Benoit New York
French restaurant · Midtown West ·
Upscale French bistro serving classic fare, warm ambiance
Upscale French bistro serving classic fare, warm ambiance
"This bistro from prolific French chef Alain Ducasse is a tidy, pristine place serving tidy, pristine food. The chalk-white walls are lined with drooping Art Nouveau light fixtures, and the menu offers a range of French classics, with a few Italian items tossed in. Is it all a little stuffy? Sure. But that’s part of the charm, and it’s hard to complain about a textbook roast chicken with crispy, salty skin. If you’re dining solo, make use of the bar area up front." - bryan kim, will hartman, hannah albertine, kenny yang
"The Deal: $45 Lunch, $60 Dinner It’s stuffy, it’s in Midtown, it looks like a naive fantasy of Paris, and we wouldn’t change a thing. For what it is, Benoit is a great time. Take this opportunity to swing by for some lipstick-red banquettes and textbook French food." - bryan kim
"This Alain Ducasse bistro, housed in the venerable La Côte Basque space, may have been renovated in recent years, but it remains decidedly Old World in look, feel and taste. The setting remains a sight to behold, with its abundant framed mirrors, red velvet banquettes and oak paneled walls. In the front salon, two red wingback chairs are tilted in to face a working fireplace and make an idyllic spot for nibbling madeleines at the end of your meal.The unabashedly French menu is stacked with comfortable, familiar bistro dishes that feature the likes of cassoulet, pâté en croûte and foie de veau. Traditional desserts are a highlight, especially the rum baba with its fluffy brioche served with lightly sweetened whipped cream and a generous pour of rum." - Michelin Inspector
"The original Benoit is in Paris, but in case you need to feel like you’re in a storybook version of that town, prolific French chef Alain Ducasse has another location in Midtown. In a dining room lined with mirrors, Art Nouveau light fixtures, and lipstick red booths, conservatively dressed clientele graze on escagots and overflowing portions of uniformly crisp fries. It’s not the most exhilarating place in town, but aside from general stuffiness, it’s hard to find fault. If you’re planning a post-work date night or a pre-show meal, swing by and enjoy some complimentary gougères and impeccable roast chicken in a puddle of salty jus." - Bryan Kim
"A très chic Midtown brasserie from Alain Ducasse with a lively, convivial atmosphere; its sommelier recommends playful, social gifts — for example, a wine-themed board game called A Wine Tasting Murder — as perfect complements to a night of bottles and friends." - Jordan Michelman
