Cercle Rouge Brasserie

French Restaurant in the Heart of Tribeca; Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Full Bar, Terrace, & Private Party Options!

(212) 226-6252

241 W Broadway (North Moore Street)
New York, NY 10013 40.71976 -74.00588

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Neighborhoods: Tribeca, Downtown

cerclerougeresto.com/

Hours:

Mon-Thu 12pm-12am

Fri 12pm-1am

Sat 11am-1am

Sun 11am-12am

Price:

$$$

Last updated 12.09.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bistros

Payment Methods:

American Express, Debit Card, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Late Night Dining, Private Rooms, Lunch Spot, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Notable Chef, People Watching, Business Dining, Online Reservations, Group Dining, Food Delivery, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

French

Special Offers

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Cercle Rouge Brasserie

The Owner

Cercle Rouge Brasserie

Owner

Merging the nostalgia of old Paris with the new sophistication of TriBeCa, Cercle Rouge is certain to please locals and visitors alike. Owner Georges Forgeois updates the classic French Brasserie of the 1950s with a fresh American feel. A favorite of many diners is a unique take on Buffalo wings, with blue cheese whipped in creme fraiche. However, those seeking traditional Parisian fare will not be disappointed by the perfect steak & fries, complemented by their own homemade sauce. The atmosphere is upscale yet relaxed with a decor enhanced by items obtained at Les Puces in Paris. An extensive…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Follies Begere showgirl posters, old Metro signs, and black-and-whites of icons suggest a bohemian Left Bank brasserie, accented by antique mirrors and a large circular red booth. The din is very American, courtesy of the boisterous financial types, whose exuberance echoes off ornately tiled floors. Menu options are along the lines of owner Georges Forgeois' other restaurants, Jules, Bar Tabac and Cafe Noir, mixing traditional brasserie fare like onion soup, foie gras and steak frites with eccentricities like chicken wings and chickpea fritters.

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The heavily French and American wine list offers more than 20 by-the-glass options.
Where to Sit:
The casual bar room up front is perfect for a glass of wine and a bite; the crimson-colored back room is better for dates, quieter conversation and private parties; and the outdoor cafe offers linger-worthy people-watching.
The Extras:
On weekends from noon to 1pm, kids can enjoy face painting and magic shows.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Nice decor with a good buzz in the room.”
  2. “would definitely recommend Cercle Rouge for the great food and good atmosphere.”
  3. “They seem to make a lot of introductions as well which gives it a friendly social air as people seem comfortable and relaxed as they mingle outside their immediate group.”
  4. “just never realized ambience alone was so expensive!”
  5. “The food was top notch, and the ambience was great with an amazing jazz band and show.”
  6. “We were able to have conversation without shouting over the noise - it was a very comfortable setting.”
  7. “had a great meal, they serve the best chicken wings I have ever had, it was a toss up between chicken wings or oysters and I am glad I tried the wings they are like nothing I have ever had before (trust me), I had the Steak and the sauce was excellent”
  8. “Great food, good ambience”
  9. “The dim lighting and decor blend for a beautiful dining atmosphere that can be both casual and upscale.”
  10. “My favorite romantic gallic downtown had an affordable prix fix specialy with what we had (Amuse bouche,foie gras, beef wellington, chocolate fondant mousse).”
  11. “shame given the great location.”
  12. “Great atmosphere.”
  13. “The food was delicious and the ambience was very sexy.”
  14. “If you want authentic French bistro cooking, friendly staff, and a great ambience, then you should check out Cercle Rouge.”
  15. “Live band was fun, food was excellent (I wish I could get my roasted vegs to come out like that at home), and the manager brought out a dessert w/ sparkler and bday greeting for my wife without my having even requested it.”
  16. “was excited to try it -- and the location is pretty convenient (right past Canal Street on West Broadway).”
  17. “The cozy restaurant serves great food, reasonable prices (let's not forget we're talking about NYC!)”
dessert
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Then a couple of deserts that weren't bad, but not innovative.”
  2. “This eatery has got great sorts of desserts and pastries, ranging from even Bavarian”
  3. “They could work on their desserts but otherwise the food is excellent and they really know their wine list.”
  4. “The entrees were delicious but dessert I got blew my mind.”
  5. “My favorite romantic gallic downtown had an affordable prix fix specialy with what we had (Amuse bouche,foie gras, beef wellington, chocolate fondant mousse).”
  6. “Live band was fun, food was excellent (I wish I could get my roasted vegs to come out like that at home), and the manager brought out a dessert w/ sparkler and bday greeting for my wife without my having even requested it.”
drinks
85.0% positive
  1. “great place to go for people watching, for a corporate crowd after work at the bar, or for a private dinner”
  2. “The only way to get a decent bottle is to pay upwards of $150 (lots of terrible wines for around $30-$70).”
  3. “They could work on their desserts but otherwise the food is excellent and they really know their wine list.”
  4. “First the wine celebration had gone on for two months and the dates were clearly advertised on our web site,and on the numerous flyer we had made,the night that person came in for dinner the wine promotion had finished,i do not think we were being deceitf”
  5. “Our bill come to just under $400 for 4 people with w/ 2 bottles of decent wine.”
  6. “the dinning room was filled up, but not pack, you can go to cercle rouge have a table without waiting 1 hour like some places, have a very confortable dinner with good wine.”
  7. “Cercle Rouge has become one of my favorite places to dine in the city, whether for special occasions with clients or a significant other, or casually late nights or after work for dinner and drinks at the bar.”
  8. “The entire place smells like smoke and the wine lists are awful.”
  9. “Sit outside and enjoy the scenery, tuck yourself in back for intimacy, find a spot at the bar to eat and imbibe.”
  10. “Food is good- not love the homemade steak sauce- nice wine list.”
food quality
90.81999778747559% positive
  1. “The food was top notch, and the ambience was great with an amazing jazz band and show.”
  2. “The food is traditional French, but there is a greater passion in the approach to all the dishes and a pleasant creativity when it comes to their specials I've tried, i.e., tripe.”
  3. “tried a delightful strawberry and champagne cocktail which added the perfect accent to my meal.”
  4. “That was the ONLY setback (the prices were totally reasonable), and any apprehension we had about ordering these french dishes disappeared when we tasted them.”
  5. “Great food, good ambience”
  6. “When my fish arrived, it had a huge slab of bacon on it, and the entire fish and the couscous/rice-thing underneath it were soaked in meat.”
  7. “Food is good- not love the homemade steak sauce- nice wine list.”
  8. “The food was really yummy and was a nice dinner overall.”
  9. “The food was great and the service was nice.”
  10. “Ordered trout almondine for myself and as yummy as it tasted, it was a bit too buttery and a little oversalted for my tastes (and I'm a big salt lover).”
  11. “No waits and the food is better than decent.”
  12. “Love the authentic menu and the real French waiters.”
  13. “The food was delicious and the ambience was very sexy.”
  14. “Honestly the food was not good, I would admit if it were even after this bad experience.”
  15. “The portions are quite generous and the food is ridiculously good.”
  16. “My favorite romantic gallic downtown had an affordable prix fix specialy with what we had (Amuse bouche,foie gras, beef wellington, chocolate fondant mousse).”
  17. “Prices were reasonable for the food we got and everything (I really do mean EVERYTHING) we ordered was amazing.”
  18. “If you want authentic French bistro cooking, friendly staff, and a great ambience, then you should check out Cercle Rouge.”
  19. “went here with a group of friends and had a great meal in an unexpected place.”
  20. “Iv'e never really been a big fan of wings but my friend insisted that we share some, I'm glad she did, they were fantastic.”
  21. “The food is great - as good as any I've had in any bistro in Europe.”
  22. “Everything was superb and delicious.”
  23. “The food is wonderful especially the chicken wings & the Fois Gras - never have I had Fois Gras that is so fabulous.”
  24. “had a great meal, they serve the best chicken wings I have ever had, it was a toss up between chicken wings or oysters and I am glad I tried the wings they are like nothing I have ever had before (trust me), I had the Steak and the sauce was excellent”
  25. “Service was slow and it took them 90 minutes just to prepare eggs.”
  26. “The beef was terrible.”
  27. “definitely liked the vibe in the restaurant - the food is good with enough variety to please everyone - i'd say the portions were quite skimpy where it counts - meat whether fish or steak- and for those prices this is very irksome.”
  28. “As far as the food goes- everything was delicious!”
  29. “We've been back about four times now and each time the food is amazing and the service is great as well.”
  30. “am a regular there and to be honest after reading your comments you should not go back,they dont need people like you there,its a fantastic place with wonderful staff very helpful and accomodating, stay with macdonalds or burger king,the service might s”
  31. “freezing cold food”
  32. “They could work on their desserts but otherwise the food is excellent and they really know their wine list.”
  33. “This eatery has got great sorts of desserts and pastries, ranging from even Bavarian”
  34. “Everything was delicious.”
  35. “When the waitress asked us if we liked the steak, we politely told her the truth.”
  36. “told the waiter i was a vegetarian/pescetarian, and said I was going to order a salad and mashed potatoes.”
  37. “The entrees were delicious but dessert I got blew my mind.”
  38. “That dish looked very good.”
  39. “will probably go back just to see if they sorted out their issues as the food was decent but if everything remains status quo, not a chance.”
  40. “All the butter on everything did taste great, obviously butter makes everything more delicious, but I felt like I had to be good and eat raw vegetables for the rest of the week after all that.”
  41. “after several visit at Cercle Rouge, I can only recommend the restaurant to everyone who would read this, the food is as simple as good and the quality of the product are absolutely surprising.”
  42. “The cozy restaurant serves great food, reasonable prices (let's not forget we're talking about NYC!)”
  43. “Been there twice - always think worth a second try if food is good.”
  44. “The onion soup was amazing, the scallop cocktail was mouth watering, duck was delicious.”
  45. “The food is good and the portions are right.”
  46. “The other dishes, tuna and fois gras were fantastic.”
  47. “Amazing food good service fair prices”
  48. “Live band was fun, food was excellent (I wish I could get my roasted vegs to come out like that at home), and the manager brought out a dessert w/ sparkler and bday greeting for my wife without my having even requested it.”
  49. “would definitely recommend Cercle Rouge for the great food and good atmosphere.”
menu variety
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “Returned to find same great set up but vastly improved menu.”
  2. “Love the authentic menu and the real French waiters.”
  3. “there are a few selections that are reasonable but the a la carte menu (what they call their 1-2-3 menu) is ridiculously overpriced - $40 for a small sirloin when you have to pay for each side individually at $6 each is steep for a bistro in my opinion.”
  4. “am always stumped because it seems the menu is so consistently good that I can't decide what to tell them.”
  5. “The menu looked good so me and the wife decided to have lunch, and let me tell you how incredible everything was.”
  6. “definitely liked the vibe in the restaurant - the food is good with enough variety to please everyone - i'd say the portions were quite skimpy where it counts - meat whether fish or steak- and for those prices this is very irksome.”
  7. “know the menu by heart and I love everything on it.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “went here with a group of friends and had a great meal in an unexpected place.”
  2. “would highly recommend this super-chill, super-great restaurant anytime for any occassion.”
  3. “After eating here I can say it's my favorite French restaurant in NY and it ranks in my top 3 favorite restaurants overall.”
  4. “great place to go for people watching, for a corporate crowd after work at the bar, or for a private dinner”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “will probably go back just to see if they sorted out their issues as the food was decent but if everything remains status quo, not a chance.”
  2. “am a regular there and to be honest after reading your comments you should not go back,they dont need people like you there,its a fantastic place with wonderful staff very helpful and accomodating, stay with macdonalds or burger king,the service might s”
  3. “had a great meal, they serve the best chicken wings I have ever had, it was a toss up between chicken wings or oysters and I am glad I tried the wings they are like nothing I have ever had before (trust me), I had the Steak and the sauce was excellent”
service
91.40999794006348% positive
  1. “The staff was extremely nice.”
  2. “The jazzband was very good, the service was smooth, friendly and neat.”
  3. “really awesome French New Orleans-vibe, the staff is beautiful, and the hostess was very attentive and gave us a great table.”
  4. “Our bill come to just under $400 for 4 people with w/ 2 bottles of decent wine.”
  5. “They seem to make a lot of introductions as well which gives it a friendly social air as people seem comfortable and relaxed as they mingle outside their immediate group.”
  6. “The waitstaff was friendly and attentive.”
  7. “The staff is quite charming and really makes the experience.”
  8. “great place to go for people watching, for a corporate crowd after work at the bar, or for a private dinner”
  9. “told the waiter i was a vegetarian/pescetarian, and said I was going to order a salad and mashed potatoes.”
  10. “Our waiter was very attentive and had a good personality.”
  11. “Fantastic patio for people watching, lots of space inside for groups of friends without losing its intimate appeal, and perfect for a date.”
  12. “If you want authentic French bistro cooking, friendly staff, and a great ambience, then you should check out Cercle Rouge.”
  13. “Love the authentic menu and the real French waiters.”
  14. “The service was very good, even though the restaurant was packed.”
  15. “Our waiter was fantastic- i wish I knew his name.”
  16. “First off the staff was very nice.”
  17. “was greeted right away by a friendly hostess.”
  18. “I'll admit the wait staff was very helpful to accomodate our large party.”
  19. “The watchful manager /owner standing right over our table seemed oblivious to this delay and when I mentioned it to him, it seemed to roll off like butter on a warm croissant.”
  20. “The food was great and the service was nice.”
  21. “have never sent an item back, but when I did the manager was so rude that I didn't even want a replacement.”
  22. “Romantic, prompt service, nice presentation, and my date was lovely.”
  23. “Perhaps it's early and they will improve but service is VERY slow - took a good 25min for waiter to take our order on both visits and the second time I was one of three tables at a 5:30pm reservation so not like it was busy.”
  24. “Live band was fun, food was excellent (I wish I could get my roasted vegs to come out like that at home), and the manager brought out a dessert w/ sparkler and bday greeting for my wife without my having even requested it.”
  25. “We order the Cote de Beuf ($55 for 2 people).”
  26. “Amazing food good service fair prices”
  27. “Cercle Rouge has excellent service.”
  28. “When the waitress asked us if we liked the steak, we politely told her the truth.”
  29. “The service was great and everyone was really nice.”
  30. “We've been back about four times now and each time the food is amazing and the service is great as well.”
  31. “love my neighbourhood place and I hate people who trash nice places like that down.”
  32. “Just wanted to say that the waiters here are terrible and do not listen when they take your order.”
  33. “am a regular there and to be honest after reading your comments you should not go back,they dont need people like you there,its a fantastic place with wonderful staff very helpful and accomodating, stay with macdonalds or burger king,the service might s”
value
90.0% positive
  1. “there are a few selections that are reasonable but the a la carte menu (what they call their 1-2-3 menu) is ridiculously overpriced - $40 for a small sirloin when you have to pay for each side individually at $6 each is steep for a bistro in my opinion.”
  2. “definitely liked the vibe in the restaurant - the food is good with enough variety to please everyone - i'd say the portions were quite skimpy where it counts - meat whether fish or steak- and for those prices this is very irksome.”
  3. “That was the ONLY setback (the prices were totally reasonable), and any apprehension we had about ordering these french dishes disappeared when we tasted them.”
  4. “just never realized ambience alone was so expensive!”
  5. “The prices were also extremely reasonable.”
  6. “Came here with a restaurant dot com coupon, and I'm glad my date and I had one because this place is pricey.”
  7. “The food is good and the portions are right.”
  8. “The cozy restaurant serves great food, reasonable prices (let's not forget we're talking about NYC!)”
  9. “My favorite romantic gallic downtown had an affordable prix fix specialy with what we had (Amuse bouche,foie gras, beef wellington, chocolate fondant mousse).”
  10. “Amazing food good service fair prices”
  11. “The portions are quite generous and the food is ridiculously good.”
  12. “When my fish arrived, it had a huge slab of bacon on it, and the entire fish and the couscous/rice-thing underneath it were soaked in meat.”
  13. “First the wine celebration had gone on for two months and the dates were clearly advertised on our web site,and on the numerous flyer we had made,the night that person came in for dinner the wine promotion had finished,i do not think we were being deceitf”
  14. “Been there twice - always think worth a second try if food is good.”
  15. “am a regular at cercle rouge and i was there for dinner Friday night and i was just reading a review put on here by someone who obviously was there friday night for dinner too and yes as he pointed out the there infact was a smell of smoke, which he see”
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. “Service was slow and it took them 90 minutes just to prepare eggs.”
  2. “Perhaps it's early and they will improve but service is VERY slow - took a good 25min for waiter to take our order on both visits and the second time I was one of three tables at a 5:30pm reservation so not like it was busy.”
  3. “Seems like this restaurant is great as long as you don't have any specific requests--see all the reviews.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/02/10

Love Cercle Rouge

by Sammi Mendenhall at Citysearch

Cercle Rouge is my go-to place in NYC because it's like Cheers--everyone knows your name.

Go!

  • Pros: Great service
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/11/09

A good French bistro

by accidentalvoyeur at Citysearch

Came here with a restaurant dot com coupon, and I'm glad my date and I had one because this place is pricey. The food was really yummy and was a nice dinner overall. Started with escargot and the butttery sauce was too die for and perfect for dipping the bread into. Ordered trout almondine for myself and as yummy as it tasted, it was a bit too buttery and a little oversalted for my tastes (and I'm a big salt lover). All the butter on everything did taste great, obviously butter makes everything more delicious, but I felt like I had to be good and eat raw vegetables for the rest of the week after all that. My bf had the quail with foie gras in it, and the quail I thought was good, but wasn't digging the taste of the foie gras, even though I'm normally a fan. For dessert we shared pears in syrup and red wine with ice cream, and a slice of cornbread - which was a perfect end to our meal. Our waiter was very attentive and had a good personality. Would come back, but only with a coupon since it's definitely pricey.

  • Pros: Service and food was excellent overall
  • Cons: Food is covered in Lots of butter and salt
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/29/09

A beautiful feeling

by ajv75 at Citysearch

Brought wife here for a chilled-out birthday dinner, and we were easily given a cozy corner booth. Live band was fun, food was excellent (I wish I could get my roasted vegs to come out like that at home), and the manager brought out a dessert w/ sparkler and bday greeting for my wife without my having even requested it. Joie de vivre and whatnot. Highly recommended. Not cheap, but certainly not overpriced, either.

  • Pros: Food, decor, staff, vibe
  • Cons: Price?
1 Star Rating: Poor

10/23/09

Watch for Tip Fraud

by watch for Tip Fraud at Citysearch

I went in with my three friends for a dinner.

Foods were okay, I wouldn't say the best french I ever had.

Those that are Tourist and foreigners, BE AWARE.

After the meal, they bring out a bill with 20% gratuity when the menu says 20% for party of 6 or more.

I asked the waiter why 20% when we are party of 4. He looked at me and said, "Oh, I thought you were visiting!" Of course that is not what I wanted to hear, so I called the manager in private and asked him what is going on. He says, "There are a lot of tourists here...." Again, what a unprofessional remark from the manager!

I couldn't believe it.

Food is one thing, but service really makes up restaurant. Stop frauding tourist or foreigners!

Please watch for your bills guys!

  • Pros: ok food
  • Cons: bad service and Tip fraud
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/18/09

Adorable Hidden Gem

by PFPicardi at Citysearch

I (of course) Citysearch-ed cute little restaurants in SoHo when my parents came to town. I thought French would definitely be interesting, so Cercle Rouge came up as an option. I was excited to try it -- and the location is pretty convenient (right past Canal Street on West Broadway). The place was so adorable... a really awesome French New Orleans-vibe, the staff is beautiful, and the hostess was very attentive and gave us a great table. The decor when we went was Halloween-themed, and they did such a nice job... it really set the tone for the meal. We all ordered something different, but we had trouble deciphering the menu, which our French waiter unfortunately couldn't help us translate. That was the ONLY setback (the prices were totally reasonable), and any apprehension we had about ordering these french dishes disappeared when we tasted them. Everything was delicious. So, the shot in the dark was worth it... Definitely get Les Moules (in any sauce, though I had the basil and lemon) with pomme frites. And the French Onion soup was great, too. Ill be back!

  • Pros: Great food, prompt service, amazing New Orleans-like vibe
  • Cons: Staff could have been a little more well-versed

The Details on Cercle Rouge Brasserie

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • awesome fantastic place
  • delicious everything
  • great prompt service
  • consistently good authentic menu
  • never bad experience
  • favorite french restaurant
  • reasonable prices
  • great ambience
  • great elegant vibe
  • great meal
  • beautiful dining atmosphere
  • decent wine
  • excited location
  • very attentive waiter
  • nice valentine dinner
  • good neighborhood bistro
  • outstanding patio
  • love homemade steak sauce
  • not innovative couple
  • liked steak
  • comfortable people
  • attentive waitstaff
  • really awesome wait staff
  • really awesome french new orleansvibe

Message from Cercle Rouge Brasserie

  • French Brasserie Downtown
  • Open Non Stop & Late
  • Executive Chef: Pierre Landet

Merging the nostalgia of old Paris with the new sophistication of TriBeCa, Cercle Rouge is certain to please locals and visitors alike. Owner Georges Forgeois updates the classic French Brasserie of the 1950s with a fresh American feel. A favorite of many diners is a unique take on Buffalo wings, with blue cheese whipped in creme fraiche. However, those seeking traditional Parisian fare will not be disappointed by the perfect steak & fries, complemented by their own homemade sauce.

The atmosphere is upscale yet relaxed with a decor enhanced by items obtained at Les Puces in Paris. An extensive wine list features French & American wines. The casual bar in front is perfect for sipping wine and sharing a bite to eat with friends, while the terrace is an ideal spot for people watching as the sun sets over the nearby Hudson.

Lunch Pre-fixe

3-Course- $19.95 2- Courses- $15.95 Monday- Friday 12pm-4pm

Cercle Rouge Brasserie - 241 W BroadwayNew York, NY10013 - (212) 226-6252

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