Les Enfants Terribles
(646) 402-6920
37 Canal St
(at Ludlow Street)
New York,
NY
10002
40.7147
-73.9911
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Chinatown
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, 5:30pm-12am
Sun 9am-4pm, 5:30pm-11pm
Price:
$$
Last updated 6.24.09
What People Are Saying About Les Enfants Terribles
The Owner
Les Enfants Terribles
Owner
You don't have to be able to pronounce korhogofefemougou to appreciate succulent steak marinated in Ivory Coast spices - just one of the twists chef Abdhul Traore puts on bargain-bistro classics at this Lower East Side lair with a French-colonial feel. Duet of duck pairs a meaty breast with shredded confit. Muqueca, the Brazilian seafood-coconut-milk stew, is loaded with plump shrimp and served with a steaming bowl of white rice. Tropical-tasting cocktails are well balanced and perfectly refreshing, and an unobtrusive D.J. plays captivating world music at neighbor-friendly decibels. Stop by and have a glass of organic wine and relax.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
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 LES meets Chinatown. Creative cocktails alone are worth the trek: Patrons sip them around the circular bar, and spill them when squeezed into wood tables. But even at its busiest, casual service is swift and friendly.
The Food
The mid-priced French colonial cuisine arrives via the Cote d'Ivoire. Goat cheese toasts with fruity frisee, and rich lobster bisque are crowd-pleasers, while grilled calamari--tender and tousled with fragrant herbs, ginger and chilies--appeals to more adventurous appetites. Roasted sea bass, wrapped in a paper-thin potato crust, is fresh and moist, as is tomato-lime braised chicken with savory peanut sauce. Korhogotefemougar, though impossible to pronounce, deserves house-specialty status: Grilled, sprinkled with chili powder and served with cassava crisps, it's a juicy African-inspired steak frites.
User Reviews
jcesar4
May 20, 2008
This saturday night me and 4 friends went here for a celebration dinner. Just as a lot of the comments below indicated, the food was good (not great), but we were treated absolutely horribly. We made a reservation, ordered apps, bottles of wine, cocktails and entrees. Five minutes after our entrees were finished, the host (bald, french accent) came over and said we really had to leave the table, he had someone waiting for it. I've been asked to leave tables before, generally after either finishing dessert or declining it, and usually with a sort of sheepish, apologetic tone. Actually, more than once I've been encouraged to step to the bar where the host offered to buy a round of drinks. But I've never been: A.) asked to leave before even seeing the dessert menu B.) asked to leave 5 minutes after plates were cleared C.) asked to leave w/o any forewarning: it's not like they said 'oh, and btw, we need this table at 10:00.' this came out of the blue. Needless to say, we refused to leave, we ordered dessert, and we stayed another 30 minutes. Our waitress was good, so we didn't penalize her with a bad tip. But we will penalize the management by never going back! BTW, look closely at some of the good comments below--they sure look like shills from staff or friends, not like real citysearch comments.
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anoninnyc
March 08, 2008
the tables are way too close together and the place is too loud. the worst service from a waitress that i have ever had.
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aramat84
January 07, 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!
read full reviewThe Details on Les Enfants Terribles
What to Drink:
The gregarious bartender mixes chic, fairly priced ($7) cocktails--the Maracana, made with crushed, fresh grapes is a fave--until 4am.
Where to Sit:
If you're planning a meal with five or more friends, ask for the table in the nook at the rear of the room.
The Extras:
Still hungry but craving something sweet? Try their coconut soup savored with fresh mango pieces and sesame seeds.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
People Watching, Late Night Dining, Romantic Dining, Brunch, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Hidden Find
Cuisine:
Message from Les Enfants Terribles
- Lunch/Brunch
- Dinner
- Night Bar & DJ's
You don't have to be able to pronounce korhogofefemougou to appreciate succulent steak marinated in Ivory Coast spices - just one of the twists chef Abdhul Traore puts on bargain-bistro classics at this Lower East Side lair with a French-colonial feel. Duet of duck pairs a meaty breast with shredded confit. Muqueca, the Brazilian seafood-coconut-milk stew, is loaded with plump shrimp and served with a steaming bowl of white rice. Tropical-tasting cocktails are well balanced and perfectly refreshing, and an unobtrusive D.J. plays captivating world music at neighbor-friendly decibels. Stop by and have a glass of organic wine and relax.
