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Lafayette, Restaurant Week NYC 2017


Lafayette turned out to be my final lunch during the NYC Restaurant Week, I had to cancel Aureole due to a snow storm. 





 
 A very lovely French bakery/cafe greets visitors as they come in.


Right behind the bakery there is a stylish bar with counter space for dining.


I really liked this restaurant, the high ceilings, the large windows and the wooden inlays around the columns helped to create an airy, sharp and classic feel.  My favorite were the "lover's deuces" - demi-booths designed for cozy, side-by-side seating.  The good quality light chocolate leather booths, along with the sturdy wooden tables with iron legs gave the restaurant a timeless feel. 

Sitting at Lafayette, I felt transported to a lovely Parisian brasserie, akin to La Coupole on Blvd. Montparnasse. 


The menu was designed to span a variety of regions, from Provence to Normandy to the Mediterranean.  




My son ordered this nice lemonade.


 I loved this simple yet beautiful table setting.  The bread is baked in house and is delicious, I bought a loaf for hearty sandwiches at home. 


 The bits of salt on top of the butter were a plus in my book.


My son cannot pass on a traditional French onion soup and this one was cheesy and delicious.


 My starter was this very tasty salmon rilette with cucumbers and horseradish.  Since the bread was so delicious, I decided to put forkfuls of the rilette on pieces of it. 


The salmon rilette was paired with these light and crunchy potato gaufrettes, which were served in a pretty Staub cocotte.


I went with the Restaurant Week menu but my son needed to taste their signature dish; a wonderful and perfectly cooked dry-aged steak with Bearnaise butter.  It came with thin frites, which I kept stealing.


I enjoyed the duck leg confit which sat on top of a cassoulet of beans.


 The duck was moist and delicious and the bean cassoulet with carrots, celery and herbs was a lovely accompaniment.  I only wish that the skin of the duck was a bit darker and crispier, but it still tasted great. 



 Since the dessert was included and who could say no to that, I ordered the profiterole Maison, banana ice cream, vanilla Chantilly and dark chocolate sauce.


 The profiterole was delicious but he wonderful, rich and decadent chocolate sauce and the bananas on the side stole the show.


There are lovely pastries, macaron and breads sold at the bakery/cafe. 




Lafayette is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a weekend brunch.

38 Lafayette Street
212-537-3000


Joanna

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