Tonight on the Bowery, Mathieu Palombino opens La Gamelle in the space that used to house his retro-American Bowery Diner. Though Palombino is mostly known for his Neapolitan pizza empire, Motorino, La Gamelle is a classically French brasserie. It's the permanent version of Chez Jef, the pop-up Palombino ran in the Bowery Diner space for some months before he started work on renovations last July, now with an expanded a la carte menu (as opposed to prix fixe) and with a space to match the food.
The Menu: All the classics are here, from steak frites to an excellent roast chicken (one of Robert Sietsema's favorite dishes of 2014). Hors d'ouevres include escargots, leeks vinaigrette, oysters, and asparagus with hollandaise, plus there is a whole section of the menu devoted to charcuterie, which is made in-house by a charcutier who came over from France (though Palombino himself is no amateur when it comes to pates). The wine list is mostly French, but includes some American wines as well, and there is also beer and cocktails, many of which are wine or Champagne based. By all accounts, this place could present some serious competition for that other bistro on the Bowery, Cherche Midi. Check out all the menus in full, below:
La Gamelle Dinner by MargueriteEaterNY