Tournesol

"Around for over two decades now, Tournesol is an unpretentious Long Island City classic. It’s a popular spot, usually full of families and first dates, and you’ll typically see at least one order of steak frites per table. The $31 hanger steak arrives with a heavy char, to the extent that it’s almost burnt, sort of like eating a beef-flavored campfire. You’ll get some buttery sauce made with whole peppercorns on the side, and you should mostly just use that for dipping your fries. The meat has enough flavor already." - bryan kim, willa moore

"The term “neighborhood restaurant” gets thrown around a lot. If you want the real deal, check out Tournesol in Long Island City. At this tiny place with a tin ceiling and sepia photographs on the walls, you’ll find plenty of families and other neighborhood folks eating endive salad and seared trout a la meuniere. There’s usually at least one order of steak frites on every table, and for good reason. It has an incredible char—to the extent that it’s almost, but not quite, burnt. Bring your kids, or plan a casual date night here." - bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja, sonal shah, will hartman

"Tournesol has been open for a couple of decades, but it would take us a couple more to tire of coming here. This dark bistro serves dishes like duck liver terrine and moules frites at relatively affordable prices—compared to much of the other fancy French food around town. You’ll get your white tablecloths and fine wine, but it’s totally unstuffy, with a lively crowd of regulars spilling out onto the outdoor tables. We especially like the croquettes and escargots, both of which are under $15. " - neha talreja, bryan kim, hannah albertine, sonal shah, molly fitzpatrick

"This is a dark French bistro that serves things you can share like cheesy croquettes and escargots (both of which cost less than $15). If your Valentine’s Day aspirations mostly just include some good red wine and French food you can share, Tournesol is the best you’re going to do around Long Island City. See if there’s a comedy show happening at Creek & The Cave nearby, and make it a double-header. " - hannah albertine

"If you live in Long Island City, then you probably already know about Tournesol. If not, know that if Tournesol were in your neighborhood, you would probably go out on more dates. It’s an affordable French restaurant where you can bring a 5’10 owner of three dachshunds after a swipe right, or your girlfriend of three years. Either way, share a few things like escargots, goat cheese croquettes, and the mussels, along with anything from the long list of reasonably-priced French wines." - matt tervooren