looking for authentic and traditional French bistro similar to the now-closed Cosette...
Hi,
I was a big fan of Cosette (specifically, their salmon plate and tarte tatin), but it has closed, and I am looking for a similar bistro - authentic and traditional French fare. In particular, one thing I liked about Cosette's salmon dish is that their default was to fully cook the salmon w/o drying it out, which has been hard for me to come by in the US. Many restaurants in the US seem to want to cook their salmon medium rare, which concerns me for food safety reasons, and treat me like I'm ordering a well-done steak when I ask that the salmon be "fully" cooked. As a result, the salmon is almost invariably dried out.
However, I visited Paris earlier this year, and due to the fact that the only "meats" I typically eat are chicken and non-shellfish fish, I ended up eating salmon at almost every restaurant, and I *never* had a problem with the salmon being under- or over-cooked. In my opinion, the salmon was always perfectly cooked -- "fully" cooked yet still moist. For reference, I most enjoyed the following Parisian restaurants: Le Buisson Ardent (my favorite), L'Epicerie-Montorgueil, Le Relais De L'Isle, L'Ambassade D'Auvergne.
So...I'm looking for something similar in NYC (esp a similar salmon dish). The following look like possibilities, but I'm wondering if someone can help me narrow my list down:
Le Bateau Ivre, Balthazar, Lucien, La Sirene, La Petite Auberge, Capsouto Freres, Bistro 61.
Sorry if I sound overly picky...but I actually quite enjoyed almost every restaurant I tried in Paris whereas I haven't been overly happy with most French restaurants I've tried in the US...
thank you :)
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La Petite Auberge
116 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
Capsouto Freres
451 Washington St, New York, NY 10013
Le Bateau Ivre
230 E 51st St, New York, NY 10022
La Sirene
558 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013
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Note: I missed this thread when it was first posted as it occurred during the time I was not able to be on the internet.
Several months ago, a new French bistro, Le Parisien took over the space formerly occupied by Cosette. The owner has reupholstered the banquettes -- a huge plus, since they were in horrible shape -- and new decorations maintain the charm of the tiny space. There is a different menu which includes many of the classics. Most importantly, the food is very good.
Photos of Le Parisien here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157625618994937/with/5322820057/
and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157625626869537/
I also highly recommend La Petite Auberge which has been one of our favorites since it opened more than 30 years ago.
La Petite Auberge photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157619567407983/with/3620333570/
and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157625568366271/
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re: GaryEATS
IMO Cafe Charbon's food is average at best. Add terrible service to that too.
Another vote for La Sirene - not sure if they have the salmon dish you describe, but their food's generally very good.
Like another poster said above, try not to compare w/ the real thing. You'll never be satisfied - it's like finding good NY-style pizza in Paris.
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I have been meaning to try Jubilee, on 54th St. btw 1- Aves. A French friend, who is a native of Paris and knowledgeable about restaurants, says it is her favorite French place in NYC. Bistro 61 is sericeable, not great. Whatever its category, I was underwhelmed by Capsouto Freres.
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re: gutsofsteel
Heh, I know :/
I've been to one French restaurant since coming back, and it was an enormous disappointment.
Part of the reason I mentioned the restaurants at which I dined in Paris was so people could get an idea of my taste and that while I sounded ridiculously picky in my OP, I actually had an easy time finding salmon prepared to my liking in Paris.
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I wasn't that impressed with Capsouto Freres when I went there a few months ago. They have good fondue, but their other dishes seem to be pretty hit or miss. Nice ambiance, though.
The one time so far that I've been to La Sirene was for a dinner with my brother, and we really liked the place. We were eating food you don't eat - Foie Gras, Confit de Canard - but I feel confident in saying that if the chef/owner is still exercising sufficient supervision over his staff, now that he also has Taureau on E. 7 St., anything there should be good and real.
I also liked my meal at Balthazar some time ago. It has the atmosphere of a busy brasserie, rather than a small restaurant.
I haven't been to the other places you mentioned, except for Lucien, and while I was not impressed (I had very unfresh-tasting seafood in my bouillabaisse), it was many years ago.
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re: Pan
Neither Capsouto Freres or Balthazar is a bistro.
La Petite Auberge is a good choice.
Gascogne is another.
Also Bistro Vendome, and La Mangeoire-----
La Petite Auberge
116 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016Gascogne
158 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011Capsouto Freres
451 Washington St, New York, NY 10013La Mangeoire
1008 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10022Bistro Vendome
405 E 58th St, New York, NY 10022-
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re: gutsofsteel
I probably shouldn't have said bistro, since I didn't mean to exclude large restaurants or brasseries. Sorry...I'm not a foodie (as I'm sure is obvious by my OP), and I didn't realize my OP was unintentionally limiting your recommendations. While Cosette was a bistro, I imagine other French restaurants that aren't bistros might serve similar fare (though perhaps not at the same price point :( ).
Anyway, thanks all for your recommendations :)
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