26 Seats

Cute little spot in a quiet corner of East Village. It really has only 26 seats (I counted). We came really early for dinner, so we’re the only table. The waiter was very friendly (he’s only been there for 2 months). We found out the chef is from Nice. The atmosphere is cozy and interesting, menu is relatively straightforward (hard to tell whether it’s really French or it is new agey American bistro food).
We order the scallops and the escargot appetizers. They are sublime. The reduction for the scallop was so good that my wife got extra bread to sop it up (and she usually avoids the gluten!). The presentation of the escargot was interesting: it’s served in a copper pot with a big piece of puff pastry on top. These two dishes totally knock our socks off. Which is unfortunate, because the main courses didn’t keep up: we had the duck breast and the lamb shank.
First, the waiter didn’t really know the food: he asked me whether how I want the shank cooked?! There ain’t no medium rare stew shank. Anyway, both of the main dishes were pretty one dimensional: decent flavor, but nothing I can’t whip up at home. The lamb is tender, but the sauce was a bit too strong. The duck is huge, but lacking in seasoning.
We had a good meal, we enjoyed the bantering with the waiter. It’s a nice little spot for a casual dinner.

Came here on a very cold night. Half the tables (I’ll let you do the math) were full. We were promptly seated and given water. We were never given menus, even 15 minutes later. I had to fetch them myself. And predictably the food took forever to come out of the kitchen. Even bread was incredibly late.
We ordered the lamb shank, which was pretty sublime. It fell off the bone. I ordered the duck confit; my favorite dish on earth. It was a tragedy. The duck was fine, but it was slathered in a molasses-​like reduction which had an absolutely toxic aftertaste. It tasted like raspberry with concentrated juniper and soap. It was pretty horrid. Anyhow, this place is super expensive for what it is. Two entrées and two glasses of wine — $ 100.

had an amazing dinner here. Mussels are cooked to perfection and the fresh warm bread is delicious! Entrees are huge portions and very tasty! Service is excellent !

We may have caught this place on a semi-​off night a few weeks ago.
quality of apps — solid though small except for the mussels. The escargot is delish. The scallops were good but not great. For mains, the salmon and snapper were good, the steak and lamb chops also decent.
They skimp on bread which is a shame because it is possibly the best part. The service was strange and the steak that was requested rare to medium rare came out nearly well and the server was less than apologetic, borderline rude. It was not replaced and no gesture was even made to rectify the situation.

Lovely spot in ABCity, gracious and attentive service, nice ambience, good music.
Scallop appetizer was excellent, rib eye flambé and breast of duck both super, large servings & doggie bags, no room for dessert.
Definitely going back soon.

Amazing food with an easygoing atmosphere and pleasant staff. Every dish we ordered was excellent. Definitely recommend.

This place is amazing. They never seem to get very crowded (I don’t know whether it’s because of their location?) but the food and service are absolutely incredible.
Their entrees are not cheap (around $ 26), but very flavorful and well worth the price with good quality meat. My boyfriend got the steak and I got the lamb shank. Both came with a bunch of stuff like ratatouille, potatoes, and green beans. My boyfriend said his steak was the best he had tasted in NYC and my lamb shank was also delicious. Our server was very polite, friendly, and attentive, and he even brought us a complimentary appetizer. Their free bread is also very good. When we cleaned our plates, he said the chef would be very pleased to see such empty plates, which I thought was really sweet.
Please support them and don’t be fooled by their lack of crowd. It means a better atmosphere and service for you!

What a find. In the outskirts of the Lower West Side sits this French treasure. Just walking in you find yourself transported to a small bistro in a Provençal town. In fact I wished there was a curtain to block out the New York view as I was jolted out of the atmosphere whenever I looked outside. But the restaurant gave off a cozy feel with miss-​matched seats (there are 26, I counted) and cute artwork on the walls. The music switched from Springsteen to French classics, but it all blends together and somehow creates the perfect environment.
Rather than trying to come up with eloquent words for it… the food is spectacular. If you like food you have to try anything. My parents and I guarded our food from each other, which rarely happens. From my father’s escargots to my mother’s simple salad and skate and the bouillabaisse I enjoyed, nobody was unhappy or could’ve asked for one more bite. Each dish drips of French artistry. And each bite tastes like you’re sitting in the south of France after a day of sightseeing. I can’t recommend this place more. The server, Lex, was delightful and had much joie de vivre in him– which warmed our experience immensely.
I will definitely be returning, whether for lunch or dinner, with anyone or no one. I’ve found my low key French spot!

My friend and I were actually on our way to another neighboring French restaurant but they had an odd «service break» for two hours that their website didn’t mention so we did leave and were wondering around until we stumbled across this fantastic restaurant: Hidden Gem of New York City!
The décor is absolutely darling inside and just like a pervious Unilocal review mentioned, it is basically 26 seats. The tight fit really matched the cozy and intimate feel of the restaurant.
I ordered the Cassolette d’Escargots aux Champignons: (Snails in Mushrooms and Garlic Cream) which is by far the best escargot that I have ever had! The appetizer was served with a crispy bread pastry on top, which was a nice touch. Soupe à L’ oignon Gratinée (Onion soup) was outstanding. The cheese on top was slightly crispy and the broth was white, which I never saw before in an onion soup but it tasted excellent. My friend ordered the Magret de Canard au Vinaigre de Framboise Reduction: (Sliced Duck Breast in a Raspberry Reduction with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus). I was I was hungry enough to order an entrée but I did taste a bite of hers and it was phenomenal! Personally, I am not a duck kind of girl because I do find that duck has an odd texture (strange, I know) but I would definitely order this dish the next time I retune. The Raspberry sauce was thick, like a glaze and matched the duck perfectly. Overall, the dinner was outstanding.
We were the only ones there so the service was impeccable. The server, Lex was a total sweet heart! By far one of the most professional and polite waiters that I have ever met.
Two thumbs up for 26 seats !

Went on Valentine’s Day and it was in a word… Awful. The waiter (while very nice) took forever and a day to even offer us menus. My girlfriend and I ordered 2 different steak dishes that came out looking absolutely identical. The meat was tough and chewy. To make matters worse they clearly didn’t take into consideration that by offering 3 main dishes (2 of which being steak) that maybe, just maybe it would make sense to have enough steak knives for everyone! The wine was good otherwise. Truly awful and I felt embarrassed for having picked it. Never again.

Came here on valentine’s day and was very pleased with the service and the food quality. This place is literally «26» seats, however the tight fit didn’t take away from the intimate setting and ambiance.
I was a little disappointed they didn’t have their full menu available as well, but I guess they were trying to keep things simple.
So, my girlfriend and I took part in the vDay special and was over joyed with the flavors.
Yes, the pace from the servers was a bit slow and sometimes forgetful, however they were very apologetic and unbelievable nice.
Will come back soon!

Woah, epic fail on Valentine’s Day 26 Seats. We arrived a few minutes before 7 for our 7pm seating and were seated right away, but then at 7:20 we still didn’t have menus or water. I had to flag the waitress down and ask her for menus. The pre fixe menu for the holiday was strange because for entrees there were three choices: two beef dishes that were nearly identical and then a cod dish — a strange offering. I ordered the Queen’s Bite Seafood for the appetizer and the fish «bits» inside were inedible. They were clearly just a generic frozen mix. I couldn’t tell what the pieces were, they were just white rubber bits that could not be cut with a knife. For entrees my boyfriend ordered the Noix de Beouf and I ordered the Pave de Boeuf, and they were nearly identical except I suppose the sauce was different, however one should have been served with and green onion and parsley purée and the other with mashed potatoes. They both were served with the potatoes. We ordered the beef medium rare but one came out completely rare, like black and blue, which would be fine for an exceptional piece of meat, but the cut was just average so we had to send it back so that we could safely eat it. The desert options were a strawberry swan puff pastry or a bread pudding. Both were dismal. The puff pastry was generic and the cream inside tasted like store bought pudding. The bread pudding had craisins in it, which was odd, and a few of them were burned into hard black rocks.
I’m not sure what was going on with this place tonight, but it was pretty awful. French Chefs have a reputation for being perfectionists, and this fell far short of the mark. Most of these dishes should never have left the kitchen. Somehow this restaurant has a lot of good reviews though, so maybe it just can’t handle doing a holiday pre fixe.

Such a cute little cozy spot!
This French spot could not be anymore authentic with the intimate setting and the French waiter who was beyond polite and helpful. Although its small theres a very cozy vibe so you dont feel too crowded. I ordered the hanger steak which was full of amazing flavor but it was really
tough to chew which was awkward. I ordered the steak medium so it should not have been that tough. I also tried a piece of the duck which was phenomenal. Everything including the sides were bursting with flavor! They also have a lovely wine selection as well if you’d like to grab a bottle of red! I definitely recommend!

My boyfriend and I came here for dinner a couple of months ago and were absolutely blown away. I was one of the best dinners we’ve had out together. The place is unassuming both outside and in, to the point where my very particular boyfriend was a bit skeptical when I assured him it was actually a great restaurant — but it was him in the end that reminded me today that I HAD to post this review to share the wealth, so that tells you something!
We arrived with a reservation for 2 but it wasn’t needed; the only others in the establishment were the staff and a table of about 6 people in the back. Our server was very friendly and attentive throughout the meal. To start, we ordered the French onion soup and the Salade 26. This French onion soup is hands down the best I’ve ever had. We might have been fighting over it a bit. The salad was also very good, but of course you can’t really go wrong with brie, tomatoes, and balsamic. For our mains, he ordered the lamb shank while I ordered the duck breast. Tough as it was to admit, he picked the better dish. That lamb was so incredibly good, tender, juicy, and falling apart. The duck breast was also tasty, but as previous reviewers have mentioned actually a little too fatty/​chewy. I think it would have benefitted from slightly thinner cut slices. The raspberry reduction is delicious, though.
I don’t remember what the total bill came to, but I know it was a pretty penny (probably $ 70−80pp?) as these entrees weren’t exactly cheap and we’d also split a bottle of wine. But it was well worth it to us both. Very lovely dining experience and we would definitely come again!

This place actually has 26 seats so I like it.
Not a place to go with 3 dudes.
Sat next to a grandma and grandpa.

It looks like everyone had a bad experience for Valentine’s Day, but I came here on a Saturday night and it was pretty much empty except for 3 other parties. So don’t be deterred by the reviews that spoke of the really long waits, because I didn’t wait at all.
I’m constantly on the search for reasonably priced French places, and this is reasonable enough, with ~$ 23 per dish. I got the breaded rack of lamb (Carre d’Agneau a la Dijonnaise) — which was so good. I’ve never had breaded lamb before and it was a great texture in combination with the saltiness of the sauce and paired well with the sweet ratatouille that comes with. I wish there had been a bit more ratatouille or starch though, in order to balance out the saltiness. The helpings were very large and I was so full afterwards.
The service is ok and I was able to stay as long as I wanted without being rushed by the waitress. The décor isn’t super cute or anything, but I’d probably come back again.

On a Friday night, my date had decided to choose this restaurant as a surprise dinner. Tucked away on an unsuspecting street, this little gem is easily overlooked if you’re not looking for it.
We arrived at 7 P. M on a Friday. I was expecting a long wait after brushing aside the red curtain but surprisingly there were only two other couples there, with the largest table reserved for another dinner party.
Immediately we were greeted by an extremely friendly waitress, her English tinged with the most adorable of accents. I was taken aback by the intimacy of the restaurant and how unpretentious it was. French restaurants usually leave me feeling inadequate — like I’m not good enough to be eating there.
We started with an amazing bottle of wine that the waitress suggested after our initial choice was no longer available.
Slightly inebriated, we started our dinner with «Moules Marinieres» (mussels) — a large portion for just two people. It was perfectly cooked and the sauce was heaven in my mouth.
As the dinner progressed (along with our consumption of the bottle of wine) our individual entrees arrived — I chose the «Poitrine de Poulet Au Porto et Champignons» (chicken) with my date selecting the «Jarret d’Agneau».
My chicken was cooked perfectly, the sauce was perfect, and the gratin dauphinois was delicious. In short, my meal was not a disappointment.
While my date and I were too full and I was too drunk to divulge in the dessert menu, the options seem tempting.
TL;DR: Great intimate and unpretentious French restaurant a little out of the way with amazing service and food. Please go.

As much as I love public transit in New York, it tends to do me dirty when I agree to meet with people at a certain time. After multiple delays, shut down lines, and slow bus drivers, I ended up running here from 14^th & 3^rd and arrived 45 min late to a dinner with some of my oldest friends. Thankfully, 26 Seats was almost empty, so no customers saw me drenched in sweat and panting for air as I rushed in.
A huge thank you to the servers here. They instantly led me to the bathroom to «wash off» and were extremely helpful. On top of that, they have legit french accents and treat you with the utmost hospitality.
La nourriture:
— Coquilles St. Jacques Roties au Thym et Citron ($ 16): Scallops over spinach in lemon and thyme sauce. The scallops were tender and cooked to a wonderful consistency. The spinach was delicious, but the sauce wasn’t anything special. However, they give you a raspberry sauce on the side, which works perfectly with the scallops.
— Saumon au Gingembre et Laite de Coco ($ 25): Pan seared salmon in coconut & ginger sauce with carrot purée and sautéed spinach. A simple dish, but well executed. The salmon was juicy and you could smell the aroma of the sauce it was infused with. I’m not a fan of any kind of vegetable purees, but the carrot purée was actually quite delicious. Topped with fake black caviar, it was a nice contrast.
— Magret de Canard à la Framboise ($ 28): Sliced duck breast in a raspberry reduction with mashed sweet potatoes and asparagus. I’m not crazy on French food, but duck is the one thing I always go for. These guys did a great job with the quality of the duck, cooking it to a nice tender complexion. However, the flavor was lacking a bit and they tried too hard to make up for it with the raspberry reduction. Worth a try, but not the best.
— Jarret d’Agneau ($ 26): Lamb shank slow cooked in a red wine and herb sauce with mashed potato forestière. Fantastic. You get a massive lamb shank with the meat falling off the bones and melting in your mouth. The rosemary and other herbs they use season it are on point and enhance the delicate flavor of the meat. Mashed potatoes are also done right, but the portion is small, so expect to spend most of your time devouring the meat.
A splendid little spot tucked away in East Village. I think they actually have just 26 seats, which makes it small enough for an intimate romantic dinner but still manageable for a small group.

The East Village is a trove of intimate restaurants that boast a unique, quirky twist. 26 Seats is a local gem that fits that East Village flair.
The BF wanted to impress me with dinner, and he did a great job in selecting 26 Seats. It was a Saturday night in October, and we were coming from the 80s on the UES. He called from the cab and made reservations for 7:15pm. Luckily, for a restaurant with only 26 seats — presumably 26, because Peter D disagrees with the number — there was an open table. To dinner we go. When we arrive, the restaurant is still relatively empty. I’m not sure if this was an anomaly, but for this restaurant I’d advise making reservations — always. We were seated at the table for two, with the chair that resembles a throne.
AMBIANCE — Extremely intimate; quiet enough to hold an actual conversation. The restaurant is a long, narrow room, with tables lined against the painted brick walls. Red is the dominant color, from the lipstick red walls to the burgundy light fixtures on the ceiling.
DECOR — no two chairs are alike. You could be dining on a three seater sofa, a leather studded armchair, a kitchen chair with grass seating, or in our case, a wooden throne. I’m picturing the restaurant’s owner carefully browsing thrift shops and garage sales in his/​her quest for 26 unique chairs. The artwork and knickknacks around the restaurant seemed similarly mismatched.
FOOD — he ordered the lamb shank (Lamb Shank Slow Cooked in a Red Wine and Herb Sauce, with Mashed Potato Forestière). I ordered the hanger steak (i love me some fatty steak). I’ve eaten my fair share of NYC, and I have to say, my steak was finger-​licking good. Since we were both having red meat, we got a bottle of red wine to share.
In conclusion, 26 Seats is a great find. For all the gentlemen who want to woo your ladies, this place is great for dates. I could also envision this bistro as a place I’d take my parents when they come into town, or for a one-​on-​one dinner with a friend.

Came here around 930 on a saturday night with a friend and I had high expectations from the reviews. Luckily, almost all of my expectations were met! The red curtain hanging in the doorway was sorta meh… But, I liked the décor inside, very intimate and romantic. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be super busy or not, but there was only one other party there so we got to choose to sit by the window.
For Appetizers
–Escargot with puff pastry– sauce was delicious! Was expecting more escargot for the price though? Also, didn’t think they’d already be separated in the sauce, thought we’d get to pick them out ourselves, lol.
–French Onion soup– deliciously cheesy with crunchy croutons! Wasn’t what I was expecting for french onion though, the soup seemed too watery and didn’t seem to be based on beef stock like it usually is
Entrees
–Duck with raspberry reduction: duck was done perfectly! medium rare, it was nice and juicy with a good sear. the sauce was amazing, definitely recommend this
–Hanger steak in port wine reduction: Melt in your mouth perfection! The sauce was the perfect accompaniment to the juicy/​savory steak! The potato gratin that came with it was also pretty amazing as well, I was just expecting a pile of slices of potato, but it was paired with a delicious cheese.
We were too stuffed to get dessert, but from the apps and entrees I definitely recommend this place! It was a bit pricey, but definitely worth every penny. Would definitely wanna try more appetizers though, wasn’t wowed by the two we tried.