A New York Dining Experience so Exceptional, It’s Nationally Recognized

I'm a big fan of French cuisine, but the former grand dame of the culinary scene hasn't been getting the flowers it used to. New American cuisine has probably surpassed it as the top cuisine in the city, with so many others coming up fast. For those who love French food, the choices are often between old-school brasseries they've visited many times, super-high-end prix-fixe, or tasting menu spots that are more of an epic splurge. That's why the 2016 arrival of Le Coucou, a classy French bistro with a modern twist, has taken many of the most iconic old-school dishes in the French repertoire and given them new flair that has made them as popular as they deserve to be. The restaurant is always updating its menu but still has some favorites that will always be there. It's my pick for the best French restaurant in New York, and I bet you'll agree.

Le Coucou is the hottest French restaurant in the city at the moment, and this Stephen Starr-owned bistro is known for its luxurious atmosphere and comparably affordable menu. Unlike many other top French restaurants in the city, this place is a la carte, so you control your own meal.

Under Chef Daniel Rose, the key word here is scratch-made. The attention to detail begins with the bread course, which is tasty enough that you'll almost want to fill up. But hold on, because you're about to indulge in one of the city's most impressive menus...

The menu specializes in classic French dishes reinvented for the modern day. Specials like a crepinette of chicken and foie gras, or a pike quenelle, are making a comeback outside of Paris for the first time. The must-order dish has to be Tout Le Lapin, translated as "all of the rabbit," a multi-course feast that offers three different indulgences.

And, of course, a restaurant this elite requires a bar to match. The cocktail program at Le Coucou is highly impressive, as are the desserts. This is definitely the kind of meal where you'll want to bring some good friends and indulge over a nightcap.

I can't wait to go back to Le Coucou, and if you haven't tried the best French restaurant in New York yet, tell a friend and book your reservation! You can get started by visiting the Le Coucou website, where you can see the full menu, make reservations, and buy gift cards. If you have a late dinner reservation and want a snack first, make sure to walk less than half a mile to Fried Dumpling in Chinatown, which might just have the cheapest lunch in New York. And if you want a luxurious stay to go with dinner, the citizenM New York Bowery is one of the most acclaimed hotels in Lower Manhattan.