Chez Fifi — Restaurant in New York

Chez Fifi – A Parisian Jewel in New York

I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Chez Fifi twice now, and both visits reaffirm that this newcomer is one of the most charming additions to the city’s dining scene. The space itself is stunning—warm, intimate, and tastefully designed. The main dining room feels like being welcomed into an elegant Parisian home: cozy, personal, and stylish without being overdone. There’s also a small bar upstairs that adds to the allure, but it’s the atmosphere downstairs that truly transports you.

First Visit Our first dinner set the tone. We started with frog legs and beef tartare, both beautifully executed, followed by Dover sole that was perfectly cooked—delicate and flavorful. A side of fresh string beans rounded out the meal. Service was excellent throughout; Alex, our server, was attentive, knowledgeable, and made the evening flow effortlessly.

Second Visit On our return, the kitchen impressed once again. We began with a light salad, a bright and citrusy bluefin tuna au citron, and a rich, satisfying deviled crab.

For mains, the steaks were the highlight. The filet mignon au poivre was exceptional—tender, deeply flavorful, and enveloped in a peppercorn sauce that struck the right balance of creaminess and spice. It was paired with frites that were crisp, golden, and seasoned just right. The côte de boeuf, served with house frites, was a true centerpiece: beautifully seared on the outside, juicy and perfectly cooked inside, and bursting with flavor in every bite. It’s the kind of steak you remember long after the meal ends. Alongside, we enjoyed string beans and rice with clams, both adding freshness and texture to the table.

Dessert was a showstopper—the baba au rhum, generous and celebratory, soaked just enough to be decadent without overpowering.

Though the main courses came out a bit slower during our second visit, the leisurely pacing gave us time to enjoy conversation and soak in the atmosphere, so it hardly detracted from the experience.

Overall Chez Fifi is a place where the details matter—beautifully plated food, thoughtful service, and an ambiance that makes you feel transported. Both visits left me eager to return. It’s the rare kind of restaurant that works equally well for a celebratory evening or a spontaneous night of good food and wine.

Highly...

The most frustrating part about this new “French” restaurant is that they are trying really hard with the PR and lack of communication to create a sense of demand (there is no phone number to call to change a reservation and they don’t respond to emails or IG chat messages when one needs to change an online reservation; plus I think the online scarcity of two person tables is done to create demand — for months the only online availability was for tables of 4). This horrendous treatment doesn’t improve in person. The bartender was the most clueless person staring at me like I had 4 heads when I asked him to recommend something. The drink he ended up recommending was a watered down Paloma for $30. The waiter couldn’t pronounce Chez when greeting us with “Welcome to Chez FIFI” (he belted out Chaise instead and repeated that twice). The food and decor fortunately made up for all the rest. Overall, however, I felt that I was at an overpriced gimmicky establishment trying to pass as French. $200 per person later, I dont think I will be back unless management makes some major changes. I’d be willing to reconsider my review then. There are other great options for authentic French food and atmosphere than this that wont break the bank. Looking around, I also noticed it mostly attracts out of towners. I just don’t think New Yorkers will keep coming back given the situation.

Pros: beautiful, intimate decor in a small townhouse setting; unlimited warm bread on the house; delicious filet mignon with crispy fries; perfect glass of cote du rhone.

Recommendations: train your staff and get a new bartender who understands customer service and mixology; bring down the prices or at least consider adding some affordable dishes to balance things out; hire someone to answer phones and reply to messages. And stop with the whole...

12/10! 🌟 Chez Fifi is hands down the best restaurant in the city. From the moment the doors open and you step inside, it feels like you’ve left the hectic big city behind and walked straight into someone’s home in Paris. The music, the vibe, the food and drinks and the always welcoming yet professional staff all come together to give you the best possible experience.

The restaurant is named after the owner’s mother, “Fifi,” in honor of her memory. For those paying extra attention, you’ll notice decorations, art, and details throughout the space that come from the family’s own home. Even the menus have little hand-drawn illustrations that tell a beautiful story about Fifi and her family.

The food is always spot-on — not once have I been disappointed by a single dish. And there isn’t a day I don’t crave the crunchy Pommes Fifi, the steak au poivre with the tastiest au poivre sauce, the Txangurro, or the endive salad. Honestly, it’s impossible to pick a favorite dish , everything is so delicious so you truly can’t go wrong. For dessert, my go-to is the chocolate mousse and the fromage ice cream with huckleberries.

The cocktails are some of the best I’ve ever had. I love how they experiment with flavors and come up with exciting new combinations — each one has a magical touch that leaves you speechless. The wine list is just as impressive, with something for even the pickiest wine lovers who want to explore rare and special bottles.

This place radiates pure love and warmth. Whether it’s a casual weekday dinner, a date night, or a special occasion with friends and family, this is the spot. It has everything you could ever ask for — and it’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to...