Where?
Dirty French is a modern take on a French bistro situated on the Lower East Side of New York City. The restaurant was created by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. With it’s eight foot high neon pink peep show signs reading Dirty and French it is impossible to miss – fast becoming a landmark in the LES.
What?
The restaurant takes classic French dishes and uses modern techniques and flavors to create an exciting and contemporary menu. The restaurant caters for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. On the breakfast menu you can find an Eggs Benedict with Brown Butter Hollandaise, on the brunch – a Chevre with Kale, Sunchokes and Sand Pear, moving on to lunch – a Tartare of Tuna, Birds Chili and Crepe Indochine, and finally for dinner – Duck A La Orange, with Ras El Hanout and Preserved Oranges.
Dirty French ; 180 Ludlow, NY, NY ; Photo by: Eilon Paz ; Food Styiling by: Keren Weiner
The menu is large, yet every single item seems intricate and enticing. This nouvelle cuisine has embraced flavor, color, texture and smell, creating dishes that have been prepared in a French style, using Vietnamese flavors and American ingredients. They create a truly unique experience. However, sometimes, they can put too much in to one dish. There is that old saying – too many cooks can spoil the broth- well, so can too many flavors. Overall however, we didn’t have anything to complain about, Carbone and the boys certainly weaved their magic from taste to ambience.
Pic: Double Dipping
Why should I eat here?
If you do not come for the distinctive taste experience, then come for the décor. This restaurant is a work of art. In fact- they even had artist Rashid Johnson throw slicks of wax blended with West African black soap against a wall-length carnival mirror, and over the bar hangs a French flag, on which artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel has blotted ink. That is just in the lobby area. The whole eatery has a lavish, almost 80s theme running through it. The waiters wear iconic Air Jordans, and don’t forget to get a look at the crowd of bright pink ceramic roosters. Eating at Dirty French is an affair. You will be dining in a world of modern art, retro fantasy and a whole lot of money.
How much?
Appetizers are between $12 and $24, entrées between $25 and $36. However, if you are planning on making a reservation, there is a $50 cancellation fee.
Address 180 Ludlow Street New York, NY 10002 212-254-3000 Hours
BREAKFAST (Daily) 7:00am – 11:00am