Le Charlot

I just love Le charlot, i can read all the comments they want but this restaurant is an institution on the upper east side, good food and friendly staff :)

This is known as a French bistro and they have an interesting variety of entrees including chicken curry, Cajun mahi mahi, steak and fries, and more. I had the lobster salad which came with arugula, pineapple and grapefruit pieces. It was quite good and I did enjoy it. The desserts looked good but didn’t try them-​maybe another time. The place is small and tables are close together but it worked. We were there mid afternoon when it wasn’t too crowded. Service was pretty good.

Great fun, great food. The owners wife is hot! I would definitely go back. Love the steak. The fries are the best in the city.

I travel to NYC several times a year and always try and stop here.
The service is decidedly French.
Attentive and at an easy pace.
Food is good
Beet salad is delicious
Crème brûlée is perfect
Mouse is good too
I give this place 4 stars for atmosphere, food and service.
Nice place
Good stop while shopping.
They have outside seating.

Hadn’t been here in awhile, but was reminded why I love Le Charlot. The food, ambience and service is always wonderful; especially if you go a little later (as we did), and beat the crowd. Shared the Endive Belgian Salad and Tuna Tartare for starters, the Halibut with grilled vegetables and a side of their amazing real French Fries for the main course; all with a very nice bottle of Château Nuf du Pape (my very favorite French red wine), and finished with a fabulous chocolate mousse. The conversation and company was so good that we closed the place down.

Not a huge fan. I walked into this place around 2 on a Saturday for a glass of wine and it was pretty empty. When I asked them if I could be seated for a glass of wine they made it seem like there were no tables available. «Do you have a reservation?» Staff was stuffy and not at all attentive or helpful… I asked if I could have a wine list and was read off the few options they had by the glass. I ask if he could describe one of the options (any decent place should have staff that can describe a wine to you) and he said its a rose from such-​and-​such region. Not helpful. Don’t bother. Only redeeming factor is their small outdoor seating area, which was nice and peaceful.

Ok service. They were very fast whenever we ordered bread/​wine, but the main dishes took a while to be prepared. I ordered the eggs benedict ($ 25) with salmon, and wasn’t a big fan, but I don’t like raw salmon that much so perhaps that’s why.
What really bothered me was how rushed the waiters were. They were very polite, but it’s a small restaurant, and so they made me feel tense and anxious, which isn’t what I’m looking for during Lunch time. Also, the bread was cold and bland, so kind of pointless to be served.
Desserts are good. Recommend the chocolate mousse, but to share because it’s very strong. The crème caramel is very light and tasty as well, perfect portion.

Hands down the best bistro in Manhattan. Service is impeccable and the menu is short and predictable like a real bistro should be. The staff is friendly and accommodating.
Frisée et lardons salad and moule are a perfect combo.
The roasted chicken and the steak are cooked to perfection and the bread is to die for.

They charged me double the amount on my credit card! They robbed me be careful! CAUTION!

I know here some menus not worth the money. The only thing n come here for is halibut!

Amazing tuna tartar and chocolate mousse! And the staff is so friendly. We stumbled upon this restaurant after visit the Frick Museum. What a great find! For sure go here!

No better stake on Upper East side period. They do it right to my taste every single time. Pot of muscles never disappoint you, promise. Very friendly stuff. Good crowd. One of my all time favorite

So we were thinking about lunch while window shopping on Madison, and we spotted Le Charlot. We loved it, and came back for dinner the next night.
The onion soup was classic, and the duck spring rolls are amazing. For dinner the next day, the mussels were plump and with a lovely white wine cooking liquid. The duck confit, a special, was the start of the meal.
Arnaud could not have been of more help and assistance — excellent service!

We had a good experience. The first time I dined there I had the mussels in white wine which was amazing. I came again for the mussels that were not as amazing this time, we also tried the tuna tartare that was nice.

Friends and I had a wonderful lunch at Le Charlot today; small, cozy, well-​lit, East side French bistro. Nice and friendly staff welcomed us in out of the spring blizzard. The mussels in white wine and leeks were ooolala! Starters included classic onion soup, snails, and the table winner was duck spring rolls. Good wine list with nice lunch choices. A+

Excellent French bistro. Try the asparagus soup… non diary and delicious. Moulee en frite with white wine and leeks are terrific.

DISCRIMINATION — not subtle or acceptable.
While out on a house hunting mission one cold winter day, my husband entered into Le Charlot for some appetizers and a glass of wine, whilst he waited for the real estate agent to meet him at the next property in an hour or so.
He was dressed in a long, smart wool overcoat with leather winter boots. His dark hair might have been a bit messy from the wind, but otherwise, he was neatly presentable.
Met by the Manger, he asked for a table for one. The Manager asked him if he was there for lunch, to which my husband replied he was looking for some appetizers and some wine while he was between appointments. The Manager replied there was no availability, yet clearly, several table were seated at 1:00 pm, happily dining on lunch.
My husband countered that he was willing to sit at the bar if the sections were closed and have some wine and food. No wine is served, the manager countered. Really? He was curious what the red liquid was in the wine glasses on those tables that were eating.
My husband tried one more time, but the manager escorted him to the door and said they were not open or available to serve — anything. Appalled, but calmly, my husband walked around the corner to another establishment that was happy to serve him lunch.
It is not my desire to focus on why my husband should have been served or why or what qualities he demonstrates as a member of the community. Frankly it is irrelevant, and merely overshadows the deplorable and appalling actions of Le Charlot. It is atrocious and absolutely unacceptable that Le Charlot conducts itself in this antiquated and prejudiced manner. I encourage everyone to discontinue their support of this establishment until its behavior changes.

First off, this place is very cold, cant take jacket off. The restaurant is EMPTY and tons of tables open, but they insist on cramming everyone together in the 2 person tables against the wall. Cesar salad, awful… dressing is mustard, not cesar. Foie gras, hard and cold, toast soft… better w baguette. Overall regret coming here. Worst is that we are all crammed in same spot when rest of place is open.

Like most reviewers I too found that the prices were too high. It’s not that I mind paying a lot though. I paid 80 dollars for 3 incredible mini burgers in Dubai before, but I just gotta be able to justify the high prices to myself to not feel ripped off.
I’ve had the tartare (one of Le Charlot’s most expensive plates) and it was «ok». I enjoyed it, but have had better tartare at «San Marco» (Dr. Pedro de Castro, Seville, Spain) for the same price.
I think that what Le Charlot needs is 2 or 3 cheap plates. Maybe a «le hamburger minimal», a burger without fries for about 12 dollars. Or a cheaper chicken wrap. This way, people can choose from expensive and cheap plates.
Also, don’t pull anymore tricks. When I ordered coke, I actually meant coke and not a glass full of ice (see pic).

I was in starvation mode and needed something right away. Yes the prices are high but the food was satisfactory. It’s near the most expensive portion of Madison Ave in the UES. If you’re that thrifty, walk a little.
Personal aside: This was fine one time, but I wouldn’t go here again because of the prices. It was fine one time try it. So next time I will be more thrifty and yes, even walk a little.