215562 Tue Nov 02 14:13:27 -0800 2004 24 18 Manhattan 0 1147948 Hey Gang, Yes, I am a true Francophile (especially when it comes to food)! Does anyone know a place that does a CROQUE MONSIUER very authentically? I tried it at TARTINE (West Village) and PIGAILLE (Hell's Kitchen). Both were very disappointing. A great CHOCOLAT CHAUD too... What about LE GAMIN or is it LES DEUX GAMINS? (very confusing) Tue Nov 02 14:13:27 -0800 2004 0 Atomic Betty 1 1147949 I've heard Balthazar's is very good. I get a Croque Madame at a local place in Brooklyn that I find fantastic - called A Table in Fort Greene. Tue Nov 02 14:16:23 -0800 2004 1147948 0 DC 1 1147950 Le Deux Gamins went out of business a couple of years ago. I noticed that the Le Gamin on Bedford has changed it's name to Cafe Henri or somesuch. Anyone know if this extends to the rest of the empire? I had a pretty good croque monsieur at Financier on Stone St. Prices there are fairly gentle. I was disappointed with the version at Ceci Cela, although I like the place a lot for croissants and pastries. Tue Nov 02 14:23:29 -0800 2004 1147948 0 Peter Cuce 2 1147963 Is FINANCIER a take-out or eat-in (cafe) place? Thanks! AB Tue Nov 02 14:45:12 -0800 2004 1147950 0 Atomic Betty 3 1147964 Peter, Is FINANCIER an eat-in (cafe) or take-out place? Thanks a lot, AB Tue Nov 02 14:46:19 -0800 2004 1147963 0 Atomic Betty 4 1147970 I'm not Peter, but the answer is both. It also has terrific coffee, pastries and panini. Tue Nov 02 14:58:30 -0800 2004 1147964 0 Bowfinger 5 1147980 Going to check out Financier...sounds great! AB Tue Nov 02 15:28:15 -0800 2004 1147970 0 Atomic Betty 1 1147956 I like the one at Bar 6, on 6th and 13th. Tue Nov 02 14:36:07 -0800 2004 1147948 0 Alex 1 1147957 I would recommend the croque monsieur (and croque madame) at Bacchus on Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. Also, there is a new Le Gamin on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. Tue Nov 02 14:36:15 -0800 2004 1147948 0 DeeDee 1 1147959 I too am searching for the perfect Croque Monsieur... Bar Six on 6th near 12th St. makes a great one with creamy bechamel... yum... but they only have it on their lunch menu. It's the best one I've found so far. Tue Nov 02 14:42:52 -0800 2004 1147948 0 Sharon 2 1147973 What role does bechamel play in a croque monsieur? Tue Nov 02 15:04:13 -0800 2004 1147959 0 bystander99 3 1148088 While not authentic, I've noticed a few places on this side of the pond put a bit of bechamel in their croque monsieur -- and I gotta say that it really, really works. Wed Nov 03 09:29:05 -0800 2004 1147973 0 Michael 1 1147962 Gotta go with Pastis on this one. I've been to a couple parties that Pastis catered, and the croque Monsieur was rocking....great bread, thin layer of delish sauce, authentic french ham, and a nice cheesy layer of quality gruyere. Of course, pretty much anyone can whip up a similar version at home. Tue Nov 02 14:44:43 -0800 2004 1147948 0 Michael 1 1147966 agreed with Pastis and Bar 6. but don't forget Le Jardin-lunch time only-.after midnight, Le Express is a good choice. Tue Nov 02 14:54:38 -0800 2004 1147948 0 Aki 1 1147975 Eric Asimov raved about the croque monsieur at Le Quinze (Houston & Sullivan) in his review in the Times; however, I was not particularly impressed. Admittedly, I am no connoisseur of the croque monsieur. Tue Nov 02 15:12:24 -0800 2004 1147948 0 Desidero 2 1147992 My wife loves the C.M. and likes the ones a Les Gamin a lot. Tue Nov 02 16:12:57 -0800 2004 1147975 0 xavier 1 1147991 While on the larger side, I really like the one at Nice Matin on the UWS. Tue Nov 02 16:11:31 -0800 2004 1147948 0 Cousin Larry 1 1148079 Payard makes a good one as well. I also had a decent one at the Creperie Cafe (I think that's the name). Both on the UES. Wed Nov 03 08:00:34 -0800 2004 1147948 0 jacinthe 1 1148082 The best croque monsieur Iate in new york is at Le Quinze on Houston street. Iwent there after the new york times review and it was amazing. Wed Nov 03 08:37:32 -0800 2004 1147948 0 terry 1 1148329 The one at Fairway's cafe is superb. Mmmmmmm Thu Nov 04 14:33:52 -0800 2004 1147948 0 Amy 2 1148435 Amy, Do you mean FAIRWAY, the supermarket, has a cafe? Or is there actually a Fairway restaurant? Thanks, AB Fri Nov 05 09:46:25 -0800 2004 1148329 0 Atomic Betty 3 1150252 Fairway has a cafe upstairs! It is most wonderful. Becomes a steakhouse at night. Great breakfast and lunch menu, nice desserts too! Tue Nov 16 13:15:27 -0800 2004 1148435 0 Amy 1 1916810 FYI I just went to Pastis for brunch yesterday, and the croque madame there is even better than I remembered. They must be making the bechamel sauce with white wine, or doing something else that is above and beyond the call of duty for a Meatpacking place that would be mobbed even if they served dog food. Very difficult to find a croque madame (with the egg on top) - but Pastis has got it down. bellastraniera Gastro Chic http://www.gastrochic.com Mon Oct 02 19:02:32 -0700 2006 1147948 44404 bellastraniera 1 1916947 I have to vote for the C.M at Pastis...perfect! Plus, it so great to sit outside and peoplewatch with a bottle of wine on a cool day. The best! Mon Oct 02 19:49:24 -0700 2006 1147948 24576 MRS 1 1917007 by far, the best i've had in nyc was at dumont on union and metropolitan in williamsburg. only available for brunch i think. Mon Oct 02 20:05:25 -0700 2006 1147948 14393 sam1