Bar Americain – NYC Midtown West
152 West 52nd Street
New York , NY 10019
212.265.9700
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VdV Rating: 4
Food: Bistro
Ambiance: Fancy & Scmancy
Cost: $$$$
PRO: great menu & food, solid service, nice Manhattan/city vibe
CON: definitely not regular ‘hang out’ type of spot
Bar Americain is 1 of 4 restaurants from Bobby Flay, the others being Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay Steak, & Bobby’s Burger Palace. You know Bobby, he has about 50 different shows on Food Network (like Grill It!, which is great), his own line of sauces and rubs, and 10 cookbooks. Damn I hate slackers!
Hey Flay, take some time off and hang with your hot wife! Speaking of hot wife, it’s Stephanie March, the actress that played ADA Alex Cabot in Law & Order until recently. And yes, she was standing just a few feet from us with a group of friends when we were here. Newsflash – I just heard she signed on for another 10 episodes. Wait, this isn’t Entertainment Tonight. It’s VdV. So let’s get back to the real story.
This place is ginormous. I mean it’s…grand. Did I just say ‘grand’?. Sorry. Gotta seat at least 200 folks. Huge, open floor plan, soaring ceiling with a mezzanine and wide-open kitchen. You can ask for ‘Bobby’s Table’ to actually get a full-on glimpse of the happenings in the kitchen. I dunno how often Bobby’s here though.
First off, the place was pretty packed when we were there. Late afternoon/early PM before the theatre. The place was jammin’, especially the bar. First kudos to this place? Even though were two deep at the bar, we got immediate service. Main reason: my wife Janine is smokin’ hot and about 6’ in heels. Yee Haw! But the bartenders here don’t have that typical tunnel-vision so many do. Very cool. ‘Cuz I despise waiting for a cocktail!
And even with the crowds, we got seated in under 30 minutes. Turn ‘em and burn ‘em Bobby!
The menu here is eclectic and seems way bigger than it really is in sheer number of selections. Well played, Bobby. They have a raw bar, 10 appys including an awesome Vidalia Onion Soup w/ Vermont Cheddar, a tasty, filling bowl that could go toe-to-toe with most traditional French Onion Soups. Another killer is the Spicy Tuna Tartare. I know, I know, you’re asking: “VdV, when the hell is this staple on all appy menus gonna wear itself out and swim away into the sunset?” Hey I hear ya. But ya want Bobby to keep this one on 4-ever. This Tartare is excellent sushi-grade tuna, cut into generous chunks and seasoned perfectly with jalapeno and smoke. Yes, smoke. Don’t know how he got that smoky accent in there but it works.
He dishes up 8-10 entrees including Duck w/ Dirty Wild Rice, Mussels & Fries, and Grilled Tuna w/ Red & Green Chile Sauce and Crispy Squash Blossom. Four steaks (Rib Eye, NY, Hangar and Filet), a ‘Plate of the Day’ and a dozen or so sides. For a side, try the Hot Potato Chips w/ Blue Cheese Sauce. This is a generous portion of warm, fresh-made chips and a vat of creamy blue sauce to dip. The chips coulda used a little ‘heat’ to balance with the blue cheese, but still damn tasty. Unfortunately, I’d skip the Gulf Shrimp & Grits w/ bacon, Green Onions & Garlic. As lip-smacking delish as it sounds, the shrimp were too shrimpy (almost cocktail-sized) and the grits were completely bland. Which makes absolutely no sense but trust In VinDivine!
So, to wrap it up, this place has exceptionally good service, a menu for everyone, and somehow keeps it all together with food quality. A great spot for just a drink, but if you have the time make sure to at least grab a couple appys to nosh on if not a full-on supper. That said, it’s not a ‘hang out’ or place I’d go that often.
VdV Rating: 4
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:45a-2:30p; 5p-10p (11p on Thus, 11:30p on Fri)
Sat 11:30a-2:30p; 5p-11:30P
Sun 11:30a-2:30p; 5p-10p
Bar Americain
152 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
212.265.9700
www.baramericain.com
I met friends at Bar Americain yesterday for brunch. It was our first (and will be my only) time there. The server was pleasant and really encouraged my choice at first. When the omelette I ordered arrived, however, it was the most bland and tasteless thing I had eaten in months! I waited for her to return so I could advise her that something had obviously been left out, but she never again came back while we sat there for almost an hour! Even when she brought the check, she never said ‘how was the meal’ – so I simply paid and left with the intention never to return. The only staff we saw between ordering and paying was the person who refilled the water and the always lukewarm coffee A real disappointment. (by the way – no accomodation is made on their website for feedback – which I why I am writing this here)