Benoit
60 W. 55th St., Midtown, NY
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Benoit is an Alain Ducasse restaurant. That means two things – French food and high expectations from anyone who knows the man’s name. We ended up here because a friend of the Infatuation wanted to check it out based on Mr. Ducasse’s resume, and because it’s somewhere in Midtown that we hadn’t already confirmed to be terrible. We’re always in need of options around here, even if it means we have to get all bourgeois* now and again.
The situation at Benoit seems to be that, while it is a very French and very good restaurant, it won’t live up to the standards that one might expect from such a legendary name. This is not Per Se, nor is it Boulud Sud. What Benoit is, is a fantastic option for a business class lunch or a Dinner with The Parents when they are in town and staying around the corner. Prices are high, but the prix fixe is a good option, and the service is first class. Overall, you should have a good meal here, assuming you’re down with the French bistro menu and you aren’t worried about spending a little money. Just don’t expect the meal of a lifetime.
*I am not entirely sure what this word means.
Photo Credit: Daniel Krieger
Food Rundown:
Escargot
Some snails with butter and parsley. How ridiculously French. These are decent, but we’ve had better versions of the slimy guys elsewhere.
Cold Corn Soup
This was a delicious cold soup that you probably won’t be able to get in two weeks after the summer is over. If you happen to have the option, don’t skip it.
Skate Wing
This was one of the better pieces of skate we’ve had, anywhere.
Duck Breast
Somehow, we were let down by this dish of seared duck breast with peaches. The duck was a little tough, and we were hoping for more flavor from the fixings than we got.
Daurade
An excellent piece of French fish. Benoit knows how to do the classics right, and this plate of food is a great example of that.
Our Baba
The epitome of a boozy dessert, this is basically a whole sh*tload of rum poured on some cake. That’ll work.
