There’s always been something a little special about New York City. It’s the kind of place that makes everyone feel like a star. The city’s draw is as vast as it is diverse, and there's something for everyone. There’s also a level of exclusivity to the Big Apple. While there are hundreds of great restaurants all over the city, you’re bound to find only a few great restaurants in each neighborhood. That’s where Le Bernadin comes in. This French restaurant in the heart of Manhattan is a hidden gem that will suit the most discerning palettes. This is the kind of place that feels like it’s out of a movie. The food is incredible, and the atmosphere is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city outside. Here’s everything you need to know about Le Bernadin.
What is Le Bernadin?
Le Bernadin is a French brasserie with an American twist, located in the heart of Manhattan on Madison Avenue. The restaurant was founded by Chef Daniel Humm, who was inspired by his interest in the power of flavor discovery and its relevance in the lives of today’s busy modern consumers. The restaurant serves modern American cuisine with subtle French influences. The menu is divided into sections like “Home to the Grill” and “Bon Appetit” with dishes like Crispy Chicken Thighs, Charcuterie, and “You’re Invited to the Table” with options like Steak Frites, Steak au Poivre, Filet Mignon, and Lobster Roll. The restaurant’s modern yet timeless décor has been described as “sleek, serene, and sexy,” with white walls, large mirrors, and simple wooden tables and chairs.
The History of Le Bernadin
Le Bernadin opened in January 2016 in the heart of New York City. It’s the latest addition to Daniel Humm’s burgeoning empire, which already includes Andale, the Modern Hotel in Dallas, and Comme Ca in the South of France. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and happy hour, and seats up to 120 people inside and 60 on the patio. Humm and his wife and business partner, Marissa Meyer, opened Le Bernadin after a successful crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. The campaign was one of the most successful in the campaign’s history and raised more than $600,000, a large sum in the food and drink industry. The restaurateur and his wife both have a passion for the culinary arts and wanted to create a restaurant that reflected their two very different backgrounds.
The Food at Le Bernadin
If you’re looking for only a fancy meal, this probably isn’t the right place. Le Bernadin is a restaurant that caters to everyone, but it also has its discerning palettes. If you want to eat like a king, you’re not going to find that here. This is a modern American restaurant with subtle French influences. You’re going to find dishes like crispy chicken thighs with a honey mustard sauce, lobster rolls, and steak frites. This is the kind of place where you can come in with a group of friends or family and be able to find something that everyone will enjoy. You certainly won’t leave feeling like a king, but you’ll definitely leave full and happy.
Signature Dishes at Le Bernadin
The steak frites are a signature dish at Le Bernadin, and they are only available during dinner service. They are perfectly seared, shaved steak served with French green beans and a side of mashed potatoes. They are a classic dish that is sure to satisfy any and all palates. The crispy chicken thighs are another signature dish at Le Bernadin. They are breaded, deep fried chicken thighs served in a honey mustard sauce with honey-garlic fingerling potatoes and Brussels sprouts. These two dishes are the kinds of things that you can eat at a fancy dinner or at a family dinner. They’re both classic American dishes that have been given a French twist with the use of honey mustard sauce, French green beans, and Brussels sprouts.
Where to Drink at Le Bernadin
If you want to drink at Le Bernadin, you can’t just drink any old kind of beer you want. You have to order the special beer pairing of the day. These beer pairings change regularly, and the pairing for today is always going to be completely different from the pairing for the day before. The pairing for the day is always going to be a different wine from the ones that are on offer at Le Bernadin. The pairing for the day is always going to be a different kind of spirit. It’s a real challenge to drink a classic beer or a classic cocktail when you’re at a modern American restaurant.
Conclusion
If you’re visiting New York, there’s a good chance that you didn’t know about Le Bernadin. It’s not a place that most tourists visit, and it’s definitely not a place that most New Yorkers visit. But if you go, you’re definitely not going to walk away from the experience disappointed. You’re going to walk out of this restaurant feeling like you’ve just had the best meal you’ve ever had in your life. It’s the kind of place where you’re going to turn to your friends and say, “This was the best meal I’ve ever had in my life.”