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Ponty Bistro
Categories: Restaurants African Restaurants French African, French [Edit]
218 3rd Ave(between 18th St & 19th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhood: Gramercy
(212) 777-1616
- Nearest Transit:
-
3 Av (L)
23 St (4, 6, 6X)
14 St - Union Sq (4, 5, 6, 6X)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 1 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
Kristina C. said: "This fantastic place, sort of tucked away in the depths of SoHo (basically across the street from the Holland Tunnel), whisks you away to a comfortable French bistro where the food is made with love and the wine never stops flowing…" read more »
111 reviews for Ponty Bistro
Review Highlights
"The lobster BLT was AMAZING."
(in 7 reviews)
"...700 pounds, with truffle oil oozing gloriously from my..."
(in 7 reviews)
"And did I mention the two for one martinis."
(in 4 reviews)
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111 reviews in English
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Review from Larry L.
Manhattan, NY
2/2/2012
The flavors, let me tell you, are unlike anything else I've tried. There's a certain appeal to a dish that takes your familiar entree and flip it with some of the most unique spice combinations these taste buds have tried. I'd recommend coming for the early dinner special; although the fixed menu does not resemble the amazing dinner selection, it is really great value.
I came during dinner time (officially) and started off with the Moules Africana, a great appetizer of mussels stewing in spiced sauce. The sauce is the highlight of the dish, masking the "from the ocean" flavor of the mussels but not overpowering the plate as a whole. I can envision the same sauce being applied in many other types of dishes, though here it was perfect. For an entree I got the steak with Senegalese spices. It had a unique name, one that I'd rather not type out because I probably don't want to embarass myself. Basically, it was your normal slow-cooked beef with this unique pepper-based glaze. Delicious!
The atmosphere is nice and intimate - very lively music plays from a tinny radio, lights are subdued, tables are small, waiters are very quick to serve. This place comes highly recommended. -
Review from Wenxiao G.
Brooklyn, NY
2/5/2012
As a former child puzzle champion (word, math, logic, 3-D puzzles: shit, I was well rounded!), I've solved some mighty wily conundrums, but how Ponty Bistro has racked up a 4-star rating is a riddle beyond me.
By my powers of assumptive deductions, I must conclude that people who rated this establishment above average (4 or 5 stars) must satisfy 2 axioms:
1) They have experienced sheltered, bland food lives in which little flavor has ever graced their tongues.
2) They have a Midwestern understanding of the proper "doneness" of meat. (I can say this because I am from the Midwest, where the mountains of well-done steaks consumed annually could blanket the U.S. in shades of ashy grey. Yes, it is proper and right that we deeply mourn this tragedy.)
Did I have a terrible meal at Ponty Bistro? Not by any means. Ponty Bistro seems perfectly capable of serving up a solidly mediocre meal. A perfect C.
The Alcohol:
2 for 1 martinis sounds like a good deal, if your definition of "good deal" = well gin + one additional flavor additive that fails at masking the "well." We ordered a ginger martini and a lychee martini. The ginger martini had a strong, stale ginger taste, and its lychee counterpart clearly was no more than gin mixed with the sugary preserve liquid that houses canned lychees. I'm fairly certain that the ingredients never even saw the inside of a cocktail shaker.
The Food:
*Mussels Africana smelled amazing and did have a nice sauce--hints of chili and cumin and turmeric--but the mussels were small and tough (overdone) and hadn't absorbed any of the flavors. Eventually, we totally gave up on them and just asked for more bread to dip in the sauce.
*Kesbah Lamb Shank was a calamity of overcooked mutton. This could not have been lamb it was so tough and sinewy, and so overcooked and dry that little shards that were burnt crisp slashed away inside my mouth. The only redeeming component was the merguez, which was really delicious.
*Braised Branzino (whole) was simply ordinary. The accompanying plaintains, however, were disappointing-dry and flavorless--and made me long for Pio Pio.
*Tarte Tatin dessert promised me cinnamon ice cream. Perhaps the cinnamon and I were meant to play a round of Hide-and-Seek...
The Ambiance:
The service is the real redeeming factor. Ponty Bistro may not look like much from the outside (has black and orange bubble font ever turned anyone on?), but wandering inside, the vibe is friendly and warm with just the perfect level of inaudible buzz. The kitschy decor strikes the perfect tone of homey, and the service is attentive, yet laid back. We finished dinner at 8:45 but sat around chatting (first over dessert, and then over tea, and finally over water) until 11:30, without any disturbances or pressure to leave. Granted, there was no longer a wait, but still, I have to really appreciate their graciousness.
Come here to linger over 2 for 1 glasses of wine. Skip the overpriced, uninspired (most definitely NOT French African) food. -
Review from Charles R.
Los Angeles, CA
1/19/2012
The Blackboard Eats coupon brought me in, the food will bring me back.
On my recent visit to NYC, I checked this place out thanks to a 30% off coupon. We ate there on New Years Eve day....early afternoon. The place was eerily empty, only one other table had diners and they left shortly after we sat. I'm guessing the place was packed later that night, especially given their hype of what fun festivities were coming in the evening in the restaurant and surrounding area. But for lunch, we pretty much had the place to ourselves.
Armed with a big, fat coupon, my girlfriend and I (sort of) went to town on the food.
Ponty salad: Loved it. Mixed baby greens, apples, carrots, grape tomatoes with a shallot vinaigrette? More please.
Lobster ravioli: Loved it. The cream sauce was so good. More please.
Side of grilled asparagus: Tough to screw that one up, but still...loved it. More please.
White wine sangria: Loved it. More please.
The service was friendly and attentive, and the place itself looks nice -- clean and well decorated. The prices are a bit high and may make me think twice about returning, but if I'm hungry enough for a meal I know I'll love, I'll be back. -
Review from John P.
Manhattan, NY
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
A great many ups-and-downs at this restaurant. The food is billed as French-African-Mediterranean. Not much Mediterranean that I could find; rather, it is a peculiar fusion that is not quite French or African.
My meal started with a chicken vegetable soup. It consisted of a rich broth, with a large piece of chicken dropped in. Flavorful, although I had to watch for bones in the chicken.
Main course: a mushroom risotto. This was not bad, tasty chunks of mushroom and green onions in a nicely-textured risotto.
Dessert was disappointing. An ice cream sundae was basically a plate of vanilla ice cream with a strawberry and some chocolate sauce.
The space is not large at all. It fills quickly. Decor is pleasant, but not outstanding. Service generally good.
The main drawback is the price: a glass of mediocre sangria was $9. While the overall experience is pleasant, I would be hard pressed to become a regular given the high price tag (overall meal, including a glass of port and a tip, easily exceeded $80.)
Grateful for the presence of Tusker beer on the menu, although it seems strange for a French-African place to feature a Kenyan beer. -
Review from Joel S.
Armonk, NY
1/31/2012
The spices are amazing.
Mussels with African spices could be the best mussels dish ever. That includes memorable mussels in st barths!!!!!
Sea bass special melted in our mouths.
Crepe dessert was also amazing!!!!!
Found this place on broadway eats and we live in the mid 50's but we will certainly be back!!!! -
Review from Allison P.
Manhattan, NY
1/5/2012
Had a Blackboard Eats for this place but realized the ScoutMob deal might be better. Check out before you go.
We didn't order much variety but I can comment the stuffed flounder was very good. Not the best I've had and I'm unsure there was much crab meat but a good size portion and flavorful. I liked the capers as they added nice flavor. And the fish was cooked properly as sometimes it's overcooked and dry. The pinot grigio and the malbec glass options were also good.
What not to get - the serrano ham $16 appetizer. I probably should have said something - but it was some thick cut, too fatty, lack of flavor ham and some slices of a dried salami. The ham really was not very good. I expected the ham to be cured and quite salty - not even salty enough to make me reach for my water glass.
Everybody else's meals smelled great and looked great. There were ample servers (maybe a few too many) but I was brought extra plates of complimentary bread when i asked and my water was continuously refilled.
Solid neighborhood spot. -
Review from Cara M.
Mahopac, NY
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm seriously confused about how this place has 4 stars. We went for Brunch and aside from the fact that it looked like a diner packed with senior citizens, the food was meh.
I had the Steak Sandwich. It wasnt anything special. The potatoes were burnt. Wasn't impressed. -
Review from Tesia K.
Syracuse, NY
1/2/2012
I came here new years eve for dinner. The place was crowded and we got the last table so I suggest making a reservation before. I came here after buying a livingsocial voucher which actually wasn't valid for new years however the chef was very nice and let us use it that night. He even came out to greet us and ask us how things were going.
I ordered the artichoke salad, chilean seabass, and tarte tatin and everything was so good. The seabass was cooked and seasoned perfectly. My friend got the lobster which was also really good but kind of small. Even with the livingsocial deal the meal was very pricey for a college student's budget but I thought the food and service was worth it. -
Review from Giacomo C.
New York, NY
Updated - 11/21/2011
I recently came back for lunch with my gf and 2 good friends.
We had an amazing meal. These guys continue to rock!
Fried calamari, hanger steak, salmon, roasted chicken, cous cous... everything was delicious and beautifully served.
A great place with great food and service that won't disappoint you.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/24/2011
I was here this past Saturday with my girlfriend and had a blast.
I had known about this place for a… Read more »
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Review from Angelina K.
New York, NY
11/7/2011
French, African? Sounds amazing. This place has been on my 'to try' list for the longest time. We were looking for brunch spots in the area and Ponty Bistro was an option, so I steered the girls over to try it out.
The menu looked pretty standard for a brunch menu. I immediately started with a bloody mary and was served an anemic cousin that was naked and undrinkable, even after my sinusitis has depreciated my sense of taste. I ordered the bruchetta [sic] with eggs, goat cheese and pesto and was served scrambled eggs on top of a buttered baguette with a drizzle of pesto sauce. The home fries were soggy.
A friend with high cholesterol unsuccessfully tried to order her salmon benedict without yolk, but the got frustrated and just ordered it sans egg. I hear the lobster benedict was good, though.
The kicker was, as soon as we were finishing up, the table next to us got a beautiful, healthy looking bloody mary...
The 2 stars are for the service, though. Aside from the egg yolk fiasco, the servers were so attentive and quick, but I don't think I'd ever go back for the brunch. -
Review from Geneva C.
Brooklyn, NY
The food is amazing and the service is just as amazing.
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Review from Tijana S.
Manhattan, NY
11/11/2011
I've only gotten food delivered from here, so I can't comment on the service. As for the food:
I've had the lamb chops, the sirloin steak with the au poivre sauce and the shrimp BLT. All were very good. The lamb chops and the steak portions were very large and filling for the price, and came with delicious French fries, some of the best I've had in a while. The shrimp BLT was small, and they forgot to add bacon to mine, otherwise it was very tasty. Also beware, all Ponty food seems to be on the heavy side and sometimes it can be too much. -
Review from Kevin W.
11/4/2011
Truffle mac and cheese - fail. If you like a RICH cheesy mac and cheese, do not get this dish. Unless you're a truffle fiend. Else, the mac reminded me of a simple Kraft mac and cheese i've made, without the good rich cheesy Velveeta cheese packet.
Lobster brioche was ok. Bacon and leaves overpowered the lobster, so what's the point? I'd rather have a straight up simple lobster roll personally. I didn't mind that in addition to some lobster pieces that they also used parts of the lobster claw that you'd normally discard (the rubbery "wrist" of the claw), but, i just couldn't taste the lobster flavor through it all.
Service was good. -
Review from Geneva C.
Brooklyn, NY
12/27/2011
The food was great and the service.
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Review from Maddie O.
10/5/2011
Came here for a girls night dinner so naturally, we started off with the cheapest bottle of red ($34 Pinot Noir). There were so many good-looking items on the menu that it took us a while to land on our orders. We asked the waitress for appy recommends but she didn't have much to say.
We shared the truffle-mac and cheese (truffle flavor was strong, cheesiness was lacking), and enjoyed the complimentary bread.
I ordered the Lobster BLT. There was a good amount of lobster, but it was a bit overcooked and chewy. It tasted good...because it tasted like butter. Lobster cooked in butter, butter-topped brioche spread with more butter... was the bacon fried in butter?
Needless to say, by the end of the meal I was a bit lethargic. Luckily (?) I had about 40 minutes to gather strength while we waited for our check to arrive. Ugh, never a good way to end a meal that was otherwise well-serviced.
We had a nice evening here and the food was good enough, but I probably won't return. -
Review from Mark T.
Manhattan, NY
10/7/2011
I must say my experience here for my birthday was most memorable. I reserved a table for 16, but only 12 came. They had the table ready by 730 I had reserved at 745. Many people slowly rolled over the next hour, but the waiters never rushed us to order our entrees. In the meantime, they simply asked if we'd like any drinks. When all had arrived, we ordered and soon enough we got our food.
The food was simply amazing. Everyone on the table of 12 loved their dishes, from my flounder to the lamb chops, to the mussels. It was all good! We were pleasantly surprised at this lower east side restaurant.
The ambiance was low key, the place clean, and not loud. It may have been good for a birthday party, but i think it'd be even better for a date! It could be quite romantic. There was a constant flow of people throughout the night, small groups, couples and the like.
I highly recommend this place. I want to come back with other friends and show off this great find! -
Review from Jeanine W.
Millersville, MD
1/3/2012
What is there not to love? The interior is inviting and eclectic and the service was beyond reproach. I had a life changing experience after drinking their Sangria and eating the lobster eggs Benedict. I live in Baltimore and dream about when I will be NY again to enjoy my new favorite place
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Review from Jillian H.
Brooklyn, NY
10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
My favorite part of dinner was deciding which Sex and the City character the girls at the table most closely resembled. I'm Samantha.
My least favorite part of dinner was waiting too long to receive the check + waiting for the staff to retrieve and return the check. Miranda and I estimate this process took a solid 30-40 minutes.
Food was fine, but no standout dishes. We started with the truffle mac and cheese for the table, and I shared the chix parm and burger with Charlotte. The group split a bottle of the least expensive red which rang in at $34.
So yes, after I Carrie the 1 and round up - three stars. -
Review from Julia L.
Manhattan, NY
10/19/2011
Great:
*Truffle Mac and Cheese: heavy but i love truffle oil
Good:
* Lobster Ravioli (needed more lobster)
* crab cake appetizer (good / standard)
On the fence:
* 5 star seafood risotto (super heavy and had a rotten muscle!). Super big portion and tasted good, but I didn't feel great afterwards from all the butter. Risotto was soft (more like white rice than the chewiness I'm used to)
Food tasted good, but was so heavy I felt disgusting afterwards / wanted to pass out. Beware of the butter! -
Review from Nina L.
9/23/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
This place is by far one of the better and more interesting dining options in the neighborhood. I seriously could not stop saying wonderful things about my experience in the 48 hours after my meal. There was a 50% off Scoutmob coupon (up to a $25 discount), so for whatever reason this doesn't give me extremely high hopes for the food - but it exceeded my silly/unwarranted expectations.
We shared the truffle mac and cheese which was rich and flavorful but a bit too loose/watery for my taste, still a decent dish. We did family style for some entrees - fish and chips, seafood risotto and chicken parm. The seafood risotto was great, the fish was fresh and cooked perfectly. The fish and chips were pretty delicious, not the best I have ever had - but compared to the other places in Gramercy that serve them I'd put them high on the list. What shocked me the most was the chicken parm, it was delicious and I have high standards for dishes with Italian origin. The pasta underneath the chicken was in a creamy white wine sauce that was so tasty, I liked it better than the traditional red sauce soaked pasta that's typically underneath parm.
The service was excellent, our waiter was working for the first time but was so friendly and accommodating. The only complaint I might have is that the space is small and tight, and it was a Friday night so it was packed, wish there was more space to eat/wish it were easier to here.
Overall Ponty Bistro is that restaurant that you'd take Mom and Dad to when they are in town, or bring a cute date out for a not-so-typical meal. I will definitely return! -
Review from Lindsay H.
New York, NY
9/21/2011
My boyfriend and I decided to try this place on a whim since we've passed it a bunch of times and liked everything we saw on the menu. Unfortunately, it was a pretty mediocre meal. The place was a little noisy thanks to a couple of loud tables near us, the service was on the slow side, and the food was decent but nothing special.
It's a nice little spot, but just not my cup of tea. I think I'll stick to other places in my 'hood. -
Review from John S.
Los Angeles, CA
12/11/2011
A friend suggested this place and I was cautious upon entering since every patron was 60+ years old. But the food was delicous. I had mussels with saffron as an appetizer and they were darn good. But the stuffed halibut with Senegal spices was the real star. Plus really nice, friendly service.
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Review from Amanda D.
Manhattan, NY
1/17/2012 Seated via OpenTable
This is our FAVORITE neighborhood restaurant! The service is attentive but never overbearing. We had the Terrine de Fois Gras which was phenomenal, followed by the lamb shank and the veal chop (which was a special). The flavor of each were perfect and the meat itself was so tender and lean. We both had martini's and the chocolate lava cake. I don't even like desserts per se, but this was mind blowing. I cannot say enough about Ponty. I have been several times and look forward to my next visit. If you are a new yorker, you know how much that means to each somewhere even twice, nonetheless more and feel like you aren't missing out on anything.
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Review from jackie a.
Brooklyn, NY
1/20/2012
Great cozy restaurant. The food is always delicious and the service is wonderful.
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Review from Helen C.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2011
Probably one of the slowest, worse service ever. The waiter took forever to even give us water. Then he never gave us any bread,even after asking for it twice. The food was good, but didn't make up for the poor service. Sad.. I thought this place had more potential.
They have 2 for 1 martini specials, but its better you just skip those. -
Review from rasha C.
Port Chester, NY
11/30/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Love this place..
its cozy, comfy and has amazing food. The waiters were very helpful with their advice and discussed flavors with us..
The mussels with african spices was sublime.. there was this subtle flavor that i've never tasted before.
My husband had the pork chop which was a special and i had the Chicken Yassa (sp?) both were perfect.. Esp the chicken which was juicy and flavorful. Every restaurant serves Chicken but its never really exciting. This was Exciting and a joy to eat!
r -
Review from Suzi G.
10/10/2011
Had a reservation, but didn't need one... Was hoping there would be more African influence in the dishes, but since I like French food it was still satisfying. The escargot was standard (delicious) but my friend got the foie gras which tasted fine, but resembled a giant square block of meat margarine. It had been raining off and on but it was so humid in the restaurant that we sat next to the street, where we were unfortunately frequently visited by a couple of fruit flies (one of which introduced himself by landing on the rim of my wine glass where I almost ate him). The servers were really attentive and pleasant.
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Review from Arthur Z.
7/20/2011
After scouring my surrounding area in the brutal heat and humidity, we stumbled upon this "French Mediterranean" place. Buuut it's mostly French (unfortunately); none of the standards like hummus or kebabs are here. However, the food that IS here is quite good.
There is a $15 lunch special that we, being the cheap Jews we are, ordered (it comes with an appetizer and an entree). For appetizers, I tried the Truffle Macaroni and Cheese. Shit, they couldn't make that sound stupider? Pairing expensive and elegant truffle with something as kiddy as "mac and cheese"? They may as well have spelled it "cheez."
Now that that's out of the way, I must say that the mac and cheese was delicious. It was a decent portion of macaroni with some white cheese and I'm assuming truffle oil, and topped with shavings of great quality parmesan. I also tried my Jewfriend's butternut squash soup (this time there was a fancy French term for it on the menu), and it was creamy and had a good kick.
As for entree, I had a Salmon Burger. It was good, with a nice level of moistness, and was served on a brioche bun with lettuce and tomato, with a side of salad or french fries. Naturally, I got the salad because I'm not a fat shit anymore. My vegetarian douche friend got a veggie sandwich, and I heard no complaints from him.
Service was good (just one waitress), decor is blegh in my opinion, and prices are reasonable. JUST GET SOME DAMN SHAWARMA ON THE MENU! -
Review from Nils H.
7/7/2011
After almost a year of living in the neighborhood, I've finally found a go-to brunch spot. Despite my preconceptions about French servers, people here are always charming, the music is comforting, and it always feels intimate. If you're looking for an escape from the myriad of undifferentiated Murray Hill brunch establishments (and don't want to wait in the ridic line at Penelope), look no further.
Ponty has a $20 menu that includes classics as well as more elegant dishes, alongside a cocktail and coffee. Servers here are SO accommodating too - I requested extra bacon and shrimp in my bloody mary, and they were quick to oblige (for a modest fee, however). The lobster benedict is my favorite choice, followed closely by the duck confit omelet (not a huge fan of the swiss cheese inside though). The homefries they come with are adorned with rosemary, and even specks of bacon, and are cooked exactly to perfection. I could eat these all day.
I confess I haven't been to dinner here yet, but friends have raved about the hangar steak. Soon this will be in my stomach.
Even as I write this I'm conflicted, because while I do want to publicly endorse Ponty, I want it to remain as intimate as it has been during my previous visits. -
Review from Andrea M.
Pullman, WA
6/17/2011
This is one of the best restaurants in the area. I wish it had been there when I lived in NYC. I try to go there every time I visit my family in NYC.
Everything i've ordered there has been great. I usually get some kind of steak for a main course, and that is always tasty. All of their appetizers are great, and I particularly recommend the crab cakes. Desserts are all really good too.
They have a Early Bird Menu where you get three courses for $25, which is a great deal for considering the amount and quality of food you get.
Special occasion dinners there are remarkable. I was there for New Year's Eve and the menu they came up with for that was great, and they had a DJ playing music. It was a great atmosphere. -
Review from Emily L.
Queens, NY
6/23/2011
I am glad I came here for my anniversary dinner. The decor and music were great and the wait staff extremely friendly.
I took a star off because it took forever for our food to come (people who came into the restaurant after us were eating their entrees while we were still waiting).
Now, onto food:
Tusker Beer: goes down easy, my first African beer ^_^
Fried Calamari ($12): good portion for appetizer and tasted great.
L'onglet A L'echalote ($22ish): Grilled hanger steak with yucca mashed potato, spinach and bordellaise sauce. this was yummy in my tummy. the meat was cooked to my liking. I was surprised the steak came already cut for me. The meat was juicy and flavorful and the sauce went well with both mashed yucca and the steak. put a bit of both on your fork and its a great combo.
Niokolokoba($27-29): Grilled sirloin steak marinated with senegalese spices served with french fries and au poivre sauce.
OMG this dish was the star of the night. perfectly cooked steak and that au poivre sauce was addicting. I kept stealing the rosemary fries and dipping it into the sauce. so good.
The portion sizes were generous. Wish I had stomach leftover to try the desserts. Next time =) -
Review from Michelle L.
Manhattan, NY
8/22/2011
Wow, it's been a while since I've been to a place with such good food!!
I called the morning of to make a reservation for dinner that night. I told them I had a deal code for 50% off for up to $25, is it okay if I just show them the e-mail on my iPhone when I get there? They said no problem.
Got to the restaurant a little late (sorry! it was pouring!), but they were nice about it, and when I asked if I should give them the deal code before eating, they said no, don't worry about it - enjoy the meal first!
That definitely gave me a feel for the kind of service that Ponty Bistro offers - the waiters are really nice and aim to give you an enjoyable experience. They're courteous, prompt, and the water glass is never left empty!
We were given a bread plate as we waited for our food, and to be honest, I couldn't really eat the bread. It was so hard that it hurt to bite through it! My brother managed to eat a few pieces because he was starving, but the bread was kind of inedible in my opinion.
The actual meal, though, was amazing!!
I ordered the Victoria Lac Salmon, and my brother ordered the 5 Stars Seafood Risotto.
The salmon was really nicely grilled. There wasn't a part of it that was undercooked or overcooked. The skin had a nice crisp to it without being burnt. And the braised endive and grilled asparagus went well with the salmon. I could have done without the cranberries, but the dish was still excellent!
I didn't have much of the Seafood Risotto, but it got rave reviews from my brother. He said it was nice and creamy and definitely very filling.
All in all, I'd have to say that Ponty Bistro was a hit!
(Why did I knock off 1 star, though? Because if I hadn't gone with my deal, I think the meal would have been a little pricey - not by NYC standards, but by the standards of an early-20s on a budget NYC-er. Slightly, though, just slightly!) -
Review from Art K.
Manhattan, NY
3/29/2011
Been going to Ponty Bistro since they opened. It's a great neighborhood restaurant near Gramercy. The food is always fresh, delicious (they really know how to prepare tuna) and inventive. The chef/owners are friendly and welcoming, and often bring out special treats to your table to try. The decor is nice and the service is good (except the one night our waiter spilled food on me - twice!)
And did I mention the two for one martinis? Nice!
Highly recommended. -
Review from A A.
Hempstead, NY
I have been here for a couple of times.
When I wanna get some African food in the city this is the place to go.
I still heart those African joints in Harlem but it is kind of far to make a trek.
I have had...
1. Lobster Shrimp Salad avocado tempura, baby greens, fennel and lemon vinaigrette
This dish made me think I wanna be a piece of lobster meat momentarily so I can eat myself.
2. Crispy Tuna with cilantro, pickled, soy ginger vinaigrette & wasabi aioli
They DEFINE the word of "crispy" very well.
3. Filet Mignon pan seared filet mignon. served with asparagus, new potatoes, mushrooms and bordelaise sauce
I didn't know FM could be melted in my mouth like a chocolate.
4.Lobster Ravioli ravioli with lobster cream sauce
This is my FAVE. Period. I really wish I could be cooked with those raviolis.
5.Senegalese Tiramisu
Yo. Dude. This is da bomb!
Attentive waiters (they are most likely French, I actually saw a Nepalese one once), nice chefs (they come out the kitchen to greet sometimes) romantic atmosphere, clean decor, It is definitely my fave dining spot in the city. -
Review from Neil M.
Manhattan, NY
12/26/2011
Can't get over our delicious dinner at Ponty Bistro. Gracious, efficient and conscientious service were complemented by very tasty, well-presented and healthy portions. We shared the Croquette De Crab, which was good and the Poulet Yassa and Stuffed Filet Of Flounder, both of which were excellent, very light, and each with its own distinctive flavors.
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Review from Stacey S.
Manhattan, NY
5/29/2011
What a gem! My boyfriend and I went to this place without any real expectations, aside from being excited to eat in a restaurant with African roots. This place is so reasonably priced which ended up being dangerous because price often serves as a point of portion control for us.
Started the meal with a great selection of French cheeses and perfectly dressed salads. I ordered the salmon which came over one of the yummiest sauces I've ever had paired with salmon - a cranberry, shallot, and cilantro cream sauce. He ordered the Chilean sea bass over artichokes. Both were delicious though the salmon was leaning towards overcooked. For dessert we shared our favorite - profiteroles - and they were good, but the ice cream in one of them had some pretty bad freezer burn. Whatever. I was also happy because they had a New Zealand sauvignon blanc I'd never tried and it may be a new fav, especially at $9/glass!
This place could easily turn into our new go-to spot. Can't wait to go back. -
Review from gail q.
4/8/2011
Totally randomly walked past, looked at the menu, and the chef popped his head out and promised us a good meal.
Mac and cheese was FUCKING SICK!!!! I could eat this every day and die happily, weighing 700 pounds, with truffle oil oozing gloriously from my pores. YES. Sorry, that sounded gross. The point is that you should order this and order it again and then again.
Thank you for not lying to us, Mr. chef man. -
Review from Jr M.
Manhattan, NY
1/13/2012 Seated via OpenTable
this place need a real change, the night we were there they seem understaff, no hostesss, one server\bartender and 2 busboys, being from france and africa myself i think this place beside adding some plantains in the plate has nothing african nor french. the food is ok but expensive for the quality. i will give a try just for the 2 for one martini.
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Review from Chi N.
8/8/2011
not crowded at all yet small quaint place in gramercy area. service is friendly yet not overbearing. we got there right after a baby shower party was ending and they quickly cleared tables so we could sit.
food here was not bad.
what i raved bout was my lamb burger. if u wanna taste gamey lamb but juicy and flavorful this is the place to order one. the caramelized onions were a perfect balance along with whatever aoili chipotle and cheese they added to it. the bun was also nice and soft like potato bun. homefries were good but not as good as les halles. still sufficient.
the eggs benedict was more on the overly poached side. the lobster a lil rubbery tasting. can't complain tho it was lobster...
pretty filling here. love to come back and try other more traditional stuff sometime! -
Review from Tiauna G.
Fremont, CA
1/7/2011
This restaurant is amazing. Good food, good service, good wine, good ambience...who could ask for anything more?
I had the crab ragout stuffed flounder with baby bok choy and fingerling potatoes. It was so good! Everything was prepared to perfection!
My sister had the vodka penne which was also really good. The seafood risotto was amazing too and I almost wished I had ordered that, but I stole enough from my brother to satisfy my needs.
We were too stuffed to have dessert unfortunately, but that's a great testament to a really quality restaurant at a very affordable price. I sooo wish this was my neighborhood hang! (I live in CA)
And PS--I hear the Chef was on the Food Network show, Chopped!
