French Bistro Tucked In The West Village Has 'Charm': NYT Critic

WEST VILLAGE, NY — Chef and restaurant-owner Harold Moore's French bistro is among the latest "small, discreet" French restaurants, a latecomer to this specific style, according to New York Times food critic, Pete Wells.

Wells describes Bistro Pierre Lapin, which opened last May, in a Times review of the restaurant at 99 Bank St. between Hudson and Greenwich Sts.

For Wells, the menu is likely three times as long as it should be — with frog legs, foie gras, snails, and chicken soup with a matzo ball that Wells said was "so densely packed that if you tossed it out of a second-story window it would probably put a dent in a car hood." The Times critic wrote: "This is not a bad trait in a matzo ball unless you happen to own the car."

But the excess of the restaurant, and the dishes themselves, solidify the restaurant's charm, he wrote.

He gave the restaurant one star, which indicates 'good' in the Times ratings.

That charm was inspired by the "countless charming bistros" throughout Paris, according to the restaurant's website.

The restaurant is open Sunday for brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Monday and Tuesday, dinner hours are 5 to 10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Lunch is served 12 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday as well. Specialties and entrees range between $25 and $40.

Images courtesy of Bistro Pierre Lapin

Lead image caption: An interior view of Bistro Pierre Lapin in the West Village at 99 Bank St.

Second image caption: Escargots at Bistro Pierre Lapin.