Florent

[NYCPilot]

I'm new to the boards so forgive me if this place has been posted, but I thought it worth mentioning again if it has. It's called Florent and is down around the meatpacking district. Excellent food, although it is usually very crowded and noisy. The food is fantastic no matter what you order, but since I'm a creature of habit, I usually go with the crab cakes or the steak and fries. You definately won't go wrong here.

www.restaurantflorent.com

[Simon]

Ok, i'll voice some dissent...

i used to go there on trips to NYC during college and for a couple years afterwards...and it was always a good time...

The last time i went was maybe 5 years ago w/ two other people (both of whom had been there in the past and enjoyed it): the experience was so awful that i haven't returned...all three of our entrees were bad-mediocre...service was over-the-top obnoxious: my friend asked (once) for mustard and waiter literally yelled at him to not be impatient (!)...midway through the meal, someone started setting up for a photo shoot near the door and was testing the flash, which kept going off right in our eyes...we asked the middle-aged female manager how long it would continue and she told us it was out of her control...really disgusting behavior on top of the bad food...

Anyone had recent poor experiences?...because it was 5 years ago, and if my experience was a complete and outdated anomaly, it'd consider going back for some crabcakes and wine...

[kenito799]

well I was there last year and sat outside in the early evening, had perfectly good food (I think burger, duck confit) and service, the same as back in the day (early 90s?)...honestly I would go there more often if I could stand the meatpacking scene

[Lucia]

I've never had bad food or poor service. I order the crabcake sandwich a lot--it's a favorite of mine. Good food at reasonable prices, what's not to like?

[adamandeve]

It's too bas that area has become such a circus, because Florent is a really good destination!

[kenito799]

yes, thanks for mentioning, it's great that florent has remained excellent and unchanged as meatpacking has morphed into the ridiculous monstrosity we now behold. burgers are great. i havent had the moules but expect that they will do a good job with a bistro standard. the only good thing about the neighborhood change is that you can sit outside now without sharing the street with rivers of offal sludge.

[dbird]

completely agree, Florent is as comfortable as the proverbial old shoe and by remaining true to its premise will outlast all the other new places there (sorry I can't say the same for Rio Mar).

[was_bk]

aaaaah I do miss Rio Mar.

By any chance have you found a suitable replacement?

[Bronte]

Has anyone had their moules frites ? Any good ?

[sivyaleah]

Try going in the middle of the night sometime for a real slice of NYC nightlife - everything from rock stars, to trannies to your everyday bridge and tunnel crowd. It's really quite a scene.

And yes, the food is good.

[Bob Martinez]

Yes, certainly well known but it's nice to give them a mention from time to time. A great place for late night meals - they never close.

Funny aside - Citysearch refers to Florent as "enduringly trendy." That's like saying something is "always new."

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile...

[Lucia]

Yep--Florent is a well-known place around here.