AquaMarina
4060 Broadway, New York, NY, 10032
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Address :
4060 Broadway
New York, NY, 10032 - Phone (212) 928-0070
- Website https://aquamarina-hub.com
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Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Nedia D.
I went here tonight to celebrate my birthday and the staff was very attentive right when we walked through the door. The atmosphere was perfect (sit outside if weather permits!), our waitress gave excellent recommendations, and the overall experience was just what I was looking for. Star dishes: the anchovies were so good, my mother ordered 3 servings!; the pineapple tarte tatin with toasted coconut ice cream was absolutely perfect; the squid ink pasta with rock shrimp and mussels was a wonderful summer dish. I will DEFINITELY be going back.
(5)Steph C.
~*Review #500!!*~ That's what I'm talkin' about! Been a fan of Buttermilk Channel, so I was eager to try their fancier French sister. The space of the restaurant is HUGE, and toes the line between fancy and casual. On one hand, you have candlelit tables and nice lighting. On the other hand, you have cartoon stencils and a cartoon mural on the wall. It makes for a nice, chill vibe. The place was quite packed, and we were given the choice of a table in the front by the bar or outside in the backyard. We picked the backyard, which is spacious and beautiful, but it was so humid that day that we changed our minds and asked to sit inside. The servers were very nice and understanding, and even gave us a better table than before! The menu is pretty awesome, and we were hard-pressed to choose. We started with the grilled foie gras, which was amazing and probably one of the best I've had. It was served with pickled grapes, shaved fennel, and rhubard, and while those were great, the unadorned foie gras itself would have been perfect on its own. For mains, we shared the Bavette steak frites and grilled trout. Sort of a good offset, one heavy dish, one light dish. The steak frites were well done, although the steak was more medium than medium rare as requested. It was still really tasty. And the fries were spot on. The grilled trout was very light and crispy. It was served with fingerling potatoes that had the most amazing smoke flavor, cucumbers and radishes, and trout roe. We finished with the profiteroles with cardamon caramel sauce and pistachio ice cream for dessert. Incredibly sweet and indulgent. Definitely satisfied my sweet tooth! Service was great throughout, and while it's pricier than Buttermilk Channel, it's definitely worth the extra $$$. Definitely going on my list of favorite places!
(5)Jack C.
As I've eaten here roughly 50 times, I can't really believe that I have yet to write a review. I've been for lunch, brunch, and dinner, and each is well worth the time and money. The flavor combinations, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality of the space and staff is really top notch. The cocktails are well conceived, interesting, and tasty; great Bloody Marys for brunch. I enjoy the seasonal menu changes, often daily specials, and that they source as much produce as possible from Snug Harbor Farms on Staten Island. And for those on a budget, the Monday night price fix is a welcome respite from NY prices. French Louie is also not one of those Brooklyn places that's too cool to offer reservations, and if you plan to go on a weekend, or during peak brunch hours, definitely call ahead to avoid a wait (especially if you hope to dine in their shockingly serene idyllic garden space in back!). I can't recommend this place highly enough.
(5)Kenny C.
French Louie is one of my new favorite restaurants in Brooklyn. And that's not that much of a surprise, considering the pedigree of the owners and chefs (most notably Buttermilk Channel). It's not an every week type of place, but more of a semi-special occasion spot. They have tons of seating inside and out (including a gigantic backyard). I thought it was going to be classy to a fault, but it was actually surprisingly casual. We were originally offered a table by the door, but decided to go outside, but it was the most humid day of the year, and they were nice enough to bring us back inside at a nicer table in the back. The waitstaff was overall amazing. Not to be outdone, the food is also top notch. Started out with the grilled foie gras (because why the hell not?). It was served with pickled grapes and fennel. The foie gras was incredibly rich and needed nothing because it was the best I've had in a long time. But nevertheless, all of the added flavors really boosted the dish (especially the grapes). Great for sharing. All of the entrees sounded amazing, but we eventually decided to share the grilled trout and the Bavette steak frites. The steak was slightly overcooked (more medium than medium rare), but the flavors were excellent. Great fries too. And the salad, while completely unnecessary since I'm a carnivore, was actually a nice addition; it wasn't just a few pieces of lettuce thrown together, but seemed thought through. The grilled trout was a much lighter dish, with a flaky with a crispy skin. It was also served with these delicious smoked fingerling potatoes. They had a crispy exterior and a smooth silky interior. Kind of like smashed potatoes that weren't smashed. It was all topped off with some trout roe, which was just the icing on the trout. For dessert, we had the profiteroles, which... let me just say, save room in your stomach. Pistachio ice cream over half of a cream puff shell. Three of them. Yummy. They also have some interesting cocktails, and a great whiskey and apertif list. One of the bartenders actually came over and gave me a personal recommendation on an armagnac when I couldn't decide on my last drink. All in all, French Louie is doing everything right. Can't wait to be back. Hopefully, I'll be back sooner rather than later for their Monday night dinner prix fixe!
(5)Michael L.
We had a really lovely dinner here. Service was great and the restaurant is quite nice inside plus they have a good amount of seating in their garden. Started with the snap pea salad and chilled squash soup. The salad was a nice change from the usual salad with the pea shoots and a lot of herbs. The cold soup was good, nothing you couldn't easily make at home. It was topped with a very pretty and colorful assortment of garnishes though to keep in interesting. For entrees we had the socca and merguez pappardelle. The pasta was quite good. It was intensely flavored and everything really went well together. FYI, the merguez is the ground meat style (which may or may not be the "real" kind) and not the sausage style you may have seen before. The socca was surprisingly solid, not just a vegan/gluten-free afterthought. The baba and yogurt were extremely flavorful, right up there with the best middle eastern restaurants. This was our first trip here and we'll be back. At the end of the day, that's the best endorsement a place can get.
(4)Michelle C.
This place is absolutely delightful. My husband and I came here for our anniversary and the food and service was impeccable from start to finish. The scallop ceviche was light and refreshing. The gnocchi was insanely good and my husband got the 28-day steak which was delicious. We finished it off with the pineapple tart which my husband didn't want to share after he tasted how delicious it was. By the end of the meal we were deciding all of our friends who we wanted to bring here. This place is such a wonderful addition to the neighborhood!
(5)Lauren S.
I was so excited to try this place, it looked cute and delicious. My friend and I went for brunch. It took them an hour for them to bring us our food. People who arrived after us were served before us. They gave us a free brioche in an attempt to mitigate this, which I appreciate, but still. An hour after ordering to get our food. Which wasn't that great. The burger was overpriced (17$) for it's small size. And it was bland. I am disappointed to have wasted money and calories here.
(2)Katrina L.
Venue: cute restaurant with bar and outside garden area. Dinner: Steak - Juicy and nicely cooked. Lamb - Super tough and wasn't enjoyable at all since it took forever to cut and chew. Brunch: Cordon Bleu - Comes with two large pieces of delicious fried chicken, slices of prosciutto and lettuce. Socca - Really light and thin layer of "chickpea flatbread" and little bits of toppings sprinkled on top. Interesting and tasty, but small in portion and not filling at all. Duck Fat Potatoes (side) - Not what was imagined and definitely not recommended. It's just bland, roasted/baked potatoes in a small skillet. Service: Friendly staff, but food takes too long. Overall hit or miss on what you order.
(3)Brian V.
We stopped in for a bite on a Friday night and really enjoyed it. Small, but focused and excellent menu. The service was fantastic and the atmosphere out back I. The garden was great. It's a bit pricey but worth it.
(5)Irene G.
We arrived here for brunch on a Sunday morning. It's a very cute restaurant, gives you a cozy feel. There is outdoor seating, I believe, for when the weather gets nicer. The staff was friendly and the service was great here. I ordered the Socca from the brunch menu. It is a chickpea flatbread with roasted cauliflower and buckwheat with sunny side up eggs. It tasted fresh and flavorful, which surprised me considering the ingredients. They definitely made it great here. Very tasty! If I come back here, I would try out the other dishes since those look good to try.
(4)anthony r.
Me and my native New Yorker friend popped into French Louie after my red eye flight from the west coast. It was Labor Day Sunday. We were promptly seated toward the back of the bistro. I loved the busy vibe and patio which we opted out of due to direct HOT sun that day. Our server was super nice and personable. I had the trout po'boy while my New Yorker had the Socca. With both dishes neither or us were disappointed. Food and service stellar and all worth the value. Would return sooner if I weren't so far away.
(5)Bridget R.
Delicious food and great service! I've been here 2 x in the past month, once for brunch, once for a mid day lunch. I had a great crab meat Benedict at brunch. It was delicious! Lunch I had the tuna nicose on chickpea pancake - again really yummy. Fresh flavours! Oh and my friend and I shared the chocolate pot with Madeline's, heaven!
(4)Mike C.
Just like at the other restaurant run by these guys, the super popular Buttermilk Channel, brunch here was excellent. Recently started this summer just in time to coincide with the good weather, brunch is a great time to visit to enjoy the beautiful backyard seating area. The menu is pretty small, so we didn't go crazy, but the choices are strong: - Chocolate-Almond Brioche ($4) This was a really excellent pastry to begin the meal with. Served nice and hot, it was so buttery and much more chocolatey than these breads usually are. Make sure you start with this for a very satisfying appetizer. - Creme Brûlée French Toast ($12) This is a great idea - the crackly, crispy texture of creme brûlée on the outside and the smooth, whipped interior go together very nicely. Maybe slightly too eggy, as the inside was borderline liquid smooth, and it barely resembled toast, but it was still tasty. - Thick-cut Bacon ($6 for 3 strips) Very thick indeed, this was an excellent plate of bacon that provided some much needed meat to complement the sweet of the french toast. - Burger Royale ($17) Not a fancy pants burger, but rather a very fancy Big Mac. The thin patty might have you concerned at first, until you realize there are two of them. It turns out that this was one of the best burgers I've had recently. The meat was shockingly juicy considering how thin the patties were, and the bun was nice and soft. Not only that, but the fries were excellent too - very crispy and well-salted, making you wish there were more. Make sure you come for brunch so you get to try this burger. I would have liked to try some dessert, but I'm not sure if there was anything as we were not offered any. Other than that, service throughout was good. Definitely make sure you request a seat out back when it's nice out. The food was good enough that I definitely wouldn't mind returning to check out the dinner menu.
(4)Cody L.
Amazing service. Wait staff was competent, friendly and efficient. Good orange madeleines are hard to come by and french louie has definitely got it down. MUST GET THE eggs louie - has real delicious crabs!!!
(4)sylvia l.
Being discriminating has a price. Case in point: I adore my friend Vivian. We can share everything and anything about each other, our friends, our family, our work. It's great. This is the hallmark of a true friend: a confidant that's up for anything and everything, I feel. Of course, there's always a catch. I never see her. But when we do get together, there's no question where we go. Like my pal Viv, this place has it all: great food, great backyard, great drinks, great service. We like to go for dinner. The lobster is always delicious- melts in your mouth- and the creamy hollandaise just makes it that much more sinful. We always get both East and West Coast lobster- I have to say I'm partial to the East Coast usually; what can I say. Recently we tried the pork & clams; the pork shank was fork-tender and the clams quite flavorful; I had to be THAT person and grab bread to soak up the broth. No regrets there. We always get the heirloom carrots (out of guilt, we think, we never eat vegetables when we meet) - frankly I think I could devour anything paired with their black caraway and yogurt sauce. Just like with Vivian, I'm not afraid to overindulge or share anything; I once had four of their bourbon drinks (we were there a very long time.) Be prepared for a massive migraine the next day. What? Did I say migraine? I mean hangover. But what really makes this place feel like home is the service. I can't say it's because we look so blissed out through each course, but each and every server looks and tells us how much they envy us (and yes, they work there, they get to eat this stuff more often than I do.) If you don't like the place, I'll take your seat, preferably outdoors. Maybe it's a good thing it's not superclose to my home, I'd be broke. But happy. The way I feel when I hang with Viv.
(5)Bill T.
Went for brunch with some friends who were in town, and we had a very nice time. Everything we ordered came out to our satisfaction. Since then, my wife and I have made it our go to brunch spot and we have never been disappointed.
(4)Simon M.
We ate here on Saturday evening....waitress was superb young lady....knows the menu well and gave us wonderful service! Sardines, Tomato salad and Rillettes were delicious Lamb Chop, Duck Allard and Chicken were washed down with a nice bottle of Frog's Leap Cab.... I think French Louie knows their business.....thank you!
(5)Liz S.
Absolutely delicious food - try the anchovy frites and the gnocchi - and great service. The waiter brought out two kinds of wine to try based on my request for a recommendation - loved the attentiveness and help!
(4)Jj L.
Review for dinner on a Saturday night. For 1st-timers, we had a wonderful time. Excellent service, very creative dishes and wonderful decor! Dessert and wine choices were amazing! You had me at goat cheese sorbet and oh man how can I forget the profiteroles...simply delicious!
(5)Maeve M.
I plan to come back for a backyard brunch the minute weather allows it. We came here on a Thursday night and the place was hopping at 9 pm. I ordered the Frenchie salad (delicious, although kind of heavy on the French dressing) and the spring gnocchi, which was perfect--pillowy nuggets of gnocchi accompanied by fresh and flavorful vegetables. I will also note that portions are pretty small/light--I didn't mind it at all, since I wasn't starving, but something to keep in mind. We split a bottle of rose which I don't think was particularly good but still drinkable. French Louie also makes their own ice cream, so we tried the chocolate, vanilla and goat cheese for dessert. They were all great--particularly the chocolate which was very intense and almost umami--clearly they used a high-percentage cocoa. The goat cheese was also excellent--I recommend if you are not put off by the idea. It was reminiscent of thick greek yogurt, or a very creamy goat cheese. Can't wait to return and try more of the menu!
(4)Elizabeth N.
Came here with friends on a Thursday night and it was still packed. Good thing we had a reservation. Food was overall good as were the drinks, but pricey. Drinks were small and weak on alcohol. For apps we got escargot, foie gras and roasted cauliflower. The only thing out of these I recommend would be the cauliflower, which is disappointing because I usually love foie gras and escargot. Entrees were better. Got the lamb chops and they were tasty.
(3)M C.
Went for dinner on Sunday. Service was very good, staff was friendly and helpful. Having gone to Buttermilk Channel years ago and liked it, we were surprised by how disappointing our food was. Steak tartare was a flavorless, gelatinous patty topped with a cold runny egg yolk. It was served with some chopped cornichon that tasted fresh from a can and two slices of thick rustic bread that I assume was supposed to be used to choke down the steak. I wouldn't have been surprised to learn the ingredients were sourced locally, from Trader Joe's up the street. My wife and I ordered the lamb special and the duck entrees. The duck arrived overcooked and tough, gray and gamey. The only flavor was from some kind of soy sauce reduction that it was swimming in. Three small potatoes and a fistful of olives were thrown into the mix and are best ignored. The lamb was likewise tough and bland, served on a bed of red rice that was probably the tastiest thing on the plate. The portions were large, and some might think that for these prices, large portions would be a good thing. Not so. Hoping to end on a positive note, we ordered ice cream for dessert. With some of the best ice cream places in the city within a square mile from the restaurant, I would have thought this to be a no brainer. But we should have cut our losses at the entree. The music was a little loud, but the place is comfortable and elegant without being pretentious. If the prices were lower, I'd give it another shot, given their reputation with Buttermilk Channel. But with so many other choices in the neighborhood, it's very unlikely I'd go back.
(1)Charles L.
Great spot for small and large groups. The service is excellent. The anchovy frites were excellent. The pan fried skate with crab "dirty rice" hit the spot. We went with a group of 12 and they were very accommodating. Excellent variety of French reds and whites.
(4)Bob G.
What a great meal ! From the start the service was GREAT, Brian our server was very knowledgeable , helpful and guided us through the specials. The cocktail menu was novel and all were delicious (Try the Sarsaparilla Sour.)_ we ordered the specials and 4 of us ordered different items so we got a fairly thorough sampling of the menu. Every item was a hit ! Delicious and well presented. Cannot say enough about the food, drinks, service (Thanks again Brian) and ambience. I am usually reticent to post about places love, because I dont want to have to wait for a table (selfish - I know) - but please go, enjoy and say hello to Brian ...
(5)Joanna V.
I came here for brunch with a friend. This place is just adorable. The food was fantastic! I ordered the Eggs Louie and it was delicious. My friend ordered the mushroom and goat cheese scramble and it was also excellent. We also ordered the radish side with creme fraiche and loved it. Our bloody marys were also made very well. The atmosphere had a cute french bistro vibe. There service was excellent even though ti was packed and the servers were very friendly. I am definitely coming back! I would suggest making a reservation. This place gets pretty packed.
(4)Elizabeth N.
Came here with a big group including the bf and sat in the backyard. Everything was perfect. Apps, entree, wine, service, ambience. This place is a gem.
(5)Nikki C.
It makes me sad to pay a lot of money for food that isn't good. Came for weeknight dinner. We spent $100 + tip for two mains, a winter salad, fries, and two glasses of wine. Our mains were the pork and clams and skate with dirty crab rice. Both were bland (under seasoned, texture-less) and disappointing. The pork and clams came with three clams, which felt wildly unjust for a $25 dish. The service was a bit aloof but not unfriendly. Our server never followed up with us after the food came. Perhaps she knew it was terrible. The place is not without merit. The dining room is beautiful. We've actually been here once before for dinner and enjoyed it. The steak frites and lamb frites are nice--well prepared and tasty, though still pricey at $25+.
(2)Anthony S.
The food here is very good and the portion size is just right. While here for brunch I had the creme brûlée French toast which is a must have for creme brûlée lovers. I had the burger royals which was amazing. The burgers were cooked perfectly and dressed to the nines with French dressing on the burger. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Jordan A.
Heavy yelp user (for reference) not a big yelp user (for reviews) but as a Chef and fellow industry professional, this place has it all. Great food, great drinks, and a great vibe! Not to mention the manager, Doug, stepping up to the plate and recognizing a long wait time for a table. Will be pushing business this way as long as I live in BK!
(5)Lana V.
Great food, great service, great addition to a neighborhood where you can never have enough French restaurants. I'd even go as far as saying that I enjoy it much more than Buttermilk Channel (though the two are completely different). Love their radishes with butter, brussels sprouts, and most of the brunch options. The cocktails are also delicious.
(4)Rich B.
Actual quotes from my actual wife: "This is Grocery good" "This may be the best restaurant in the neighborhood" "This is what Dover was trying to do" This is the new outpost from the owner of Buttermilk Channel in the old Jolie location on Atlantic. It's cute that this space seems to stay French. I always thought this space was a tad awkward, but with the light colors the space works better (IMHO) that it has in past reincarnations. Here's what we liked. Drink: Jura Cremant. Sancerre Rouge. Normandy Old Fashioned (actually, didn't get, but totally should have). Eat: oysters. Snails (there's bacon). Lamb (basically slow cooked lamb in a rich wine sauce). Oxtail with homemade pasta. Pineapple tarte Tatin. Service was top notch. This is a somewhat casual place that makes kick-ass food. Is it a destination spot? Maybe not. Would I come from Manhattan to eat here? Probably not. Is it in the top-5 list for this end of the neighborhood? Easily.
(5)Charlotte G.
Very nice place and a very pleasant backyard. I'm not sure what's exactly French here, besides the wine, but who cares, food was delicious. I didn't like the first wine I tasted so the bartender opened a new one - no drama. Pretty negative point though: One of the waitresses took my friend's plate although he wasn't done. It's not even like if the place was packed, nobody was waiting for a table. No reasons to rush.
(4)Darlene L.
One of my most loved places to dine in Brooklyn. Great food, great service, great times. I highly recommend.... Sit in the garden if possible.
(5)Stephen C.
Amazing food and great service by the staff -- had the gnocchi and pan fried skate with profiteroles as the dessert. Waitress was very attentive and multiple people on staff asked us about our experience throughout the meal.
(5)Bill R.
Had Saturday brunch in February at Louie. First off, the service was exceptional. We wandered in off the street and they we able to seat us in exactly the amount of time they promised. A rare feat. We had the salmon tartine, Eggs Louie, bacon and raw oysters. All very good. The wait staff was extremely attentive and well informed about the wines. I'll go back next time I'm in Brooklyn. Oh, also great people watching.
(5)Nati R.
I came here for my birthday dinner with some friends, we sat out back. Service: Perfect balance between friendly and efficient. Normally I like making friends with servers, not so when I'm with 6 of my own, so the semi silent service was appreciated. Very knowledgeable about the wine and food. Complimentary glass of wine, birthday and all. Food: I got raw scallops to start. Very good. Excellent if there was less of that burnt-earthy tasting puree on the plate. Whole porgy for the main. It was...unmemorable. I kept reading about their blood orange founder, but that was off the menu, and this was just okay-ish. My friends seemed more satisfied with their steak, scapes and rabbit parpadelle. Dessert was incredible, and I'm not a desert guy. Ambiance: Perfection. Price: 6 people about $300 before tip, so a bit pricey. I'd be back to try some more food for sure.
(4)Willet W.
With the demise in the past couple of years of Quercy, of Sue Perette, of Pompette (pause here for a sob or two), of Grocery, or of the original, classically-French Jolie, not to mention the metamorphosis (by no means for the better, alas) of Saul, options for finding decent French-style cuisine in the Boerum/Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens area have been shrinking fast. And, given that the replacements have generally been places of the wings/burger/lager variety, you have to wonder whether the species (which had made the fame of Smith Street restaurant row, now, in terms of ambition and quality, a pale shadow of its former self) was under threat. But here, taking over the wonderful old Jolie location, comes French Louie, which, despite the cutsey name and American management, is somewhere up there between Pompette and (yes) Saul in quality, but in a more expansive setting, with a huge, inviting garden. The menu is ambitiously imaginative, with a lot of dishes I want to come back and try. The service strikes just the right balance between Brooklyn-relaxed and professional-attentive. The wine list is terrific, with many exciting and unusual choices (had you ever come across a Gigondas rosé before? How often have you found a Saint-Amour in New York? Or three choices of Calvados in Brooklyn?). The preparations rate highly on the soigné scale, and are generally creative without being whacky. (I'd make a slight exception for the steak tartar, swimming an in an excess of overflavored olive oil -- Jolie Cantina is still the neighborhood champion for this summertime classic, which is harder to get right than you might think,) The rillettes, for example, couldn't be better, the rabbit "cassoulet" is not really a cassoulet and is all the better for that, with the different parts all done just right. And on and on with the kudos. This is cooking of a very high order across a menu that at first glance seems pared down but is actually quite complex and ambitious. The prices are on the high side -- again, somewhere between Pompette and Saul -- but are in my view justified by the quality on offer and are anyway probably required by the cost of that location on Atlantic Ave., where rent hikes drove out the original Jolie and, apparently, at least one other interim tenant. So here's a challenge to the Boerum Hill crowd: In an area where so many excellent restaurants have been driven out by high rents and lack of support, only to be replaced by mediocrity, here once again is a newcomer with real flair and ambition. Don't let it go the way of Pompette or all the others -- support it, encourage it the way you once did with Saul. A place like this raises the profile and "standing" (in the French sense) of the entire neighborhood. I can easily imagine it becoming a beacon, luring in a clientele from all over.
(4)Pajic A.
A little bit overpriced. The drinks were good, same with the food.. there are many other places around with better specials..
(4)Holly S.
Incredible food, top-notch service, terrific wine list, all in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
(5)Kelly T.
So far, a solid entrance into casual french food by the Buttermilk Channel folks. I can't really say there was much "off" about the experience to not give it 5 stars...but 5 stars is FIVE STARS, people! We put our name in and wandered around for the 45 minute wait, as the bar was too crowded for a pre-dinner drink. The service was great--our waiter did an excellent job describing and recommending our wines, starters and entrees. The graciously pour tastes of wine, so you're not stuck being an asshole if you don't like your glass. Thank god. I hate not being able to taste the wine, unless I know I'm ordering swill in a bottle and just have to suck it up. OMG, the radishes with butter. I love radishes with butter. OMG, the gougeres! I love puffy cheesy pastry. I won't even tell you about the warm lobster whatever delishthing I started with. Don't eat. Save for me. I got the mushroom something tasty thing for an entree. The profiteroles for dessert were light, fluffy, airy and flakey. My only complaint was that the fennel ice cream tasted like a big glob of licorice, and it was dolloped ON and melted THRU the profiterole so you couldn't get away from the taste. We were actually asked what we thought of the dessert and both agreed it was "too much", the ice cream should be on the side. Also, we were seated at their "communal table". Unlike B-Channels, the "communal table seat about 7 people, and we were put with a table of 5. So it was like we were crashing a group's big night out. Too cozy under the circumstances. There are plenty of 2 tops (and a no ressie system), so we should have been asked if we were OK with sitting there. It was awkward, since the other group was quite boisterous (and had every right to be), it was just hard to have a normal conversation under the circumstances.
(4)Mark B.
Atmosphere and friendly, happy service is solid 5 stars, especially in the garden. Food varies somewhat wildly from 3 to 5 stars. Starters: Sardines are wonderful, the best. Anchovies also really fun. Try the jardiniere pickles. Gougeres are somewhat dry and disappointing -- you don't want to get those wrong, it lets everyone down! Terrine of foie gras was bizarrely salty, it didn't work. Entrees: All the steak frites are surprisingly good. Bone-in could maybe use a bit more seasoning. Skate was perfect. Wines by the glass all good and reasonably priced.
(4)Mandy L.
Very friendly service and they also have a nice garden area in the back for when the weather is nicer. The snail appetizer was delicious. It came with a side of house-cured bacon, grits, and mushrooms--all went well together. I also liked the brussel sprouts side which was tossed in a yogurt sauce with some sort of grain. I got the bavette steak (similar to a flank steak?) for my entree which was fine, but nothing spectacular. Husband seemed to enjoy his roast duck.
(3)Kate E.
I have never written a review before, but after months of looking forward to having dinner at French Louie, our experience was utterly disappointing. The wines by the glass were not good, so we ordered martinis. The oysters were fishy. The steak (the more expensive, dry aged cut) was fatty, undercooked and over salted. The accompanying french fries were soggy. My duck was tough and raw in the middle. Even the dessert - profiteroles, which are supposed to be light, were hard. The atmosphere was nice and everyone was super friendly, but with all the fantastic restaurants in the neighborhood, I will unfortunately not be back.
(1)Matt D.
Things my girlfriend (who, let me say, is extremely picky) said at our dinner: For ambiance this place is an 11. (Spinal Tap reference!) Oh my god this is good (Buckwheat Pappardelle). We have to bring my parents to this place. This place is sooo cute. We went on the first night that they opened cause it coincided when we wanted to go out and we were curious (we both like Buttermilk Channel a lot). Both the food and service was excellent. Everything we got was great plus we saw some dishes come out that we were like damn, that's for next time (especially the soup!). It's a perfect date spot but I could also see it being an easy place to take the family or friends as well. Prices aren't that bad (we had two drinks each and dessert, an appetizer to share plus two entrees and it was around 100). I would highly recommend the Flounder. It was cooked perfect and the blood orange is an excellent touch. Also it's always a great touch when the owner comes over and thanks us for coming out. The guy was really nice and made us feel super comfortable. All in all, a great experience.
(5)Ruth N.
My husband and I went out here on a friday night after randomly finding this place nearby us on Yelp and I gotta say that the food and service was great. The waitress kept apologizing about the wait but we only really waited 10min so it wasn't so bad (but I did make reservations). They were so nice and attentative the whole time. The fried anchovies were amazing so you must try this! We had their cocktails which were also very good. I had the bavette steak (delicious) and my husband had the pork and clams which was also a good and hearty dish. For dessert we had their homemade pistachio ice cream and pineapple tartin with coconut ice cream. We were in absolute heaven.
(5)Lindsay F.
Great first impression from a hostess who was warm and welcoming - a rarity in new/trendy spots. The place was packed so we sat at the "communal" table up front (FYI, not communal whatsoever - just a 4-top that staff apparently chooses to use for 2 parties of 2 when necessary) and luckily our seat mates were friendly. The mussels were hands down the best I've ever had and I eat a LOT of moules frites...huge mussels served in a creme fraiche/whole grain mustard sauce with apple butter toast on the side. This sounds like an odd combo but it was absolutely delicious. A definite must try. We also shared the giardiniera pickle appetizer which was very tasty. For our entree we shared the fried skate and lamb pappardelle. The skate was the lighter of the two (despite being fried, it was not greasy at all) and came with a crabmeat sauce that complimented it perfectly. Lamb pappardelle was slightly spicy, very hearty and perfect for a cold weather meal. French Louie hit it out of the park again with this course. Dessert was a pineapple tarte tatin recommended by our very friendly and helpful waitress and was yet another phenomenal course. I had to go with the French 75 to drink which was a very nice sized pour and cut through the richness of our entrees perfectly. There's really nothing bad to say about this place other than the fact that it was completely mobbed which isn't ideal, but that's no reason to deduct any stars. Well done French Louie!
(5)Mike D.
OK, so I'm not sure what it would be like eating inside; the decibel level was 92-95 - similar to standing next to a jackhammer. The garden however, was quiet and lazy with a warm summer breeze wafting through. There's enough room out there so that there is no cramming in. That's just the beginning. The waitstaff was genial, jovial, and efficient - aand then came the food. My own dishes were the smoked sardine appetizer - perfectly smoky, slightly briny with a tapenade butter and whole grain bread accompaniment. My main, a dish of papardelle with 'smack your momma' merguez sauce was like a 4th of July fireworks display of flavor zings - and the bed of pasta perfectly al dente. A knockout! Our shared dessert selection of profiteroles and the lemon meringue tarte - neither cloyingly sweet) provided the perfect finish. With our Cotes du Ventoux wine at table, we could have been in Provence, yet we were in the heart of Brooklyn, with a perfect staffer from Long Island (she admitted it). We're going to wear this place out!
(5)V P.
The food and atmosphere are both five stars! Atmosphere very friendly and definitely feels like a neighborhood place! Always good to have a reservation, though. For dinner, the steak and roasted chicken are particularly delicious. I also like the seasonal sides, such as the brussels sprouts and grains. The gougeres are delicious and indulgent, but a bit heavy. For dessert, the profiteroles are particularly lovely. Highly recommended!!!!
(5)Will B.
Ugh. I feel like an asshole writing this, because everyone was really friendly and the space is so great and I want this place to do well... But our food was not that great. It just wasn't. Sorry. That being said however, we'll probably go back because everyone was really friendly and the space is so great and I want this place to do well.
(3)Brian M.
Two visits. Two wins. Really loving French Louie. It ain't cheap, but everything is so good it's worth the price. They have a drink called the Everything Mary (brunch). It's a Bloody Mary with EverythingBagel-Infused Vodka. Whatchutalkingbout Willis? Get this drink. It's inventive and amazing. Garnished with a bagel chip to boot! The brunch menu has something for everyone and the Eggs Louie dish was incredible. Perfectly poached eggs on a toasted croissant. The only thing missing was the blanket I wanted to wrap myself in while I was eating it. Get this dish. Just solid made-with-love food choices all around. One challenge FL seems to face - but hardly worth losing a star over - is the staff. It's been a bit inconsistent with the friendliness of service. Some seem to walk a fine line between friendly and phony. Not a bit deal, smiles are smiles, but I've noticed a few of the waitstaff trying too hard (reaching over guests meals to refill water glasses, for instance) which can come across as a lil' rude and/or disingenuous. Otherwise, amazing.
(5)David C.
Love this place. Great energy, and great service. Had the lamb which was delicious
(5)Dana A.
Go here! Everything was delicious. The fried date salad was unbelievably innovative and balanced. I had the skate and my friend had the pork and clams for our main course. I don't know how I could go back and not eat the skate again. It was so wonderful, I would have licked the plate if no one has been looking.
(5)Julia Child 1.
Sorely disappointed! The folks at Buttermilk Channel (one of my favorites in the neighborhood) recommended I check out their new place, so I went to French Louie tonight expecting something akin to BC's absolute deliciousness. Nothing was really that good about the service or food. The decor was cute, good place for a date or dinner with friends. The server was nice but had this weird crazy eyes thing going. We ordered the oysters and he was like "OYSTERS!!!" and got all wide eyed like he was real freaked out. We thought maybe there was something wrong with them. But then we realized he had the same reaction to everything we asked for, haha. My glass of wine took 20 minutes to come after my friend got hers, even though we ordered at the same time. The service was sloooowwww.... and our table was positioned in such a way that it was really impossible for our server not to see us. Yet somehow he managed to ignore us for exceedingly long stretches at a time. I got the soup en croute. Gross. It was a bowl of liquidy broth with a teeny amount of shredded pickled onions and croutons in it, covered by a hard shell of yucky bread that looked like a muffin top. I think they just threw a slab of dough on top of a bowl of beef stock and baked it. And then I got the flounder grenobloise. Wow, hey, I just looked at their menu to double check what I had, and I realized that they changed the name of my dish! Apparently it used to be "FLUKE grenobloise" and not flounder, which sounds like the Sewage Monster from that episode of the X-Files, which tasted pretty much like what I got. It was a small gooey white smushy fish. Still on the bone, covered in capers and rubbery old cauliflower. I really hate to waste food. But I left most of this on my plate. My friend got the skate and neither of us was impressed. We got profiteroles for dessert, hoping they would redeem the place, but they weren't even that great (despite the reviews here). They were like someone poured Bisquick into a cool shaped waffle mold, put in a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and doused it in Aunt Jemima. Meh. The whole thing was like $140. Not worth it.
(2)Megan A.
My husband and I ate here for our anniversary and it was fantastic! We started with the mussels Piperade and they were my favorite part of the entire dinner. We shared the cote de boeuf and it was so flavorful and perfectly cooked. Wine was great, service was great!
(5)John H.
Cute neighborhood place, but food lacking. 26 rating on Zagat?! Ordered the smoked sardines, Frenchie salad, papardelle, gnocci a la parisienne, kale and escarole salad. Highs: - Service was friendly and competent - Cocktails were good and wine selection was better than exected Not so highs: - Sardines are difficult to do well. These were really oily and fishy - Pasta had good flavor, but needed another minute of cooking time. Ribbons nearly stood on their own - Gnocci was dry from being over-baked Maybe off night? Might try again when in the neighborhood
(2)Andrew N.
Let me tell you... If you love sultry lighting, grooving tunes, and delectable eats, you'll love this Brooklyn spot. The highlight, however, is the service. Brian--our waiter-- was a charismatic gem. Attentive, funny, and *real talk* super cute. I would recommend this to all of my friends for a superb evening. Check it out!
(4)Egg L.
This place was fine. My 60 year old father googled "hottest new restaurants in brooklyn"and took me here. The oysters took a while to come out, but were pretty tasty. Nothing to write home about. The lamb I ordered tasted more like pulled-meat than lamb, it was kind of meh and I just forced myself to finish it. The fluke fish special of the night was decent, though, and my immigrant father, who claims that "Americans don't know how to cook fish" (sorry, chef, if you are French) was gushing over how tender the meat was. Win! Overall though, meh. One of those pricey restaurants that have all the right presentation / ambiance but is kind of whatever. The service was also underwhelming, like the waiters were tired. But that's understandable. Whatever if you got the $$$ to drop. Then go ahead.
(3)Jennifer K.
AMAZING!!! Couldn't wait for French Louie to open and it doesn't disappoint!! The steak, the snails, the chocolate mousse, are delicious!
(5)Laura W.
Lovely food, attentive staff and warm atmosphere. Dinner is awesome but it's also a great spot for a weekday business lunch. My favorite dish I have tried so far is the mussels in dijon mustard.
(5)Laura M.
My group of four had originally had a reservation at Bacchus, but after waiting 40 minutes and still not being seated, we ventured over to French Louie, fully expecting to wait even longer because we were walk-ins. Instead, we were greeted by an incredibly warm hostess who immediately offered us a table. The night only got better from there. Our server was attentive and upbeat, which erased the negativity we had experienced at Bacchus. Wine was reasonably-priced and delicious. Love the anchovy frites and the carrot and beet salad for starters. For entrees, my husband had the duck, while I had the rabbit pappardelle -- both were delicious! For dessert, our group split profiteroles, the pot de creme, goat cheese ice cream (!!), and two different types of cheeses. We left feeling stuffed and happy. Definitely plan to come back!
(5)Nurit O.
Wow! Beyond expectations! The snap pea salad which is a seasonal delight was amazing and I had the Bavette steak which was cooked perfectly and tasted unbelievable! The decor was stunning (um gorgeous terrace?!!) and the waitstaff was super knowledgable and friendly. Total hit!
(5)Matt P.
5 Stars for the Eggs Louie. Space is nice, garden is great, staff are cool. Nice addition to the neighborhood, and I hope they do well.
(5)Karen L.
We drove in from Mamhattan to celebrate a birthday. Definitely worth the drive even with the Brooklyn Bridge under construction. Friendly attentive service and amazing food at reasonable prices. Every dish was superb.
(5)LS S.
Cool vibe inside. Had a good brunch but expected it to be more memorable food based on how awesome things are at Buttermilk channel. Go to check out the design and have a snack and a cocktail. I would skip brunch.
(3)Mandy G.
There are so many great restaurants to choose from in Brooklyn that as a rule I try very hard not to go to the same place twice. I will 100% be breaking my rule for French Louie. So happy this little gem is only a few blocks from my apartment. The restaurant is a bistro-type atmosphere: tea lights on table, bustling wait staff, closely packed tables and cute bar area in the front. While it can get pretty loud (there were times when it was difficult to hear my three table mates), I'd still call the place warm and inviting. My meal started with the roasted carrot and citrus salad - light and delicious. Next up the pan-fried skate over dirty rice - another dish I would order again in a heartbeat. My tablemates were equally satisfied by their Bavette steaks and the handful of apps we ordered including the fried anchovies, pickles and radishes. The wine list is relatively affordable (you can get a decent bottle for around $42 bucks). Can't wait for FL to start serving brunch (I imagine there will be Buttermilk Channel like waits), but will definitely be visiting for dinner again soon.
(5)John D.
Nice, with some work yet to be done. Two stars for the food, with a bump-up for the friendly service. We started with Anchovy Frites -- i.e., fried anchovies, not fries with anchovies. Interesting, but I won't order again. The gougeres were puffy but boring, with barely a cheese flavor. Bavette steak was tasty, but pricey at $25 given the small portion. Cocktails were nice. Last word is on the decor: ugly, ugly, ugly. Really detracts from the dining experience. Cheap flatware, too. Oh well. Not worth a trip, but fine if you happen to be on Atlantic Ave. But only meh.
(3)Claire T.
My friends and I were happy to find this place after the restaurant we planned to go to was closed for a wedding. Lovely atmosphere - modern, unfussy, contemporary. Prices were more than fair. Great beer selection. There were two oyster selections and the ones we chose were shucked and cleaned nicely. We also had the heirloom tomatoes - a nice seasonal menu item. Everyone at the table enjoyed their entrees and the lime merengue tart was excellent. The house-made amaretto for desert was also a highlight.
(4)Whit M.
Very nice ambience and great food. The frenchie app was great with amazing little pieces of bacon. The snap dragon salad was solid but not anything super special. The skate was very good and the la socca was very different/delicious. The best thing was probably the Brussel sprouts. Incredible. Our server was soooo nice and made it a very comfortable and inviting place to eat. Just as good as buttermilk.
(4)Jean L.
I am sure by now you know that these are the people who own Buttermilk Channel, everyone's favorite brunch venue. I was not skeptical at all about trying out this place because of their rep and I was not disappointed. definitely great french cuisine. I enjoyed the duck and the Lion's tail drink. both great. The setting of the restaurant is dimly lit, not intimate by quiet. There is also a nice deck in the back. They definitely put some thought into it. Great date venue or classy, wine sipping spot for a group of friends
(4)Kate P.
I give French Louie 5 stars because of its commitment to freshness, quality, deliciousness and warm friendly & knowledgeable wait staff. The menu has a good range and its possible to put together many different kinds of eating experiences here. First time we dined we were shocked that the food was as good as it is. I had the flounder & my husband the duck. Both were excellent. We came again and had the steak and the Grand Socca which was wonderfully tasty and its great to see a restaurant provide more than lackluster vegetarian options. This was exciting food. The dessert of profiteroles was fantastic, the wine choices are interesting and outside the typical range of menu by the glass. The room is attractive but can be very noisy so we pick our times...but always happy to come here. The outside space has 2 tiers, one for dining and one for drinking & relaxing......which is lovely Highly recommended
(5)Jessica F.
I loved this place! My friends and I went for some drinks on a Sunday before attending a nearby show, and we liked the vibe so much that we returned for dinner (and of course more drinks!) after the show. We had the mussels which came in a delicious mustard sauce, and also some fabulous fries. The food was excellent. I had the bellini, which was perfect, and my friends had cocktails and were very pleased. The staff was fun and kind and super attentive. I'll definitely be back. Thanks French Louie!!!
(5)Vlad B.
French Louie seemed very inviting while we explored Atlantic Ave, so we couldn't resist having dinner there! The back patio did not disappoint. Smoked sardines were top notch, and so was the "roasted king mushroom". The bread on the grand socca dish was burned, but the gracious staff more than made up for it. The chef (or the manager?) came to our table to apologize and gave us extra attention. I've rarely seen this kind of courtesy in any restaurant.
(4)Nick R.
Responsive service, but that's all - food was pretty terrible. Their overpriced (for the quality) Bavette Steak was undercooked and rubbery, fries were burnt to a crisp, and the drinks were poorly made, with the alcohol totally overpowering the other ingredients in mixed drinks. Others at my table also had issues with their orders, including an obviously burned chickpea-based pancake that was burned to blackness - I don't even know how they justified bringing that one to the table - and their pork & rabbit rillettes tasted like tuna salad. Oh, and if you're going to serve a fish filet with bones still in it, you should probably warn people. 2 stars, but only because the wait staff was friendly and attentive. Otherwise, just 1 star.
(2)Myrna M.
Excellent on all counts. Brunch is delicious, atmosphere is cool without being pretentious or forced, prices are not inflated, but what is the best thing by far is the service. Everyone is so great at their job. We have felt so comfortable and taken care of consistently every time we have been. (And we come with a 2 year old in tow). Staff always in a great mood and relaxed while never missing a beat. While so many Brooklyn joints lack so much in terms of service, French Louis stands out as a refreshing and greatly appreciated exception.
(5)Anne B.
Love French Louie! Good food and good people. They go out of their way to make customers happy!
(5)Iain M.
Really beautiful garden compliments a chic restaurant that is laid back with attentive and helpful service. We've been here a few times and always enjoy the food. Classic French staples are done well which makes it's a great option in the neighbourhood. If you can get a spot outside it will make for a fantastic meal! (French fries are spot on!)
(4)Lindsay D.
Went to French Louie on one of the arctic nights we've been having. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. I had a lovely very reasonably priced glass of pinot noir as I waited for my party. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable. Then the food came. I was recommended this place by several people whose opinions I trust, so maybe we hit an off night, but I was truly unimpressed. We ordered "Le Grand Socca" - their vegetarian Middle Eastern inspired entree as an appetizer to start. It was fine, but really lacked the Middle Eastern flavors I craved. The dish also begged for acid, which I found was a theme throughout the meal. For mains, a friend and I ordered the porgy (as it was recommended as one of their best entrees) and the "Bavette" steak frites to share. The Bavette steak is a fancy name for a hanger steak, though our server told us that it would be the more "tender" option. The steak was cooked to specifications across the board (my table ordered from "black and blue" to "well done" - don't ask why people even bother with steak if they're going for well done). The steak came out tender enough (standard hanger texture) but VERY overly salted. I get that because it's a cheaper cut they feel they need to enhance the flavor, but the salt was overpowering, especially on a dish that comes with salted fries. The fries were 100 percent the star of the meal, which is confusing, but at least they nailed something. The porgy just did not, despite it's efforts, remotely live up to the menu's description. The "concord grape brioche" lacked even the most remote hint of fruit flavor, and the accompanying veggies just weren't bright enough to stand up to a brown butter sauce. I wanted acid. So. Badly. Dessert was a disaster and I'd avoid altogether. We got a lime pie that was atrocious. That's it. Just inedible. French Louie isn't bad and it isn't great. It's fine. It's meh. I would go there again if I were wandering Atlantic Avenue on a cold night and needed some good wine and decent sustenance. I would not, however, venture out for the sole purpose of eating at French Louie.
(3)Leah W.
The food was very delicious but their service was so-so. They must have been slammed. Would try again, especially in the spring and summer when the outdoor area is open!
(4)Nicole K.
my lamb was perfection- tender, flavorful and so juicy the grilled escarole and omelette complemented it just perfectly by far my favorite part of the meal. the steak tartare was okay - I'm not a huge fan of mustard seeds or pickles so wasn't really my speed -personally prefer to taste more of the flavors from the meat. at the end of the meal we had tea and I just loved it's presentation. nice decor, friendly service - excited to try more items on their menu!
(4)Chris H.
This is a wonderful French Bistro. Great atmosphere and excellent food. Seared scallop appetizer was delicious, mushroom entree was sublime, profiteroles for desert were only mediocre though. Despite dessert experience, this place is terrific - would love to return on my next trip from San Francisco.
(5)Bennett T.
Heard about this place on Eater and decided to try out a weekend dinner for me and the GF. Even though it was a Sunday, the place seemed pretty busy, and I figured we'd have to wait. Indeed, the hostess said that there'd probably be between a 5-20 minute wait for two, but she couldn't be sure. She seemed overly apologetic and graciously explained that with a restaurant this new, it was still hard to gauge who was likely to leave quickly, and those who would camp out on the tables forever. So we opted to have a drink at the bar and wait it out. Turns out we only had to wait like 5 minutes. Yay! The decor is pretty spiffy, with lots of clean white tile and wood everywhere. The cuisine purports to be French Canadian, but I don't really know what that means. First of all, the drinks were great. I had the NOrmandy old fashioned and it was spectacular. Really dark and multi-layerd and tasty. The GF had the French 75 and said it was balanced and refreshing (as a French 75 should be). Service was smiley and prompt without being too intrusive (I forget what our waitresses' name was, but she was great). I started with the rabbit rillette, which was a bit difficult to eat, but was absolutely delicious nonetheless. My date had the carrot salad, which was awesome. I tried a taste and couldn't stop raving about it. Salads don't usually do it for me, but this was really something. I did the bavette steak for an entree and the GF went with the flounder. HOLY CRAP they were good! We shared bites with each other, and seriously, I couldn't choose between them, they were that delicious. The flounder had this great buttery sauce and perfectly roasted cauliflower, and the steak frites on mine hit all the right pleasure zones. Steak was perfectly medium rare, and really juicy. Too full to do dessert or much drinking, but definitely next time. The beer list looked pretty great, so I'll hit that up later. Gotta say, I'm really happy this is in the neighbor hood now. I live a few neighborhoods away from here, but the trip is worth it!
(5)Rrose S.
This place is so good. So good that I want to go here everynight because I know it will soon be nexttoimpossible to get a table once the rest of NYC figures out its awesomeness. Service is topnotch; cocktails are sublime. And the food? I'm writing you from a coma right now. French Louie now ranks as my favorite neighborhood spot, possibly one of the best spots in the city. Yes, it's that deep. We had: To start: him: Hotel Chevalier, radishes; me: French 75, oysters Main: him: lamb neck daube, languedoc-roussilon; me: point judith flounder, piqpoul de pinet Dessert: him: profiteroles with sherry caramel and fennel sorbet, nonnio; me: goat cheese with mixed berry and something else special, averna
(5)Yomofolo O.
Maybe it was an off-night, but I had dinner here and everything I tasted (the steak, the papardelle, fries) was oversalted. Service was pretty decent. and cocktails were strong I had high hopes for this place but don't think I will come back .
(3)Stina P.
The atmosphere is lovely. The service attentive but not cloying. Great wine recommendations too. But the food was disappointing. The chicken looked perfectly crisped but lacked seasoning. It's bed of lentils, also unseasoned, were soupy and bland. My friend's steak, although cooked to a perfect medium rare, also lacked any flavor. What a bummer. I'd return for wine and oysters in a heartbeat but will eat dinner elsewhere.
(2)Jonathan M.
We intended to dine at La Vara but lost our table thanks to the Brooklyn Bridge being closed to traffic. (No fault to the restaurant... we blame Mayor de Blasio and the MTA for being an hour late for our reservation!) So -- finding ourselves all the way in the area between Boerum Hill and the Slope in Brooklyn, we franticly scoured Yelp on our IPhone for something we could walk to with ease. On Atlantic Avenue was a place I had heard about from friends... French Louie. Let's start with the hostess -- as warm, friendly, charming a professional as one would hope to engage on a frustrating evening. She went out of her way to accommodate our party even though the place was packed -- and it was a Saturday night! Now let's move to the physical restaurant -- a neat bar, small, intimate, very "Brooklyn hip" without being douche, and a restaurant that is not overly loud, elegant without being pretentious, warm, inviting... we instantly felt very comfortable. (There is a large, outdoors back dining area that must be delightful in the summer.) Now... the menu. EVERYTHING sounded delicious... with the small-plates reading as inviting as the entrees. We shared an order of gougeres (small, cheese-filled puffs) and roasted brussels sprouts with grains in a harissa yogurt. Wonderful. The "Frenchie" salad was far more delicious than the simple detailing on the menu -- the bacon was hand-cut and perfect. Most of us opted for different steak/frites dishes -- the aged-steak was perfect and each of our meals came to the exact specification of what we ordered -- be it rare, medium rare, etc. We got what we wanted. The only disappointment was at desert... the spiced chocolate pot de creme with orange madeleines was insane... craving it now just thinking about it... but the house-made ice cream (that evening coconut) unfortunately had too many ice-crystals to make it stand out. That was the ONLY less-than-perfect aspect to this fine restaurant. Did I mention that the service was impeccable? Attentive without being annoying. If you want a fine meal, an eclectic French menu, this is a wonderful choice.
(4)Ella H.
Brunch here was weird and horrible. Bad, bad coffee--very mineral-ly with a strange aftertaste. This was a red flag and we should have got out then. Regrets. We had the trout tartine and the cordon bleu--everything--I mean everything--had a sour, bitter taste. The service was helicopter mom, every three seconds, we were being asked if everything was ok. That's not attentive, we felt harassed This was the worst brunch that we have had in many years and we go out a lot.
(1)Jim K.
Very good experience. They do not accept reservations and we went on a Saturday evening...about an hour wait...but we waited in their garden and had drinks. The Third Rail is a nice drink and would recommend it if you like a little heat. After an hour plus, we asked someone how much longer it was going to be, and the owner returned with some gourgeres and some bubbles gratis. This wasn't necessary, but it was very cool of him to do this as a little taste of something to eat was perfect. We were sat shortly after. Our waitress was very attentive, loose, and funny, which I prefer to formal. The decor is not ugly, as one reviewer mentioned. That's just a silly comment. Food was fantastic. We started with the oysters, which were ok. For our mains, we ordered the fluke, steak frites, duck, and skate. All were perfect. Sides were the asparagus and the cauliflower. While everything was cooked very well and the portions were great, the fluke and the cauliflower are standouts and I would go back to get these. Wine list was reasonable and the wines by the glass were good. We had two bottles of the Jasnieres and a glass of the Chinon. Reasonable wine for a reasonable price. Not great but good. Dessert was the pineapple tart tartin and the profiteroles, bot of which were awesome. Sure, they are new and there are a few things to work out, but it is well worth the trip. I would go back. To the owner who brought us out the goodies and wine while were were waiting: Thank you. This was a nice touch. For: the more "often" occasion. We'll be back.
(4)Suzie C.
I really want to like French Louie (really enjoy Buttermilk Channel and want another local go-to restaurant), and have gone there twice, hoping for good service and food. The first time was only okay, but it was their first week being open, so I cut them some slack. Last night we returned, and regretted it. A) my husband and his sister got food poisoning from the steak tartare, B) despite being completely empty at 930 on a Sunday, they seated our party of 5 in the back, crammed into a 4-seater with an extra chair and an incomplete table set-up, and C) the food was simply not tasty and the service lackluster. I don't even want to bother going into the details of the food because it was so unmemorable. But I won't be returning unless they revamp their menu, kitchen staff, and service level.
(1)K C.
Well designed space, love the mountain scene on the wall, great service, great food. I recommend this place to local friends and those visiting from out of town.
(5)Zachary V.
I don't know what I love more at French Louie, the food or the staff and service (the food!). Whether I'm in for a special occasion or some food and drinks at the bar, the moment I step foot inside this place, the outside world melts away, and I am reminded of all that is good in life. The french fries are perfect. The oysters are amazing (though I wish some dipped below the $3 mark, at least occasionally), and the peppery sauce that comes with the oysters is like nothing I've had anywhere else. I had THE best martini I've ever had at the bar, and their local beers on tap are great too. There's a great vegetarian entree on the menu, and you obviously can't go wrong with the steak. Personally, I'm in it for appetizers and drinks on the regular. I've heard great things about brunch, but haven't had the chance as of yet. Also worth noting is the price point. This place is high quality, and your money is well spent. I recently went to a place around the corner that serves burgers and wings and beers for the same price, and found myself wondering what the heck I was thinking. Thus, unless I'm getting my happy hour on, French Louie has quickly become my go to everything spot. Birthday dinner with the folks? Check. French fries and beers at the bar? Check. Appetizers and cocktails with my wife? Check. Basically, it's the type of place I wish I could go to every night, and even if I did, it would get no less special with each visit. I heard they are the same owners as Buttermilk Channel, another great spot, but considering I live in Boerum Hill / Cobble Hill, I tend not to make it that far away from home. I can't get over the high priced crap that is moving into Downtown Brooklyn (metro tech spots are atrocious compared to here) and I'm thankful that French Louie has established themselves on Atlantic Ave, a perfect bridge to all neighborhoods. Maybe it's time for early brunch and newspaper right now.
(5)Matt H.
French Louis is a very ambitious and well executed restaurant. I find myself wandering in late night for steak tartare and a warm basket of gougeres. This is an amazing addition to the neighborhood and I look forward to a long and serious relationship with the inspired smoked sardines.
(5)Rewps 6.
I wanted to love this place. The space is terrific, the ambiance is great, sepia lighting, etc. The menu had so many things on it I wanted to try. Here's the bad part. First of all, it took at least 20 minutes for a server to come to our table. Granted, Saturday night, but there was an empty table right next to us so it's not like it was fully packed. More importantly, the food was really disappointing. I won't go so far as to say it sucked, but there was always something missing. In the case of the soup, it was incredibly bland. I must have used the salt shaker at least five times during the course of the soup. And then I got a middle eastern themed vegetarian dish. Okay, maybe I should have stuck to French, but the description was appealing. I would have been perfectly fine but they kept throwing in weird flavors where they didn't belong. The olives, for example, were overpowered by a strong orange flavor. Bleck. I won't be going back. Though, like I said, very pretty space.
(2)Fabian S.
I live two blocks away and was so excited when French Louie opened, the atmosphere at first glance is inviting and they did a great job on the construction, sadly those are the only good things I can say about it. The service was slow and inattentive and the food was mediocre. I had the steak which was ok, nothing to write home about and my date had the skate fish, bland fried fish that would be better suited for emergency frozen meals. I was a little shocked that the waiter didn't ask if everything was ok, given she left most of it on the plate but he didn't seem to care. You would think a place that hasn't been open very long would want to know what worked and what didn't.. In the end, while I wish they would try harder, there are 2 other french places in the area that are hands down better and worth the extra walk.
(2)Karen C.
I went here for the first time for brunch with my parents, who were in town from upstate, and we all loved it. The food was delicious, the service was great, and the space is lovely. There have been a long series of restaurants in this space, and I really want this one to stick - don't understand any of the negative reviews.
(5)mj b.
One star for the short grumpy unattractive hostess. We went hoping for a Table for 3. My 5 year old gave her a sticker and she literally looked at it as if he'd given her a used Kleenex. I hope to try an earlier hour next time. Really could do wo the sourpuss greeting. It can't be that hard to replace a hostess.
(1)Matthew S.
So I had kept seeing French Louie pop up on a the hot and trendy lists. I also saw that they had worked out the initial kinks that new restaurants face. After finally eating there I have to say, I don't get it. We ordered the pork and rabbit rillettes as an appetizer, it had the consistency of tuna salad and didn't have much flavor. It even looked like it had rolled over onto its side when the waiter was bringing it out even though it was upright when it made it to the table. For my entree I had ordered the roast duck breast Allard. When it was served it was served with the grey side up which made for an ugly presentation. I had flipped it over to see the whole piece and there was a nice crisp skin that was sitting in the jus that would have made the presentation 100% better if it was served that way. Aside from the presentation I had also found it a little over cooked and tough. I had tried my girlfriends also, she had ordered the roasted king mushroom and while it was ok, it seemed to miss what it was aiming for, there were earthy tones but the sauce was overly salty sweet and sour all at the same time. She had also noted that the pieces of potato she had in there were under cooked. Aside from the food, the service was nothing to write home about. Our waitress came over and then disappeared for a extended periods of time. By the time we were done with our meal we were itching for the check and still couldn't locate out waitress,which after a mediocre meal can be frustrating because you just want to leave it all behind.
(2)David F.
I am so lucky that I just happened upon this place. It was about 10:30pm and I was walking in the rain to find somewhere to get some grub. Not a huge American portion, but something made with thought that would leave me with a great memory. Found it here! I walked in and was immediately able to sit at the bar. Ordered the duck breast with mashed potatoes and olive spread, "Allard." I ordered it medium rare. It was phenomenal!! The duck was a nice portion and included the skin. And if you truly love duck, then you wouldn't want to miss out on the skin. It was tender, juicy and so full of flavor! The potatoes were great. The olives left me with the desire to make a serious effort to try to incorporate more olives into my daily schedule. I almost settled up and left after that until I realized that they had desserts!! Ordered profiteroles with fennel ice cream and a nice drizzle of sugary goo. It was the perfect dessert! And it really represented French portions and flavors well. Not swimming in goo. Just enough to make you enticed to sop it all up with the flaky, croissant-like profiteroles as the fennel ice cream melted. I told the bartender who served me with a smile the whole time that if I could, I would have licked the entire plate clean. The ice cream was just delicious. Thick, dense, fresh ice cream that really left me satisfied. The only down point of the experience was when I left to walk back to the apartment we are staying in and realized that I could have been dining here since Tuesday! But we leave to return to our home in Atlanta tomorrow. Wish I could have eaten here again and again. And I truly hope they remain successful for next time I am in town so I can eat the exact same menu items. Such delicious food!! And with the whole meal mentioned above, the bill was about $35.00. This food was made with some serious thought and love. Cannot wait to come back!
(5)Paul A.
I had dinner at French Louie with my wife this past weekend. The food, the service, the ambiance were all topnotch leading to a very enjoyable dining experience. I highly recommend French Louie. I had the duck and my wife had the flounder, both were superb. In my opinion it is one of Brooklyn's best restaurants. As other reviews mention the owners also own Buttermilk Channel. I have been to Buttermilk once and thought it was very good but I prefer French Louie.
(5)Heather G.
Brought my mother here when she was visiting the city. Gougeres were perfect to start. We had the duck "allard" and dry aged steak, bravo on the house steak sauce. Profiteroles and pineapple tart tatin for dessert were a nice finish to a solid meal. I'll be back soon.
(5)Lauren R.
Delicious meal. Delightful service and at prime time on a Friday night! I will definitely be back!
(5)aimee m.
We've been here twice and both times we were just able to get in before the crowds, so that is a plus because we are desperate for a neighborhood restaurant that isn't Rucola and alas there is not a single edison bulb or bearded barkeep, not a suspendered skinny jean in sight. The first night we went the service was at an extremely attentive level and I appreciated that. The food was fine. I had a roasted carrot salad which was nice and roasted chicken which was just 'meh'. A side of brussel sprouts were not yet cooked. Still, everyone was lovely all was fine. The second time, a few weeks later we went super early-which is rare but we've seen the crowds and we know the owners have a faithful following. I ordered the same salad as before as did my husband ( he had the little gem lettuce and blue cheese), both of which were completely different than our original salads from 3 weeks prior; mine was still good as I love a roasted carrot. I also had the soup en croute which sounded like onion soup with sun chokes and a gruyere crust but alas, it was nothing more than a consommé in which I located a sliver of sunchoke and onion with a ginormous but thin, hollow dome of bread with a faint cheese flavor. The ramekin was about 5 fingers tall, the bread dome another 2" and the consommé was about a finger and a half filled. It was so odd and disappointing. The steak tartare was delicious although the dice could have been a bit smaller. My husband had steaks both time which were fine, the cauliflower was also just fine. Service was more relaxed and super-friendly. All in all the food is OK, not great and just slightly south of satisfying. I'm sure things will level out and look forward to some improvements.
(3)Howard R.
They've beefed up the decor and come up with an unusual menu: the food is good, but some things (raw scallops) are better than others ("frenchie" salad). I had the skate (not bad, but not great, and could really use a green side with it) and my companion had the mushroom main course (tasty but small for the money). The service is very friendly but pretty slow -- perhaps relaxed, but really just a tad beyond that. And the noise is absolutely deafening -- you really just can't talk at all.
(3)Sangeeta K.
I was there recently and my partner ordered the duck dish on the menu but it was not up to snuff and we asked for it to be replaced with something else. Our server turns to us and says 'what are we supposed to do with this'? The owner/ manager obliged graciously though. Besides, the food was okay considering the $ spent. Not going back any time soon
(2)Clifford K.
Wasn't able to try the restaurant, but I felt compelled to write a review because of the service. We had asked the hostess if we could get something to eat, but the waitress said the restaurant was closed. Fine. So we asked if we could get a drink at the bar, but again she said that they don't serve until 5pm. However, she did give us a menu for us to take a look despite the restaurant not opening for another 45 minutes. Fine again. But as we were walking out of the restaurant, we could hear the hostess laughing with the other restaurant staff about how dumb our question was. Firstly I don't think any service establishment should allow staff to talk about their customers in that way, especially if the customers are still around and as a result I give this restaurant a zero for its service and I am sure I won't be back to try the food as there are just too many other choices in Brooklyn for me to choose from. My friend asked me for my opinion on the place as he lives around the area, guess what my answer will be.
(1)