Lucien

“My favorite dish here is the Lapin A La Moutarde, which is rabbit served over egg noodles.”

“I usually get the Steak Frites, which is served with an amazing pepper-corn sauce.”

“My favorites are the:

– foie gras with caramelized apples
– duck confit
– roasted chicken
– creme brulee

It makes me happy to dine here.”

Lucien

Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes

Price range.

$$$ Price range $31-60

8 reviews

  1. While everything at Lucien was good – nothing stood out so it's unlikely that I'll go back.  Again, everything was good.  The service was friendly and attentive – and I feel like our server gave us good advice.  My steak was well prepared – medium-rare, more rare than medium as I requested.  The creme brulee was lovely – I liked that it had a large surface area, which meant more of the crunchy top – my favorite part.  I think I was mostly saddened by the large bill – if I'm going to spend that much – I want my mind to be blown!

  2. Cozy space to spend with friends, family or your love.

    Scallops were cooked to perfection.  Grilled octopus and potato appetizer was amazingly simple and delicious.  Arugula salad was piled so high, it's hardly a side dish.

    Solid, friendly service.  Waitress recommended a nearby hotel and breakfast spots, perfect!  We saw her on walking on the street the next day and she remembered us!

  3. Lucien is one of our faves! Small place and nearly always a wait but it's so worth it!

    Great staff, super friendly and the Maitre de who has been there for years is amazing!

    The bread is always fresh and crispy. Steak frites are amazing as is the frisee salad.

    The place has a fabulous ambience and is always inviting. I think it's one of the jewels of NY!

  4. Small but fun place on the LES – the bartender makes yummy martinis and is very accommodating. I had the escargot and split the steak frites with a girlfriend they were both cooked perfectly. Could not complain, it did get a little TOO crowded after 8pm on Friday night so do make a reservation.

  5. Went there within an elegant event, luckily I didn't have to pay a dime, so I can't comment on those people who rate food versus price here. It was packed, because we were many, and it is a narrow space, but personally I love that and I love the natural feel that comes along with it and also the personal decor, (- talking about space: they do have a really huge AND clean bathroom, so there!)
    I got on exceptionally well with the funky blue-haired hostess and our server from Geneva, CH (not Paris).
    The food was very, very good, but not the best food I have ever eaten, but many other people who went with me said it was the best food they have ever eaten. In my case it was everything done as should be in terms of techniques and times of procedures, but I would like a tiny bit more courage in terms of seasoning, and I like to be a bit surprised, not necessarily blue ribbon cooking school. But if you want to be safe you will be very satisfied.
    The portions were HUGE, so if you get to eat a several course meal and are untrained in this, it can be hard to get up and go home afterwards.
    The crème brûlée is delicious, but large enough for two people. So if you had other things first and not ONLY the crème brûlée and you have no one to share with you might feel a little sad if you have to leave half of it behind (I don't know if they pack up left overs).
    Since I am one who rates higher the atmosphere and how I am being treated than any food I might eat I am giving this full house and five stars. I had a great time and if I ever life the life style of a very wealthy person in New York City I will probably come back more often.

  6. Ok but completely underwhelming. Old school French – without anything else to distinguish it – except menu sourcing note that birds and some other things come from D'artagnan.  Maybe but garlic sausage was like shop rite italian special in the very lame cassoulet.  Unmemorable.  The onglet  hangar steak was very good and nice that they offered choice of mashed potatoes over the usual frites. The mashed done Nicely. Given the seedy east Houston st hood and interior space which really needs some cleaning, maintenance and paint, Not bad but bad value.  Meh at best. Not coming back anytime soon.

  7. A friend and I came here for Christmas dinner, and we couldn't have chosen a better place to celebrate the holiday!

    Festive in both decor and energy, the ambiance couldn't have been more agreeable. To start, we ordered a bottle of red wine, and later an appetizer share of the sardines. Neither of us had had fresh sardines before and, grilled to perfection and covered with fresh lemon juice, they were delicious!

    We then continued with orders of the filet mignon. I ordered mine medium-rare, and he ordered his medium-well. Even though the medium-rare one was closer the rare, and the medium-well one was closer to well-done, we nonetheless enjoyed them, even though it was a bit too much for me. Furthermore, the man who was seated to our right ordered a medium-rare one as well, which first came out raw, and then rare, before finally coming out well-done, so we were fortunate in that regard. Also, the fries were tasty!

    We finished with a dessert share of the creme brulee, which hit the spot, even though it could have been warmer.

    Finally, the server was both friendly and patient, and lent to an even more enjoyable evening out.

  8. Came here a few months ago with a group of friends.  Super pricey for what it was.  Uncomfortably crowded.  Awful service.  Decent food, but not for the price.  Would not return.

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1st Avenue 14
New York 10009 NY US
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Monday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am
Tuesday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am
Wednesday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am
Thursday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am
Friday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am
Saturday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am
Sunday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am