Decadent Dining at Dirty French: The Single Best Decision You Can Make (When It Comes to a Dinner Reservation in NYC)

Dirty French at The Ludlow Hotel, NYC

Cuisine: Nouveau French

Location: 180 Ludlow Street (Lower East Side)

Ambiance: Lively Hotspot

Price: $$$$ out of $$$$$

Background: Dirty French at The Ludlow Hotel has been open for over a year now, so you would think it would be somewhat easy to get a reservation at an hour that doesn’t makes you sigh (you know, those 5 p.m. or 11 p.m. openings). However, since this hot-spot continues to slay nightly, that is not the case. If you want to pocket a prime-time dinner rezzo here, you better book weeks in advance. Nevertheless, making a reservation at Dirty French – no matter the time of day – could possibly be the single best decision you can make. Why, you ask? Well…

The Major Food Group, the masterminds behind this contemporary concept and the same folks who brought you other hits like Carbone (included in my top downtown Italian restaurant roundup), Parm, Santina, Sadelle’s and ZZ’s Clam Bar, have their cult-like following packing this gastronomic homerun for many reasons. First, flavor profiles at Dirty French are elevated to a mind-blowing level. It’s dubbed a French bistro; however, due to the infusion of bold, North African seasonings and mélange of modern cooking techniques, you can forget about experiencing ‘been there, done that’ French bistro flavors. Furthermore, the extraordinary goes well-beyond the epicurean adventure on the table, as service is stellar and the ambiance will allure even the shy.

Inside, you’ll receive a prompt and friendly greeting from the hostess (as a French restaurant, I find this refreshing), which is then followed up with a seamless performance by an army of intuitive and nimble waitstaff. During your stay, you’ll see a mix of aged wooden ceilings beams, rich leather brasserie banquettes, and traditional tiled flooring paired curiously with accent pieces like bright, hot-pink ceramic roosters and white ceramic heads with pink tears coming out of their eyes. This splash of unexpected cool is very indicative of the Lower East Side and is what makes the restaurant a good fit for the hip Ludlow Hotel. And, since the fashionable Dirty French crowd demands to have their meals served with booming beats (featured are a fun mix of soundtracks from the 80s), you can expect the music to be loud enough to make you move in your seat.

Menu: I challenge you to find a dish not worthy of the liberal amount of dough you’ll be shelling out. Yes, the experience can get pricey, but you get what you pay for here. I recommend going all-in on the lighter hors d’oeuvres (plus wine, the sommelier is exceptional) and splitting a few of their signature entrees since these dishes can be a bit on the heavy side. You should also take note of their seasonal specials. During last fall, they had a foie gras appetizer that was to die for – because of it, my foodie friends and I dined here several times in one season (frequent repeats are rare for us, but the food is that good). I found the winning menu combination to be the Carpaccio (lamb), Bourguignon (grilled oysters), Foie gras (in my case, the seasonal special), Millefeuille (a vegetable pastry), Chèvre Salad (kale, sunchokes and pear), Provençale (scallop entrée), and the Au Poivre (short rib) with an accompaniment of pommes frites.

Overall: If you’re looking to share a rich and robust meal at a lively hotspot, then Dirty French is hands down the best eatery to make a reservation at. While the menu is fully capable of satisfying both those who like to play it safe and those who like to be adventurous, at Dirty French you’re going to want to have a taste of it all. As for the financial commitment, if you’re looking to spend less and are willing to give up the spirited evening ambience, try going for their lunch or even brunch. Either way, you should go to Dirty French dressed to impress and ready to indulge (i.e. wear clothing that will hide your food baby).

Website: www.dirtyfrench.com