That Place is no other than PASTIS.  One might wonder why? Why the hype? Why the lines? Well there are indeed multiple answers.  One being location; The French Bistro is situated in NYC’s infamous Meatpacking District, an area where pricey boutiques line cobble stone streets.  Then of course there is also the small fact that a slew of VIP’s ranging from major actors/actresses to posh magazine editors and too-rich-for-their-own good designers make up the regular clientele and bien sur, let’s not forget the food itself…which is actually delicious.  A number of menus are available throughout the day.  Depending on what time you get to PASTIS and if you get a table, you might be ordering from their “late lunch menu” which smiling hostesses hand out to you between the hours of 4 and 5pm.

On Sundays, eating is elevated to another level as ‘Brunch’ takes on new meaning and goes on until 5:00pm.  On that day traffic in and out of the restaurant is twice as intense. One wonders, not without a sense of slight envy, about the amount of money the waiters/waitresses must be taking home with them at the end of their shift.  Because of the high level guests who frequent PASTIS, the taking of photographs inside the restaurant is prohibited. So instead of trying to snap a picture of the celebrity sitting next to you, whose name you can’t remember, look around, soak up the décor, notice the huge mirrors with the menus written on them, people watch, smile to your waiter, feel important as you are being catered to and anticipate a delightful meal.

Be sure to sample the Moules Frites au Pernod or maybe Steak Frites with Bearnaise Sauce, or if you really want to get serious, Chicken Liver and Foie Gras. You won’t be disappointed.  After your main course, pick up the dessert menu. You may want to try their ‘Poire au vin rouge’ which truly is a culinary tour de force. Afterwards, while wiping wine off your lips, take it all in and leave a big tip.  Chances are the bill might be a tad on the exorbitant side, but take comfort in the fact that you have just dined at PASTIS; sublime experiences more often than not come at a high price, and PASTIS is most definitely worth the dent in your checking account! Bon Appetit!