Bodega Chic

Description:

• This small French/Algerian bistro blends delicious Mediterranean and Caribbean herbs and flavors, reasonable prices, and unpretentious friendly service. Chef and partner Christophe Gourdain trained with chef Jean-Georges Vonegerichten, and he learned well, apparently. Start out with the baked goat cheese croustillant with eggplant caviar and the grilled calamari. The hangar steak with sautéed potatoes and string beans is as close to perfection as the fresh mussels Provençal. The braised lamb shank is also worthy, and the roasted chicken breast in curry banana sauce is much better than it sounds. The high-ceilinged dining room and small adjacent bar room open out onto Calle Cristo just around the corner from the popular Calle San Sebastián. Desserts include a fantastic crème brûlée and warm chocolate cake.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010