Celebratory lunch (after taking citizenship oath downtown)

[TatyanaG]

I was looking for a nice French bistro (though am open to other cuisines) to have lunch after husband takes oath of citizenship *tomorrow*. Any place downtown is OK. Have been searching the board all evening and still cannot come up with a solid choice. HELP!

[TooLooseLaTrek]

Congratulations to your husband and thanks for the feedback on Bar Artisanal.My wife and I had drinks there last Sat. night before having dinner at Pepolino,which is right across the street.I loved the bar and as mentioned the space is very nice.I put this on my list of places to get back to soon and after all the positive mentions on this post it will go right to the top.

[ChefJune]

Capsouto Freres on Washington and Watts in Tribeca. These brothers will really roll out the red carpet if you tell them what you're celebrating. They can really relate. And the food is wonderful.

[prdct]

As I posted on another thread earilier this week, I attended a brunch at capsouto freres last year, and while the space is great the food was really bad. I like the Bar Artisinal suggestion.

[ChefJune]

We had brunch there two weeks ago, and the food was delicious.

[msny98]

If you come uptown a bit there is Balthazar and La Sirene. Landmarc is also a decent choice.

But on citizenship day shouldn't you head for a burger and fries or some BBQ rather than a French bistro

[TatyanaG]

I've had enough burgers and fries in the past 27 years in NYC to last me a lifetime :-)))

[Spiritchaser]

How about Bar Artisanal? Terence Brennan's new joint downtown.

www.barartisanal.com

[LeahBaila]

I think this would be a great choice.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[TatyanaG]

Wow, their menu looks great. Thanks!

[LeahBaila]

Yep, and you *seriously* cannot beat the space. Enjoy and report back!

www.thelunchbelle.com

[TatyanaG]

So we ended up at Bar Artisanal and it was wonderful. The space is beatiful, service super-attentive, menu extensive. They have a great prix-fixe deal where you get any two courses plus dessert for $21 (including the specials which is what I got: a tartine of house smoked arctic char with domestic caviar and a side of arugula salad, pissaladiere w/ Taleggio, spinach, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and truffle oil). My hubby got grilled octopus with chikpeas, frisee and smoked paprika (to die for!) and Wagyu beef a la plancha w/ pickled ramps. For dessert we had berry pavlova and creme brulee w/ cherries. Very good. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Thanks so much for suggesting this great place. We'll be back soon.

[LeahBaila]

Tatyana, that is wonderful to hear!! Congratulations to your husband! I'm so glad that you all enjoyed yourselves. You simply CANNOT BEAT the $21 prix-fixe! :)

www.thelunchbelle.com

[Spiritchaser]

You're welcome and it's soooo good to hear you enjoyed it. I always cringe when I suggest a place and people don't enjoy it. Congrats to your husband.

[LeahBaila]

Hahhahhah!! Me too!

www.thelunchbelle.com

[windycity]

Congratulations and thanks for the reportback.