French cuisine has long been cherished by New Yorkers, and next month, the city will welcome even more places to enjoy favorites like steak tartare and coq au vin.
New dining spots, from Faux in Tribeca to Daniel Boulud’s Brasserie Boulud on the Upper West Side, promise to delight locals with scrumptious French dishes.
“I think the current popularity of French restaurants stems from the fact that French food feels luxurious, yet it’s also relaxed compared to traditional fine dining,” remarked chef Philippe Orrico, who just launched his first solo venture, Le Sixth.
Le Sixth, just a stone’s throw from Washington Square Park, had a quiet opening this summer but is gearing up for a grand debut next month during Fashion Week.
Orrico aims to capture the essence of a French bistro — sophisticated yet casual. “That’s what I wanted to create with Le Sixth: a neighborhood restaurant that serves elevated bistro dishes in a laid-back atmosphere,” he explained. Until recently, he was the executive chef at a private members’ club named Coco’s.
Patrons can expect classic French dishes like Dover sole served with mashed potatoes in a small cast-iron pot, wood-roasted chicken, and steak frites accompanied by broccolini and sauce Champs-Élysées. There will also be salmon and avocado cones, along with ravioli filled with Comté cheese and summer truffles.
This fall, Le Sixth is also introducing a “French brunch” menu, featuring mini lobster rolls, a foie gras crème brûlée, and “pigs in blankets,” with a side of caviar.
Meanwhile, across from Lincoln Center, renowned chef Daniel Boulud is about to unveil his 25th restaurant next month.
Brasserie Boulud aims to be the go-to spot for morning croissants and coffee, whether to enjoy on-site or to take away, as well as for lunch, dinner, and late-night drinks post-performance.
This new establishment will occupy a sizable 10,000-square-foot space that previously housed Boulud Sud, Epicerie Boulud, and Bar Boulud.
Boulud mentioned that while the classic bistro never entirely faded, it’s now experiencing a notable revival.
Another exciting addition coming next month is Faux in Tribeca, launched by George McNally, just 23 years old and the son of acclaimed restaurateur Keith McNally, known for establishing beloved French culinary landmarks like Balthazar and Pastis.
This two-story “French-inspired” brasserie and late-night venue marks McNally’s first restaurant venture. He has previously made appearances bartending at Balthazar.
Kristina Ramos, the chef guiding Faux’s kitchen, is a talented alum of Eleven Madison Park with experience at other renowned locations like Auberge la Feniere in France and Washington DC’s Minetta Tavern. She plans to serve classic dishes like steak frites, a well-crafted burger, and mussels, infused with a more coastal Marseille essence rather than a strictly Parisian vibe.
McNally describes Faux as “unpretentious, offering simply good food, full of nostalgia and ease.” He’s collaborating with familiar names to ensure its success, including designers from his father’s past iconic restaurants.
Meanwhile, the Catch Hospitality Group is rapidly expanding its restaurant portfolio, akin to a TGV train racing from Paris to Marseille. Café Charmant, which boasts French dishes with a “coastal flair,” is set to open next month at the former location of the trendy Saint Theo’s on Bleecker Street.
This marks the fourth standalone concept from Catch Hospitality in just two years, adding to the successful ventures of Or’esh, the Eighty Six, and Corner Store, which has been particularly well-received.
Like Or’esh and Boulud’s brasserie, the chic spaces at Café Charmant are designed by the Rockwell Group. The culinary team here is led by Jake Tyler Brodsky, another former Eleven Madison Park member who caught Remm’s eye during dining experiences at Brodsky’s last position at Palm Heights in the Cayman Islands.
The Café will offer classic French staples like salade niçoise and steak frites alongside unique options, including razor clam pasta, duck frites, shrimp Polynesian, and a raw bar. Beverage director Lucas Robinson is teaming up with wine director Emily Buse to craft new cocktails such as a Provençal Dirty Martini and a Cucumber Sour.
Earlier this month, Broome Restaurant and Bar quietly opened in Soho’s boutique hotel Broome under new ownership.
The menu, created by consulting chef Moshe Masarty, features dishes like tuna tartare with labneh and cucumber consommé, beef tartare, and a vibrant apple-and-fennel salad with feta. Notable mains include branzino with fennel, delicate pastas, and a chicken paillard, with desserts such as olive oil chocolate cake. Currently, dinner service is available, with brunch to follow.
Broome’s interior design is the work of Sonoé Architecture & Design Studio, part of a broader renovation that rejuvenates the entire hotel.
“French cuisine is foundational to modern culinary techniques. Many of the methods in classical cooking, from stock and sauce development to the careful use of butter, have their roots in French culinary art and continue to shape kitchens around the globe,” shared Liron Sanado, the hotel’s director of development and operations.
In local news, Motek, a popular Mediterranean restaurant out of Miami, is on the cusp of a significant expansion, introducing Yalla Motek, a Mediterranean street-style eatery in NoMad this winter.
Spanning 2,500 square feet, Yalla Motek will accommodate 66 seats and is set to be the first of several locations planned for New York, with more to follow in various neighborhoods like the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side over the next three years.
The original Yalla Motek made its debut in Florida in November 2022, offering beloved dishes such as lamb shawarma and chicken schnitzel sandwiches.
In New York, Motek’s flagship establishment opened in Flatiron, with additional branches in the West Village and on 60 W. 57th St. Williamsburg is also set to welcome a new location this fall.
In other developments, the new restaurant Confidant in Brooklyn is also growing. After relocating earlier this year to Atlantic Ave, the owners have just opened Frenzie, a neighboring wine bar focusing on late-night offerings. With an ambiance centered around natural wines, each evening will feature an enjoyable late-night menu from 10 p.m. onwards, providing affordable pairing options.
Confidant remains popular with dishes like trout mousse and prawn pot pie enhancing its appeal in the neighborhood.
Additionally, Selene, a three-story Greek restaurant in Soho, is flourishing after its recent opening. Named after the moon goddess, it transports diners to the Aegean coast with its vibrant atmosphere and menu offerings, including whole grilled fish and lamb chops.
Covering more than 10,000 square feet with multiple dining areas, Selene highlights a design that reflects Aegean minimalism infused with New York style, aiming to deliver a unique yet familiar dining experience.
The area around Selene is undergoing significant development. Plans for two new residential towers are in the works, aiming to revitalize nearby vacant lots.
