420718 Fri Jul 13 06:40:28 -0700 2007 11 18 Manhattan 0 2745980 Husband and I going out to celebrate my getting accepted to grad school and want a romantic french spot- nothing stuffy. Would love outdoor seating. My favorite meal is mussels with frites, so thats a must- but its usually a given that it is shows up on french menus. Preferably outside of the UES. Thanks for any suggestions! PS. Everyone seems to be bashing Provence...Is it really that bad? Fri Jul 13 06:40:28 -0700 2007 20955 brenklein 1 2746387 Gavroche is good. Fri Jul 13 08:43:25 -0700 2007 2745980 85498 nokitsch 1 2746407 I'm with the suggestion on Gavroche. Their mussels and frites are very good - especially the one with the pesto-based sauce. Fri Jul 13 08:48:01 -0700 2007 2745980 10578 RCC 1 2746457 (I'm a huge and fan and on a kick) I would recommend Markt (it's Belgian), on 21st and 6th, for perfect mussels and fantastic frites. They have outdoor seating. www.marktrestaurant.com Fri Jul 13 08:58:45 -0700 2007 2745980 110996 LeahBaila 2 2746745 The only reason I did not recommend the new Mrkt is that sitting on a sidewalk on 6th/21st (especially on 6th ave) is less than appetizing, I think. But their are mussels are great, indeed. Fri Jul 13 10:19:37 -0700 2007 2746457 85498 nokitsch 1 2747283 Les Halles. around 26th and Park Avenue South. Fri Jul 13 12:20:20 -0700 2007 2745980 111618 travpard 2 2747564 Sorry, but I must vociferously disagree with your Les Halles rec. The food's mediocre at best, service is a disgrace, the ridiculously close interior seating would make a sardine squirm, and the noise level is intolerably high. Oh, and outdoor seating is on the sidewalk with PAS traffic whizzing by. Not exactly romantic. Overall, in my view, the one word that comes to mind is "Avoid!" Fri Jul 13 13:35:00 -0700 2007 2747283 13867 RGR 3 2755042 Ditto...Les Halles is awful Mon Jul 16 14:45:30 -0700 2007 2747564 11077 Simon 2 2755056 And Les Halles downtown is even worse! Mon Jul 16 14:48:40 -0700 2007 2747283 73159 financialdistrictresident 1 2747483 Well, if you are willing to reconsider about UES, Le Refuge at 82nd and Lexington is a lovely Bistro. I find it very romantic, perhaps I am biased because my first date with my husband was there... But we have been back many times and have always had a very good time and good food. They also have a garden. http://www.lerefugenyc.com/ Fri Jul 13 13:11:48 -0700 2007 2745980 17192 Toot 1 2747680 Awesome suggestions! Thanks! Going to try Gavroche or Markt...or even Le Refuge, although living on the UES means I like to leave the neighborhood when I go out... Fri Jul 13 14:00:13 -0700 2007 2745980 20955 brenklein 1 2755047 I haven't eaten there in a while, but Le Jardin on Cleveland Place (Nolita) has a lovely garden and the moules frites have been excellent in the past Mon Jul 16 14:46:31 -0700 2007 2745980 11077 Simon