Lunch Break: Bastille Day Dejeuner
Also known as French Independence Day, Bastille Day marks the anniversary of the start of the first French Revolution. Celebrate in style by having lunch at these French restaurants in today's New York Lunch Break. By Yvo Sin.
See Also: NYC's 9 Best French Restaurants
Francois Payard Bakery
116 W Houston St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 995-0888
fpbnyc.com
Francois Payard has made a name for himself as one of the best pastry chefs in the world, but did you know his bakery also serves a fabulous lunch? Nothing is over $10, and most sandwiches are actually in the $8 range (with one hitting $8.50 and one bottoming at $6.50). Of course, as any visitor to Francois Payard Bakery knows, that is just what you eat first to seem like a normal lunch, before you dive headfirst into all of the wonderful pastries on display. Cookies, cakes, eclair... c'est une pâtisserie très merveilleux, oui?
Ponty Bistro
218 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10003
(212) 777-1616
pontybistro.com
Ponty Bistro combines the best of two worlds: northern African cuisine and more traditional French fare. Rather reasonable prices accompany the lunch menu, which includes croque messieurs et mesdames (grilled ham & cheese sandwiches; madame with a fried egg), lobster BLT and a new twist on that old classic, truffled mac & cheese. There's even a $19 lunch prix fixe menu; you'll leave with both your belly and your wallet full.
Les Halles
411 Park Ave S
New York, NY 10016
(212) 679-4111
15 John St
New York, NY 10038
(212) 285-8585
leshalles.net
The lunch menus vary slightly from location to location, but the focus is the same: affordable French bistro fare. It's true that a certain celebrity chef used to hang his hat here, but the menu has hardly changed since his epic rise to fame. The reason people come here: the famous Les Halles steak frites et salade, cooked to your specification with some of the salty-crispest frites you'll ever eat. Vive la révolution!
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Yvo Sin is the founder and head writer of The Feisty Foodie.