L'Absinthe Restaurant

First of, this is not for those on a budget. However, if you have the means to eat here, you will be a happy person. I am not the first person to eat French food, but I found myself very pleasantly surprised here. Don't ask what it is, just eat it (then maybe just ask the name, so you can have it again here or elsewhere). And if you are worried, the staff was nothing les than gracious and inviting. A perfect night, even though I could not fit in dessert like I would have liked to. more

L'Absinthe is a great example of why New York is difficult to compete with as a place to eat well (at least if you have money). In just about any other city in America, L'Absinthe would be a destination restaurant. In New York, it isn't. It's considered nothing special. But the food is delicious (creative French bistro, with perhaps a hint of Asian influence), the service attentive and unsnobby, and the atmosphere bright and cheerful. Its prices (it ain't cheap) and location (Upper East Side) mean you won't be eating with a lot of hipsters like you might in the Village, but there were even a few of those there the night we dined (though they were definitely outnumbered by the older couples and groups). Oh and definitely save room for dessert. They were wonderful! more