coats on the way out). It is a nice place to have a conversation as they keep the music quiet and the clientele is a little more shall we say, mature.
I guess I'd consider going back as it's possible I got them on an off-night in a bad table (buried in the back corner instead of one of the nice two tops in the window). That said, I found the overall experience to be adequate, but disappointing.
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Like other yelpers have said, $40 for a 5-course French dinner in NYC is a great deal. The food was good--it was so hard to polish off the later courses! The service was very helpful and explained the dishes to us--like the hake (a fish we hadn't heard of till that night). One of the best ways to spend $40 on food. Need to make reservations a few weeks in advance to secure a prime dining time.
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I have to say not to set your expectations too high. I had heard people rave about the quality and value, but when I went the service was very good, but everything else was just ok. The desserts were disappointing. One of the worst things in the world is a mediocre dessert (why waste the calories?).
I have heard that sometimes at the early sittings the teachers cook instead of the students, so bear that in mind when making a reservation.
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L'Ecole is French for "The School". This restaurant is part of the French Culinary Institute where you'll sample the cooking of many future chefs. I love to introduce my friends to this place for multiple reasons:
1) The atmosphere is comfortable, but not too casual. The lighting is good and the decor is simple, yet nice. This is great for a group of friends who like to eat and is also wonderful for a date. For a date, go with the 4 course meal which I'll go into later.
2) The food varies from very good to excellent. These are student chefs honing their craft, but that'll hardly cross your mind while eating here.
3) Price. This place has good bang for the buck. For dinner, you get a fabulous 4 or 5 course prix fixe meal for $40. Used to be a much better bargain a couple of years ago at $32. Even this spring it was only $35. Hopefully the current price holds for a while.
There are 2 seatings for dinner. The first seating is from 6 - 7:30 and is a 4 course meal (appetizer, entree, salad, and dessert). The second seating is from 8 - 9:30 and is a 5 course meal (appetizer, fish entree, meat entree, salad, and dessert). The 4 course meal gives you a lot more choices for each course compared to the 5 course, which only offers 2 or 3 choices per course. Although they both cost the same, I prefer the increased number of options for the 4 course. Beware: the 5 course is equivalent to eating 2 full dinners, so pace yourself.
The salad will come after the entrees which is typical in French dining. It is to help with digestion (and you're going to need plenty of help).
The only major issue I have with L'Ecole is the table bread. It is like cheap supermarket bread that has sat around for a few days. It's not stale, but it's definitely not good. Maybe they do this so you don't fill up on bread and save plenty of space for the real food. If so, their ploy works.
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I highly approve of this restaurant. I was a prospective student for the French Culinary Institute and I attended a welcome dinner here with my bestfriend. All the food is amazing and also made by aspiring chefs (4th semester students of the school.) I also had the pleasure of eating dinner here on a different night with my bestfriend and her boyfriend on the house, compliments of the Administrator of the school. Great school, great food, great teachers, great experience. Merci.
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First off, everyone should note - this is the restaurant of a culinary school - there will be some hiccups in temp etc sometimes - the key is - you should say something to your waiter about your satisfaction.
When I went the service was spectacular - my waiter was completely helpful and we asked for recommendations on the best choices for dinner (which we were totally happy with). The waitstaff usually knows what has been complained about and will steer you toward the sure shots. With that said, we also had the wine pairings with our dinner. The duck was fantastic and the lamb chops were fantastic.
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Hey,
Last night, I took my b-friend to L'Ecole for his birthday. It was great. We had the prixe-fixe 4 course dinner for $39.90. My roasted duck was sublime, and his steak, though medium well was juicy and delicious. His scallop appetizer was presented beautifully, but was way too fishy for either of our taste. My tuna tar-tar was really delicious however.
The service was great and the restaurant is good looking. My only complaint was that my entree was not hot once it arrived. But besides that, it was an almost perfect meal.
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This used to be one of my favorite restaurants, although it's still towards the top of the list. The menu is a five course prix-fixe meal, the atmosphere is slightly upscale (but not stuffy), and the price is reasonable. My only complaint is that, since these are student chefs, the menu items can be a little hit or miss. The food presentation is always excellent though, and the service is very good as well.
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fantastic fantastic fantastic new york dining experience. and for the money it can't be beat. which is what bumps it up to 5 stars in my book. l'ecole serves a fixed price menu that changes by the season and even by which seating you attend in the evening. it is a 5 course meal for $49. the staff is exceedingly friendly and for folks that are training to prepare food not serve it they are very good at the serving end too. the ambiance in the restaurant is nice though not unique. all in all...this place is a must if you are looking for a fine dining experience on a budget.
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This is an amazing place. For $35 you can get a five course Prix-fixe meal. The portions are 'generous' (as far as French restaurants go) and everything I had was excellent. The staff was very accomodating and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. I suggest making a reservation in advance- I called 2 weeks ahead and was only able to get a 5:30 on a Saturday which made me feel like I was doing an early bird special in Florida! However, they have a lunch special as well, which is $24.00 and includes the same amount of courses. The menu does vary day to day and I noticed that the dinner menu changes from 5:30-8:30 and after 8:30. Overall, I would highly recommend it. Great food, wonderful price.
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Attempting a 5-course meal was a bit of a challenge--i wish i could clean the plate...but ended up just sampling after the third meal...even the dessert which came last.... :P if only i could make room for it all...*sigh*
Though prix-fixe and unless you're a picky eater, then it's all good...usually two choices to pick from each course so if you bring an extra person along...you can try it all. Every day is a different menu so check out their updates online before you go :)
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The food is consistently delicious, and the menu is continuously updated. Have been to this restaurant several times for their lunch prix-fixe, and always leave satisfied. However, L'Ecole sticks to the basics, which while safe, lacks innovation.
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This is the experimental arm of the French Culinary Institute. Don't be alarmed. My friend graduated from this school and the restaurant is very good. There's nothing to complain about the service. The atmosphere is pleasantly clean and the dinner, at $35 every day, is a good alternative to waiting for restaurant week to come around. I've eaten there twice already and everyone I took there has liked it a lot. You will have no regrets dining here.
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i don't think i've ever eaten a 5 course meal for lunch. it was awesome! i enjoyed lunch on valentine's day with a bottle of wine to compliment our meals. Their interior decor was classy, yet still had the valentine's day charm.
because it's in the middle of the city, a lot of business men and women come here for lunch. it isn't too casual...it's classy. so don't come in your jeans and flip-flops. the servers are friendly and helpful, and if you ask them something about the menu, they'll be brutally honest.
the chefs are still students at the French Culinary Institute so their prices are very reasonable. make sure you make reservations because there is a wait if you don't!
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my host recommended l'ecole during my first trip to nyc but we couldn't get a table without a reservation. this time i went on opentable and secured a table before arriving in nyc. the morning i arrived, i received a call from the restaurant confirming my reservation for the next day. when i got to the restaurant, i was surprised to find that it was not really full. we were seated next to a parisian women visiting from miami who said that the food was fantastic, and i agreed. the three-course prix fixe lunch (for $26.50) was my favorite meal in nyc.
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One of the best meals I've had in my life. For just over $100 my boyfriend and I were treated to a 5 course meal, great wine, and sparkling water. The meal included an appetizer, a salad, a meat course, a fish course, and dessert. All of the food was outstanding. They only do prix fixe meals, but you do have a choice between a couple of options for each course.
The staff was also the best I've ever experienced at a busy restaurant. Everyone, from the bartenders to the waitstaff to the cooks are students at the French Culinary Institute. They know their stuff and gave us great recommendations for wines to go with our food choices. Very sweet, knowledgeable, and attentive without being disturbing.
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This is one of the best deals for high end french food in NYC. You get a four course or five course pre-fixe course for $40 (the first time we went it was only $30). We had great foie gras as part of the menu. Depending on your reservation, you either have your dishes cooked by a student or the chef, just ask the host/hostess . The menu changes daily but you can view it for the week by going to their website.
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The staff was very friendly and the food was good. I was thinking about going to school at the FCI so I wanted to try out the restaurant since the students are supposed to cook the menu. Everything is pre fixe here so I guess there are no surprises for the students, but it definitely gave me an idea of what good quality chefs the school churns out.
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Loved it... AWESOME experience...
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