StreetLevel: Another French Bistro for 5th Avenue
Francophilic Fifth Avenue made room for yet another Gallic eatery recently with the opening of Canaille between St. Marks and Warren. The very small one-room restaurant serves appetizers like French onion soup and salmon tartare (both $8), and entrees like steak frite and braised short ribs (both $18). The couple of times we’ve walked by…
Francophilic Fifth Avenue made room for yet another Gallic eatery recently with the opening of Canaille between St. Marks and Warren. The very small one-room restaurant serves appetizers like French onion soup and salmon tartare (both $8), and entrees like steak frite and braised short ribs (both $18). The couple of times we’ve walked by the restaurant in the evening it’s been completely deserted, and we’re wondering how much appetite there is in the Slope for more French food (the crowded 5th Ave. field already includes Belleville, Cocotte, Moutarde, and recent addition AOC Bistro). In response to a positive review of the joint on Chowhound, for example, someone comments, “that list of food you ordered is exactly what i am not interested in…good luck making a go of it on 5th ave in 2007.” Think that person’s got a point?
Canaille on 5th Ave, Park Slope [Chowhound] GMAP
I went ther elast week after finding out they had jsut opened. The food was great.. the pork just melted in my mouth. I had taken 3 of my friends there and they all left completely satisfied with the quality of the food. One thing I dont get is why people complaint about “ANOTHER this.. and ANOTHER that” Listen, just because there are plenty of other places doesn’t mean a person doesnt have to have vision to feel like they can bring something of higher quality for a community. So why not try a place.. or ask your friends what they thought of it if htey went in.. but stop judging a place just because it didnt seem to fit an idea of what it should be. If it were for this.. nothing would ever be opened anywhere. That’s my two cents on this… and I hope Canaille remains around for a long time.. I definitely will be making more stops there.
A quick word about AOC — we heard some good things about it, so we called lsat Friday to make reservations. Were told, “oh, 2 people, 7 p.m., no problem, just come on by.” Got there, 3/4 empty, were shown a choice of two terrible tables. Asked “how about there?” were told, all those are reserved. But..but..we explained earlier phone conversation. Little french guy in tweed fedora utters a classic, “it’s my restaurant, and that’s it!” I got my jacket and hat, and we left. Bon chance, monsieur. I’ll spend my hard-earned mooney at Al Di La, Tempo and Osteria Convivium — and go to Les Halles when i need a decent bistro fix. Au revoir, AOC.
Yep, there’s a definite dearth of pancakes on 5th avenue. And a severe lack of sushi.
What we need on 5th Ave is a good Denny’s or IHOP
Puppies make a delicious brunch.
I can’t believe someone is SO pathetic that they can even hate brunch.
Sad, sad soul.
Guess you hate puppies, too?
“why are people so enamoured of lousy eggs and french toast served with booze at noon?”
No, we are enamored of yummy eggs and french toast served with booze at noon. Brunch = best meal ever!
this is not south of union.
–This new joint is located several blocks from the large concentration of restaurants on Fifth south of Union. May be a good business decision to park there.
–Agree that the need for yet another French bistro is questionable. Can’t agree with those who pan Cocotte…generally pretty good fare.
–The bigger question is whether it makes sane business sense for new restaurants to open in the slope. We certainly have reached saturation point, notwithstanding all of the development in the Fourth to Sixth Ave. corridor that is bringing thousands of new residents to the neighborhood. Fifth Ave. is still crowded in the evenings, particularly on weekends.
But, does that population justify a dozen more restaurants? Seems to me so many of those strollers are just looking for brunch (ahh, brunch, there’s another subject…why are people so enamoured of lousy eggs and french toast served with booze at noon?).