L'Express

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249 Park Ave S (at at 20th St.)
New York, NY 10003

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(212) 254-5858
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L'Express - New York, NY
Reviews
( 10 )
( 19 )
( 8 )
( 6 )
( 11 )

Best

Cozy little French bistro with delicious food and service! Yes, d

Worst

I stopped in with my 2 friends around 3 am on a Saturday night. The place was buzzing. However, my tea was barely warm and I requested hotter water. The waiter brought it, but he ...

The Fine French Cuisine Offered 24/7--L'Express 2/26/2012

It doesn't matter what hour you decide to stroll into L'Express because they results will always be the... more

The Fine French Cuisine Offered 24/7--L'Express 2/26/2012

The_Mistress Provided by Partner
It doesn't matter what hour you decide to stroll into L'Express because they results will always be the same--it's packed with people. This Lyonnai... more

Great eatery to go in the middle of the night. 7/20/2011

Cozy little French bistro with delicious food and service! Yes, d more

Great Late Night 4/26/2011

I love this place for a late night bite to eat after a concert or show. The bustling atmosphere, great service and excellent food keeps me coming back. more

Bad experience 4/25/2010

I didn't mind it being the noisiest restaurant in NY; what I couldn't put up with was the dry, stringy roast chicken and below average plain mash. French?! No one would dare serve this up anywhere in France. And believe the praise for their French onion soup at your peril: My wife's F.O.S. tasted okay, but half the bowl was filled with a massive lump of cheese that seemed to have been added - twice - as an afterthought. Avoid this place. Nip across to Jay Shaffer's on 23rd, or even up to the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Pros: Er . . . Cons: Noisy, crowded, poor food more

Great Spot Late Night 7/22/2009

I have to say that the party continued late night after I left the bars and went into L'Express. Some people have said the crowdedness is a con but I think really just added to the end of my night. The service and food was so great, I assume they are use to the crowded restaurant and they were extremely attentive even though it was crowded and some tables were rowdy. I was at a table with special orders and the food came out perfect without a side of attitude I think this place will soon become a staple and the end of the night. Spread the word, Love this place! Pros: 24 Hrs Cons: Can be crowded more

24 Hour of Bliss 7/9/2009

While the sun may be setting on my night, I have to say there is a true light at the end of the tunnel when I know that I can head right to L'Express for a delish end to the night. While diners can be amazing there is a level of sophistication that is provided at L'Express that makes late night eating appear to be that much more civilized. Pros: 24 Hour Classy Place more

Lousy service. 3/23/2009

I stopped in with my 2 friends around 3 am on a Saturday night. The place was buzzing. However, my tea was barely warm and I requested hotter water. The waiter brought it, but he wasn't happy. Then my burger, which I've ordered there before, arrived with no cheese (also was barely warm). I asked the waiter who glared at me in a subdued manner, before saying in a controlled but obviously irritated voice, ""you have to request it if you want it.""!! Both my friends looked up in unison with a shocked look. It was more so the manner in which he said it. My other friend's water for tea was also barely warm, but she decided against asking the waiter to change it because he was so rude. She wanted to return her burger to be cooked a bit more for it was too raw, but because of the waiter with an unwelcoming attitude, she ate it without returning it. She is definitely not a shy person and would usually speak up if she's not happy with something. But we certainly didn't want him to take it out on our food. I'm not saying he would, but we didn't want to risk it. Pros: open 24 hours Cons: Worst waiter sevice more

Food Po1soned from their hamburger 1/30/2009

Had Hamburger at L'Express for Lunch on January 31st, 2009 and after couple hours later I had the worst food po1soning experience. Not sure if the kitchen was dirty or they used bad meat but whatever I ate made me very sick. Pros: open 24hrs Cons: Got sick from thier food more

Best French Onion Soup 1/29/2009

I stopped by here with a friend last night, and had the best french onion soup I've had since my trip to Paris. The ambience is very cool too. I recommend this place for a quiet date or dinner with friends. more

bad food, lazy service, place has REALLY gone downhill 12/30/2008

wow, used to like to pop in here but last two times were awful. i'm done with this spot. had laughably watery soup today, like a prop for a bad SNL skit, slow disinterested service, greasy calamari means i can do better anywhere else. get better quality food from any street vendor and better service at any fast food joint. ungood people, ungood. Pros: decent cafe decor is only pro Cons: lousy food, worse service more

Amazing food after a night of partying!!! 12/8/2008

After a night of partying, l'express is my soul food!!! THe french toast is great, and there eggs any which way you like it are awesome (love the eggs Benedict). It is open 24 HOURS!!!! The breakfast i love here, but the burgers are amazing too!!!! Definitly go, you won't regret it! more

Sooo Delicious.. 10/2/2008

Everything at L?express was SOOOOOO delicious! I don't know if the food is actually THAT good, or if I was just really hungry....perhaps it was a combination of both, but in any case, it was a delightful meal. My love of French food comes mainly from the prevalent role butter plays in many French recipes, and L?express used my fave ingredient quite well without making any dish too greasy or rich. My friend and I enjoyed the Steak Frites and Chorizo Brochettes ; both were excellent more

Be wary of the late night service and crowd. 6/29/2008

I've eaten here once during normal dinner hours with no problem, but my experience this past weekend was among my worst dining experiences in the city. The wait staff seems to make use of the fixed tip after 1AM. I do not know if our waitress was trying to add some authenticity to our French dining experience (actually, I think she was Russian), but she promptly snatched the menus from each of our grasps upon ordering and she essentially ordered one of my friends, who was still deciding, to hurry up. The place was busy, but it was still uncalled for. Among other minor acts of rudeness, the management does not appear to care who they let in. A girl at a neighboring table was hanging on to her boyfriend for dear life and was in and out of consciousness. Imagine my lack of surprise when she threw up on the floor next to us. If your concern is mostly the food, I can honestly say that it is no more than mediocre. The pate left much to be desired and my croque monsieur had an odd after-taste (how do you mess up a ham and cheese sandwich with loads of butter?). At least it was not expensive. Better luck to you all in your late night dining... Pros: Not expensive Cons: Bad service, mediocre food more

Great service, great food! 5/8/2008

A couple of friends and I enjoyed some wine and appetizers at a table right next to the windows. We got a nice breeze so it felt like we were outside without sitting on the sidewalk. The service was excellent and the specials, delicious. Creme brulee with rhubarb was amazing! more

a 24/7 lyonnaise bouchon that serves a great... 4/23/2008

a 24/7 lyonnaise bouchon that serves a great midnight snack. fair prices reflects the food quality.... more

a 24/7 lyonnaise bouchon that serves a great... 4/23/2008

JonLeung Provided by Partner
a 24/7 lyonnaise bouchon that serves a great midnight snack. fair prices reflects the food quality. atmosphere is respectable and service is dece... more

4:30am Saturday morning=time for L'Express! 3/31/2008

I love love love this place! I've been here several times, usually after a night of partying, made it one time for dinner as well. The French toast here @ 5am after a long night=heaven! Everything is delicious, fresh, well prepared. When I came for dinner we got a bottle of wine which was ok, a little pricey for the quality, which is my only complaint. I love the atmosphere, music and crowd every time I come, its very chill and relaxed, not filled with loud, obnoxious drunks. L'Express is the absolute perfect way to begin or end every night!! more

Great Service 1/16/2008

Nice range of food options, good value, convenient to Union Square and open 24 hours. This restaurant is also kid friendly with wonderfully patient waitresses. - Noga Rosenthal more

Express to hell. 10/8/2007

A couple years ago, when I worked in the area, I used to love L'Express. They could always be counted on for a nice atmosphere, a good glass of wine, and reasonable prices. But over the last year, the place has gotten worse and worse. Last week, I walked into the restaurant and hovered around for about five minutes before the hostess appeared. I asked for a table for two -- which shouldn't have been a problem since it was still early and the tables were virtually all empty. Yet she bruskly refused to seat me and directed me to the bar which, unlike the dining area, was full. I wouldn't have thought much of it, but my last few visits there have been more of the same. Go to L'Express if you're looking for disinterested service and mediocre food; otherwise, take your money elsewhere and let this place go the way of the dinosaur. Pros: Location Cons: uninspired service, uninviting atmosphere more
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Menu for L'Express


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A French bistro hosts cafe-goers on Park Avenue South all day and all night.

Owner Message
  • L'express, a Lyonnaise bouchon, merges the traditional southern and northern influences of French cooking. Since its founding by the Romans, Lyon has long been the second city of France, and the bustle of this hub of culture and cuisine is reflected in L'express's twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week schedule. The menu celebrates the meat and dairy products of the region, with daily Sausage selections, Charcuterie and Cheese plates, Pig's Feet, Sauteed Tripe, Pike Dumplings, and plenty of beers and Beaujolais.

Editorial
  • In Short
    You don't have to be a Francophile to appreciate a casual, 24-hour bistro with a menu heavy on specialties from France's so-called culinary capital of Lyon, such as such as...

  • 10/22/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 24 hours
  • Payments: Discover, Diner's Club, American Express, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Gramercy Park, Midtown
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