New York City's Most Authentic French-African Restaurant
(646) 350-4028
218 3rd Ave
New York,
NY
10009
40.736216
-73.985056
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Gramercy Park
Reviews & Ratings for Ponty Bistro Cafe & Bar
12 reviews
What users are saying:
pretentious food and small portions but interesting tastes
by justpassingby123
had the octopus salad and flounder. not the usual flavors. very interesting. Small portions though.
- Pros: flavorful
- Cons: small portions, pretentious
FABULOUS FOOD AND A GREAT NEIGHBHOOD TREASURE
by aaw926
HOW LUCKY I AM TO LIVE NEAR PONTY.....It is a fabulous find....the prix fixe @$19 is hard to believe....the 2-for-$10 martinis with unusual flavors are terrific---try the ginger. I've already been there a dozen times at least with friends, who now bring their friends My cousins from Paris were in town last week and I took them there for dinner (even though it was after 7PM when the prix fixe is no longer available, that's how good it is)...They LOVED it.....The waitstaff is very gracious and accommodating....I wish it a long and happy life in the neighborhood--I just hope it doesn't start to get crowded, for my sake!!
- Pros: FOOD & SERVICE
- Cons: NONE
Wonderful time& will be back again & again!
by musiqnu
I just cam home from dinner and every bot of it was AMAZING! I can't wait to bring my everyone I know to this warm and friendly restaurant. The owner and staff made us feel very comfortable and special. The food was do good that I ate every last bite and am now too full and tired from the great wine and am off to a nice sleep to dream about going there for breakfast! haha!
- Pros: warm & friendly & VERY DELICIOUS
great place
by miana85
last week end we went to ponty bistro to celebrate my birthday with my girl friends we order couple appetizers some martinis the ponty martinis was very good and passion also
for dinner we order sirloin steak with senegalese spices he was excelent
Superb Dining with Chef formerly of Daniel Restaurant!!
by GreatFoodFan
My husband and I dined at Ponty Bistro tonight and had another superb meal there. We have been wondering why the food is so great, and it turns out the two Chefs, originally from Senegal, have worked in the some of the very best restaurants in NYC, including Daniel Restaurant, Vong, 60 Thomson and Towne at the Chambers Hotel.
The food and ambiance are warm and inviting, and they play very cool music. We think its the type of "find" that makes living in New York worth the hassle. We both had very tasty butternut squash soup with a touch of ginger. I had the grilled whole fish as an entree, which was stuffed with herbs and spices--truly awesome. He had a fantastic strip steak with delicious sauce. We totally recommend Ponty Bistro. There is something for everyone, including vegetarians. The presentation is always four star, and the prices are extremely reasonable, especially the pre-fixe menus, which seem to offer a real bargain at lunch and dinner. We have been there a number of times, and its always consistent in top quality food and service. Enjoy!
- Pros: Cuisine is flavorful, original, fresh and delicious
Very Dirty
by annial
I went there to eat. After I ordered, I looked through the glass window that allow you to see the kitchen, and there was the chef cooking my hunger steak. Since I was very hungry I kept watching. What I saw was very unpleasant. The person cooking my meal, grab the steak with his bare hands and flipped it. Like that was not bad enough, he stuck the finger in his mouth and then wiped it in his side. He continue to handle the other things that were on the grill. Trust me I watched carefully, he did not wash his hands. He just kept on cooking. So I walked out
- Pros: nice decor
- Cons: not clean
Outstanding Food; Best in Neighborhood!
by Lorendeniseb
This little spot is an undiscovered gem in the neighborhood. All the dishes have the finest, freshest ingredients. The food is so earnest and so lovingly prepared, you feel as if you have your own personal chef cooking for you. The fish soup -- loaded with lobster, mussels, clams, fish -- and the salade nicoise are my favorites at a great price. The chocolate mousse is a trip to Cloud Nine.
Everytime I come here, I hear other customers raving about their dishes too. Don't let the simple decor mislead you -- there is some gourmet magic here to be discovered and to return to again and again.
Great Brunch and Wonderful Service
by jon1182
Best french toast I've ever had. After I ordered from them I received a call to make sure everything was good. It was!
- Pros: Service, brunch, steak with african spices (can't remember the exact name)
- Cons: none
Best French Toast in NYC!
by jenna36
Just returned to Forest Hills apt. after having a delightful breakfast at Ponty Bistro. The restaurant is located at 19th St. and 3rd Ave, a great neighborhood gem. My husband had the Almond Brioche French toast, the best in the city, according to him. I had the light, fluffy, delicious pancakes. The coffee was smooth and not bitter. Looking forward to returning soon to try their very interesting lunch or dinner menu.
- Pros: Friendly welcome!
- Cons: Parking a problem
Nice Ambiance and Exceptional Food
by DonyBarbara
My wife and I ate here on their first night open on a whim. What a pleasant surprise!
The place is slightly minimalist and slightly romantic. The service was just fine with
chef Cise coming out to say hello and chat about the food. Ah, the food. The French foundation
with Med. / African touches made for extraordinary dishes, a blend of the familiar with
new and surprising that makes you open your eyes wide and say wow! while you savor
every bite. Believe me, we've been all over the e village and gramercy areas and this place is
a find with quite reasonable prices. Give it a try, I think you'll come away smiling like we did.








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