Les Zygomates is an old favorite of mine that I had temporarily forgotten about until last night.
Wondering what to do we decided on wanting great wine and a bite to eat. Les Zyg was suggested by a new colleague, and I am sure going to become a friend. I have spent many a fun night with friends, bad date (two bad dates), one good date with a guy we actually nicknamed “hot Brian”, yes, he was hot. It lasted three dates. Ahh memories :).
Les Zygomates is on South Street close to the Financial District, in an area called the Leather District. The restaurant has two sides to it. As you walk in, you are greeted immediately by a friendly host. There is a bar and lots of high top seating, if you want to just sit around and have a glass of wine or one of their fabulous cocktails and enjoy the great raw bar. As you walk around the restaurant, there is dining seating for those who want a quieter dinner (a private dining area), and as you walk around to the other side of the restaurant, you have another bar with a stage sort of on top of the bar towards the end, where they have live jazz most nights.
We decided to sit at the bar and order the house recommended bottle of wine, a superb Cab, while we decided on what to eat. The décor is casual and comfortable. Everyone makes you feel welcome from host to the bartenders to the regulars and the band members. They have great French themed pictures all over the wall and the bar is covered with large mirrors that can make the room seem even bigger.
We all ordered some small bites and thoroughly enjoyed everything. We started with sharing the Macaroni au Gratin – Ben’s Mushrooms, Buttered Brioche Crumbs – very tasty. I then decided on the Moules Frites, Dijonaise -Mustard, Shallot, Tarragon, White Wine – the sauce was perfect for bread dipping.
My friends’ had the Warm aged Goat Cheese Tartine with Roasted Beets and Fines Herbes Vinaigrette and the Soupe à L’Oignon Gratinée with Artisinal Gruyere. Everything was delicious, and more than enough food without ordering large entrees. Towards the end the evening, we ordered another bottle of the wine and the Chocolate Fondue with marshmallows, strawberries and pound cake for dipping – sooo good. All prices are incredibly reasonable and especially when you share a $34 bottle of wine and a bunch of apps under $10.
Les Zygomates is a great for a date, dinner with friends or even to sit at the bar alone, have some food and enjoy the live music. I mustn’t forget about it again.
Do they still offer a prix-fixe menu? I always enjoyed eating by the bar side.
yes – a little more expensive but the food is amazing!