After more than a decade, this lively Soho bistro still pairs belly-shaking revelry with dependable North African and Mediterranean cookery.
(866) 941-3143
430 Broome Street
(Crosby Street.)
New York,
NY
10013
40.7215
-73.9991
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Chinatown
L'Orange Bleue
Last updated 4.30.09
What People Are Saying About L'Orange Bleue
The Owner
L'Orange Bleue
Owner
"We cook and serve home food, not expensive food that we grew-up on, our Grandma's and Uncle's cooking, simple foods that we all can identifty too, some dishes come from the Basque Country, others from Provence and the cosmopolitan city of Marseille my hometown. More food and energy comes from the border countries of the Mediterranean Sea like Italy, Spain, Corsica, Lebanon, and of course Africa where our outer-mediterranean euphoric-antistress comes from and fulfills the Wizard of L'Orange Bleue ." -Vincent Boitier Co-Owner "It's simple food you love, food you can count on, and food to…
The Editor
Joshua M Bernstein
Citysearch
In Short – If you think Soho's too hoity-toity, hit this high-spirited Moroccan-Mediterranean corner bistro where waiters belt out tunes, belly dancers sashay, and chatterbox Europeans commandeer the vibrantly hued dining room. The scattershot menu is more razzle-dazzle than cohesive, with paella offered alongside foie gras terrines and pasta with meatballs. But there's no denying a feast composed of lamb tagines, grilled sardines and pan-seared sole brushed with spicy harisa, ideally accompanied by countless glasses of the pleasantly affordable house wine.
06/08/09
Rude, slow, mediocre
by NYCKim
I had the same experience as ny2nj .
Waited forever just to get a glass of water.
They acted as if we were bothering their leisurely afternoon.
There were only 2 people working the day I went, an apparent manager and a waiter.
There were no more then 5-6 tables, 2 of which were out on the sidewalk where we were. But service was bad.
Worst of all - at the end of the meal the manager took my food away without asking me whether I was done. There were only 2 bites remaining so I decided not to argue about it.
But then, while my friend and I were figuring out the bill and trying to decide who could break a twenty, he LITERALLY SNATCHED the money off of the table and took off down the block without a word. It felt like a robbery. When I yelled after him he turned towards us and gave us a dirty look while mocking us for making so much noise. We had been looking through our purses and had only a vague idea of how much money was on the table. He went inside and then popped his head through the window to show us the money. “Listen, you gave me $24!” I replied that no one gave him anything, he snatched it away. We took the money back and figured out our split – then WE split. Never to return.
They certainly go out of their way to perpetuate French stereotypes here.
SKIP IT.
- Pros: tasty sandwiches
- Cons: Arrogant and poorly trained staff and mgt
06/05/09
It's all in the food
by AndreaEmygride
L'Orange Bleue offers exactly what you wouldn't expect from a trendy bistro-style restaurant, full of tapered French-speaking waiters who glance your way as they chat and snicker - excellent food. The duck roll appetizer was well matched with a sweet dipping sauce, shrimp in garlic sauce was savory and tender - but the real treat was seasonal vegetables with couscous. Sounds simple - but there was nothing simple about the buttery, moist couscous that came to the table covered in a modest chicken-broth and vegetable stew. Once you've had couscous done right, you know what you've been missing. For an apperitif, skip the alcohol and try some Moroccan mint tea, poured from a huge silver show kettle into little shots. It's sweet, made with fresh mint leaves, and absolutely delicious. You won't even notice the catty waiters
- Pros: Food, Tea, Decor
06/05/09
Great Ambiance, Eclectic Food, Hospitable Service
by mmanahim
I was out roaming the streets with a friend when we got a little rumble in our tummies. We stumbled on this place and was checking out the outside menu when the owner came out and encouraged us with warm hospitality to come in from the cold to grab a bite to eat (guaranteeing that we'd love it... and we did). The decor was interesting and inviting. The music was ethnic, upbeat and groovey. Service was amazingly prompt; food was nicely presented and tasted great (reasonably priced too!).
Other patrons there ranged from a cute gay couple to a group of friends celebrating a birthday, and even a few other couples as well as a hip group of 5 hanging out enjoying time together.
At the end of our meal, we were presented with a couple of glasses of house dessert wine, on the house,made of pomegranate juice which was very nice.
I recommend this place to anyone wanting a hip new place to enjoy great food with great company.
- Pros: Not 2 crowded for a Tues night at dinner time; great deal
The Details on L'Orange Bleue
Save Money:
From 5pm to 7pm daily, suck down unlimited one-dollar oysters.
Brunch:
On weekends, a $12.95 prix fixe brunch features dishes such as fruit-stuffed crepes and ratatouille-loaded omelettes, served with a sangria or mimosa.
The Extras:
Spend your birthday celebration here, and waiters will serenade you with sparklers and cake.
When to Go:
On Monday, $35 nets a three-course Moroccan meal featuring duck confit pies, merguez-studded couscous and belly-dancing aplenty.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Cash, Travelers Check
Restaurant Special Features:
Late Night Dining, Romantic Dining, Group Dining
Cuisine:
Message from L'Orange Bleue
- MAY-OCT Lunch OPEN at 9AM
- Brazil Monday DRUMS
- Best Birthday Parties
"We cook and serve home food, not expensive food that we grew-up on, our Grandma's and Uncle's cooking, simple foods that we all can identifty too, some dishes come from the Basque Country, others from Provence and the cosmopolitan city of Marseille my hometown. More food and energy comes from the border countries of the Mediterranean Sea like Italy, Spain, Corsica, Lebanon, and of course Africa where our outer-mediterranean euphoric-antistress comes from and fulfills the Wizard of L'Orange Bleue ." -Vincent Boitier Co-Owner
"It's simple food you love, food you can count on, and food to relax too." -New York Times
Zaggat Guide Reviews It: New York's cutest waiters - L'orange Bleue is as wacky as it's given name - There's noting Blue about this place except it's outdoor painted terrace in the spring-summer season.
Last minute birthday parties!
Happy Hour 2-for-1 Oysters 5-7p!
Instant Offer
TGIM - Monday night live!!
TGIM - Monday night live!!
L'Orange Bleue
430 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (866) 941-3143
One Coupon Per Customer. Must Present Coupon and Mention Citysearch.
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