Libertine

"A romantic French bistrot in the West Village with an effortless ambience, perfect for a date night." - Edward Barsamian

"In a wave of new French restaurants, Libertine is a standout bistro. The corner restaurant has a short bar with red stools and many, well-spaced small tables. There’s a chalkboard menu with dishes like lobster chou farci, gnocchi Parisienne, sausage with mashed potatoes, or scallops with seaweed, that “are a joy to eat,” writes former Eater critic Robert Sietsema. Be sure to explore the wine list with varied styles among which you’ll find a favorite" - Melissa McCart

"From the week it opened in late May, Libertine has felt like a truly great Parisian bistro in the West Village. It already feels lived in—with chatter bubbling up to the ceiling every evening—and a host of dishes that feel like familiar favorites even on a first visit. No wonder, since it comes from partners Cody Pruitt, beverage director at Anfora, and executive chef Max Mackinnon (previously of Relae in Copenhagen and Rose’s Luxury in Washington, DC). A few of those instant classics: the gently boiled Oeufs Mayo ($19) slathered in rich, homemade mayonnaise speckled with trout roe and chives; a scallop ($18), broiled with seaweed butter and leeks, served in its own shell; and even a simple green salad ($21) that reminded me that the beauty of bistros is their ability to take three delicate ingredients (here: torn lettuce, fresh herbs, and a vinaigrette) and make them feel special. That’s not even getting into the wine, which is entirely all-natural and French. It’s exactly the kind of place you hope to be charmed by in the West Village. —Megan Spurrell, senior editor"

"This wine bar has rewritten the book as far as French bistro fare is concerned. Rib-sticking dish from chef Max Mackinnon include saucisse puree, a fat pork sausage with gravy plunked on top of buttery mashed potatoes; scallop plus seaweed, the almost-raw shellfish under a gratin presented in its shell; and jambon persille, a slab of ham terrine littered with cornichons. There’s no printed menu at this charming spot, so consult the chalkboard bill of fare." - Robert Sietsema

"You won’t find steak frites or salade niçoise at this West Village bistro, and that’s what we like about it. Instead, the chalkboard menus on the walls list things like oeufs mayonnaise, airy rice pudding, and a saucisse puree in a pool of onion gravy. Occupying an idyllic corner space on Christopher Street with big windows, Libertine plays the part of Neighborhood French Bistro perfectly, with pre-worn tiles, distressed mirrors, and a Serge Gainsbourg poster. Just know they don’t really have casual pop-in prices, so save this spot for a special date." - bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja, sonal shah, will hartman