A lovely modern French restaurant in Manhasset. It's been a staple in this neighborhood for 55+ years. There's also a separate lounge and bar area if you want to skip the formal dining room and just want light tapas and drinks. Their website says everything is made in house including the desserts. I had dinner here once before but it's been a hot minute since (my pre-Yelp days). This visit was for a friend's birthday and I wanted to introduce French cuisine to her. It was a brisk night out but nice and warm inside. Parking lot is located in the rear of the shopping plaza where this restaurant is located. Onto the food: we started with cocktails and ordered wine to pair with our dinner. For starters, we ordered the poached artichoke gratinee. The presentation was quite pretty, seasoned with chives, parsley, and Parmesan crumbs. I love most foods with cheese! Not shy about that! We also ordered the Hudson Valley foie gras, paired with a port poached pear and honey served with a cranberry brioche. It's an acquired taste that I really enjoy but if you're not into liver, then this dish is not for you. My friends never had foie gras so I ordered this to introduce it to them. This was also the swap since they didn't want escargot (overplayed by reputation for the cuisine). The third appetizer we chose was the crispy octopus. So many flavors in that plate, think olives, red pepper hummus and potatoes served with it. This was a great shareable dish and the dish was delicious as well as appetizing. For dinner: we shared all three entrees, 1) Herb crusted Rack of lamb, which I ordered medium temp. Divine! 2) Veal Chatelaine had a nice chestnuts and sherry sauce, very tender, and 3) Filet of Sole en croute, which the fish was moist and tucked inside the pastry shell. A bit thicker pastry than expected but the first was nicely seasoned. For dessert as I said, it was a friends' birthday...so despite all that food, we ordered three desserts to share as well. The Pistachio Tartufo, the Tiramisu and the creme brulee. All were delicious for the flavor profiles they were but I definitely preferred the creme brulee. The Pistachio Tartufo was really good - packed a lot of flavor. The tiramisu was light and airy. read more

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Really enjoyed the food here, it's good French food. Duck was really good and of course loved the foie gras. Escargot could've used a little more salt but still good overall. read more

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I found myself at La Coquille for an educational dinner. If it works with my schedule, I try to make it to these as it gives me the chance to learn something new and (usually) try a new restaurant. One of my colleagues had been here before and had great things to say - so I was looking forward to checking it out (and learning). La Coquille is located in Manhasset, I don't know Long Island geography that well, but it wasn't too far out as it took me about 45 minutes to get there from Queens. Walking in we were immediately greeted by the bar, with the main dining room sitting to the left. The decor was nice- it was upscaleish with a bright, neutral color scheme and white tablecloths; the large windows that look out to the front of the restaurant give off some nice natural light. The menu mostly consisted of French cuisine, and we were able to pick from the menu which was a real treat for an educational dinner. The artichoke was speaking to me so I started with that. Usually when I think of artichokes I think of them mostly intact with the tops sliced off and then stuffed with breadcrumbs. Their version was slightly different as the leaves were open to a much higher degree so it looks like a large bloom on the plate. The stuffing also was more cheese and lemon than breadcrumbs - it was quite tasty. For my main I got the filet of sole. The fish was prepared wrapped in puff pastry and served on top of a tasty sauce. I really liked this - the fish was tender and the carbs provided a good contrast of textures and flavors; the sauce enhanced the dish really well. We decided on dessert, and the blueberry cake was speaking to me. The flavor of the cake was good - just enough blueberries in relation to the cake. The sponge had more of a muffin consistency than a cake consistency but I think it worked, it would have been weird if it was traditional sponge with the blueberries. The frosting was a little too sweet for my personal taste but it wasn't too bad. Service was pretty good - it kinda lagged at the end when we were looking for the bill but outside of that everything was great. Overall, I had a great meal at La Coquille; it's a little out of the way for me to be a regular, but if you are in the area this is definitely a solid option for French cuisine. read more

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IYKYK - leaving an unequivocal five star review. Maybe we caught them on a perfect night, maybe it's always this good? Several future visits will tell! First time at this restaurant as our dates chose the venue. Everyone was pleased with the experience. Food: on a scale from 1 - outstanding, everything was outstanding. Thanks to all your yelping, recommended apps were all great, escargot was tender and flavorful - with plenty of warm bread to go with. Crab cake was wow, crispy with lump crab, served on top of a vinaigrette and relish. Salads were also perfectly done, served on chilled plates, and well-dressed. Entrees were halibut, salmon, veal and duck. Not a morsel left on our plates. Nice sear on the halibut, and complimentary elements with each of the mains. Plenty full at this point, however, the presentation of the tempting desert cart forces your eye to tell your stomach, 'we must complete the experience'. When asked about the house made ice cream, a pistachio ice cream cake sounded too good to pass on. And wow, no words for the overwhelming amount of pistachio - served frozen, like frozen frozen. Perfect for slicing a spoon through, while the ice cream cake atop a crunchy crust maintained its firm position for everyone else to get a piece. This was beyond outstanding. Quaint restaurant, fresh white linens, charming place settings, framed pictures and art spaced throughout the otherwise stark dining room. Perfect hosts - from the warm welcome of the maître d'hôtel to 'silver service' waitstaff. We will be back, to see if five stars are consistent. read more

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Came here for my grandparents 71st anniversary and had a very nice welcome and was seated in a beautiful room. We were a group of 10 and were given stellar service. The ambiance in the room was quite nice and the room had tall ceilings and was easier for my family to hear in. I started with the cauliflower soup which I liked since the chef used oat milk instead of cream. Second course was the sole special that had some shrimp and mussels on the side. The sauce was pretty good, the fish was mostly moist but still had some sharp bones in it. Lastly my grandmother and I shared the napoleon which was made very well with very good whipped cream and pastry. Only wish is they make it a berry napoleon read more

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We had an earlier reservation (5:15), came at 5 or maybe a little earlier and they were very pleasant. We had also already been drinking so didn't try any of their booze selections and weren't pressured to do so. The French onion soup was good but not top 5 or even 10 I've ever had. The yellowfin tuna appetizer was flavorful and interesting. The octopus salad was very good and the octopus perfectly cooked. We then split the steak frites. The sauce was so good and flavorful and the French fries even had a hint of truffle flavoring which was a nice touch. The free bread came with olives and olive oil which was a nice touch and they were generous with it. There is indoor and outdoor dining but the indoor dining is a lot nicer. The outdoor dining is right next to the parking lot and the parking lot is tight and right on Northern Blvd. The food is some of the best French food I've had on Long Island. Would definitely go back! read more

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Service was intriguing. Room is pretty. Caesar salad a huge no go. Salmon entree was fair. Black rice and Brussels sprouts left on plate. Duck was overcooked. Company was far better than the food. read more

Amazing dinner! Modern elegant space, attentive staff, and delicious quality food. The French onion soup was perfection, the Halibut moist and delicious in a tender lobster broth, and the chocolate mousse was scrumptious. Even my cocktail, the French martini, was perfect. Five stars all the way. read more

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Most of the reviews here are spot on. The food was very good. Not great. Although I loved the artichokes and all the plates were presented great The ace is cute and quiet I have driven by 10000s of times and didn't even know it was here. But the service was exceptional. The staff was attentive and funny. You felt like you might have been sitting in France It was a nice escape read more

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The food was yummy, tried the escargot which were delicious- however I wasn't given any bread to dip in the sauce! The duck was good, but I feel as though I have had better from La Coquille. Usually I am blown away by the food and service, however this past experience was not quite the same. The food was all good and served hot but it just did not blow me away. The service was okay..our waiter was not always nearby when we needed him. The ambiance is pictured, nice dining room however sometimes it gets loud and can be hard to have a conversation. All in all good spot for French cuisine. read more

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Delicious food, great service, and nice ambiance. The staff was extremely nice and treated us very well

Went for a fabulous birthday celebration for four people. The escargot were tasty as was the Caesar salad. The salad was dressed perfectly. Reviews of the duckling, steak frites , and haddock were excellent. I had the soul en croute with spinach and a light white sauce and found it wonderfully seasoned and delicious. The dessert cart was a well received throwback to a different era, but was beautifully appointed. A chocolate pistachio mousse cake delivered on its promise. The over/under: A dressy but not fussy atmosphere with elegant, delicious meals and an attentive (but not hovering) wait staff. read more

Disappointed. The salmon with lemon dill beurre blanc was presented with out any lemon, dill or beurre blanc and the lamb chops were dry. read more

La Coquille - Dry lamb chops - French Near Me - Manhasset, New York

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Excellent French restaurant, from service to the food and drinks, went there for my birthday and had a beautiful time with family and friends. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone for dinner or a special occasion, and the prices were actually not bad for a high-end restaurant in Manhasset. I will definitely be back. read more

We met some friends for dinner at La Coquille. Started out with a nice Negroni at the bar with friendly bar person. Our first course was very nice rendition of French Onion Soup broth was sweet and not overly salty , cheese blend on top was ample ant flavorful. Artichoke was presented nicely and well prepared. Duck was crispy yet moist served with nice green beans. Service and Management were very professional. A lovely evening certainly worth repeating. read more

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We were here recently with friends who raved about the place. We were surprised to be charged extra for sharing a salad and one main dish. There was no mention of that on the menu. The food was okay but not great. We won't go back. read more

We have seen some negative reviews and therefore hesitated in trying the venue at thr restaurant. First of all, I really like the atmosphere and the ambiance. The bar that you walk through was clean and elegant. The sitting area was a bit crowded but we weren't on top of each other. The appetizer was good. The entree was even better but it was the dessert that put it over the top. read more

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This might seem a bit long winded, but there are a number of important points to be made for my fellow Yelpers. These revolve around what La Coquille is, and what it is not. Lets start with not: NOT - a cheap dinner - hip - located in a magnificent building - a millennial destination (yet) - staffed by French waiters IS - old world, throwback, classic menu - true to its roots - beautiful interior decor in a strip mall - solid wine list ($35 corkage) - outstanding food and service - popular with boomers, who grew up with this cuisine and have traveled to France From the moment I called, running a 1/2 hour late for our reservation - and was warmly greeted and assured to be safe and take our time, to the minute we left 2 1:2 hours later - simply outstanding. We were passing through the area, which is dominated by New American restaurants, were hungry and figured we'd try something a bit different. Reviews were mixed, but WTH. The restaurant occupies the same space in which it opened 50 years ago (although it was extensively renovated 10 years ago). That alone is remarkable in today's society. Originally opened by an Austrian chef and an Italian wait staff, and now chef Brian, with Joe and Michaelangelo in the dining room, will bring you modern European cuisine with deep roots in French heritage. The restaurant was fairly busy, with many patrons who have standing reservations, with a few younguns sprinkled in. In on a Sunday (a better night for diners than the typical Friday and Saturday rush), we started with the warm fresh bread and olive paste in oil, and two fresh baked mini corn muffins. As an appetizer we shared Escargot and dunked the rest of that bread. A 1/2 bottle of good 2010 Bordeaux helped wash that down! We asked for, and received, a nice break before our main courses arrived - no rush / time to enjoy and reflect on what "traditions" mean. Sang happy birthday - loudly - to another table. The menu is filled with mouthwatering classics like Duck L'Orange and Filet of Sole En Croute, along with other temptations. We went with Lobster Thermidor and outstanding Veal Chatelaine (can't find this dish anywhere) which was basically fork tender veal dessert! They also offer small plates and "bar bites" including Peking Duck Crisp - Crisp wonton, roast duck breast, Hoison sauce, scallion ($12) and other tasty budget friendly delights, at a chic "underground"style bar. Service was friendly, impeccable and we enjoyed talking with staff about this unique establishment. All food and desserts are crafted on site daily. Don't miss this. Really - immerse yourself, splurge, indulge, revel - we will make the hour plus long ride again. If you live nearby, we are jealous. read more

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Had another splendid meal here recently. The food is always delicious and served with a smile and fun witty conversation with the knowledgeable staff. read more

La Coquille - Brined Berkshire Pork Chop - French Near Me - Manhasset, New York

Been looking for a French restaurant nearby, and I am so happy that I found here. Is a great French family restaurant. Is a Hidden gem in manhasset Not much photo I took coz was too busy to eat the food. Everything here is delicious very relax and friendly staff. I would recommended the artichoke, Escogot , crab cakes,, the crab cake is must ordered. Main course I choose a rare cooked lamb rack , the temperature and cook is really come with what I order . The orange duck is awesome , I think is slow cooked and roasted is crispy outside but tender inside . I had read the review about the dessert, so we ordered crème brûlée , chocolate moose and pistachio ice cream. The crème brûlée is amazed . Is taste pumpkin , the sugar coated is not too sweet, the crème was definitely soft . Never regret if u ordered this . Definitely will comeback to this restaurant, the price is fair . Thank you for the good food . This restaurant worth to get 5 ! read more

La Coquille - Crème brûlée - French Near Me - Manhasset, New York

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Genuine friendly service (Michaelangelo!) plus excellent dishes make me look forward to the next occasion to dine here again. Truly an enjoyable dining experience with a "just right" decor indoors and a more casual feel outdoor option for those beautiful weather days. read more

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Wow? Phenomenal dinner Exceptional menu, cocktails, wines, appetizers A must try Parking is ample, location is mid long island and accessible by major highways read more

Love everything about this time place, the food was outstanding, service impeccable, ambience was great. read more

La Coquille - The Duck, a must have. - French Near Me - Manhasset, New York

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I had high hopes for this place based on reviews but it was not up to my expectations. The 2 stars are for the crabcake app but beyond that nothing to write home about. I had the halibut and hubby had the lamb chops. The veggies that came with the halibut are inedible. Mixed mushy peppers and some uncooked. Hubby's wild rice was so hard that it was inedible. The halibut was flaky but underseasoned and the lamb chops were overdone for med well. Lastly for dessert, I had the napoleon which was gross. Hubby had the white chocolate caramel which was overly sweet. It was the worst napoleon I've ever had. Also, when I made the reservations I said it was hubby's bday so I wanted a slice of napoleon with a candle. They did not bring it. What they did was have me order 2 desserts then they brought another napoleon after the initial one and sang happy bday! Oh and said it's on the house which was nice but then why bring my initial slice?!!! In any event, wouldn't return. For the area and claiming they are French cuisine is a stretch. I've been to France and flavors are Much richer than la coquille. read more

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customer for over 20 yrs going tomorrow because The food is constantly magnificent ksw read more

My wife and I stumbled upon this place this evening. We found ourselves in too much traffic on the way to eastern Long Island and decided to wait out the worst of rush hour and have a bite to eat. We were transported into another world. The tuxedoed wait staff were attentive and charming. The food was special. The artichoke appetizer was crispy delicious. My wife had veal while I ordered the chicken special (I never order chicken at fancy restaurants). Both were perfectly prepared, unusual (my dish had truffles and figs, an unlikely combination) and so tasty. Nice people. Great Highly recommend. read more

The best thing about this place were the cocktails and service. Food was not very good. We ordered 2 steaks medium rare. Both came out well done. Sent them back and then they came out rare. We canceled the orders. The rest if the food was way too salty. Ambiance is nice as was the waiter but that didn't make up for the below average food. Spend your money elsewhere. read more

Food was outstanding. Everything was presented timely and picturesque. The waitstaff was very attentive to our needs and accomodating. Noise level is low and greatly appreciated. The decor was elegant and tasteful. Great restaurant and overall experience. Thank you....till next time. read more

Five star fine French dining experience! Food is excellent. The fois gras and escargot are phenomenal. My two favorites. Recommend duck l'orange, liver and onions, and the steak frites. The ambiance is beautiful, both restaurant and bar. They have a gorgeous back room suitable for small dinner parties. Service is always exceptional. Owner Michael and his staff are courteous and professional. Always look forward to coming back. read more

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(my dining experience was an attendee for a business conference) An alleged premium dining venue that was unfortunately a let down. The décor was good with accompanying friendly and courteous service. My starter was the baked escargot. This dish, light on the portions, was very good. Rich, tasty, and great for dipping with bread. My main, peppercorn 14 oz steak drenched in cognac sauce, was a mix bag. I had requested medium but got a rare. The steak was definitely generous in portion and good quality. However, being drenched in the cognac made the final few bites a chore. Finally, I had gotten the Napoleon La Coquille. For some reason, the dish I got was very different from what others had gotten according to yelp. My dish was essential 2 wavers with some dollops of cream in-between. As it sounds, it was a complete let down. I was expecting many layers with some fruits on top. My colleagues had gotten a multiple layered chocolate cheesecake that they loved. If it wasn't paid for, I probably wouldn't visit this place. read more

Food was "meh"....I was so excited to be coming here. I had the crab meat cocktail which was not as fresh as it needs to be for this level. It tasted like it was frozen crab meat that was recently defrosted and they used lemon and cucumbers to mask that. Secondly the duck l'orange was dry and overlooked. There was no table side finishing as indicated in the menu. There was no flavor of l'orange at all. The duck was deep fried!!! Hahahaha! The bar was good and I will Come back to hang out here for drinks and the TV but I am not liking the food. The location is in a strip mall so the parking is very tough. If you don't know it's there, you overshoot the locale and have to double back to get to the parking in the back. I have been around French food all my life. This is very far removed from "authentic". I was surprised to see the diverse reviews. A lot of diners hated the place while many adored it. Not many middle of the road...I find that strange so I read everyones review and can only surmise that those who "loved" the place have amateur taste buds versus those that didn't like the place because they had 4-5 times more reviews and probrably more familiar with French cuisine. Not trying to be high browned about it. Tastes is always relative to the individual. Therefore, 2 stars for good dessert off a cart (ran out of creme brûlée) and one star for a good bar. Lastly, a French restaurant should have French speaking staff, n'est pas?? read more

La Coquille - Duck was dry... - French Near Me - Manhasset, New York

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Located in a strip mall of quaint shops (near Godiva!) it's easy to miss but not hard to find. A very quaint French atmosphere pervades the place and heads turn as you walk in such is the layout that you see and are seen. The waiters are Italian and Latin American so they have a professionalism about them makes it feel authentically European. You walk into the bar area where it is an upbeat and contemporary feel and then into the open view, ample dining hall. It is well appointed with French Provincial decor and rich, handsome colors. My favorite room is the small intimate space with only a handful of tables nestled under a beautiful chandelier, with a candlelit fireplace and decor that makes you feel you are in the south of France. The food was elegant and well designed, balanced and flavorful. Simple but with the subtle complexities of authentic French cuisine. As per references to other French eateries- and they abound almost as much as Italian and Chinese cuisine- I prefer not to compare restaurants or cuisines as I would not compare fine gentlemen. Each has their own charms. They have been here in this location for years and are family owned since its inception. A portrait of the owner's beautiful mother over the mantle piece speaks to the elegance and care that characterize the service and cuisine. Eat light, you won't want to miss the dessert cart. Oh la la! read more

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Overall I had a pleasant dinner where most of the patrons were of the age 55 and older :p The prices were similar to Manhattan read more

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I stopped writing negative reviews a long time ago. So all I can say is the service was great. The best $30 of the bill was the tip. I may friend the fantastic french waiter on Facebook but not on yelp. Meh. read more

RECOMMENDED Being very inspired and encouraged by a recent review by Bill S., I scheduled a dinner for my dining group at La Coquille on Sunday,10/22. There are several parking spaces in front of the restaurant. I arrived in advance of my group to chill for a half hour and savor a very good Grey Goose Vodka Martini served by a young man whose name i did not get. When our entire group arrived, our thoughtful waiter led us to a sparely decorated and well lit private room toward the rear of the restaurant. I started with the Baked Oysters which were perfectly cooked, fresh and delicious. I followed that up with the Duck L'Orange. It was a splendid version, not excessively fatty, possessing nicely crisp skin and tender moist duck meat. The accompanying Wild Rice and String Beans were cooked to a pleasant "al dente". They were perfect sides to this dish. I was too full for dessert. My fellow diners enjoyed this restaurant too. Notable dishes included Escargot, Filet of Sole and Salmon. Service, however, was slow and a bit cold. There were neither "check backs" nor smiles. BOTTOM LINE: La Coquille is a valuable Long Island restaurant since French food in the "Classic Style", as opposed to the "Bistro Style", is hard to find. I hope the restaurant continues to prosper because I will definitely return. read more

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There are some folks, when they go out they enjoy each others company over "x" food. That food may be a pizza at a bowling alley, or french fries at Coney Island. When we get together with my sister in law, we like to talk and share over French food. My wife & I just had a milestone anniversary and my in laws wanted to take us out after we came back from Vegas. They've been to La Coquille before and they said its one of their favorite French places on the North Shore. We're seated at a corner table in the dining room. The dessert cart is next to a table and I see guests choosing their desserts. Mmmm... Once we're settled, we quick ordered or standard French starters: Baked Escargot, cooked in traditional garlic-herb butter. It's the oily-garlicky-breadcrumbs that are left over that's like a second treat. We sop it all up with bread points. Do you get all squishy thinking your eating snails? Pretend they're mushroom caps? :D The Baked Oysters in The Shell was another classic dish that was made very well at La Coquille. The oysters were fresh and I loved the saffron cream. For my dinner I ordered another classic French dish, Classic Half Duck à l'Orange. I'm not sure what it is with French cuisine, they just own the duck. It was cooked perfectly. What's interesting about this place, its been here a while and the wait staff has Newsday articles about them posted on the wall. I call over the waiter who had the article written about him, I said is that you? He was modest and I congratulated him. It's a shame what I noticed, La Coquille tends to draw an older diner. If you can get past a dude wearing a light sweater in July then you can have a pretty incredible meal without going off Long Island. La Coquille is a nice bistro on Long Island, it proves you don't have to travel to New York City (Which has more French Restaurants than France) to enjoy a quality French meal. read more

Went last weekend for my wifes Birthday. Duck was delicious, but it ends there. Salt is an obvious favorite of the Chef. Onion soup bland and watery, Its a FRENCH onion soup. Come on. Prices fair, but food not worth it. Very small place also. read more

Overpriced, Small Portions with the most arrogant waiters I've ever encountered. Food is good quality. It's like the Owner believes he must have asshat waiters who think they're French to create an authentic feel. The ambiance makes you feel like your visiting Grandma at an upscale nursing home. This restaurant is a favorite of my mother's. The bar is cramped, they seem to rush you to the table. Drinks are poured well. Bartender is welcoming. The smoked salmon I'll give credit is exceptional. Other appetizers are also. Main courses aren't light, often come with very thick mashed and carrots. Lamb is OK, Duck if that's your game is quite good. Desert cart has regressed over the years. Perhaps a new pastry chef? For me, I need something more modern and less stuffy. It's an overpriced attempt at French Cousine that ignores the finer details of service while delivering generally good food. It's a 3 Star and I don't pay this price point for that quality. I'd rather go somewhere with a pulse. read more

Terrible food, entrees and soup had so much salt really inedible, I hate to waste food but after few bites i wasn't able to continue eating, ordered soufflé and they were overly sweet and not cooked at all, took one bite and spit it out, this restaurant serves overpriced food and service was not so great either, most of the customers were old people, I felt like I was in a senior cafeteria, never again read more

Old world Chatm with a timeless menu. I don't think the restaurant has changed since the day it opened its doors 50 years ago although I was not around to see it then. The Decour is dark and heavy like I would imagine an upscale Paris restaurant would be. But the wait staff is attentive and polite and the food is excellent. The menu is more or less French but there are twists and turns and the daily specials tend to be more main stream than just French. I am not a huge fan of French food per say however the food here is prepared and presented beautifully. I had tuna and what requested that would be cooked medium rare which was exactly how I received it one of my dining friends ordered steak medium well and it was cooked to perfection and tender. Desserts are as expected. We shared a chocolate brownie with a scoop of chocolate mousse that was divine. I will most definitely be returning. read more