Tout va bien
| Address: | 311 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019, USA |
| Phone: | +1 212-265-0190 |
| Site: | letoutvabien.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 12–3PM 12–3PM 12–3PM 12–3PM 12–3PM 12–3PM 12–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
FO
Foodlover Girl
The inside is a bit smaller than it looked from the outside, but I liked the cozy feeling, and is better to control the crowed with family business. When we arrived, they had several empty tables, but they got completely packed quickly. It only has windows up front, so it was a bit dimmed even on a bright day, but that created that extra cozy feel to it. It was equipped with a large bar to the right, and tables packed as much as possible. The first thing they brought to us, which was different from any other restaurant in city we have been to, was the complimentary bread and fresh cut veggies! What a great way to start the meal, very healthy! Since we wanted to try several different kinds of dishes, we decided to order small plates, instead of any large, main dish. (I also hard that the main dishes has been influenced American food, so the appetizers are better and more authentic option.) We had Onion Soup Gratinée, Coquille (Scallop) Maison, Little Neck - Baked, Prosciutto with Melon, and Brie en Croûte. The appetizers were little over $10 average, which I felt was a bit high for the portion. I enjoyed the Brie the most, and then the onion soup. Scallop was the least memorable. The staffs there were all French, and more casual and not-so-business like. It really was kind of down to earth, warm, family-type environment. I enjoyed our dining experience here, it was not the best, but we got the atmosphere we were looking for. The price seemed high, but then again, they are sitting in Theatre District, so maybe the price hike comes with the territory. Read my full review of this restaurant and food on my food blog, foodlovergirl.
A
A Private User
I am not sure why they have such a high rating. If this is an example of French food, I will never go to France. I ordered the most expensive steak, which it was good but to get what appeared as frozen veggies and mash potatoes that have a crust from sitting under a light is absurd for this price point. I can see why they apologize for the terrible service right on the menu, it was bad on so many levels. Our table was wobbly to the point our drinks were splashing out of the cups. Another patron had the same kind of table and they complained. Instead of re-seating them they moved tables all around, hitting other patrons next to them, making them get up. It was quite a distraction and fiasco! Plus the overall mood of the establishment nearly killed our attitude for the night. This was our first stop in NYC and we wanted to do nothing but go to sleep after we left we were so annoyed with the entire situation an waste of money. The steak was of great quality but lacked the flavor it could have had if prepared better. The fish my husband got was good.
FR
Frank Watson
I have been going to this restaurant for over 30 years. My mother brought my brother and I there - her little piece of Paris in Manhattan. The atmosphere is French bistro and transports you to the small cafes in Paris when you walk the few steps down to its location. The food options are straight from a Paris menu. The pate is fresh and delicious and their mussels are as good as any in the city. You know you are in a great French restaurant when many of the conversations are in French. Ex pats love the place and are always filling this small intimate space. Their wines are excellent and well priced. The food is as good as you can find and also reasonably priced. Try the Chateaubriand for 2 or the Boeuf Bourguignon or Coq Au Vin. Julia Childs would be proud of this place. It has been around since just after the second world war - as amazing as that is in a city where restaurants close every month.
JU
justin justin
The proprietor, a very friendly French lady, made this dinner an energetic yet pleasant experience. The pre-theater prix-fixe menu was more than sufficient, with appetizer, entree and dessert. Carafes of red (a very acceptable French merlot that night) or white, priced right and quick to refill. For the pre-theater menu, escargots, followed by boeuf bourguignon, hanger steak au poivre (and a couple that we did not try) were well prepared and presented. We liked the carrot-potato mash too. A la carte featured a sea bass, grilled, and lamb brochette (on the skewer), and there were no complaints from our dates on these either (did not get to taste them, unfortunately). Oh, and the French onion soup was generous and looked delicious (she would not let me try that one!). And, its right next to all the Broadway theaters, making it both a great dining experience and a quick walk to the show.
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A Private User
Ive been to Tout-va-Bien probably six or seven times over a period of many years, and whats struck me the most is that it hasnt changed. The manager (and I assume owner), who strikes me as a salt-of-the-earth French hostess, has been there every time. The place is always busy. The frites are always a wonderful side. All the classics are done "right" (or at least, right by me). No pretension, no attempts at silly fusion or other haute-cuisine...just great, reliable French food...at a (for NYC) reasonable cost. Try it, get the classics, get a side of frites. Unless Ive happened to hit them on the seven times they were doing it right, this place seems RELIABLE to the T -- and this is something few restaurants can do. Oh, and unless it bugs you for humane reasons (shame!), try anything with foie gras. Youll understand why people love it.
ST
Steven Simring
I last ate here several years ago and my memories were pretty good. Something awful must have happened in the interim. We had four different dishes, one worse than the other. The hamburger was miraculously both overcooked and cold. It was probably reheated from someone else. The fries were ice cold. We returned them and they never came back. The "three cheese dish" was mainly heavy cream. The bouillabaisse and the coq a vin were barely edible. The place looked dirty, although we did not see any mice as reported by another reviewer. The service was cold and indifferent. At the end, an older guy brought a complimentary bowl of what looked like wine punch, direct from the next table. Non, merci.
MI
Michael Figgs
Small, off the beaten path in the lower level of a brownstone. Single dining room with bar (although you can bring in a bottle of wine for $20 corkage fee). Waitstaff appears to be french with an accent (can be slightly difficult to understand). Service was good for only 2 waitstaff present, although we were there before the main rush. Food was good although not quite perfect. the salad of the day is a bit plain and with the duck á ľOrange the sides were dry white rice and plain broccoli. The duck was however fantastic and the mussels, escargot and crème brûlée were also excellent. The bottled wine prices were also reasonable.
GI
Gib Veconi
I believed the reviews and was disappointed. The meals we ordered were mediocre at best. They all came with sides of mashed potatoes that could have been sitting in the fridge all week and beans that had been on the stove too long. The wine list includes neither chateaux nor vintages so you dont really know what you are buying. There was a large flat screen in the back showing a French TV news channel. I dont think this was a question of a bad night, but rather of a theater district restaurant that is mainly catering to tourists whom it doesnt expect to come back.
