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Bastille Day may have passed, but our craving for fine French dining lingers on – we’re indulging in velvet banquettes, Art Nouveau lighting, and marble-clad bistros. Here are the city’s most exquisite French restaurants to keep the celebration going in New York City.
1. Sirrah
The debut project from September Hospitality, Sirrah is a modern French restaurant in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. The 120-seat space, designed by UK-based studio Fettle—known for projects like The Hoxton Rome and West Hollywood's Chez Mia—embraces a sumptuous, theatrical aesthetic complete with rich fabrics, burl oak panelling, blown glass chandeliers, and a sound system installed by the team behind Tokyo Record Bar.
2. Le Chêne
The West Village's Le Chêne opened this May to much fanfare for its menu, helmed by chef Alexia Duchêne, a former semi-finalist on Top Chef France. Designed by Frédérique Mortier d’Aumont of Fred Interiors, the space exudes Parisian sophistication with its curved horseshoe bar, dark wood accents, and plush red velvet banquettes. Bonus points for the art collection, featuring icons like Basquiat, Warhol, and Dubuffet, thanks to curation by Van de Weghe Gallery.
3. Bridges
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Bridges has quickly become a standout restaurant in Manhattan's Chinatown thanks in large part to its striking design, overseen by the Elle Decor A-Lister Billy Cotton's firm. For his first restaurant project, Cotton drew inspiration from nearby Chatham Towers, a Brutalist apartment complex, incorporating glass-brick walls, cherry wood banquettes with black leather cushions, and chrome lighting fixtures from local studio Blue Green Works.
4. Le Mercerie
Soho's La Mercerie, designed by the ELLE Decor A-List Titans Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer of Roman and Williams, resides within the Roman and Williams Guild. The restaurant allows diners to immerse themselves in a space where every detail, from the tableware to the furnishings, is thoughtfully selected—and available for purchase.
5. The Baccarat Hotel Grand Salon
Paris-based designers Gilles & Boissier have lavished attention on every surface and detail of the soaring, 22-foot-high Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel, from its pleated Jouffre silk-covered walls to its parquet floors and plush upholstered seating in platinum and champagne hues. We'll raise a glass to that.
6. Le Crocodile
Le Crocodile is a tried-and-true take on the French brasserie, located on the ground floor of Williamsburg's Wythe Hotel. The interior, designed by Loren Daye of the studio Love Is Enough, nods to the hotel's factory past, juxtaposing industrial elements with contemporary touches like milk-glass pendant lighting, built-in banquettes, and high wainscoting.
7. Libertine
This 46-seat restaurant was designed by beverage director and general manager Cody Pruitt, who drew inspiration from classic Paris haunts like Le Bistrot Paul Bert, Les Arlots, and Le Baratin. Pruitt even personally sourced the bistro tables from the Pays de la Loire, France. Thoughtful details like a well-curated poster and print selection, three well-preserved layers of tin tiles on the ceiling, and, of course, chalkboard menus, lend the space a certain je ne sais quoi.
8. Le Rock
Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary studio Workstead reinterpreted the Art Deco bones of the historic former Brasserie Ruhlmann space at Rockefeller Plaza to suit modern French diner Le Rock. Now, the 4,000-square-foot space entices diners' eyes as much as their stomachs, with a potent combination of burled mahogany, patinated brass, and glistening lacquer.
9. La Tête d'Or
La Tête D’Or, chef Daniel Boulud’s first steakhouse, is a tribute to his Lyonnaise heritage, inspired by classic French brasseries and named for the largest park in Lyon. Designed by Rockwell Group as a series of immersive spaces, the restaurant blends traditional steakhouse elements with rich materials like dark marble, wood, and leather, all centered around a wood-burning grill and striking hood artwork that references New York’s Art Deco architecture.
10. L'Abeille
Tribeca's Michelin-starred L'Abeille is celebrated for its elegant menu highlighting seasonal ingredients and their meticulous presentation. Its interior, with booths swathed in jewel-toned velvets and wide plank flooring, balances residential and industrial influences with aplomb, thanks to the sure and steady hand of designer Marta Carvalho.
11. Chez Fifi
Chez Fifi, nestled in a charming Upper East Side townhouse, has rapidly become one of New York City's most sought-after dining destinations. Its allure lies not only in its culinary offerings but also in its meticulously designed ambiance, courtesy of Swedish design firm JOYN Studio. JOYN transformed the townhouse into a space reminiscent of 1930s Paris, featuring rich mahogany paneling, plush banquettes, and vintage chandeliers.
12. The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges
The Mark Hotel is well-known for its celebrity accolades—just hang around the curb outside before the Met Gala, if you dare—which makes its restaurant all the more alluring. Whether dining in the sun-lit atrium or nestled in the cosy elegance of the lounge, The Mark Restaurant guarantees a sophisticated, Upper East Side experience thanks to interior design by ELLE Decor A-List firm Jacques Grange.
Find the original article here.