Top 5 French Restaurants

• Le Bernardin- 155 W 51st St (Midtown west) $$$$- Consistently a mind blowing experience. From the second you walk in to the minute you leave, you are in a state of awe. For the last 20 years, chef and co-owner Eric Ripert has maintained his four New York Times stars and three Michelin stars, which is
  

  Photo courtesy of Shimon & Tamma

  unparalleled in New York. Whether you go for lunch or dinner, there is simply nothing amiss from the menu. Unfortunately, there are no words in the English dictionary to describe the “barely touched” scallops and crispy black bass. It is highly recommended to try the Chef’s Tasting menu and let the genius prepare an unforgettable meal for you.

• Bouley– 163 Duane St (Tribeca) $$$$- Chef David Bouley prides himself on being able to “maintain a dialogue between chef and guest to ensure joy and satisfaction.” A dinner at Bouley is the epitome of hospitality and fine dining. The menu is infused with seasonal offerings and just like Le Bernardin, I recommend everything on the menu. In particular, the organic Connecticut egg appetizer served with a melt in your mouth piece of 24 month old Comté and the local organic Long Island Duck paired with local polenta make for a true farm to table experience. The hostess, waiters, bread cart pushers, sommelier, and bus boys are all there to guarantee that your meal is a memorable one.

• Artisanal- 2 Park Avenue (Murray Hill)-$$$ French cheese lovers rejoice! This is your paradise. Conveniently located between the Hotel Giraffe and the Library Hotel is Artisanal. Artisanal
  

  Photo courtesy of the Artisanal Restaurant Group

  is not only a bistro but a fromagerie. They offer the best cheese and wine flights in the city as well as fondue. The dinner menu is traditional French with the skate and Chicken Under A Brick being the main stand outs. The service is prompt and accommodating. This is a lively place and can get quite busy and loud.

• Les Halles-411 Park Avenue S (Gramercy) $$$- A classic french bistro and the once home of acclaimed chef Anthony Bourdain. Two blocks from the Hotel Giraffe, this boîte transports you to the vibrant bistros of Paris. There is usually no wait upon checking in and service is quick. The steak tartare and Coq au Vin are must haves paired with the succulent truffle fries and wild mushrooms. The place can get dark so be prepared to use your flashlight app. But overall it makes for a lovely date night.

• Jules Bistro-65 Saint Marks Place (East Village) $$- Can simply be described as an experience. There is almost nightly jazz music and your waitress might just be the one singing! Go full on French and order the Escargot a la Provencale dripping in butter and steak frites (splurge on the fois gras topping!) Wine is served with every course and your glass never seems to be empty. End the meal with their warm molten chocolate cake. You may have to hit the gym to burn off the calories but it will be a night you won’t soon forget.

Is your favorite not on our list? Leave a message in the comment section and share with our guests. If you require any assistance, please contact the concierge at Hotel Elysee, Casablanca Hotel, Library Hotel, or Hotel Giraffe.