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Tucked away in an alley by Union Square, this genuine French cafe dishes up Gallic cuisine with abundant charm.

The Scene
An L-shaped dining room with expansive ceilings and buttery yellow walls adorned with black-and-white prints of Paris and vintage movie posters give this boite a warm, authentic feel. That's no coincidence: Tables, chairs, mirrors and the zinc-topped bar were shipped directly from Le Barbizon, a French brasserie. Friendly waitstaff, sleekly dressed in black, almost all boast French accents but none of that infamous Parisian snootiness.

The Food
Familiar bistro fare, such as rich French onion soup topped with fat croutons and gruyere cheese, share menu space with more fusion-friendly picks, like kobe steak tartare. The steak tartare is served with cornichons, capers, egg yolk, mustard, parsley, croutons and shallots, while the truffle mousse with chicken livers is accompanied by crepes marinated in sherry. The moelleux au chocolate, a velvety chocolate cake drizzled with crème anglaise, is pure decadence. Specialty martinis tempt, but the real treat is the international wine list with abundant by-the-glass picks.

Opentable Reservations

Close to Union Square and closer to Paris, Cafe Claude has remained an unpretentious neighborhood meeting place nestled amongst the urban skyscrapers. Helmed by Executive Chef Michelle Mathews, Cafe Claude is a classic Bistro featuring a zinc bar, Gallic waiters, and Paris cafe style food. Enjoy a lively atmosphere, weekend jazz, and a traditional Parisian cafe menu while seated in a cozy banquette or outdoors on charming Claude lane. Signature menu items at Cafe Claude include, at lunch, Nicoise Salad, Poulet Roti and Kobe Steak Tartare and, at dinner, Raviole de Champignon, Coquilles Saint Jacques, Coq au Vin, Porc au Miel, and Moelleux au Chocolate.

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