Photograph copyright Louisa McKenzie
It is testament to how expensive London has become that I found a restaurant which is known as one of New York's finest to be more than reasonable. Indeed, in London, you could almost pay the same amount for a meal at a mid-range restaurant as my dining companion and I paid for a fantastic meal with wine at La Goulue.
La Goulue is a little slice of France in New York city. Decorated like a Parisian bistro, with dark woodwork and low lights it has a menu full of typically French influenced favorites which keep customers returning again and again. Personal favorites were the lamb with barley risotto (delicate flavours) and the divine steak. Changing specials are equally inventive and impressive. I sampled a wonderful rabbit dish. If you visit La Goulue (and I highly recommend it) make sure you leave room for a desert. The vacherin and the crepes suzette, in particular, are worth waiting for.
The restaurant, or rather its clientele, can have a bit of a reputation for being snobby. However, I found nothing to be further from the truth. The staff are friendly and accommodating. Having visited on several occasions, with different dining companions, I found the staff able to suit even the most demanding of palettes. Nothing was too much trouble for them.
Personal service and remembering customers after a first visit ensure that returning visitors are treated more like old friends than customers. Furthermore, although the restaurant is popular, you are not expected to hurry your meal and the atmosphere is very relaxed.
A New York must!
La Goulue Restaurant
746 Madison Avenue, New York City
212-988-8169
