Le Singe Vert

The Scene – Whether it's chilly January or sweltering August, the tile-floored dining room offers a dim, buzzing respite. The dark brown tables are packed together, ensuring swooning daters and casual diners will get to know each other. The bar serves as a comfortable neighborhood meeting place, and the streetside patio tables are coveted whenever the weather permits. – – The Food – Classic bistro fare is the draw. Salads are quite robust--try the mix of frisee, apples, walnuts and blue cheese (no lardons or egg in sight). The salmon tartare is also good, bested only…

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Editor's Tips

Save Money:: The pre-theatre prix-fixe menu is a terrific bargain: three courses for just $25.95 from 5:30pm to 7pm.
What to Drink:: There are a tasteful handful of wines--both red and white--available by the glass for $7 to $14. The bottle list is very nicely priced, and it's quite easy to find a drinkable cote du Rhone for under $40.

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User Reviews (33)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“The atmosphere is charming, the waitstaff is adorable, the prices are reasonable, but honey, if I wanted mussels that tasted like they were prepared in old dishwater, I could have eaten uptown.” “great place for romantic dinner, great new wave and the 80's music, excellent food and wine(you can't go wrong here!” “The food is fantastic, and the wait staff is fun and attentive.” “bunch of us celebrated a friend's birthday here and all 13 of us loved the meal, ambience and service.” “The space is small, atmosphere is romantic and dark, and perfect if you're eating with a loved one.” “Buzzy atmosphere and attentive friendly staff.” “Love the atmosphere.” “great relaxed atmosphere” “This restaurant was recommended on CS as romantic.” “Not the place for a quiet romantic meal, but with your regular partner or a couple of friends, worth a try - especially if you want to try something similar, but with a bit more "character" (ie less classy but more fun) than Pastis, Balthazar, etc.”
dessert	66.66999816894531% positive	“I've enjoyed the Hanger Steak, escargot, oysters, the salads and the delicious desserts!” “The desserts on the pre-theater menu weren't as impressive, but the appetizer and entree alone was worth it!” “Try the chicken entree and flan dessert - both outstanding.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“The food is just delicious and be careful about getting carried away with the wine.” “great place for romantic dinner, great new wave and the 80's music, excellent food and wine(you can't go wrong here!” “Beyond that, the food is excellent, the portions generous, and the drinks just keep coming.” “Food is reliable, good wine, and if you're looking to make a night out of a long dinner its perfect, both in the winter and summer.” “She then brings me a fresh wine glass with about three drops of wine in it, saying that was the least she could do because i was displeased.” “The house wine by the glass was very good for the price.” “The Fried Skate was superb, and the Hangar Steak was in a wonderful wine and shallot sauce.”
food quality	88.45999717712402% positive	“The food is fantastic, and the wait staff is fun and attentive.” “Try the chicken entree and flan dessert - both outstanding.” “The food was excellent and really reasonable, especially if you make it for the pre-theater menu for 19.95.” “Beyond that, the food is excellent, the portions generous, and the drinks just keep coming.” “The Fried Skate was superb, and the Hangar Steak was in a wonderful wine and shallot sauce.” “shared Strawberry tart was good, though not as good the the rest of the meal.” “Chicken meal was great.” “The food is average, but if you do find yourself here, definitely order the Escargot (snails).” “Great food” “great place for romantic dinner, great new wave and the 80's music, excellent food and wine(you can't go wrong here!” “Our waitress was severely inattentive and the food delivery was rather poor.” “The staff is funky French, the food is good bistro fare, the prices reasonable and you rarely have to wait long to be seated.” “Chicken was great but the steak was extremely salty.” “bunch of us celebrated a friend's birthday here and all 13 of us loved the meal, ambience and service.” “So all in all, a complete French experience - rude, inattentive waiters, miniscule food portions.” “This is a great chelsea establishment that (unlike some other french wannabees) feels like an authentic brasserie.” “Not the place for a quiet romantic meal, but with your regular partner or a couple of friends, worth a try - especially if you want to try something similar, but with a bit more "character" (ie less classy but more fun) than Pastis, Balthazar, etc.” “Wonderful food at great prices.” “She then brings me a fresh wine glass with about three drops of wine in it, saying that was the least she could do because i was displeased.” “The waiters speak French, the mood is authentic and the food is not bad at all.” “I'm not a fan of french food, and frankly, I hate eggs.” “love the escargots and the tuna steak.” “The food is just delicious and be careful about getting carried away with the wine.” “The food is very good and a large selection to choose from.” “I've eaten here several times and every meal was wonderful” “I've enjoyed the Hanger Steak, escargot, oysters, the salads and the delicious desserts!”
menu variety	75.0% positive	“The desserts on the pre-theater menu weren't as impressive, but the appetizer and entree alone was worth it!” “The food was excellent and really reasonable, especially if you make it for the pre-theater menu for 19.95.” “The food is very good and a large selection to choose from.” “could easily be in Paris - wait staff has that practiced French indifference (even if, as I suspect, most have never been anywhere near France), and I agree with the reviewer who said the plates fly off the table a bit too soon; that said, flavorful prepa”
overall	100.0% positive	“It's a great place to pull up a sidewalk table with three of your co-conspirators, drinking Bellinis and unraveling the universal mysteries for a couple hours.” “great place for romantic dinner, great new wave and the 80's music, excellent food and wine(you can't go wrong here!”
service	85.29000282287598% positive	“So all in all, a complete French experience - rude, inattentive waiters, miniscule food portions.” “The staff is nice and inviting - not overly friendly, but efficient and up to the task.” “would recommend this place to anyone who loves fine dining in an unpretentious setting, good company and excellent service.” “And the French staff is terrific as well.” “friendly service” “Buzzy atmosphere and attentive friendly staff.” “bunch of us celebrated a friend's birthday here and all 13 of us loved the meal, ambience and service.” “Our waitress was severely inattentive and the food delivery was rather poor.” “The service was fast and efficient.” “The food is fantastic, and the wait staff is fun and attentive.” “The waiters speak French, the mood is authentic and the food is not bad at all.” “The staff are great - just like they are in France (for people who have actually been and don't just write reviews like they know).” “could easily be in Paris - wait staff has that practiced French indifference (even if, as I suspect, most have never been anywhere near France), and I agree with the reviewer who said the plates fly off the table a bit too soon; that said, flavorful prepa” “... it's all amazing with a wonderful, friendly, happy staff.” “We were seated promptly, and people there were very friendly.” “The staff is funky French, the food is good bistro fare, the prices reasonable and you rarely have to wait long to be seated.” “the service is friendly and helpful and not pushy.”
value	80.0% positive	“Beyond that, the food is excellent, the portions generous, and the drinks just keep coming.” “The desserts on the pre-theater menu weren't as impressive, but the appetizer and entree alone was worth it!” “The house wine by the glass was very good for the price.” “So all in all, a complete French experience - rude, inattentive waiters, miniscule food portions.” “Wonderful food at great prices.” “Not the place for a quiet romantic meal, but with your regular partner or a couple of friends, worth a try - especially if you want to try something similar, but with a bit more "character" (ie less classy but more fun) than Pastis, Balthazar, etc.” “The staff is funky French, the food is good bistro fare, the prices reasonable and you rarely have to wait long to be seated.” “The atmosphere is charming, the waitstaff is adorable, the prices are reasonable, but honey, if I wanted mussels that tasted like they were prepared in old dishwater, I could have eaten uptown.” “The price is affordable (~$25-$30 per person)” “The three course pre-theater dinner ($21.95) was an excellent value and is highly recommended.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“Food is reliable, good wine, and if you're looking to make a night out of a long dinner its perfect, both in the winter and summer.” “The staff is funky French, the food is good bistro fare, the prices reasonable and you rarely have to wait long to be seated.”

07/15/09

real French feel

by tallestman

could easily be in Paris - wait staff has that practiced French indifference (even if, as I suspect, most have never been anywhere near France), and I agree with the reviewer who said the plates fly off the table a bit too soon; that said, flavorful preparations and overall excellent experience (afterall, if a French waiter was too pleasant, you might not feel that you were in Paris); one of our first choices as a local

Pros: food, wine
Cons: typically French service

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09/03/08

The gem of Chelsea

by maddo

Had yet another great dinner here last night. it was a perfect night to sit at one of the outdoor tables. the service is friendly and helpful and not pushy. i had l'onglet and it was perfect. i find the restaurant scene in chelsea to be monotonous, but this place is a welcome exception.

Pros: food, service, outdoor seating
Cons: tables are close together, can be quite crowded

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01/03/08

Not just rude, but downright obnoxious

by kiddodank

This establishment is in too much of a rush to take glasses and plates away from the table - even if food and drink remain in/on them. I had a sip of wine left in my glass - when i reached for it, it was gone. I expressed my displeasure to the waitress. She asked if there was anything she could do for me. I said no - we'll just drop it. She then brings me a fresh wine glass with about three drops of wine in it, saying that was the least she could do because i was displeased. If I were not with a large party I would've gotten right up and walked out. Looks like rudeness and arrogance have now taken on the dimension of downright obnoxiousness. I'll get my Freedom Fries elsewhere.

Pros: It's French
Cons: It's French

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11/08/07

Brasserie on 7th

by jay2002

This is a great chelsea establishment that (unlike some other french wannabees) feels like an authentic brasserie. You are almost guaranteed that every server will have a thick french accent, and the menu is classic as well. One hint that its authentic is that they really know how to make an omelette, and I almost always have the goat cheese tomato they have you can't go wrong. Perfect for winter to sit inside, and in summer the outdoor terrace they have is great. Given their European heritage, they are a bit relaxed about smoking outside, but that's quite rare I think. Overall a solid choice for a casual brunch and a noisy but OK choice for dinner.

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05/05/07

GREAT BISTRO

by aboardship

I had the pleasure of dining here last week.This place is very original.The food is very good and a large selection to choose from.I had the steak frites,excellent.The house wine by the glass was very good for the price.I would come back for more every week.

Le Singe Vert

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What People Are Saying About Le Singe Vert

Allison Austin

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Editor's Tips

07/15/09

real French feel

by tallestman

09/03/08

The gem of Chelsea

by maddo

01/03/08

Not just rude, but downright obnoxious

by kiddodank

11/08/07

Brasserie on 7th

by jay2002

05/05/07

GREAT BISTRO

by aboardship

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