Hip is defined by 20-somethings taking up space in a hotel bar where no one can afford to drink much less stay. Usually in a part of NYC no one wants to be. Above the din I catch snippets of conversation like trout..."Dude, what's with the Red Wings and flannel shirt? Lumberjack is so dead." "But it's Mark McNairy?!" "Last year. He's moved onto 8th grade metal shop teacher." "Damn! No one told me."A few blocks east on Park Avenue South (bet. 28th & 29th) Les Halles is a throw back to another time where patrons are defined by gray hair, reading glasses and safe driver insurance rates. Les Halles is one of those restaurants where all stress and angst slide off your back like a creme caramel. Is it the best food in NYC? No. But as I look around I'm struck by who is here. And they are me.
I ask about the 50 wines for 50% off on 50 Mondays and I'm told Valentine's Day ain't one of those Mondays. Just as well. They have 700 reservations for tonight. And that's okay. I'll be far away. But I do have plans to go next Monday when Les Halles turns back into what I love. An old friend.
I took the wife and kids there last July. Great steaks and loved the rillettes. Nice and lardy.
ReplyDeleteI sit in the McDonalds playland and am struck at the people that are here... they are me... and I weep.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I was in NYC my brother and I went to Le Veau d'Or. It was great.
ReplyDeleteHow does Les Halles compare?
Hey! I can see that place from my office window. I think your post has inspired me to go there for lunch.
ReplyDeleteA lovely vignette of a real place and real people. Occasionally I am tempted to take a hipsterette ( i.e. any woman under forty) out for lunch and give it to her old man style. Fortunately I am usually able to talk myself out of it in time. But not always....:(
ReplyDeleteTintin, I would like to know more about your thoughts regarding the development of maturity. Did your dad think you were some sort of hipster back in the day? Does he now? Will these stunted guppies grow out it or has the iphone killed that possibility for the foreseeable future?
Yeah it's me too. Despite our occasional spats Tintin I'm struck by our unanimity of taste when it comes to bars (Algonquin Blue etc) and eateries. Now I have some idea of what you look like I might come over and ask for your autograph if I see you. hoho
ReplyDeleteNot sure I'd want a creme caramel sliding off my back in any circumstances - I'm an uptight Brit - but otherwise, I have to say, it sounds great. Next trip.
ReplyDelete700 covers for this evening...really? Do we believe this hype...?
ReplyDeleteI like it too. Not that its like this but ....lots of french rest. in the city seem to have froze in 1979 or so.. in some cases its good some cases not so good.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's day, angel cake.
Long time reader of the blog. This post caught my attention. Love it... Les Halles? Wasn't that Anthony Bordain's old stomping grounds.
ReplyDeleteMaturity: fortunately there is no app for that. Like any premium, it should always be rendered scarce.
ReplyDeleteA friend took us to a concert to see her favorite old rockers perform. She looked around and said, "My God, look at these people! There's no one here I could ever be involved with." I pointed out that WE were all there, and that she asked us to go with her.
-DB
The champagne sure looks nice and sweet!
ReplyDeleteLes Halles has the best fries / frittes in New York - Period.
ReplyDeleteAfter the gigot d'agneau, a bottle of Rhone and the chocolate mousse I am one happy camper !!
I miss Les Halles, DC. Come back!
ReplyDeleteI always meet my parents and brother there for breakfast when I am in NYC on business. I also like Le Bon Soup on 55th St., a French restaurant in a similar vein.
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