Recommends

Miles David

Joined 2 years ago

A down to earth French Bistro. In my opinion, La Luncheonette is an under appreciated gem that can only get better. The owner, Melva, has a heart of gold; something tells me her intentions are good.

Don't come here if your a pretentious spoiled brat. Do come here if you're searching for delicious French food! When I ate here, I felt welcomed and well taken care of. The food was delicious and the service was very warm.

They also have a sister restaurant in Brooklyn called Quercy on Court St, which is also worth checking out. I would definitely come here again.

Doesn't Recommend

98800

Joined 4 years ago

rude french shabby waitress. i went for the first time on saturday january 29 , i loved the sweet bread. i did enjoy the evening ;therefore i came back on thursday january 3 , with some friends.a laissez allez waitress came to our table with a very rude attitude demanding to order now ( after being at the table for 3 minutes) i went to ask to a lovely waitress i saw last week to take over .

during the service the rude woman was drinking a champagne rose , great job and she started to get some colour..ouah!!!!!

at the end of the evening , i asked the lovely waitress the story of this negative person , she told me nicely ,she is from another culture and which culture.. french , i went nut because i am french but not from the same background. i felt shame to encounter this kind of situation, i want to tell every body some French have manners and respect

i will go back the night that laissez allez is off, unless, i find another spot

i assume the owner does not care after reading some reviews

Doesn't Recommend

lenadellacucina

Joined 7 years ago

Dowhill, all the way. We used to be regulars and loved this place. After a while we came back for a Saturday dinner. MISTAKE. I had originally made a reservation for 2, and then called and left a message changing it to 3. The nasty woman who was managing said "why are there three of you, you said 2?" I explained and got the answer "you're not telling the truth." One of the waiters heard it, waited until she left, and came over and said "she's just under stress, give me a minute." Indeed, within 3 minutes, we were seated, and the "crush" of customers she had cited in saying we were a burden, had left. We were the only ones in the half of the restaurant. She apologized for her behavior saying another table had given her trouble and "insisted they had spoken to a man. What liars! Men don't answer the phone here." When I told her that I had spoken to a man , she shook her head, gave a "huff," and walked off. We never saw her again. The young man who was waiting other tables in a private party came in and took care of us. Then she came back and said in a loud voice 'IF I SEE YOU IN HERE AGAIN, YOU'RE FIRED." Gee, and after all that we left a decent tip.

This might be forgiveable if the food were exceptional. It wasn't. Everything was underseasoned, all of the sauces were the same. A dish called "vinaigrette" was in brown sauce. BROWN VINAIGRETTE? Come on.

Such a disappointment, especially with other good restaurants close by. Next time, it's Trestle on Tenth or Cookshop for us

Recommends

writeon1

Joined 7 years ago

C'est magnifique!. A friend recommended La Luncheonette and we were so pleased to meet one of the owners on our first trip there last week. She waited on us and was extremely knowledgable not only about French food but the area. The restaurant has been in existence for 21 years and her husband (who is French) also have another French restaurant in the city. My boyfriend lived in France for several years and he absolutely fell in love with La Luncheonette from his first bite. The food is simple, authentic and fantastic. The wine list is unpretentious and varied. And the ambience couldn't be more distinctive and welcoming. We liked it so well that we returned for brunch yesterday, as our last meal before returning home. The bread is die for- keep asking for more! It's worth it.

Recommends

francophilefilms

Joined 5 years ago

Best home away from home cafe. I have been going to La Lunchonette for many years now. Not able to get home to France often, so I go here to reconnect with home. Their Cassoulet is great, especially if you add accompanying mustard the way my mother used to. An American must have written the bad review of the cassoulet if they think it is bland. You simply are not eating it properly. As for the service, I find it is always wonderful and I find the waiters there very interesting - all artists like myself, so I connect well with them. Very attentive to my needs - my water glass is never empty. I also enjoy hearing the many intellectual conversations I overhear from surrounding tables. That is what reminds me of home most. That and the food cooked just the way maman would make it. Best Potato au Gratin in town!

Doesn't Recommend

brooklyneater30

Joined 5 years ago

Toilet service. I hardly have words for the extreme disgust we felt when visiting this so-called restaurant. Three long-time New Yorker's took our friends' parents there for a quiet dinner, and we subsequently left after our wine, cocktails, and bread, leaving zero tip. (At least we got free bread out of it.) It took forever to even get our server's attention and once we did, her responses were curt, rude and dismissive. When we finally got around to ordering (this was a good 45 minutes after sitting down), one of our guests asked her opinion on a dish. He then sought further description to which she replied, "I'm really busy. I said it was fabulous once, saying it four times doesn't make it any better."

After she walked away, there were five jaws hitting the table. We unanimously agreed to cancel our order and leave. So we called her over, told her we felt we were being too much of a burden on her and that we'd like our check. And that was that. We sat at our table, searching for another restaurant on our phones, and we ventured back into a pouring tropical storm to seek good food and gracious service.

When I tell the story, no one can believe it. It is gasp-worthy. This is the first public review I've ever written...that's how totally shocking it was.

Doesn't Recommend

rsmithline

Joined 6 years ago

Bad service and terrible food. The food was bland, terrible use of seasonings, and over cooked. Service is at best adequate. One of the worst meals I have had in a long time. Terrible chestnut soup!!!

Recommends

ketelandsoda

Joined 7 years ago

I always have a good time here and good food.. It's great French bistro fare. I'm not a big beef eater but I can't stop eating the Beef Bourgenoune (sp) here. It is so delicious and a great way to start every Fall. I love the leaks and lentils. I've never had a problem with the service and I've been there alone and with large groups. I used to live in the neighborhood and would go all the time. I moved and recently went back and realized how much I missed this place. I love the accordian player on Sundays. Go and go often.

Doesn't Recommend

sherribailey9

Joined 7 years ago

Non-tourists hate it too. Dedelman, I've been an NYC resident since '81, and I still hate this place. There is no excuse whatsoever for rude service, never ever. You come to a place -- whether it's the Olive Garden or La Luncheonette -- you give them your business, you pay them good money, and you expect to be treated like a valued customer, not a NUISANCE, which is how this place treated me. Just an awful experience. No kind of good food can justify that kind of behavior. But the thing is, the food here is not remarkable AT ALL. Just average. Not worth the visit. Don't go.

Recommends

dedelman

Joined 7 years ago

PLEASE STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PLACE!. Tourists, please. Do not come to New York and expect a resturant as fine as this one to bend to your every request. I had a meal with a party of 9 there and they were friendly and patient. The owner who many of you see as a jerk was wonderful, friendly and a joy to talk to.

Stop complaining, or go eat at the olive garden in times square. Yes the service is a bit forward, but they are running a business and a successful one at that. Everything I have ever had there has been PERFECT.