I stopped into the restaurant to get lunch. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked in and was greeted. The place was cozy and busy. I was sat and served by Mohammed and he was super nice. I ordered: Ginger Martini Moules Mariniere (white wine sauce) Truffle Macaroni and cheese Dibi Haoussa (Rack of Lamb, couscous, spinach) Homemade Tirimisu The food was really tasty and my favorite was the Moules! It was so tasty with flavors! All in all a good experience! read more

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We randomly chose this restaurant for date night, and I'm so glad we did. Ponty Bistro is quaint and welcoming, with genuinely friendly staff that immediately made us feel at ease. While a couple of things were slightly off--the escargot was a bit overcooked and the steak leaned more well-done than rare--none of it detracted from what was overall a delicious meal and a lovely evening. We started with the escargot and the seared tuna, the latter of which was absolute perfection. For mains, we had the steak with mashed potatoes and the linguini with shrimp, which quite literally melted in the mouth. Dessert was tiramisu--delish. The service deserves special mention: extremely attentive, on point, and proactive about making up for the minor imperfections. I definitely recommend Ponty Bistro. Pure delight. read more

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Went on a Monday night and it was completely empty, which was a bit disappointing but I suppose I get it for Monday night. Its kind of a big space which exacerbated that, but it is a nice space. Chicken wings were OK, actually had a really nice crusty fry on them. Crab Croquettes and chicken spring rolls were edible, about what you'd get in the frozen food aisle of a supermarket. Chicken parm however was a major surprise in a good way. It was really, really good. Chicken was perfect with the cheese kind of char-crusted on it, and it was over linguine with some sort of white sauce. Which seemed weird but the taste was on point and the whole thing worked to be a really original alternative - and probably better - version of chicken parm. Thoroughly enjoyed it despite the pasta being (way) overcooked. read more

I like this chill, cozy spot on the corner of 139th & 7th Ave in Harlem!!! Came in on a Thursday afternoon with a friend and had the pleasure of meeting the bartender Amai & she was a delight!! Very welcoming and had a great vibe!! She was my friends therapist today!! Good soul & woman!! Thank you for your hospitality Amai!! I will be back and I will take her advice and check out Brasserie Steak House on 60 west 125th street!!! read more

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The ambiance is top tier. It's a great atmosphere for grown ups. Great music and you can still hear your conversations. I'm in love with the truffle Mac and cheese. read more

I've eaten at Ponty Bistro quite a few times over the years, though now that I've moved, I don't get to go as often. Still, it's always a solid choice when I'm in Harlem! My favorite dish is the Poisson Fish--they serve it two different ways and both are super tasty. The drinks never miss, and the vibe is always chill with great music playing in the background. The service is okay--it could be a bit better, but it's not bad. Overall, it's a spot I'll keep coming back to when I'm in the neighborhood! read more

Ponty Bistro - POISSON BRAISER A LA NGUET NDAR - French Near Me - New York, New York

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I LOVE this cuisine with all my heart. The food is amazing and always on point and the drinks are also really amazing. The bathroom design is beautiful and the staff always makes you smile. Definitely would recommend. however, the neighborhood isn't the best and is kind of sketchy read more

Nice clean establishment.. Friendly service... The lobster bisque was so good, a lot of flavor, lobster and thick base.. I also had the calamari and it was good/ large portions.. This was my first time here and very impressed. I will come back again ASAP! The brunch and lunch menu has a lot of options. read more

Ponty Bistro - Menu - French Near Me - New York, New York

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There was a fresh clean two inch SCREW in my fries. The management didn't care. Blamed the kitchen who was "gone" for the night. And blamed the delivery company over the phone before that. No apology! NO explanation, and no offer to correct such a strange F Up. read more

Ponty Bistro - They serve screws!! Wow! Y'all!! - French Near Me - New York, New York

I must say I definitely enjoyed the food, it was delicious and nicely plated. Drinks are nice and well made. Ambiance was vibrant, gets busy for brunch. Great for a nice meal or drinks. Dining area towards the back, communal table in middled and back in front. Service was mediocre. Food was timely, drinks were not, had to call another server to get the attention of my server- to remind them about a drink order made 20 mins prior. All the while this was early dinner where it wasn't overly busy yet. I would give it another try and see how it goes. read more

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Food is pretty good! We had the Moules Africana with yellow rice and Shrimp scampi pasta. The other location called PB Brasserie had jollof rice, this location did not. I missed it! The yellow rice was pretty good though. My cousin who had the pasta, only complaint was that it wasn't a good shrimp to pasta ratio... but we enjoyed the taste of everything, very flavorful!! The passion fruit martini was excellent and the service was top tier! Ambiance is nice! read more

Ponty Bistro - Moules Africana with Yellow rice. The drink pictured I can't remember but it was good. So was the passion fruit martini - French Near Me - New York, New York

I don't usually write reviews but the food here was amazing. We started with the chicken spring rolls. There were two unique dipping sauces that were delicious. Then I had Grilled Shrimp Basquaise and my boyfriend had the Poison Yassa. Both dishes were amazing. The curry sauce on the grilled shrimp was unique and really tasty and the saffron rice was perfect. The Poison Yassa was also delicious! We will definitely be going back. read more

ThisThis was my go-to restaurant when I lived in Harlem. Wanted to meet a few sorority sisters and this place came to mind. They still have their happy hour with my favorite lychee martini. I love to try a few things, so we ordered several appetizers to share. The service is top tier! The ambiance is casual chic. read more

Ponty Bistro - Lychee martini - French Near Me - New York, New York

Took the family here on a Travelzoo deal, and we had an excellent lunch. Ponty Bistro offers some unique dishes (think octopus and escargot) and it's the kind of place where stepping outside your usual comfort zone really pays off. But if you have kids in tow or more traditional eaters, you'll be fine here too. Everything we ordered was flavorful and well-prepared. The service was fast, friendly, and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better. It's not always easy finding a spot that hits the mark for both adventurous eaters and the more traditional ones at the table, but they delivered. We'll definitely be coming back - great food, great value, and a great experience overall. read more

Sooooo overpriced. I invited a friend for lunch and the total bill came to $118 dollars on a Friday. The place was empty and the waitress obviously wanted to be anywhere but serving. I paid $34 for 2 glasses of sparkling wine, $7 for sparkling water, $10 for a grocery store-grade tiramisu, and $28 for fish and chips that were served without lemon. (It had to be requested.). I also had the salmon (do the math) which was excellent, but not cooked "medium" as requested. It was hot outside, so I sat indoors with my friend, and the door to the restaurant was open, so no A/C. Of course I will go back again the next time I'm in the neighborhood, if only for vibes. I used to frequent happy hour, and I don't remember the sparkling wine being $17 a glass on the regular menu. read more

Delicious. We came here after a local restaurant turned us away. This is my second time visiting this restaurant. They have French and Senegalese dishes. I got the salmon which was cooked to perfection and the Moroccan old fashioned. Everything was perfect. This place is open late also and is conveniently located in Harlem. read more

Ponty Bistro - Moroccan old fashioned - French Near Me - New York, New York

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This is my 2nd time in Manhattan, and I had to come back to review this place. Every time I come here, the service stands out beyond many other establishments. They don't rush you into ordering your food nor have any issues with you asking them questions about the menu. The drinks to me have to be close to how good the food is. And everything is so clean as well. Next time I'm in Manhattan, I will come back for another try! read more

Ponty Bistro - Menu - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Customer service was lacking. Staff acts like you are bothering them and they don't want to be there. Food took forever and it wasn't good, got sick after. Bathrooms are filthy. Heavy on the 0/5. read more

This is a cute, lovely little restaurant serving French African cuisine. My friend and I shared the garlic bread, which was perfectly toasted, with tons of butter and real garlic with green onion. Mmm! I ordered the Poisson Braiser a la Guet Ndar, which was grilled whole Branzino, served with julienne salad and sweet plantains. This was beautifully plated. The Branzino was huge, covered in tasty, well seasoned sauce, full of bold flavor. There were a lot of bones, but that is to be expected since it is a whole fish. The fish was wonderfully tender, flaky, as well as succulent. Plantains were soft, lightly caramelized, and very yummy. The salad was a great, fresh addition to the dish, consisting of red pepper, onion, carrots, and had a nice balance of acid. For dessert, my friend and I shared the Chocolate Fondant with vanilla ice cream and strawberries on the side. This was basically molten chocolate cake, which simply oozed with warm, melty, rich, creamy velvety smooth chocolate. Service was great. The waiter was welcoming and knowledgeable about the menu. Prices are a little high, but on par with the area. I might return at some point to try the Stuffed Flounder or Lobster BLT. read more

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Food and Service was awesome! Will definitely recommend to friends. They work very well when also comes to music preferences.

Y'all, don't EVER, EVER EVER EVER, eat at Ponty Bistro in Harlem. Months ago, some friends from church, and I went there for brunch. One of them ordered french toast, only to find mold and spores all in her food. The manager was embarrassed, and apologetic for this unfortunate situation, and tried to find ways to remedy the situation. My church choir, and I practically needed a punch card due to our consistent business with them after Sunday Service. Fast Forward to today, (*FOOLISHLY to our chagrin* We gave them a second chance seeing that we've had great business with them in the past (minus that one slip up)) our food was served to us, and everything started out pleasant. Mid-way through our lunch, we noticed roaches on the wall. When we brought it to the manager's attention, he responded with "What do you want me to do about it? We kill them here all the time?" We were DISGUSTED!!! Therefore, we will no longer being contributing our business to them, and we are spreading the word so the general public knows about their unsanitary practices. read more

Stuffed flounder with fingerling potatoes The pepper salad on top of clothes reverse flavorful there was a small piece of flounder and there was a two or three pieces of potatoes. The flavors are amazing. However I would not get this again only because there were not enough potatoes. However for a small explosive by the flavor this is a great option Great service and ambience read more

Ponty Bistro - Stuffed flounder with fingerling potatoes - French Near Me - New York, New York

This has become my new brunch after church spot when I'm in residence. Recently I attended an event and was disappointed that my credit card was misplaced as I had a tab. I was asked to lock it after several checks and told I was going to be compensated for the inconvenience. I waited for a ride so I was still in the establishment almost 2 hours later and my card was now found then the staff kept coming to me "know you can pay" I was taken aback as it was difficult to lock my card in the first place and I was supposed to be "comped". I got assistance to reactivate my card but I felt bullied after being inconvenienced! I didn't mind settling my bill but, I know that the practices aren't honorable. FYI: 1) the chicken based dishes are the best 2) beef dishes should be ordered at a lower temperature because it's usually overcooked 3) if you aren't at the bar your cocktail may not be correct immediately but, they're willing to rectify. read more

Ponty Bistro - Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans with a grand mimosa - French Near Me - New York, New York

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I really wanted to love Ponty but walked away feeling disappointed. The 3 stars are really because of the Ginger juice. If your into ginger drinks this is a piece of heaven. I also tried the Ginger Martini and it'll do. Onto the food. We had Grilled Shrimp Basquaise, Poisson Yassa, three Cheese Gougeres and Escargot. The Poisson's sauce was fantastic and the pickled vegetables with both dishes was good. Would have liked the fish to be a little more crispy on the outside. Someone recommended the escargot because of the cognac sauce so I decided to get that as well and I was very underwhelmed. It had absolutely no seasoning outside of Garlic. The three cheese Gougeres was again bland and a waste of my precious carb calories. The Basquaise also lacked flavor. The service was mediocre and was on the slower side but the waiter was nice. The one thing that I would recommend in regards to the wait staff is that they know their menu and know how to describe and recommend food options when asked. The visit wasn't terrible so I would give them another try and try some different food options and you know your girl will definitely get some more GINGER JUICE . read more

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I keep finding new things to appreciate but lack new ways to say it. The team shows impressive food knowledge and outstanding service. You won't overpay for quality. The food hits all points: taste, freshness, and nutritional value. I located this notable restaurant via online platforms. read more

Visited with three friends and loved my experience from start to finish. The restaurant had a jazz trio performing on a Thursday night and the service was top notch. The tuna, mussels Africana with fries and Ponty salad were so delicious. I can't wait for an excuse to go back to this restaurant. There's a reason it's been around since 2008 and it's because it's an institution. read more

This is another one of those reviews I don't want to write because I don't want people to discover this place and ruin it. People ruin everything. I have a secret goal to work through all the West African restaurants in Harlem, and I've put off coming to Ponty Bistro for a while because I prioritized the more casual, mom 'n' pop places first. But there's space for Ponty Bistro in this dining community--when you want a fancier spot for date night, girls night, boys night, treat yo-self night, you come to PB. Skip the Nem and opt for the Escargots to start. Why? The Escargots are cooked with cognac, an unusual move, and it really works. These were some of the best snails I've ever had, and I lived in France after undergrad. Of course, we had to get the national dish--Poisson Yassa. The sauce was on point, the fish was a tad overcooked, but I can forgive that because the skin was so well done. The Grilled Shrimp Basquaise similarly was a bit overcooked, protein-wise, but the sauce was so flavorful, that we could forgive that--esp. with the generous amounts of rice and vegetables it was served with. The showstopper was definitely the Dibi Haoussa. The medium-rare lamb was perfectly cooked, and the couscous below it was the perfect amount of fluffy. We gobbled this dish up so cleanly, there wasn't a spec of couscous left on the plate. I'm a bit sad that their dessert selection was so common and uninteresting, but I suppose they wanted to play it safe. Still, our Crepe and Fondant were both well done. In fact, the cree was so hearty and fulfilling, that one friend who never liked crepes became a convert. Drink-wise, The Little Africa was easily the best cocktail we tried, so if you like the pungency of ginger, get that. The Rude Frenchie wasn't bad, and the Bissap Martini looked like cough syrup but tasted much, much better. I decided to try the Gewurztraminer from South Africa for my second drink, and it wasn't half bad for a sweeter wine. For those who don't drink alky, get the Virgin Mule to feel like one of the cool kids. Service could be a bit slow and a tad cold at times, but that's par for the course where I come from. Overall, this was an easy five stars and one of the best ways I've spent a Tuesday night in recent years. read more

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Many months later, and I mean many months, I finally gather the courage to get myself up to Harlem to try this restaurant. I have been meaning to do it since the summer, maybe even earlier than that, but I always made excuses why not to do it. Excuses no more, I have visited, eaten, and overall liked the food. Only a short walk from the 135th station on the 2/3, it is worth making the trip if you are willing to make a solid commitment to eating here. The food speaks for itself with the authentic style and reasonable portions of West African, particularly Senegalese cuisine. I first got the Three Cheese Gougeres. Honestly, I thought these were like Pillsbury Doughboy puffs with three cheeses baked in. The presentation is cute, but the taste is subpar. I should have ordered the Mac n Cheese with truffle. However, I may not have eaten my entree, the Poulet Yassa. The Poulet Yassa, according to the staff, is one of their top sellers, and I can see why. Essentially, it is a stewed chicken with a spicy sauce made from onions, garlic, and mustard, served with plain white rice. Thanks to two out of the three ingredients, it tastes amazing, with little onion in the dish. The chicken is cooked mostly well (save for some dry spots but overall not too dry), and the rice absorbs the sauce really well, which is real tasty. I would recommend this dish 100%. I also liked the staff that ensured I never went thirsty. Sadly, I am a mouth breather (fire away...), which means my throat dries faster than normal. As a result, I go through plenty of water. That did not deter them. They were kind and had no problem making this problem resolute. Now it is your turn! Get on the 2/3 and enjoy the authentic taste of French African cuisine right in Harlem. read more

Ponty Bistro - Poulet Yassa - French Near Me - New York, New York

I really wanted to love this spot as much as it's sister location, Renaissance Harlem. However the staff here ruined it for me. The host/waiter was too busy running his mouth to seat us when we came in, that the busboy did his job. Then minutes after sitting he comes and ask for our order. Sir, can we have a moment to read the menu or discuss your specials for the day. Now we're ready, he stands at the next table giving us the one minute finger for 10 minutes. The food runner is delivering the food to the wrong tables with placing them down then picking them up and taking it around from table to table. I'm now disgusted because two people leaned over and breathed on my plate. The food was pretty good but not exceptional. Even though the problem is poor staffing, I won't be coming back. read more

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Ponty Bistro has done it again. Every time I order the steak, it never disappoints. The African spices permeate the meat and complement it perfectly. The seasoned rice is also delicious. On this visit, there was a DJ playing all the right tunes, setting a great mood. Normally, the service is excellent, but I was disappointed this time. Despite that one off experience, Ponty is always a reliable go-to for food. read more

Ponty Bistro - Sirloin steak with seasoned rice - French Near Me - New York, New York

Ponty Bistro never disappoints me. I absolutely love this place! The food is always good. This is the second time I have ordered take out. I also have dined at the restaurant. I will continue to eat here. read more

I came here on a date with somebody's son and although the date was awkward, the food was great! The Dakar chicken wings and chicken spring rolls tasted really good but if you want a bomb appetizer, get the Escargot Snail! Super flavorful and seasoned to perfection. My sparkling rosé was pretty good too. For my entree, I got the Dibi Haoussa with mashed potatoes instead of the couscous and it was sooo good. The sauce and the caramel onions really did it for me. I was so greedy and excited to eat that I didn't even get to take a pic! Unfortunately, I had to share my meal with my date but luckily it was enough to share. My only critique is that the restaurant is small so the tables are close together. Either way, I'm definitely coming back here by myself so that I can try everything else on the menu since it's so close to where I live. read more

Ponty Bistro - Chicken Spring rolls, chicken wings, snail - French Near Me - New York, New York

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Not the best place in the world for a vegetarian, but they try their best to accommodate me. I had a group of 25 people after graduation, and they made sure everyone was comfortable easily going. I know the kids in my group were a little rowdy, but they never made us feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. They're highly recommend that all the meat eater raved about their food. People ask me all the time if we can go back. read more

Amazing spot! Everything was on point. Great date and dinner location. We had the Dakar wings for appetizer. So tastey! Fiance had the lamb burger and I had the rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and strong beans and it was to die for. I was so satisfied and the food was so delicious. Compliments to the chef! Service and ambiance was really great too! Must go spot. Won't regret it. I can't wait to go back. Great time. I also had ginger beer and I was so shocked at how tastey the beer was and I am not a beer person at all! read more

Ponty Bistro - Ponty Lamb burger - French Near Me - New York, New York

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I always wanted to try them , however never had the chance to do so . Ordered through Uber eats . I ordered the lobster BLT , my boyfriend ordered the salmon burger & my daughter ordered the steak with mashed potatoes . First off , the food came piping hot & to top it off it was more food than I expected . The food was beyond amazing , the lobster BLT & fries blew my mind . My daughter and boyfriend loved their meal as well . I can't wait to experience the food at the restaraunt. read more

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Wow! I placed a late night delivery order and was hoping it would be wonderful and it WAS! The catfish finger was fresh and perfectly fried, and the steak entree was 10/10. Nice portion of sides and perfectly cooked steak and veggie. Then I ordered mussels which is a risk in a to go order but it was Amazing!!! Will definitely be ordering again for an upscale delivery, can't wait to try the other mussels and entrees! *update, I've tried two more types of mussels and the salmon entree, 10s across the board! read more

Bangin burgers ***** Great drinks. Must get the tuna appetizer first time........... Get it!! read more

Ponty Bistro - Tore it up.... Delicious! - French Near Me - New York, New York

NEVER COME TO THIS PLACE. Me and my friend went there on Valentine's Day. The two girls first cannot find our reservation, then led us directly to the tables that seemed to be reserved for couples (with roses), and gave us the Valentine's Day pre-fixed menu at $90/person. We asked if there's the normal menu and they said no - that was the only menu for the day. We were about to leave before we asked another guy, who brought us the normal menu. Guess we should just left at this point before the worst happened. When paying for the bills, I tried to use apple pay and they told me any bill above $100 would be separated into two charges. That's where it happened - they made me paid for two bills and probably just "pretend" to misread the tips and charged me twice the tip. Can anyone explain to me why do you think your customer would pay $15 tip when the order is $14.23? Do Asian girls seem stupid to you so that you tried to fraud us twice during one meal? read more

This is definitely a hidden gem in Harlem! I absolutely loved everything from the vibes to the bread to the food and drinks. The servers were very kind but the service in itself was just very slow. It took me over 15 minutes to order a drink and I wasn't asked if I wanted another one when I finished. After we received our food, nobody came to ask us if everything was okay. I went on a Friday around 4pm and it wasn't full yet. By the time we left, it was definitely getting full. Other than the service being slow, the food was delicious and the drinks too. That bread was definitely the best bread I've ever had at a restaurant!! Video of the restaurant and my experience posted on my IG and TikTok: @jessiica0204 read more

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Been here multiple times now. The lamb burger is my go to besides the lobster eggs benedict. Very yummy. Service is quick but a little lacking in care. Ambiance is casual. read more