Location: 461 West 23rd Street
Cuisine: French and Italian
Items: 4 Appetizers 2 Entrees 1 dessert 3 cocktails
Best Dish: Choosing a favorite is nearly impossible, Chef Alain does an amazing job of keeping food fresh and delicious. If there s one thing you must try it is the veal meatballs they are exquisite!
Overall: A surprisingly casual atmosphere with a rich menu of gourmet delights. Though children are welcome adults are preferred. Though Pomme Frites are available they are not served with chicken fingers. Leave the babies at home and have a relaxing date night or grownup dinner.
Chelsea is a grand date night destination with plenty of activities and eateries. A happy duo or group can wander around the Highline Park, or take in a film or perhaps visit the multitude of modern galleries in the area. After or pre activity Bistro La Promenade is the perfect space to enjoy a quaint dinner and cocktails. The two-year old Bistro is the brainchild of Chef Alain Allegretti who has brought his favorite dishes to Chelsea. In addition to a wide assortment of French favorites the chef also includes a few family recipes from Italy.
The restaurant is located just a block away from the Highline Park inside the historic London Terrace. This hidden gem boasts an expansive and beautiful interior designed by Creme Design, one of the leaders in interior decor. The dining room rests on two levels and is awash in a soft glow, an eclectic soundtrack plays in the background just low enough to be heard but not loud enough to drown out conversation. We began our evening at a beautifully set table in the rear of venue lit with small votive candles. After being seated our server promptly greeted us with the specials and cocktail menu.
We began our dinner with a round of cocktails. I had the Lavender Lemonade, it was a refreshing mix of lavender infused Purity vodka, lavender honey, and fresh lemon. My companion chose the special of the day, a red wine sangria with a shot of bourbon.
After cocktails we were delighted by a bevy of appetizers. We started with the Whipped Ricotta, this is one of the chef’s specialties. It is fresh house made ricotta cheese with honey and thyme served with warm toasted country bread. The cheese is light and flavorful against the warm bread.
Next were the Zucchini Flower Beignets served with a small side of tomato sauce. These light and flaky fried morsels were amazing! We especially liked dipping these golden treats in the ricotta with a bit of the rich tomato sauce. Delish!
The crab cake was one of the specials the night we went and we simply had to have it. The outer layer was crunchy and the inside moist and succulent. This was served with a lightly dressed salad of seasonal veggies.
Another Monday night special is the Veal meatballs. This dish is close to the chef’s heart as it is one of his grand mother’s recipes. We are eternally grateful that she passed this recipe along. The tomato sauce was rich and delicious and the meatballs perfect orbs of tender meat, the generous smattering of melted cheese and creamy polenta was a fantastic bonus. We could have these little gems anytime.
After such a splendid round of starters we could hardly wait for our entrees. I ordered the Coquilles St. Jacques (Pronounced : CO-KEY SAINT JOCK) which was seaweed encrusted scallops over a bed of basil mashed potatoes with marinated heirloom tomatoes. The dish is absolutely beautiful. It arrives to the table almost too pretty to eat. The plate is as flavorful as it is colorful. The scallops are cooked to perfection and the potatoes were light and creamy.
My companion ordered the Lamb Chops medium rare. The tasty chops were served with a generous helping of olive lemon crushed potatoes, a delicious sweet pepper ragu and a helping of the lamb au jus for extra flavor. The chops were tender and juicy with just the right amount of seasoning.
We concluded our meal with a serving of Profiteroles. Profiteroles are a light puff pastry ball traditionally filled with whipped cream. At Bistro La Promenade, they are served with vanilla gelato and a drizzling of creamy chocolate syrup, absolutely decadent. The dessert was surprisingly light and a perfect end to a very rich meal.
Bistro La Promenade is a beautiful gem in Chelsea. As we mentioned before, it is walking distance from an innovative city park, a movie theater and a row of gorgeous modern galleries. This is THE date space. Whether that date is with a romantic partner or friends is entirely up to you but whomever you chose to dine with you will not be disappointed. We advise you to visit on a weeknight (Monday-Wednesday) for a light and quiet dinner or on the weekend if you prefer a more lively atmosphere. If you like you can wait for a lazy Sunday and enjoy their sumptuous brunch offerings. Whenever you go make sure you have the beignets they are amazing!