Paris in NY- Benoit

As you walk down West 55t street,you pass the trendy Michaels, known for its pricey lunches, celebrities , fashion & media moguls. One time while dining there, I was seated in between the fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg & her entrepreneur husband Barry Diller, and on the other side, the news team from NBC.

Down the block as bit is Cafe Milano, a bistro with outdoor seating in the spring & summer. Nice.

In between these two places is BENOIT. For those of you who may remember back in the 60's & 70's, the restaurant Le Cote Basque- this is it, but under new management & totally renovated.

It is like being in Paris- an authentic Parisian bistro/restaurant, & walking in was like stepping onto the Rue de la Pressbourg or standing behind the Palaise Royale in the gorgeous Le Grande Colbert . From the moment you enter, the warm woods, bistro tables, etched glass panels , large booths, beautifully set tables, huge french photos and paintings all over the walls, the all french staff, not snooty, but friendly, warm & inviting, and oh- the food!!!!

For lunch, the offer a very reasonable prix fixe- either 3 or 4 courses-, but the menu is vast and so wonderful. We started with the escargot- cooked to perfection and then had the 3 course lunch, which included several choices to start- I had the gazpacho, and my guest has the mini poached quail egg over field greens.

Next, salmon en croute- for me, baked with julienne vegetables all around the inside of the buttery crusty puff pastry in a light aromatic tarragon cream sauce. My guest has the Vol au Vent- veal, chicken & mushrooms in a puff pastry shell with sweet peas .

Dessert- of this this world!. Not only are they a feast for the eyes, they are incredibly delicious. The cart itself is something to see- a beautiful wood cart with 2 dozen little domes- each housing one of these delectable pastries and sweet petit fours! How to choose!!!

The couple next to us had the Pate' and then the Roast chicken, which looked & smelled amazing!!!

The Tarte Tartin is available for purchase to take home (& so worth it!) and they give you the most mouth watering cookies as you depart this lovely paris bistro on the west side of NYC.

There are several private salons available for a private event- the most stunning rooms, with 19th century antique pieces from Bordeaux.

This is a MUST stop when in Manhattan.