L'Express

I have only eaten brunch here, but it has by far the best french toast & pancakes in the area. If ordered with fruit you get a decent serve, with great FRESH fruit, not stuff that tastes like it has been laying around for the week. Service is always friendly. My husband loves the eggs benedict, better than Balthazar - and half the price.

I went to this place last night totally randomly, although I've heard about it for years. I cannot believe that some people have written bad reviews about it!The beef tar-tar is definitely one of the best in the city (and just as a pointer - if you do not know what beef tar tar is, then you will not like this place and do not go there). It is a classic french bistro with great food, reasonbly priced (we paid $120 for 2 for a very full dinner with a bottle of wine - and, again, if you think that's expensive, then go to a diner). All fo the food that we got was excellent. Wine was great. The only drawback is that it is a bit crowded and loud - not a good place for a first date. But perfect for that evening when you are just hanging out in the city and want to eat and chill out late and don't know where to go. Enjoy!

I had gone to L'Express for brunch before but never have I had a nastier server than the guy who waited on our table Memorial Day Weekend. He barely glanced at us as he tossed us our menus and when we ordered he had a look of sheer contempt! When I asked him a question about a dish he answered with a shrug and when he re-filled our water glasses he poured water all over my hand. Needless to say that was my last brunch -- or dinner at L'Express!

If you're ever feeling particularly masochistic some cold winter's evening, go treat yourself to a bowl of L'expres's hearty vegetable soup for $7. You'll get a smallish bowl of hot water with a vaguely tomato-y flavor with some tiny pieces of mushy carrot and celery and a few tiny strands of mushy noodles. You and your tablemate can then spend the rest of the night discussing which brand of diluted canned soup you were served--that is, if you can hear yourselves speak in the lively din. Anyone who would return for this food simply deserves no better.

The atmosphere is consistently lively, and the food is consistently good, but the service is highly variable. I've had to walk out after waiting too long, and I've gotten served almost faster than I could order. Some staff are solicitous, others surly. In any event, it's a reliable value for bouchon classics.

Yes it is crowded and narrow, just like a REAL Bouchon Lyonnais. This is not the place to celebrate a romantic occasion in a quiet atmosphere, but rather to enjoy some good French food at a reasonnable price, and socializing with your table neighbours.Now if people in America did not feel the need to talk so loud all the time, the place would probably be quieter. :-) A nice surprise!!

We went at 7:00 on a Thursday and it wasn't crowded at all. We had a large, round table for 6 of us and they didn't even complain when we waited a half hour to order (we were waiting for our 6th friend to arrive). I thought the bread was very good! Warm, soft with a sourdough taste. My friend loved her french onion soup. I ordered a burger and it was pretty good and sizeable, although I don't quite think it was worth the $10.75. It came with shoestring fries which were also very good. I found our server to be very attentive, but it was offputting when he dumped the dessert menus on our table (he actually threw them right over one of my friend's heads!) By the time we were paying the check, the place had filled up and we were feeling a little cramped as the tables around us filled. I thought the atmosphere was great--dark and cozy. I'd go back , but try the mushroom ravioli this time.