The quality of food and service has dropped substantially. It is sad to see another neighborhood restaurant falter in a location otherwise devoid of quality dining options. Last night's experience there has lost another customer for good. After sitting down, we waited perhaps five minutes for water or a menu, and waited exceptionally long to get our drinks and appetizers. When the entrees came in, I had received the wrong item. The waiter was surprised by the error, and after perhaps another five minutes of waiting, he came back to tell me that they had run out of the dish. He said I could select another entree and it would come immediately. I picked the wild mushroom risotto and waited at least 20 minutes for it to arrive. Meanwhile my fellow diner was being neglected by the waitstaff, not even receiving refills of water. Finally I gave up on the order and asked another waiter for our check. I never received my entree. The check came back and everything but my entree was on the bill a total of $80. Not even a token discount or drinks removed from the order! According to the time on the receipt, we wasted an hour and a half there for one round of drinks, apps, and half of our table's food for $80. Meanwhile, the quality of the food was lacking compared to most restaurants in this price range. The foie gras millette was eggy and had an intense mayonnaise flavor. The gnocci dish was unbalanced with it's root vegetables. The risotto was soft and lacked truffle flavor. If you are looking for a brasserie experience, head to Balthazar or Pastis instead, or go a couple blocks away to Le Halles.

It can be a little loud and hectic in here, but the food is awesome. Try any fondue to start oh, and also bleu cheese puffs, for dinner try the chicken under a brick or sauteed skate wing with blood orange sauce, and the cheese plates are super, try the selles sur chevre (sp?) goat cheese...oh yeah!

Quelle est la différence entre ici et .. Balthazar? They are both very loud...and look similar in decor! However, the waitstaff were exceptionally attentive here (somewhat overbearing at times) We did a restaurant week here. My dinner companion had the Morrocan Glazed Scottish Salmon of which she thought was excellent. I had the Black Angus Hanger Steak Frites which was probably one of the best Steak Frites dishes I have had in NYC. What was truly superb was the green pea soup which started off our meal. The tastes and textures were just wonderful! We concluded our meal with the Cheesecake Pecan Praline & Caramel Sauce. This was very good but a little too much for me (too sweet) My dinner companion had the Summer Berry Soup of which she enjoyed. All in all a good dinner BUT was heavily annoyed by just the loudness of the place. I could speak/hear normally to the people on either side of me but had to sort of shout/yell at my dinner companion across the table from me. I had a bit of a sore throat upon leaving. I would still say its worth a try.