Fellow francophiles out there will probably agree that one of the best things about Paris is its cafes and restaurants. The simple yet elegant food, the lingering over a single boisson for hours while reading the paper, the laid back-ness of it all - it’s just so quintessentially French. Classic Parisian restaurants generally have in common: mood lighting, worn red leather booths, great bread, affordable wine, and the same ten or so traditional dishes on the menu.
Whenever I have those pangs of, “Damn, I wish I were in Paris” (which happen pretty often), there is but one thing to do - take my sorry bum to a cozy French restaurant. Here are my four New York favorites. Whether you’re uptown or downtown, in Brooklyn or Queens, this list has got you covered.
Buvette in Greenwich Village
Buvette has a near cult-like following and rightly so. It’s cozy, the food is fantastic (albeit on the pricier side), the cocktails are strong, and the aproned waiters speak with a charming French accent. Their portion sizes are small and plates are mostly meant to be shared. The space is really tiny, usually packed, and reservations are not accepted, so I wouldn’t advise going there on a Saturday night. If you can’t make it to the restaurant, their cookbook is amazing.
Juliette in Williamsburg
Juliette, on the other hand, is spacious and more relaxed than Buvette - since it draws in a mostly hipster crowd from the ‘hood. It’s got vintage round tables, the afore-mentioned leather booths, and lots of wood paneling everywhere. The food is particularly well-executed (the fries are especially to-die-for) and the servers, in my experience, are very attentive.
La Bonne Soupe in Midtown
This West side restaurant is mostly frequented by theater-goers, tourists, and older businessmen and women who work in the area. The main floor has a semi-upscale vibe (compared to Juliette, anyway), while the top floor tends to be louder and more relaxed. Their cheese fondue and onion soup are very popular items. For lunch and brunch they serve a variety of crepes.
Tournesol in Long Island City
Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City is chock full of great restaurants and bars, but this spot truly stands out among the rest. It has a really friendly, homey vibe - the type of place where everyone’s a regular. It’s fancy enough for a date, but also suitable for if you’re flying solo, reading a book with a side of red wine. Their boeuf bourguignon - the true test of a great French restaurant - is incredible. It typically comes with pasta but ask for the pesto smashed potatoes instead. They will change your life.
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