Can I find REAL French food in NY?

[kennethpollock]

Going up there for Christmas, but geting tired of finding items like crabcakes (USA), mussels (Belgian), Dover Sole (British), and onion soup (French, but a short-order cafe dish; not served in serious places), etc., on menus in supposedly authentic French restaurants.
Where can I find lievre a la royale (wild hare in liver and blood sauce), calf's head, pigs' feet, veal kidneys, tripe, gibier, jellied beef cheeks, andouillette (chitterling sausages), boudin noir (blood sausage), and tongue, etc. Sadly, the few NY places that serve liver or sweetbreads think they are being adventuous. Even a few dishes en gelee would be welcome. Any suggestions?

 

[LabelKing]

I don't think most Americans are capable of eating such exotic fare. I had an hard time finding a restaurant that served snake; no gallbladders though.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Lievre a la Royale and pigs' feet are my two favorites. They are not only hard to find in the US, but impossible.

 

[LabelKing]

You can certainly find the ingredients, however.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Not for lievre a la royale. Hare blood is very hard to come by here.

We have made pigs feet a few times at home, but the smell from cooking them is not so appetizing.

 

[LabelKing]

Yes, the hare's blood is probably difficult to source.

However, things like pig's feet can be found somewhat more easily. Sometimes the more exotic materials can be found at the ethnic Asian markets or even the Chinese druggists. However, the quality and provenance can be dodgy.

I think nouvelle cuisine has to do with the decline of these complex traditional dishes.

 

[wEstSidE]

you can find french sushi fusion, if you want that.

 

[whoopee]

Actually IIRC pigs' feet are on the menu at Les Halles in Gramercy. I've not tried it but can say that the other food is not that impressive, but decent. Tongue, cheeks, tripe, kidneys, and blood sausage should not be too hard to find. Even in Philadelphia there are a couple that periodically serve those. And a considerable of Chinese restaurants do, too.

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by kennethpollock

Going up there for Christmas, but geting tired of finding items like crabcakes (USA), mussels (Belgian), Dover Sole (British), and onion soup (French, but a short-order cafe dish; not served in serious places), etc., on menus in supposedly authentic French restaurants.
Where can I find lievre a la royale (wild hare in liver and blood sauce), calf's head, pigs' feet, veal kidneys, tripe, gibier, jellied beef cheeks, andouillette (chitterling sausages), boudin noir (blood sausage), and tongue, etc. Sadly, the few NY places that serve liver or sweetbreads think they are being adventuous. Even a few dishes en gelee would be welcome. Any suggestions?
How was your trip to Freedom? How is Ernest (b****d)?

 

[kennethpollock]

Originally Posted by RJman

How was your trip to Freedom? How is Ernest (b****d)?

The famed Emile Zola, in writing about the attitude of most of the French public during the Dreyfus affair, once complained: "What has happened to France? What has become of the French?"
I feel the same about France. The BOR was violated THREE times. At Cafe Varenne (a modest place reccomended by the Time Out Guide), at the intersection of r. Varenne and r. du Bac, the bill for our modest lunch was brought with my coffee, resting on the side of the saucer. Explanation: it was busy and they wanted our table back.
Then, at the quite grand Restaurant du Palais Royal, the bill was slapped down on the table, without it being requested, while I was finishing my coffee, following a truly marvelous lunch. Possible explanation: I had the hotel call to book and we had been given bi-lingual menus. Perhaps they were just following the American custom of rudely presenting the bill before it was requested.
Then, on the Eurostar to London, the "train manager" came on the loudspeaker and introduced herself by her FIRST name. Truly shocking and totally unforgiveable.
London was perfect. Claridges really is the grandest hotel in the Kingdom. It has a strange mixture of guests: kings, old dowagers, rock and movie stars. The Red-Hot Chili Peppers (with bodyguards) were staying on our floor. Madonna had checked out the week before and Catherine Zeta Jones had been there the week before her. Also spotted in London: Fonzie (Henry Winkler), walking down Old Bond Street. He graciously agreed to be photographed with my wife. British actor Alan *******, eating at the next table at The Woolsey.
Quite a trip. E*****t (banned) and Katia were charming and are fine.

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by kennethpollock

The famed Emile Zola, in writing about the attitude of most of the French public during the Dreyfus affair, once complained: "What has happened to France? What has become of the French?"
I feel the same about France. The BOR was violated THREE times.
I am glad to see you retain your same firm grasp of perspective. Perhaps you are entering a long dark Ile du Diable of the soul...

 

[Matt]

I also hate violating chicks that bore me, but three times Ken, you old dog you.

 

[JBZ]

Originally Posted by kennethpollock

The Red-Hot Chili Peppers (with bodyguards) were staying on our floor.

Rumor has it that Anthony Kiedis goes absolutely ballistic if any waiter gives him unsolicited advice on a menu.

 

[Matt]

"Hello Mr Kiedis, my name is Dave Navarro and I will be your waiter today. Would you like me to read you the specials?"

 

[kennethpollock]

The famed Emile Zola, in writing about the attitude of most of the French public during the Dreyfus affair, once complained: "What has happened to France? What has become of the French?"
I feel the same about France. The BOR was violated THREE times. At Cafe Varenne (a modest place reccomended by the Time Out Guide), at the intersection of r. Varenne and r. du Bac, the bill for our modest lunch was brought with my coffee, resting on the side of the saucer. Explanation: it was busy and they wanted our table back.
Then, at the quite grand Restaurant du Palais Royal, the bill was slapped down on the table, without it being requested, while I was finishing my coffee, following a truly marvelous lunch. Possible explanation: I had the hotel call to book and we had been given bi-lingual menus. Perhaps they were just following the American custom of rudely presenting the bill before it was requested.
Then, on the Eurostar to London, the "train manager" came on the loudspeaker and introduced herself by her FIRST name. Truly shocking and totally unforgiveable.
QUOTE]

E*****t's (banned) response:
"I protest
The Eurostar is not Paris
The manager was a girl? Even more shocking !"