Bistro Cassis - New York

It was a mixed bag. Upon arrival at 7:00 with a reservation, we faced a packed, very noisy room. We were given the last table: in the central passage way for a constant flow of wait staff. Toward the end of our meal an hour later, things quieted to a pleasant pace and comfortable noise level. Food: appetizers (crab cake and mushroom soup) were very good. The Caesar salad was average. The duck breast entree was very nice, but the special duck a l'orange was a disappointment: overcooked and dry, while the orange was on the side dish and not noticeably on the two duck legs. Service was very good.

Food was very good. We had the specials for appetizers- endive salad with walnut and blue cheese (my lady says it was spectacular) and the fried calamari, which I have to say tasted fresher and better than any calamari I've had in recent memory. For entrees, my lady had the filet mignon, which she loved, and I had the steak frite which is a bit on the small side for the price, but was perfectly cooked and quite tasty. Service by Naomi was very good, and as usual Manny greeted us warmly at the door. A real neighborhood gem.

We went prior to a Lincoln Center performance. Everything they brought to the table from the bread to the wine to the dessert was first rate. One of our party of four said the strip steak was one of the best he ever had. We will definitely return.

Classic French bistro a short walk to Lincoln Center

This was my first lunch at Manny’s. It is the perfect place for a quiet week day lunch. The food is the same wonderful food you have a dinner.