La Bergamote is the French café experience, but today

One of our chief criticisms of Paris is that it is in France.  For this reason you might think you can’t do the following today: wander over to a café with the black-and-white tile floors, marble-cut tables, and vintage lighting; post up at a table outside by yourself (or with one of your quieter friends; don’t be an American about it); angle your chair towards the passersby; order an espresso and an almond croissant; and quietly make up stories about or hopefully even judge the more stylish couples who walk by you.  I am here to tell you today that you can do this today.  You can do it at La Bergamote, on 20th Street & 9th Avenue. 

This place calls itself a “pâtisserie,” French for bakery, but that is a little like calling the Titanic a “big boat” or the Mona Lisa a “picture of a woman.”  Yes there is the pastry case; yes you should get the lemon tart or éclair; no we don’t care about your figure.  But the actual block-approved move is to sit down by yourself early in the day and get the lemon ricotta pancakes, which may very well be the best pancakes in the city, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and made with a zesty lemon batter replete with blueberries and ricotta cheese strewn on top.  Or go for lunch and get the French onion soup, which has a deeper and richer taste than you’re used to, and the cheeseburger with bacon, which is juicier than you’re used to (still don’t care about your figure).  Or go for dinner and get the hanger steak au poivre (which they serve of course with fries) or the bouillabaisse, which is their Thursday-special seafood stew medley with scallops, shrimp, and toast to soak it all up on the side.  You really cannot go wrong here.

While we say the official move is to go alone, people-watch, and really bask in all your senses; this place is also perfect with a friend or a small group.  A little on the pricier side, but guys, it’s French and you can’ t put a price on something feeling right. Highly recommend.