Demarchelier: Authentic & Organic French Bistro Cuisine

Tucked away on a lovely strip of the upper east side on Madison Avenue and 86th Street is the charming Demarchelier bistro, which offers something delicious to please every palate, ranging from traditional French bistro fare to the surprisingly original. A solid choice for lunch, dinner, or brunch, this is a cozy, comfortable space decorated with lively original art by Eric Demarchelier (for sale) and soft lighting. The staff is also friendly, efficient, and unobtrusive, and the prices are quite reasonable.

Start with Organic beet salad with crème fraiche, an Avocado Crab Salad, 1/2 dozen Oysters, Steak tartare, Artichoke Vinaigrette, Pate de Campagne, Filet of Herring with Potato Salad, Caesar Salad with anchovies, Demarchelier Chef’s Salad, Classic Nicoiseor An Endive-Apple Salad with Roquefort dressing. If you prefer something hot, opt for the Soup of the Day, Onion Soup Gratinee, Quiche of the day, Escargots de Bretagne with Garlic Butter, Moules Mariniere, and Cheese Fondue. This is an all-season bistro! Even the bread and butter are fresh and scrumptious.

Meat eaters will savor entrees of Filet Mignon, Grilled Ribeye, Hangar Steak, Steak Tartare, Bison Burger, or Grass-Fed Angus Burger with a selection of Béarnaise, Pepper Sauce, or Shallot Sauce. Fish lovers will appreciate Moules Mariniere with pommes frites. Salmon with lentils, Sole Filet with lemon, Rainbow Trout meuniere, and Cold Poached Salmon with dill sauce. On Wednesdays, you can relish their Duck a L’Orange. Other excellent entrees include Organic Chicken with pommes frites, Organic Pork Chop with caramelized onions, apple and butternut squash gratin. Organic Calf Liver with shallot sauce and pommes frites, Coq Au Vin with fingerling potatoes, Duck Confit with white beans, Cheese Fondue for Two, Pasta of the Day, and Pasta Primavera.

Side dishes are varied and include Pommes Frites, Mashed Potatoes, Spinach a la Creme, Spinach, French String BEans, Mixed Vegetables, and Arugula Salad.

Cocktails are inventive, flavorful, and well-balanced. Opt for wine in lieu of cocktails if you please, or select one of their many Digestifs. Definitely leave room for dessert, especially the Chocolate Mousse, Daily Special Dessert, Creme Caramel, Chocolate Mousse Cake, Tarte Fine aux Pommes, Profiterolles, Tarte Tatin, Crepes Suzette, Lemon Tarte, . The Flan, ice cream selections, and Raspberry Sorbet (or Mango, or Apple) are all exquisite, too.