210344 Wed May 12 18:53:39 -0700 2004 11 18 Manhattan 0 1119923 Went there a couple of nights ago. Haven't been there for a couple of months. I think it went WAY downhill, or could it have been a real off night? We had hanger steak and steak frites, medium rare. The hanger steak was just OK, the steak frite was BAD, and the frites were greasy and soggy. The first really bad meal I've had there, not even TGIF quality. Feh. Wed May 12 18:53:39 -0700 2004 0 Edward Felcher 1 1119930 i've never thought the steaks at LES HALLES were ever all that good curiously enough. however, i enjoy other items on the menu like the cassoulet and choucrute garni. too bad about downtown, i thought someone mentioned below the man himself bourdain was down there again on occasion? was he in there? you want bad try some of the other LH locations like wash, dc. yuck. i dk why maybe it's the solid staff but the park ave location is the only consistant one. still, i like LH but the steaks disappoint me so i avoid them. Wed May 12 20:35:08 -0700 2004 1119923 0 mrnyc 2 1119953 It's hard to imagine it's gone further downhill from where it was a year ago. It was lousy then. I didn't realize it was related to LH on Park. Thanks for the tip. I would never take another chance on either place. Thu May 13 09:29:09 -0700 2004 1119930 0 stickler 3 1119970 I had a burger there a few weeks ago (downtown) and loved it. One of the best burgers I've had in the city. Fries and salad also were very good. But then again, that's all I've ever had there. Thu May 13 11:04:30 -0700 2004 1119953 0 dkstar1 2 1119986 i was at the one on 28th street tuesday night and whereas the frisee lardons was terrific, the escargots were wonderfully flavored and the frites were tasty, the steak did not impress....i agree about the steak is what i am trying to say! Thu May 13 12:03:11 -0700 2004 1119930 0 jerusha 1 1119954 I have always thought the food there sucks. It is such a financial district staple that gets by on its name alone. There are hundreds of places that serve better food down here... i cant name them for you yet, but there have to be the food there is nasty ;-) Thu May 13 09:29:46 -0700 2004 1119923 0 Mark Z 2 1119974 "There are hundreds of places that serve better food down here" There aren't hundreds of restaurants below Chambers Street at all, much less hundreds that are better than Les Halles. (I'm not sure what you meant by "down here," but north of Chambers you're out of the Financial District, IMO.) It's been a while since I ate at Les Halles on John Street, so I can't confirm or refute that it has gone downhill, but the fine dining restaurants below Chambers just aren't that numerous. How many can you name that have had so much as a New York Times review in, say, the last three years? Thu May 13 11:14:16 -0700 2004 1119954 0 Marc Shepherd 3 1120002 Does it have to have a new york times review to be good. Frankly Daisy Mays BBQ cart is better than the crap they serve at Les Halles Thu May 13 13:03:14 -0700 2004 1119974 0 Mark Z 4 1120024 "Does it have to have a new york times review to be good? Frankly Daisy Mays BBQ cart is better than the crap they serve at Les Halles." Normally, when someone seeks a restaurant recommendation, they're not thinking of a BBQ cart. All I said was that, whatever you may think of Les Halles, the fine dining options below Chambers just aren't that numerous. I'm glad for what's there, but the neighborhood needs more. Sandwich places, noodle shops and food carts exist in great abundance, but that's not the topic. I don't claim that a NYT review is the sine qua non of excellence, but it is a familiar and accessible proxy for what exists in a neighborhood. Thu May 13 13:56:27 -0700 2004 1120002 0 Marc Shepherd 5 1120029 No i understand what you mean, there is very little for sit down lunches around here. I just have had such awful experiences at Les Halles that I cant stand when someone says its good... i know i need to get over it, my opinon isnt the only one.... but Les Halles just upsets me. On a brighter note, got any other hints for food around here.... Thu May 13 14:12:53 -0700 2004 1120024 0 Mark Z 2 1120204 "It is such a financial district staple that gets by on its name alone." The place has been open in the financial district for a little over 2 years!! (Before 9/11 there was a kosher steakhouse at that location.) Fri May 14 15:49:31 -0700 2004 1119954 0 urbanshoker 3 1120424 Yes and indeed it has become a staple. When you talk about business lunches, Les Halles always comes up and why would that be???? maybe because of its name and the success of its parent restaurant???? hmmmm exaclty what i said before.... unless maybe the food is good... ohh thats right it sucks! Tue May 18 10:15:16 -0700 2004 1120204 0 Mark Z