Les Halles

Alex Brown of Counter Culture and Lindsay ponder their choices.

It's getting late after La Marzocco Out of the Box and I'm running out of places to dine. Fatty Crab won't answer their phone and there doesn't seem to be a decent place to eat in the Meatpacking District since Florent closed.

As with any trip to New York, I've got Les Halles on the mind. Ever since their Washington DC outpost closed, I've been lost and without a regular old brasserie to dine. So many places want to fancy it up or give it an "American" twist. How about a simple onglet and excellent fries? Maybe a little foie gras on the side?


Kimmy and Aaron Ultimo of Ultimo Coffee do the same.

Luckily, Les Halles always delivers and I'm planning a cross town excursion with Team Spro. The only problem is that it's raining and a real pain in the butt to hail a cab in the rain. After waiting half an hour, Kimmy puts it to the metal and we're off to the subway, switching trains and walking across blocks and up and down stairs in the rain and humidity. As we emerge from the ground right next to the entrance of Les Halles, I'm soaked.

Joining us tonight is Kent Bakke of La Marzocco, Aaron Ultimo - The Coffee Lord of Philadelphia, Alex Brown of Counter Culture and Vince Fedele, the developer of the much touted Extract Mojo - along with usual suspects Lindsay and Kimmy.


Foie Gras Poele aux Pommes - sauteed with apple, walnuts & calvado.

The food is never too esoteric at Les Halles, and that's just the way I like it. Give me a lobe of foie gras sauteed with some kind of fruit, a grilled chunk of hanger steak, a pile of crispy fries and a bowl of coconut ice cream, and I'm absolutely thrilled.

Everyone else had a range of plates from stuffed ravioli to sausage and more steak. A nice way to cap off a coffee visit to the city.


Vince Fedele of Extract Mojo fame with La Marzocco's Kent Bakke.


Onglet aux Poive - off menu.


Our wine - Mas du Roches, Cote du Rhone


My favorite: coconut glaces.