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    La Ripaille

    3.9 (169 reviews)
    PriceyFrench
    Closed Closed

    La Ripaille Photos

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    LA RIPAILLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Romantic
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - La Ripaille

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    Lemon Tarte, his grandmother's recipe!
    Edmond C.

    La Ripaille offers a great ambience at a decent price point. The food is very good and evidences an experienced kitchen with chefs who know what they are doing. Given the restaurant is closing soon at an unknown or imprecise date, you would be advised to make your reservation sooner than later. It was easy to get a reservation at an early Thursday evening time, but people are arriving in greater numbers by 7PM. I arrived a bit early and promptly chose an outdoor seat, perfect at this time of year. I ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, a House variety I'm sure. The Provence Rose was tempting,but it would not stand up to what I would order. I started off with their escargot cassoulet served in a creamy tomato base with basil and grape tomatoes that have been blanched or placed briefly under a broiler to soften and sweeten them. They are served with two flattened slices of baguette, which could have been four slices ideally for the creamy basil and tomato sauce. It was not too rich and was not an overwrought buttery affair. It was balanced, but I wanted it to be more substantial it was so good. These were not the traditional garlic, butter and herb escargot,but still very good and not too heavy at this time of year. Next came the lamb, sliced thinly on a bias in a deep and savory sauce with black pepper and rosemary, served with a square of pommes gratin in the middle and some thinly sliced carrots and string beans cooked to perfection, the former cooked until the sweetness of the carrots emerges and tey latter with a welcome hint of garlic and sea salt. I ordered the lamb medium rare and it leaned toward medium, but it was still tender and juicy, with the rosemary and black pepper making themselves known and elevating the savory palate. The pommes gratin square could have been more generous along with the three mini carrots sliced longitudinally and cut short. The string beans were the surprise. They were perfectly cooked and the kitchen excelled in the restraint on cooking times for the vegetables. Nothing was overcooked. The owner is quite popular and personable. He talks to all his patrons and some who are regulars. I ordered the special dessert this evening from his grandmother's recipe: lemon Tarte. It was great, perfect for this time of year. The total was almost a hundred before tip. This was a very good meal, which could have been better if they served it automatically with a few slices of baguette and a little butter. The French people I know are always sopping up the sauce and cleaning their plates with pieces of baguette. That would make for a more authentic experience and, if the food were served a bit more generously, the experience would be a bit more appealing to the American appetite, especially how good it is. These are quibbles given the four star experience awaiting you peacefully at La Ripaille in the West Village. Enjoy it while it lasts in its final months.

    Chicken special
    Max H.

    Very cozy. Delicious. Friendly service. It doesn't seem like you can go wrong with the specials

    Lamb
    Marianne F.

    This place was quaint and cute, the flavors were delicious. Unlike many other places in America the portions were quite small. We ordered an app, 2 x entrees and a dessert between two, and we were a little hungry afterwards. I'd recommend an app each or a side or two to share as well. Delicious. I'd go again.

    Creme Brûlée
    Doug D.

    La Ripaille is a rare find because it is actually a French restaurant owned and operated by a Frenchman. Almost all other "French" restaurants are either owned by someone else who might have been schooled in the French culinary tradition or owned by a private equity firm. La Ripaille is truly a French restaurant. The space feels just like French restaurants that I have eaten at in France. It is genuine, if a little rough around the edges. It is small and has that bistro feel. Since they are a small business, we felt appreciated, and we were given full attention. The prices were fair. The location in the West Village is actually lots of fun. It is a charming neighborhood by day. When we left the restaurant at night, it was lit up beautifully. So, it is lots of fun to eat there.

    Mushroom appetizer
    Jessalyn S.

    Tried for the first time this week and came out with mixed feelings. The restaurant itself is a cute bistro with an intimate and romantic ambiance. Outdoor seating available as well. We were greater by the owner who was very charming and asked if we'd like to start with drinks as we were being seated. The staff were all very attentive and kind. The service was one of the best parts of our eating experience. For drinks we got a happy hour spritz which was light on the alcohol and very sweet. A vodka martini with olives at the bottom of the glass that was strong. An espresso martini which was strong and delicious. Appetizers we got the broccoli mouse that everyone was recommending. It was a bit on the smaller portion size but very flavorful. The plating left a bit to be desired but the flavor made up for it. We got the special of assorted mushrooms which was simple but well seasoned. We got escargot which was interesting to have escargot in tomato sauce. It wasn't my personal favorite. The watermelon mint salad was refreshing though. Entrees we got the rack of lamb and the blanquette de veau. The rack of lamp left a lot to be desired. I ordered medium rare. The lamb chops were incredibley small and cut into pieces of two, for a total of 4 lamb chops. The outsides were very heavily sheared, if not burnt, which left them hard and chewy with a spot of rare cold meat in the middle when cutting the two pieces apart. I ended up eating more off my partners plate than mine. The blanquette de veau was good, seasoned well, tender meat. The texture of the meat was super soft that made me suspect it might have been frozen then recooked, but the flavor was nice. For dessert we got the frozen souffle which, for the record, we had no idea what to expect despite hearing the description. It was similar to a frozen mousse tart. The crust was very crumbley and dry. Overall, I thought the restaurant ambiance and service was amazing, but the food had me wanting more out of it.

    Dinner with my daughter. The filet mignon is in the foreground.
    Paul R.

    This place is a gem, for the most part. The owner is a gregarious, funny and friendly French transplant that has improved NYC and America for many decades. The menu is small and excellent, both food and drinks. Try a cocktail! I had my very first Negroni here and thought it was quite good. If you are going to bring a bottle of wine do let the restaurant know in advance. The music is basically French radio from a small but not tinny speaker, modern and old. The atmosphere is much quieter than the average NYC restaurant, making it a much better option when you want to enjoy the people you are dining with. There are about eight seats outside and perhaps twenty-four inside. The filet mignon was one of the best I've had in my life. The onion goat cheese tarte was delicious. All the food, in fact, was excellent. I will keep coming back on every visit to NYC.

    Creme Brulee
    Meredith S.

    I'm left with mixed impressions. The ambiance is cozy and rustic French, which is delightful. The food was quite good. However, the service was a bit odd. We came on a holiday weekend, and at first, it was quiet and we received lots of attention. (Albeit: note the owner is very aggressive, loud and even pushy towards the customers.) It was a major turn off. As the place got more crowded and there was a private party in the back, service slowed down to a trickle. We had to wait a long time for dessert and the check. I value a slow cooked meal at a relaxed pace. But when you have been waiting a long time and are ready to wrap it up, it gets annoying having to flag down a waitress. No complaints about the food-- as it was authentic and very good quality.

    a painting on a brick wall
    Keeley G.

    I feel like there are 2 types of French restaurants in the city, glitzy upscale small portioned French, and then there are restaurants like La Ripaille that are dripping in history and secret recipes that date back decades. I absolutely love trying new French places in the city and La Ripaille had one of the coziest warm and inviting feels from the moment we arrived. I noticed we were seated next to a painting of the actual restaurant and I venture to guess that's the owner, who we presumed to be our server, in the painting. If you love broccoli you will love the broccoli mousse. It comes surrounded by a creme sauce that was cheesy and delicious. It's so unique to see whipped broccoli like that, I absolutely recommend. We also order the Magret de canard, aka the duck. It was a special for the evening done in a honey and soy glaze. It was very good though I'd come back for canard aux cerises. We got the crème de cassis for desert. We will return for another date night!

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    13 days ago

    Quiet; excellent food, service and wine list. Unhurried. Lovely. Small but not crowded. A rare find.

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    2 years ago

    Food was terrific and perfectly cooked. Timeless place, highly recommend for relaxed fine dining.

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    2 years ago

    Dined at La Ripaille, a cozy French spot. Delicious, authentic dishes and great service. A must-visit for French cuisine lovers!

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    3 years ago

    We loved this spot. Cozy atmosphere. Excellent food. Attentive service. Good wine. Lovely owner/host! Go!

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    4 years ago

    Like Babette's Feast but in the West Village. Amazing food and great service. Love the intimate feel.

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    Chez Josephine - Cheesecake

    Chez Josephine

    3.8(718 reviews)
    1.6 miMidtown West, Hell's Kitchen
    $$$

    Updating my review for one of my favorite restaurants in New York, Chez Josephine! This time, I…read morecame to celebrate my birthday (New Year's baby!) as a solo diner. I had a 7pm reservation, but was running late, and they were flexible and told me to come any time. Upon my arrival, I was seated by the piano. The pianist playing that night, Andrew Abrahamsen, was very talented. He played an eclectic mix of songs, including "I Will Survive," Disney's "When You Wish Upon a Star," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." As the night went on, he played Happy Birthday for me, and went on a 90s Disney Renaissance spree, playing songs including "Go the Distance" from Hercules, "Out There" from Hunchback of Notre Dame, "Beauty and the Beast," and "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story. Ordered black tiger shrimp for my entree. It smelled wonderful, and especially peppery once the waiter added pepper to it. The risotto the shrimp sat on was also very delicious. I ended up taking this to go, and it still tasted great later on! For dessert, I chose the lemon tart brûlée with raspberry sorbet. It came with "Happy Birthday" written on the plate with chocolate, and a candle on the sorbet. As always, the ambiance and decor is very beautiful, with portraits of Josephine Baker to honor the revolutionary badass woman. Thanks for the great birthday dinner, Chez Josephine!

    Welcoming, unpretentious, classic. Just what we were looking for. The bar, led by Isaac, was lively…read moreand full of conversation. The food and wine did not miss. Would love to come back soon.

    Photos
    Chez Josephine - Dining room

    Dining room

    Chez Josephine - Chocolate lava cake! ($19)

    Chocolate lava cake! ($19)

    Chez Josephine - From my table, thru the bar, to the front door.

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    From my table, thru the bar, to the front door.

    Steak Frites Bistro - Hunger steak 9 ounces

    Steak Frites Bistro

    4.5(295 reviews)
    1.4 miMidtown West, Hell's Kitchen
    $$$

    This quaint and cozy French bistro was just around the corner from our hotel. I did not look at any…read morereviews before going, I just went with my gut. And my gut was right. We did the 3 course pre fixe dinner - had the onion soup, hanger steak and cream brûlée. Amazing! Food and service were superb. And let's not forget the Lavender 75 cocktail which elevated the experience. This dinner was my last during my NYC visit and it was a memorable one.

    French Bistro in Midtown West, minutes from Penn Station or Port Authority so the location is quite…read moreconvenient. I made a reservation to be safe, as many restaurants now ask if you did so. This place is quite packed every night so it was the way to go. I came here for dinner post showtime and my son and I over ordered but happily enjoyed everything. I think our eyes are way bigger than our stomachs. Starters: - French onion soup, au gratin, was perfect. Great onion profile and lots of it. Not overly salty so that was good. - Beef tartare, classic French bistro staple, must order this. The portion was quite generous and it was delicious. We couldn't stop eating it. The petite toasts were a nice accompaniment as well as the raddiccio salad - cheese board, IYKYK, I never met a cheese I didn't like. This board was matched with nice pairings. Think grapes, fig jam, and marcona almonds. The cheese were a classic French variety - bleu, comte and brie. For our entrees, my son opted for a sandwich and I got the steak. His croque Madame was really delicious. The bread, the ham, the baked cheese and the fried egg was so savory. Yummy. My steak was a sizeable portion but I purposely ordered the bigger ounces since I know we'd share. Fries are nice and skinny, perfectly seasoned. Our waiter was attentive and I asked for the table next to us given all the food I know we were getting. He was not sure if he could accommodate but I insisted he check with management. They came over and put it together for me. I appreciated that given a table for two, for how much we ordered, it'd never fit. Totally would return. If you like French food, this is a solid spot to try.

    Photos
    Steak Frites Bistro - View from our window table

    View from our window table

    Steak Frites Bistro - Cute salt and pepper

    Cute salt and pepper

    Steak Frites Bistro - At the entrance

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    At the entrance

    Le Tout Va Bien - French Restaurant - Chocolate mousse

    Le Tout Va Bien - French Restaurant

    3.7(415 reviews)
    2.1 miTheater District, Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen
    $$

    Last night my family and I went to the restaurant for my brothers 40th anniversary…read more We were all apprehensive as we never ate here before My brother and his girlfriend shared the French onion soup and loved it. And our dinner entrees blew us away My dad and brother both got the Branzino and ate the whole plate. My brother's girlfriend got the Beef Bourguignon and loved it. I myself got the Saint Jacques Grilles (scallops with risotto and porcini sauce) which to me was cooked to perfection. The scallops were buttery soft, the risotto the right texture and taste. My mother and aunt both had the steak Frites, they liked their steaks but thought the fries were a touch salty. Then came desserts and I had the crème brûlée, my aunt and mom shared the chocolate mousse, and my brother, his girlfriend and my father all had the chocolate lava cake. Out of the three: the chocolate lava cake was #1. Then chocolate mousse then crème brûlée. The restaurant dimmed the lights and had soft music on. The wait time between meals were a bit long in my opinion but it was a small restaurant and they made stellar food and they weren't in a rush to kick us out of the restaurant at all which was very nice. The service was great, they spoke clearly and were ontop of making sure we had tap water and anything else we needed, again they took their time and never made us feel rushed. Highly recommend this place if you're ever in the Hells Kitchen/Times Square area.

    Good food. My burger was rare and 1/4 inedible to me. Lots of fries and the escargot (+$3) was very…read moregood. Bread was served toasted (?) Incredible ambiance and service keeps the 4 stars intact.

    Photos
    Le Tout Va Bien - French Restaurant - Crepe Suzette

    Crepe Suzette

    Le Tout Va Bien - French Restaurant - Beef tartare

    Beef tartare

    Le Tout Va Bien - French Restaurant - Outside

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    Outside

    Chez Napoleon

    Chez Napoleon

    3.9(344 reviews)
    2.0 miTheater District, Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
    $$$

    I grew up nearby and been wanting to come here for over 30 years- since I was young- but was a…read morelittle intimidated. Im sad about that. Putting the food aside (which was VERY good), the place is beyond charming... like walking into your nonna's living room- and the staff was welcoming. As for the food: everything is "perfect" in a simple, old school, traditional way. No trendy twists. This is a GOOD thing in my book. It has been years since Ive had escorgot that I loved, but this brought me back. I had almost sworn off of it. My steak au-poivre was cooked to perfection and green peppercorn sauce was sublime. The fries were basic but in a good, I dare say perfect, way. My gf had the sole and, altho she says it wasnt earth shattering, liked it as well. The soufle was a bit of a novelty for me but worth a try. This place is Old School New York at its finest. P.S. I cant stand liver or pate but my gf ordered the foie gras (which ive never had) and tho i resisted trying it, I finally did and loved it. I think that says something about the place. She said it was perfect.

    Thursday night dinner for 3. Very charming, quaint restaurant with vintage artwork and a small bar…read more There is a front room with a small bar and another room around a wall on the other side. We ordered a traditional gran marnier soufflé with our dinner order as it takes that amount of time to make it. I came for the duck confit. It was tasty with the right amount of crispy skin. My sister ordered the Moules Marinieres which I think was the winner. It came with fries and a few small dishes of green beans. The Buf Bourguignon was rich and hearty. I've been craving a soufflé, and I'm not an expert but I wish I hadn't poured all the sauce in as the mariner was fairly strong and almost overpowered the soufflé in flavor. Overall, happy to support a small mom and pop business. You have to call for reservations. No resy or open table.

    Photos
    Chez Napoleon
    Chez Napoleon - Salty crispy half duck with orange sauce and super wild rice.

    Salty crispy half duck with orange sauce and super wild rice.

    Chez Napoleon - The Restuarant is filled with jigsaw puzzles. You can buy a box off of the Puzzle Menu.

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    The Restuarant is filled with jigsaw puzzles. You can buy a box off of the Puzzle Menu.

    S'Aimer - The decor of S'Aimers exudes the best of french Caribbean elegance.

    S'Aimer

    4.6(81 reviews)
    1.8 miMidtown West, Theater District, Hell's Kitchen

    We were able to get a last-minute reservation at 7p on the Sunday before Memorial Day and entered…read morewhat was a pretty empty establishment. There were only 2 other parties seated and we were seated immediately upon arrival. It's fairly dark inside and the decor reminds me a bit of New Orleans. I enjoyed the ambiance. The drinks were great! I had the cocobella while he had margaritas. The table bread was hot and fresh, so make sure they bring it to the table for you. We had the mussels for an appetizer, lamb chops and bass. EVERYTHING was excellent! The flavor of the broth for the mussels was Devine, so much so my husband used his bread to sop up all he could. The bass had great flavor and came with sautéed spinach that was well cooked. It initially looked like a small portion but turned out to be plenty. The lamb chops were cooked to the requested temp and seasoned well. We left no crumbs. This one is definitely worth a try!

    If you're going to see a Broadway show, plan on stopping here to enjoy some delicious food. This…read moreplace has such a smooth, sexy vibe. Staff are lovely. Decide is classy cool. The food is perfection. The pulled oxtails are delicious. Gave me goosebumps. The fish was cooked to perfection. The sweet plantains were perfect. The drinks were done very well too. It's a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for! YUMMY

    Photos
    S'Aimer - Greenery in The Garden at S'Aimer NYC

    Greenery in The Garden at S'Aimer NYC

    S'Aimer - The Garden at S'Aimer NYC. A place for quiet conversation in the heart of Restaurant Row.

    The Garden at S'Aimer NYC. A place for quiet conversation in the heart of Restaurant Row.

    S'Aimer - Set up for private event at S'Aimer NYC.

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    Set up for private event at S'Aimer NYC.

    La Bonne Soupe - French onion soup

    La Bonne Soupe

    4.0(308 reviews)
    2.3 miMidtown West

    All around delicious. Super cozy, warm atmosphere and solid service…read more Loved the escargots, it was a generous portion and very flavorful full of garlic as it should. The frites were the best I've had - super thin and crunchy and the mussels were fantastic in a delicious white wine sauce and again a LARGE portion. We were left happy and full - the Bordeaux Blanc we ordered was perfect to go with it all.

    Came here a mere week after five-star my first visit, and this experience was significantly less…read morepositive. While the French Onion soup was still a stand-out dish, the painfully slow service detracted. There appeared to be a single waitress working. I didn't notice during my first visit if there were multiple servers, but the first time I did hear the waiter advise another table that the kitchen was behind and there would be a wait for food. (This didn't affect me since on my first visit I only ordered soup.) Same thing happened this time, and there was a significant delay between our soup/salad course and entrees. We were told the kitchen was backed up. this is apparently the norm. For appetizers, the French onion soup was a gold star dish. My friend had the goat cheese salad which she said was also very good. The Chicken Cordon Bleu was good, and a hard-to-find dish in NYC. While eating our entrees, the server never checked on how things were or if we needed anything. Once finished, we sat there for a long time waiting for our plates to be cleared, and finally had to "announce" that we were done and request our dessert (as we had ordered the prix fixe menu). For dessert we ordered the Dame Blanche and Profiteroles. I would recommend neither. The ice cream (in both) was poor quality, crystallized and not creamy. A real shame. In all, the meal too 2.5 hours due to the slow service. The soup remains fantastic. I'm downgrading my review to recommend this spot only for soup and salad and not a full, hours-long meal. For that, it's 5 stars, for a full meal a middling 3.

    Photos
    La Bonne Soupe - Interior

    Interior

    La Bonne Soupe - Dame blanche

    Dame blanche

    La Bonne Soupe - Outside dining on second floor rooftop

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    Outside dining on second floor rooftop

    La Ripaille - french - Updated May 2026

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