Les Enfants Terribles

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37 Canal St (at at Ludlow St.)
New York, NY 10002

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(212) 777-7518
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Les Enfants Terribles - New York, NY
Les Enfants Terribles - New York, NY
Les Enfants Terribles - New York, NY
Les Enfants Terribles - New York, NY
Reviews
( 18 )
( 17 )
( 8 )
( 14 )
( 21 )

Best

The sad thing about these reviews is that most of the time people only leave comments for a bad experience or negative feelings. After curiously searching on NY Mag to see what pe...

Worst

Though the food is decent and the decor is nice, I was beyond appalled at how we were treated by the staff at this restaurant. We had a 7:30 reservation, and by 9pm they dropped t...

it was terrible 4/12/2008

avoid this place at all costs. the drinks were terrible, food was even worse, atmosphere was atrocious! i got so disgusted with the place that i told everyone i know to never go there. more

eh.... 3/8/2008

fine. ok if in neighborhood Pros: atmosphere Cons: service more

do not go here 3/7/2008

the food is sub par and the service is atrocious. it is too loud and the tables are way too close to each other. more

eh.... 3/7/2008

fine. ok if in neighborhood Pros: atmosphere Cons: service more

Amazing food coupled with great environment! 1/6/2008

Les Enfants was such a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect, but from the moment we walked in I knew it would be a good night. It's a super small place, but you don't feel crowded. I was part of a party of 6, and we were sat in the back corner (just like is recommended). The people who work there seem to have so much fun. Everyone was dancing and singing. The music was sick. The food was just as great. Everyone had a hard time choosing an item off the menu. We each ordered apps and entrees and ended up sharing everything. The Les Enfant salad is light and refreshing. The zucchini and goat cheese app is super delicious. 2 of us had the filet mignon special which was super yummy. The lamb is really tender. And the fish is light but tasty. I always have space for dessert, but I was so full and content that we skipped. We decided to leave and get drinks somewhere, but realized that it was way more fun in there. So we walked back in and continued to drink and eat. I highly recommend it! Pros: food, environment, energy more

Amazing food coupled with great environment! 1/6/2008

Les Enfants was such a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect, but from the moment we walked in I knew it would be a good night. It's a super small place, but you don't feel crowded. I was part of a party of 6, and we were sat in the back corner (just like is recommended). The people who work there seem to have so much fun. Everyone was dancing and singing. The music was sick. The food was just as great. Everyone had a hard time choosing an item off the menu. We each ordered apps and entrees and ended up sharing everything. The Les Enfant salad is light and refreshing. The zucchini and goat cheese app is super delicious. 2 of us had the filet mignon special which was super yummy. The lamb is really tender. And the fish is light but tasty. I always have space for dessert, but I was so full and content that we skipped. We decided to leave and get drinks somewhere, but realized that it was way more fun in there. So we walked back in and continued to drink and eat. I highly recommend it! Pros: food, environment, energy more

Good atmosphere, good food **TERRIBLY RUDE AUSSIE OWNER** 10/27/2007

The terribly rude Assie owner of this restaurant ruined an otherwise pleasant experience. My girlfriends and I were looking for a relaxed restaurant to enjoy on a Friday night. We arrived rather early and decided to start with a drink at the bar. Then, we moved to a table and enjoyed appetizers and a nice dinner. We had just ordered another drink, when the owner came up to us and asked if we planned to order any more food or dessert and we said that we just wanted to enjoy one last drink after our meal. She informed us that she needed our table for some people who had a reservation. We looked around and noticed that it had become kind of busy and decided to leave as soon as we finished our drink. Fifteen minutes later, the owner came back to our table, stopped my friend mid-sentence as she was telling a story, and despite us not having yet finished our drinks, curtly informed us that it was time for us to go. She said, ""I gave you a time warning earlier, you've had this table for two hours and I need this table NOW."" My friends and I were literally astounded at the rude tone she had with us. We had spent nearly $200 at her restaurant, tipped our waiter well, etc., but were basically being kicked out before we had even finished our drinks! We hurriedly gulped down our drinks and started to gather our things. On our way out the door, my friend told the owner that she really could have been a little more polite with us and that there was no need to be rude. The owner's response was, ""I am the owner and if you have any problems you can call tomorrow to talk to me. If you have issues, you need to go home and sort yourself out ."" I'm afraid my friends and I aren't the ones who need ""sorting out"". Needles to say, we will never step foot in this restaurant again. I highly suggest spending your valuable time and money at an establishment that actually appreciates and values its customers. Pros: Atmosphere, Food Cons: Incredibly Rude Service from the Restaurant Owner more

Good atmosphere, good food **TERRIBLY RUDE AUSSIE OWNER** 10/26/2007

The terribly rude Assie owner of this restaurant ruined an otherwise pleasant experience. My girlfriends and I were looking for a relaxed restaurant to enjoy on a Friday night. We arrived rather early and decided to start with a drink at the bar. Then, we moved to a table and enjoyed appetizers and a nice dinner. We had just ordered another drink, when the owner came up to us and asked if we planned to order any more food or dessert and we said that we just wanted to enjoy one last drink after our meal. She informed us that she needed our table for some people who had a reservation. We looked around and noticed that it had become kind of busy and decided to leave as soon as we finished our drink. Fifteen minutes later, the owner came back to our table, stopped my friend mid-sentence as she was telling a story, and despite us not having yet finished our drinks, curtly informed us that it was time for us to go. She said, "I gave you a time warning earlier, you've had this table for two hours and I need this table NOW." My friends and I were literally astounded at the rude tone she had with us. We had spent nearly $200 at her restaurant, tipped our waiter well, etc., but were basically being kicked out before we had even finished our drinks! We hurriedly gulped down our drinks and started to gather our things. On our way out the door, my friend told the owner that she really could have been a little more polite with us and that there was no need to be rude. The owner's response was, "I am the owner and if you have any problems you can call tomorrow to talk to me. If you have issues, you need to go home and sort yourself out ." I'm afraid my friends and I aren't the ones who need "sorting out". Needles to say, we will never step foot in this restaurant again. I highly suggest spending your valuable time and money at an establishment that actually appreciates and values its customers. Pros: Atmosphere, Food Cons: Incredibly Rude Service from the Restaurant Owner more

Going downhill fast 10/11/2007

I had been to this restaurant several times in the past, and while its flaky service used to be charming, they have taken bad service to a new low. I spent two hours there this evening, and did not eat a single thing. There was nothing wrong with the food we were served...because we weren't served any. After two hours, the rather obnoxious and self-righteous manager came over to let us know that there had been some sort of ""mix-up"" with our order, and it would be up in five minutes. Ten minutes later, he brought over an appetizer that I can best describe as resembling dog food with a side of salad. And, adding insult to injury, it wasn't even the appetizer we had ordered. When we finally decided that we had had enough of this game that he was playing, we left some cash for our estimate of the bill, and he kindly offered to call the police on us for walking out on a meal. I really used to love this place, and had been looking forward to this night...I WILL NEVER EAT THERE AGAIN. Pros: the memory of a great place Cons: everything else more

Going downhill fast 10/10/2007

I had been to this restaurant several times in the past, and while its flaky service used to be charming, they have taken bad service to a new low. I spent two hours there this evening, and did not eat a single thing. There was nothing wrong with the food we were served...because we weren't served any. After two hours, the rather obnoxious and self-righteous manager came over to let us know that there had been some sort of "mix-up" with our order, and it would be up in five minutes. Ten minutes later, he brought over an appetizer that I can best describe as resembling dog food with a side of salad. And, adding insult to injury, it wasn't even the appetizer we had ordered. When we finally decided that we had had enough of this game that he was playing, we left some cash for our estimate of the bill, and he kindly offered to call the police on us for walking out on a meal. I really used to love this place, and had been looking forward to this night...I WILL NEVER EAT THERE AGAIN. Pros: the memory of a great place Cons: everything else more

Lost Its Glamour 9/8/2007

I was here when this place opened up and it was a lot of fun. The food was good and the drinks were great. However, it's become a pretentious place with horrible service. Mainly the bartenders are idiots and they treat the place like it's their apartment with friends coming over. It's too bad that this place has really loss its class. more

surprisingly uncrowded 7/30/2007

Every time I've walked past it's been so crowded that I didn't want to brave the packed interior, but yesterday was an exception so I took the plunge.... While the portions were indeed small, as other reviewers have pointed out, I was certainly satiated afterwards. The grilled calamari was excellent, as was the chocolate cake. The other items ordered (salmon confit and a vegetable stack whose exact menu description escapes me) were good but not great. Service was acceptably quick and courteous. Any bad behavior mentioned in other reviews was entirely absent during my visit. I would certainly go back and explore the rest of the menu. more

Good Atmosphere, Good Food, no service 7/17/2007

The service was almost non-existant from the moment we got here last saturday night. We basically seated ourselves at the only availble table which was outside. Eventually our waitress comes. We had the Tassili Shepherd which was very good except that it was so small. Yes, i know it's an appetizer but it was literally 3 slivers of zucchini on a plate. We shared the Koroghofefemugu which was a nice pc of steak. I really liked the cassava fries but my friend and sister did not. My friend had the Black Beer(?) which was tasted great. The mood of the place is laidback but still very lively. If the service was a more attentive, this place would be a must. I do plan on coming back though. Pros: food, mood Cons: service more

Good Atmosphere, Good Food, no service 7/16/2007

The service was almost non-existant from the moment we got here last saturday night. We basically seated ourselves at the only availble table which was outside. Eventually our waitress comes. We had the Tassili Shepherd which was very good except that it was so small. Yes, i know it's an appetizer but it was literally 3 slivers of zucchini on a plate. We shared the Koroghofefemugu which was a nice pc of steak. I really liked the cassava fries but my friend and sister did not. My friend had the Black Beer(?) which was tasted great. The mood of the place is laidback but still very lively. If the service was a more attentive, this place would be a must. I do plan on coming back though. Pros: food, mood Cons: service more

This place used to be nicer 7/14/2007

... but now it's run by a bunch of thugs. No kidding: I witnessed how a group of bullies - including the tall barman with a ponytail - abused a couple of guys who were standing on their way. Things got ugly when one of the thugs threw a glass bottle to one of the guys. The reaction of the bartender? none.....actually, he went and sat with his friends and laughed about the incident. The patron hit by the bottle? well, he left. I wouldn't want that to happen to me. I will never go back. more

It's French, and it's fun! 6/20/2007

I loved this place! The atmosphere was fun, not full of hipsters but not old, and the staff was great! It was my first time there- my sister was visiting and a friend of mine suggested we check it out. We fought our way to the bar and ordered cocktails from the frazzled, hung over bartender (he qualified himself as hung over, but was clearly frazzled) while we waited for our table. We had made 9:30 reservations, but if we had waited another 1/2 hour, we would not have needed them. Once seated, I got an amazing pureed carrot and ginger soup, my sister had their nice house salad. I ordered the potato crusted bass (tender, moist), while my sister had the mussels (nothing extrordinary, but good). And then a banana creme brulee for dessert. We had a nice bottle of rose wine with dinner. Our server (who may have been a host or a manager) was friendly and efficient. Depite not being able to find a host to tell that we were there for our reservation, the wait to get the bartender's attention for drinks, and the really odd part of the LES (this was the only thing open within sight), the crowd was friendly, the small staff was busy but not angry about it, I would absolutely go back, if only to try the steak, and check out their specials! Pros: Original flavors Cons: Location more

It's French, and it's fun! 6/19/2007

I loved this place! The atmosphere was fun, not full of hipsters but not old, and the staff was great! It was my first time there- my sister was visiting and a friend of mine suggested we check it out. We fought our way to the bar and ordered cocktails from the frazzled, hung over bartender (he qualified himself as hung over, but was clearly frazzled) while we waited for our table. We had made 9:30 reservations, but if we had waited another 1/2 hour, we would not have needed them. Once seated, I got an amazing pureed carrot and ginger soup, my sister had their nice house salad. I ordered the potato crusted bass (tender, moist), while my sister had the mussels (nothing extrordinary, but good). And then a banana creme brulee for dessert. We had a nice bottle of rose wine with dinner. Our server (who may have been a host or a manager) was friendly and efficient. Depite not being able to find a host to tell that we were there for our reservation, the wait to get the bartender's attention for drinks, and the really odd part of the LES (this was the only thing open within sight), the crowd was friendly, the small staff was busy but not angry about it, I would absolutely go back, if only to try the steak, and check out their specials! Pros: Original flavors Cons: Location more

Unfortunately - Pretentious 3/9/2007

Great food - have eaten there several times. Unfortunately awful service & an overwhelming, pretentious attitude has taken over the place. Too bad. more

Avoid dinner, better for brunch, or better yet, just for drinks. 11/16/2006

This place has a great ambiance, but unfortunately, the dinner just isn't good, especially for the price they're charging. I used to enjoy brunch but have had too many bad experiences with the service being slow to practically non-existent. I now go only for the occasional cocktail which is still fun. Pros: Good for drinks Cons: Dinner isn't great. more

Avoid dinner, better for brunch, or better yet, just for drinks. 11/15/2006

This place has a great ambiance, but unfortunately, the dinner just isn't good, especially for the price they're charging. I used to enjoy brunch but have had too many bad experiences with the service being slow to practically non-existent. I now go only for the occasional cocktail which is still fun. Pros: Good for drinks Cons: Dinner isn't great. more
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Menu for Les Enfants Terribles


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Editorial
  • The Scene
    This worldly little bistro, filled with palm fronds, primitive masks and sand-colored leather banquettes, is an oasis of cool in an otherwise culture-deprived block, where the...

  • 10/8/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, 5:30pm-12am Sun 9am-4pm, 5:30pm-11pm
  • Payments: American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, Chinatown
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