Plein Air

Plein Air is hands down my favorite restaurant in New York City. I’ve been going there for years, and what amazes me is that their quality has never changed. The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and so well-prepared. One of the biggest reasons I love PleinAir is how great I feel after eating there. Almost every time I eat out I’m regretting it later, but not here. This is the only place where I’ve never had any stomach issues, and that alone speaks volumes about the quality of their ingredients and care they put into their cooking. It’s my go-to spot, and I can’t recommend it enough!

My partner and I have been coming to Plein Air since it opened in 2020. Back then, it was outdoor-only with a small but incredible menu. Today, it has graduated into one of my favorite restaurants, not just in Ridgewood, but in all of NYC. It feels like one of those little gems you could only ever find hidden down the side streets of Paris. The mornings offer a warm, cozy brunch with delicious coffees, fresh juices, and impeccable egg dishes; the evenings serve up an intimate dinner experience featuring new and delightful specials alongside elevated staples—the chicken and pork are among the best I’ve had anywhere—that pair perfectly with their well-curated selection of flavorful sides and other small plates. Oh, and don’t get me started on the Sunday burger! It’s fantastic. How Plein Air manages to pull this off in a space this size is nothing short of amazing. Whether you’re in the mood for a romantic dinner, casual Sunday brunch, or maybe just a good glass of wine with some fresh oysters, give this place a try. The wonderful food, service, atmosphere, and consistency will keep you coming back for more.

Wonderful little boite with delicious and excellently curated food, attentive servers, a skilled bartender, and an invitingly cozy atmosphere. I think the goat cheese omelet, sourdough toast (get it with the butter and jam), bacon, American Breakfast, French Toast, lattes, espresso martinis should all be ordered and ordered all at once!

Came here for brunch today on a Sunday. Sunday dinner menu started at 3, so I was able to order off both menus. Heirloom tomato sandwich had much more flavor than I expected it to, to be honest. Goat cheese omelette was delicious! And we ordered a dozen oysters to top off the meal. All in all, very good, and will be curious to return for dinner during the week sometime.

I love this little place! The food has been excellent each time I visit, most of their menu & cocktails change seasonally and they also have some delicious staples that I always come back to. Somehow their olives are the best I’ve ever had! The staff is super friendly & knowledgeable about the menu. A great neighborhood staple that I like to bring my friends & fam to when they visit.

I really liked the food here. My mum and I ended up even ordering dessert, since we were enjoying the dining experience and food here so much. It is a bit of a tight space and can get loud, but if you come in earlier it’s quite cozy and nice. The staff is attentive. All the food was tasty and im sure any dish on the menu will be yum. I definitely plan to come back!

I had an iced coffee with oat milk (delicious, standard) and the goat cheese and herb omlette and it was DELICIOUS. The little side salad was also seasoned and delicious. Both had dill added and I love dill so I'm biased. Also, the staff was super nice! The only down side to it is the space is a little awkward to move through for fat people (I'm mid size and had to push tables to get in and out but I made it work)

Probably my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood overall. Amazing oysters, french onion soup, terrines and lentils with mushrooms. Nicest staff too. You can't go wrong eating here.

I loved this spot. The vinaigrette on the greens was delicious and as a simple side salad is my favorite food, that gets it 5 stars from me. Don't know if they soaked the radicchio or what but it was barely bitter and just yummy all around. The bacon egg and cheese was also great! Green juice gets a nod as well. Good balance of green and enough fruit to make it not taste like grass. And no celery!!! Incredible! Also, the manager or owner or whoever was there on the Saturday morning when I went was very kind and fair to her employees from all of the interactions I saw. As someone who was in the industry for a long time, this means a lot to me. The place is small but with a good amount of tables! You might have to wait a bit now that it's getting cold and the outdoor tables are less usable, but it's worth it. Great neighborhood spot for sure!

Stopped by for a Sunday afternoon snack and coffee on a rainy day. This place is so cozy with great music and beautiful lighting (they have a skylight). The servers were so friendly and attentive. We shared a French onion soup (4/5) and an oma cheese plate (5/5). The cheese was so freaking delicious, I think it was one of my favorite cheeses I've ever tasted. We also got a maple latte (3.5/5) and an apple pear tart (3.5/5). Overall I had a great experience here and would love to go back.

Plein Air is quite tiny but cozy. I ordered a chocolate cake and affogato to share. Both were really great but the chocolate cake definitely sold out. All in all, if searching for some late night dessert in this random area in Queens, try this place :).

Let's talk about environment. Just being in this cozy atmosphere with friendly staff is enough. Today we've had breakfast here for the first time after so many delicious dinners and we were totally satisfied. American breakfast is perfection. The best sourdough toast along with sunny side eggs (can make any way but poached) with Smokey strips of bacon and a crispy on the outside and soft on the inside rosemary scented potato cake!!! Hubby had the omelet with herbs and goat cheese. It was creamy and delicious and comes with a small green salad with tasty olive oil-garlic dressing. Iced coffee and decaf cappuccino were great. We tasted the green juice (nice and gingery) and the fresh oj that was heavenly. Fresh juices are the best! Of course we will have to come back for different breakfast options and the loveliest service from Jackie and staff!!

A small cozy gem of a restaurant. All of the staff and servers were incredibly warm and attentive as I dined at the bar solo with a book. They have a great happy hour 5-6:30 on weekdays, with drink and food deals. And they have both food and drink rotating specials as well. I had a fantastic glass of a Beaujolais that was a featured special, plus the chicken liver mousse and a special shrimp dish in emulsified butter with lemon and chili. The mousse is made in house and was decadently delicious on perfectly toasted bread, a generous serving. And the shrimp was excellent as well, six well sized shrimp. I was sipping the butter sauce on its own! Didn't get to try dessert but it looked great! Can't wait to return.

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in Ridgewood. Food is really good and drinks are exceptional. The goat cheese omelette and egg sandwich are to die for. Great for dinner.

I started coming to Plein Air for breakfast when they first opened a few years ago. It's been really nice to see how the restaurant has developed since then, and it's all been for the better (not that it was ever not good). Firstly, for breakfast, the eggs, sandwiches, and other dishes are all delicious. They really know how to cook an egg, and I always order a side of toast with jam and butter. It feels like a satisfying meal without being too heavy - hard to do at breakfast! I tried dinner for the first time recently and was equally, if not more impressed. French food is honestly not something I have as much experience with as other cuisines, but the flavors and textures all satisfy and complement each other. The interesting array of tasty and unique aperitifs, cocktails, and wines all pair well, too. The seatings are limited, due to the relatively-small size of the restaurant, but personally this is one of its most appealing qualities, to me. Intimate, quiet, relaxed ambience, and attentive servers who bring your drinks and food quickly, but not rushed.

One of the best coffee shops in NYC, without a doubt. Came here with my buddy yesterday and ordered 2 cappuccinos. Each one was perfectly made and the espresso was nice and strong. Really nice ambiance as well to come and just hang.

We had such a wonderful first experience in this cozy neighborhood spot. The servers were really welcoming and friendly and I loved the vibe. I have a few dietary restrictions (vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free) and they had some truly delicious options for me. I loved the persimmon & pomegranate salad & the lentil dish, which came out in its own little cast iron skillet. I'll definitely be back!!

I'd rate Plein Air four and a half stars. Cafe / bar hybrid. Located on Forest Ave near the corner of Catalpa where a fun cluster of restaurants, bars, and cafes have opened. We shared their bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich but on a croissant. Eggs were superb. Rich color with a perfect balance of dense butteriness and fluffiness. Superb sandwich. Service was very quick and accommodating. They have a nice stretch of outdoor seating making it a great place to hang out.

My favorite restaurant in the neighborhood, I love their pork belly with beans, also anytime they have a special I go for it because their chef is great.For the drinks, I recommend the punch bowl it serves up to 4 people and it's so delicious!!

Aside from making great cappuccino, you can trust this place for delicious breakfast. From sandwiches to omelettes, they do it so perfectly. I have yet to try their dinner but it's safe to assume that it'll be a win. Can't wait to go back!

Plein pretexte - outdoor seating is marginal and the food only ok (a bit pretentious and seriously overpriced). You can do better

J'adore Cafe Plein Air! Maybe I can't pronounce anything new in the neighborhood but gosh darn it, it's delicious. It being the time we are in, I desperately was in need of an outside excursion. I dragged my friend out of his house to run errands. We stumbled onto "Cafe Plein Air". My French roommate says that it translates to "open air". There was a cute high table underneath the cover outside with a heat lap next to it. We went in to order. Things seemed a little pricey for just an omelette. I looked over the menu while my friend ordered the hash special and a hot toddy. I decided to go for the omelette and paid extra for a side of toast. A hot beverage did sound good. The hot chocolate with chartreuse called out to me. I let my friend sit under the heated lamp and I took the other side of the table. I'm a true gentleman. He was very cold. I guess I run warm and I also bundled for the occasion. The food arrived quickly. The waitress complimented my bat purse. A girl has to dress up when you never leave the house. My omelette was seriously the best omelette I've had in years. No lie. It had that creamy inside that only the French nail down. The goat cheese melted onto the mushrooms in every bite. The side salad was perfectly dressed. I loved seeing the coloring of the radicchio. And my bread was quality, toasted and buttered. I was in food heaven. So I thought. Then I took a sip of the hot chocolate. M-I-N-D B-L-O-W-N! Holy smokes. Best hot chocolate of my life. I'm sure they used whatever fatty milk was there which added that thick, decadent consistency with the quality chocolate and the chartreuse could not have been more perfect. I totally raved about it to my roommate when I got home. Needless to say, I'm hooked on this place and could not be happier that it's part of the neighborhood. During a time when you never leave the house, this was an absolute treat to have a delicious experience. I can't wait for my return. There's obviously only seating outside at the moment but word must've gotten out because tables filled up that didn't even have heat lamps.

Plein Air has been a delightful addition to the neighborhood. Here's what I love about them: - Rus has declared their breakfast sandwich the best in Ridgewood. The bread makes it -- it's a soft, brioche bun that's slightly grilled. The eggs are always soft and the cheese makes this sandwich such a comforting breakfast (or lunch!) meal. They give you the option to add bacon or prosciutto, but we usually get it without. I love that this sandwich is perfectly filling on its own. - The salmon rillettes dish comes with three toasted triangles spread with salmon and topped with capers. Good for sharing and that salmon spread is light and tasty. - If you like goat cheese, you'll love their omelette! They don't skimp on the cheese. - THE DESSERTS. Do not sleep on the desserts at Plein Air. From the olive oil cake to the flourless chocolate cake, they're all delicious! They also serve ice cream. Check their Instagram or their website to see what they've got for the day but so far my favorite is definitely the flourless chocolate cake. They also serve pastries from L'Imprimerie...which you already know are the best around. - I had the yogurt parfait for the first time today -- I'm a fan. If you're looking for something fresh and light, this is the perfect snack. I was scraping the fruit purée from the bottom of the bowl. The inside of Plein Air is on the smaller side, so they only allow one party in at a time to place orders, which is good. You can also order ahead online. Outside, they've got a few tables along the building and then some tables underneath a tent. They also have some heat lamps. The staff of Plein Air is very friendly. They always suggest great things to add to my order. Like their perfectly seasonal drink specials, for example! I love their hot toddy and the caramel latte that I had today seemed perfect for fall. I'm looking forward to trying their French onion soup. I haven't had their dinner yet, but it sounds great. Mostly I love walking by and seeing what specials they have written on their chalkboard. Ridgewood pals, let's show some love to Plein Air!

Best spot in the area Menu has great mainstays as well as fun specials Drinks are top notch Get the tomato sandwich while you can

We only had drinks and a dozen oysters so can't really rate the full dining experience at Plein Air. It's a cozy little place with a nice bar and a few tables. Two of us had cocktails. My wife had the Long Stretch, which is similar to a Sunflower. I had the Chrysanthemum. Both were very good. My daughter had a glass of wine. We shared a dozen oysters, which were very fresh. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Other diners were enjoying their dinners. We'll definitely return to Plein Air for dinner some time.

Dropped by for lunch and will definitely come back again! The house sausage - a m a z i n g. The goat cheese omlette was also great! Seems like they rotate their menu and they had a case of desserts which I'm excited to try next time! Limited seating indoors but they had several tables outside and a patio area so there was enough seating for everyone coming through.

The food was delicious and the menu is not your typical dishes which added to allure of the place. Service was excellent- Would highly recommend!

Small restaurant, the outside seating make up for the tiny inside. Great food and drinks.

Food was phenomenal, drinks were phenomenal, the service was kind and helpful, the ambiance is so romantic and intimate.

I have been 4 times: three times for brunch, once for dinner. They serve a mind blowing egg sandwich. It's a thing of dreams. Eggs are cooked so delicately and come out so fluffy. A great choice if you're looking for a slightly elevated BEC. It keeps me coming back. The steak is cooked perfectly throughout. One of the best price:quality steaks I have ever had at a restaurant. Oysters and creative cocktails round out a wonderful meal. Service is easy going and kind. The indoor space is tiny so hope these folks find some way to serve the masses come winter.

This place is amazing. It's extremely delicious! It has vibes, great food, and good prices. The eggs are always cooked perfectly.

Plein Air! The perfect place to perch. Best oyster selection around. Very good service. Love this place.

Plein Air can do no wrong! This little neighborhood gem consistently serves perfect food! High quality ingredients, friendly staff and the best egg sandwich around. Highly recommended!

5 stars for the quality (its fantastic ) but not 5 stars total, due to the sense of chaos and simmering negative energy inside. I don't blame the staff - the indoors is truly tiny and I'm sure it's not easy to operate such a high end business within such limited space, but all the same it rubs off on the sense of professionality and enjoyment for the customer. To-go orders are also frequently delayed.

You'd be remiss not to make this restaurant part of your visit to Ridgewood. An americano and a warm brie sandwich for breakfast is perfect, but go for dinner. Eat oysters, eat a an incredible starter or salad, have whatever their special is, enjoy great wine, have an impeccable martini. Talk to your seat mates at the bar, enjoy the charming, professional staff, watch the chef & team churn out food made with great care, consideration, and flavor. Go. It's so good, really. Oh, and always order the dessert.

Great spot with real nice people and quality food. I come here repeatedly and have yet to be let down. They have a good selection ranging from simple pastries, if you want something a bit smaller, to fuller plates if you want a little more (or something that f eels a bit healthier). Coffee quality is solid, the maple latte is worth it when it's in season.

Cannot recommend here, food got me sick and I have quite the resilient stomach. Ordered to-go an egg sandwich and a coffee neither of which tasted like anything special. It won't be difficult to avoid eating here again considering the place across the street has the best breakfast sandwiches in the area

Café Plein Air is run by mom + pop owners who care about every bite, customer, and experience. The neighborhood is so lucky to have this gem. Delicious, affordable, food full of love--and omg the Salmon Rillettes, Puy Lentils, yogurt, and Chocolate Cake... you will want to come back every weekend forever. Don't forget to take home some booze and goodies from their little indoor Larder grocery store. Cute outdoor seating with strong heaters, too!

Had breakfast here. Our group ordered the egg sandwich and the American breakfast. We also had a watermelon spritzer (or something or the sort). It was quite refreshing. In the future, when we order, we'll ask for our eggs to be scrambled well (they were a bit too wet for us). The toast that came will our breakfast was wonderfully crisp and properly buttered. I felt like I was eating pain paysan. The hash brown was so crisp on the outside but so delicate on the inside.

go now and forever hold your peace. why certain places are higher listed idk but this was my third time in for dinner within the last month or so and might i say it gets better every visit. what's not to love about any amazing breakfast menu in the day and a menu worth calling home or your grandmother or closet relative to share what an amazing meal accompanied with 10/10 service.

A wonderful place that deserves more recognition on here--though it seems like there are always people at the restaurant, especially for their excellent, unfussy weekend brunch. Friendly staff and truly superb French style cooking make this a regular favorite of mine when I'm in Ridgewood. The goat cheese omelette and salad (prepared with loving tenderness, and for only $11) may be the best breakfast option for miles around.

Plein Air's knocked it out of the park yet again. Excellent chef-owned small restaurant with a thoughtful menu and top-notch service staff. This is the salmon rillettes that I ordered for pick up. Salad added by yours truly with tomatoes from my garden in Ridgewood. Cafe Plein Air is a great spot to dine alone, on a date, or with friends and family; a guaranteed pleasure.

Seems like Ridgewood has a few undiscovered . You can miss this tiny shop if you're not careful, but you'll kick yourself if you do. I was there on a date night just for drinks. Eventually staying for oysters which were amazing (and I don't really like oysters). The wine selection was perfect. But the highlight of the experience was the staff. Our server was genuinely friendly, knowledgeable, and she got along with my date (who can be a handful ). This place needs to be explored more. I'm definitely coming back!

Probably the best omelette I've had, definitely best omelette in the area. Nice outdoor seating. Little over priced, but still nice.

Simple and quality, sort of like french bakery meets farm to table. Love how they cook the eggs perfectly, still a bit runny, perfectly soft and intact, find most places overcook scramble quite a bit but not here, they get it. This makes the breakfast sandwich great w or w/o meat. The brie jam croissant which was melty and filling and satisfying, a fresh warm crunchy croissant with decent brie and nice real fruit preserves and or jam. All in all in May2021 a very nice spot for breakfast food and french pastry. Don't crowd the register! give them some space!

Best iced latte in Ridgewood. Delicious. My favorite is the bacon egg cheese sandwich in a buttered and toasted brioche bun. Soft and fresh. Served hot! Absolutely amazing. A flavor explosion. Highly recommend Cafe Plein Air!

I can see the appeal and the reason that many love Cafe Plein Air. The menu is great and the atmosphere is perfect. Each and every single menu item that we ordered was really fresh and yummy. The customer service was fantastic and helpful. Cafe Plein Air... What's not to like?

Plein Air has the best breakfast in Ridgewood, hands down. Their goat cheese omelette is perfect. Their side salad is magically simple. You can tell that they truly care about the quality of their ingredients and every dish that they serve. They also always have great specials -- their American breakfast is delicious and features a scrumptious hash brown. An ideal French cafe!

I loved this place, but when I went a few days ago the experience made me feel very unwelcome. So much so that I'm writing this review. When I first entered the restaurant I was not greeted with words or a smile. Even so, I smiled and asked the individual taking my order how they were doing. I paid and made my way to my seat. I wasn't given any water, which is fine but then when I saw other tables not needing to get up and ask for water (it was automatically given to them when they got their drink orders), I thought that was strange. My food was then brought to me (delicious!). I was at the end of my meal when the owner came and picked up my plate without asking if I was done. It was clear I was not, so I found that very rude. I mean...the only time they approached me is to swipe my food away? To make room for other customers? No. I paid and deserve to enjoy my meal just like everyone else there. I would try to work on making customer service similar and equal to all customers next time.