Jackson Heights Life

I recently had an exciting conversation with an existing Jackson Heights restaurateur whom has expressed serious interest in possibly opening a French Bistro in the Jackson Heights community.  Unfortunately, at this time, I am not at liberty to name the interested parties, as this seems to be a plan that has yet to be put in the works.

Given the interest conveyed by JHL forum members in previous posts about having a French bistro, I thought I would attempt to create an informal poll whereby we can post our thoughts on the subject and perhaps offer some encouraging ideas.  In turn, the restaurateur and his associates can try to gauge the community's interest in such an establishment.  If we have a good response to this thread, maybe we can have an influence on their decision to set up shop.

From my conversations with one of the associates, it appears that the interest is to possibly open a French bistro offering an affordable menu consisting of soups, salads, sandwiches and pre fixe menu items as well.  I think it would be interesting and helpful to suggest specific menu items that we would enjoy.  I was not informed of a specific location in the neighborhood, so street location may still be up for grabs.

The restaurateur would appreciate your ideas and suggestions.  How often would you realistically visit a French bistro?  What would you look for that would be most likely to make you into a return customer?  What other advice do you have for ensuring success in the Jackson Heights market?

I would certainly welcome a French bistro to the neighborhood!

If any local restaurateurs are interested, I suggest they check out "26 Seats" (www.26seats.com), a French bistro in the Lower East Side or Tartine in the West Village.  The menu isn't off-the-wall crazy...example: sliced duck breast, sweet potato puree with a cherry reduction; caramelized onion tart; steamed mussels, etc., The menu is not huge, but is well executed and consistent.  The consistent execution at these two restaurants come in part because of its rather small-ish scale and unpretentious atmosphere...literally, 26 seats at "26 seats", but those seats are always filled!   

I think the scale of a successful French bistro in Jackson Heights is an important consideration.  For example, I think one reason for Expresso 77's success is how cozy it feels (yes, some people will probably think the space is suffocating).  For an example of what NOT to do, I would point to Novo.  Novo may be somewhat successful with its recent renovation, and the food isn't even half bad, but in my opinion this restaurant missed the mark because its atmosphere and scale just doesn't appeal to the crowd in Jackson Heights.  In its cavernous location, Novo seems to want to appeal to a hipper crowd that would fill up restaurants in Soho on a Friday night, but instead, night after night, Novo's few customers congregate at the bar and a long row of tables stay for the most part empty.  Instead of trying to be too hip, Novo perhaps would have done better if it appealed to the casual diners (retired crowd and parents of young families) that live in the neighborhood, looking for unpretentious well executed food at a reasonable price.  A little bit of soul for this seemingly pretentious, but not quite upscale enough restaurant wouldn't hurt either!  Realistically, I don't see a huge crowd coming from Manhattan to try out a hip French bistro in Jackson Heights when they can easily find a dozen similar places in Manhattan.  Also, I think a French bistro in Jackson Heights would be more successful if it didn't pattern itself after the more family-friendly style dining of, for example, Armondo's or Jahn's.  I do think Jahn's is great at what it does...just look at those lines forming for Saturday brunches...but it isn't right for a French bistro.

So, I would suggest a French bistro for Jackson Heights that is on a smallish scale that is intimate but low key, serving well-executed bistro fare that is recognizable to most casual diners.  These diners already exist and live in the neighborhood, have a reasonable amount of money to spend, and don't want to have to go to Manhattan or even Astoria.  These diners flock to Cannelle on a saturday morning.  These diners want to come home from work, walk to the neighborhood French bistro, have a casual meal, maybe stop by a coffee shop after dinner, knowing that their apartment is but a few minutes away.  They don't mind that they waited 10-15 minutes on the sidewalk for a table to become available because friends and neighborhood acquaintances are constantly walking by, and they didn't have to jump on the subway and schlep home from the 74th street station at 9:30 pm. 

That's what I want in a neighborhood French bistro... 

A casual french bistro sounds wonderful.  Anyone for chicken coq au vin?

they would make a killing on brunch alone.  Banania or Luluc in Carrol Gardens rocked my world when I lived there.

Salads, sandwiches, steak frites, burgers, cassoulet, Belgian or American beers on tap. I may even open a separate bank account just for something like this.

I think a French bistro or other type of more euro centric restaurant would be a great compliment to JH's rich epicurian culture. We the best ethnic foods of South Asia and South america in the city here so why not expand into more cuisine's of the world.

I know my partner and I would frequent a french bistro often if it was in the nabe. We love to eat locally when we can, and it certainly would be a great amenity here.

When does it open?  I'm there!

You can't call yourself a French Bistro without foie gras and duck on the menu.  I simply won't allow it. 

Put eggs and steak frites on the menu if you must but be sure to keep the gore and gristle for the serious diners.

Again, while I appreciate NOVO, I find it to be lacking in some undefinable "vibe" that makes it seem kind of dull for me -- I think it may actually be a little TOO "nice" and I'm envisioning something slightly more casual, though still with great food.

I believe the word you're looking for is "soul."  Novo has no soul.  I concur completely.

Novo seems to be a success in that it charges a lot, is generally full, and may be a good place to take a date.  That said, the food left no impression on me at all.  I don't remember what I or the other 3 in my party ordered which is rather unfortunate because I certainly remember the bill was about $200.  I guess since I'm not angry about the experience (just indifferent) the food wasn't bad, so maybe that's praise enough.

(What a snob right?)