During my last visit to Le Jardinier, my extravagant friend ordered every dessert for the finale of my birthday dinner.

I returned for lunch with a friend whose nearby office made it convenient to meet. We shared everything: a two-course prix fixe ($78), an entree ($48), and two glasses of wine, split to go with each course.

Continuing the experience, the staff was, as always, amazingly accommodating. Given my friend’s gluten intolerance, they placed two baskets of fabulous bread on the table—one regular, the other gluten-free.

Next came our incredibly creamy carrot amuse-bouche mousse, one regular with brioche crouons on top, and one gluten-free without.

We began with pan-seared Maine scallops with a creamy chestnut velouté and a chestnut-and-celery ragout, followed by risotto with carrots, flavored with saffron and lemongrass, topped with pickle and carrot chips.

With both, we sipped the Jean Foillard 2023 Beaujolais-Villages ($21) and the 2021 Château Arbo Montagne, St-Émilion ($23) with the steak, our final split.

We chose their lean sliced sirloin steak (a bavette), garnished with black garlic coulis, horseradish sunchoke puree and chips, plus grilled chicories.

I highly recommend Le Jardier.

Le Jardinier
Midtown
610 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10022
(212) 451-9211
lejardinier-nyc.com