"A narrow space with a pressed-tin ceiling, exposed brick, and a patchwork of Polaroid photos, Le French Diner has been open since 2005, but still feels like a well-guarded Lower East Side secret, even when there’s a wait to get in. Sit on a diner stool at the counter and sip a glass of wine while watching the chef deftly prepare things like grilled octopus, or hanger steak with perfect dauphinoise potatoes from a short daily menu. The food is restrained but flavorful, and has a personal touch—as if you’d lucked into a homestay run by a retired cook on your exchange semester in France." - bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja, sonal shah, will hartman
Teddy Wolff