La Grande Boucherie — Restaurant in New York

Nestled into an alleyway that is large enough to be a street, aptly named 6 1/2 Ave, lies a massive French bistro. Once passing through the main entrance, you notice the decor and lofted ceilings which are about as grand as the food offerings inside. The menu can prove challenging to diners not familiar with French cuisine, but luckily the wait staff is incredibly patient and knowledgeable to accommodate the unique palette of each guest.

We started with an excellent wine recommendation from the sommelier and navigated multiple courses of some classic dishes and other modern interpretations. Throughout our experience, an army of staff quickly whisked away plates and silverware to replace with fresh sets. I found it especially entertaining to witness the table transform from one act to the next. Our meal ended with a trio of desserts that ranged from average to spectacular. While there are a lot of places to get your Parisian fix, this bistro leaves a lasting lasting impression with it's grandeur and French flavors.

Below is a breakdown of what I ordered, along with my thoughts. Asterisks (*) indicate items I especially enjoyed and would recommend ordering again.

*535 Marsanny Red Wine ($90) - Light, fruit-forward, and approachable, I really enjoyed each glass. As dinner went on, the wine seemed to open up and taste better.

Heirloom Tomato & Fennel Salad ($24) - Fairly simple and straightforward. Would've been improved with brighter olive oil and some flaky salt.

*Les Escargots ($32) - Anyone intimidated to try snails should not miss this dish! The texture is reminiscent of shrimp and of course you can't go wrong when cooking in garlic butter.

*2pp Cote de Boeuf Pour Deux ($185) - I believe the name of this dish roughly translates to steak for 2, and let me tell you this could easily satisfy 4. The meat is seasoned perfectly and the bone marrow adds a deep richness. Don't miss this one!

Lobster Linguine ($52) - I would skip this one and try another main. The lobster was slightly overcooked and the dish lacked a bit of flavor.

*Mousse au Chocolat ($25) - I don't think there is a single negative thing about this dessert. It's unctuous, chocolaty, and the components all synced together perfectly!

Creme Brulee ($16) - Probably one of the more underwhelming versions I've had. While the presentation was lovely, the custard was lumpy. It could've been an off night, but this didn't do it for me.

Basque Cheeesecake ($18) - The slight sourness of the cheesecake paired well with the sweetness of the creme fraiche and berry coulis. Overall pretty...

I wanted to like this so much and we were so underwhelmed that I didn't initially write a review. I ate here 2 months ago and after having the exact same meal last night in The Bahamas for the same cost, I had to come back to write my review. This was supposed to be our big night out meal in NYC and my husband put a lot of effort in to picking somewhere with food I like. We were so disappointed. The restaurant is pretty, but once you look around you start to notice all the missing pieces of a real fine dining experience. The tables were far too close together and we could hear every single thing the couple next to us was saying. Best line "I'm in boobs. My work used to be a luxury but now good tits are a necessity!" :/ Even my 8 year old commented "for a fancy restaurant the bathrooms are dirty". The food was so obviously preprepared that the appetizers came out before our drinks order arrived. We ordered a second cocktail and had given up on eating the food before that drink arrived. The French Onion soup was just ok. The lamb was somehow both overcooked while still being extremely lamby, but also with a huge chunk of unrendered fat that, if it wasn't going to be cooked properly, should have been trimmed. As soon as the duck arrived, it was unappealing and limp. It was presented skin side down, and wasn't crispy at all. I had one bite and was done. The manager was actually walking around and checking on people but, she was dressed so casually and in a sleeveless top we thought she was just a person saying hello until it was too late to say anything. As our bill for 2 adults and a child neared $400 plus I really didn't want to tell my husband how disappointed I was (and he was doing the same!) we ordered dessert. Again, it was so obvious the creme brulee had been premade and put in a fridge. The top wasn't even warm and was soggy. The food was so bad that I may actually not eat duck ever again when before it was my favorite once a year special date night food. As we left we both admitted just how little we had enjoyed the dinner and we wound up with a reservation at a steakhouse in the city on another night I hadn't planned on. I hate writing bad reviews, but after dining at Cafe Martinique in The Bahamas last evening and having a vastly superior experience with the same menu items, I had to come back and write about...

I enjoy shows on Broadway quite often, and I must say that Le Grande Boucherie is one of my favorite places to dine in the theater district after a show. This restaurant is spacious! I mean the it stretches the entire block of 61/2 Avenue of the Americas! The outdoor plaza is actually covered and I think technically indoors so you can enjoy an outdoor vibe, whilst underneath lofty, towering ceilings, surrounded by petite potted trees on a beautiful tile mosaic floor. The vast “indoor” space is elegant with white subway tile on the walls, adorned by Nouveau style art and beautiful ornamental moldings on the archways. There is additional seating in the mezzanine areas, which offer a birds eye view of the seating areas previously described. The mezzanine is cozy but still airy, and feels exclusive and private. I’m telling y’all, this restaurant is a vibe!

An indulgence that isn’t served many places that I love is absinthe based cocktails. Both the Provence Martini and the Boucherie Sazerac were superb. I would say it’s worth stopping by the restaurant just for the ambiance and drinks…but then you’d be missing out on some fantastic French cuisine!

We started with the most tender, buttery, roasted scallops I’ve had in my life! The delicate flavor was enhanced by the thyme polenta and herbs. The first surprisingly divine bite is a moment that replays in my mind like a fond memory.

We ordered a 48 oz tomahawk ribeye with herb roasted bone marrow and savory bordelaise sauce. This luscious, mouth-watering extravagance bordered on hedonism. My only complaint was that the our 48 ounces seemed to contain much more fat than I have previously had on a tomahawk. The steak arrived table side already cut from the bone (which my dog is currently enjoying and loosing her mind over in a fit of pure ecstasy as I write this) and sliced into manageable portions. We had to throw out two whole slices because they were predominately fat with very little meat.

The pomme frites were appropriately addictive and the printaniere de legumes (spring vegetable mix) nicely rounded out the meal. Both were even better when dipped in the rich bone marrow.

Le Grande Boucherie is a wonderful dining experience and the perfect kickoff or capper to...