An impossible-to-get table on the Upper East Side? Stranger things have happened. Chez Fifi, from the folks behind neighborhood spot Sushi Noz, is the rare uptown restaurant popular with the downtown set. A roast chicken (with its much-chattered-about price of $78), filet mignon with fries and a rotating omelette give the spot its bistro bona fides. Still, for our money, your money is better spent on the assorted charcuterie, which includes salmon rillettes with cucumber, foie gras and jamón iberico with Marcona almonds. (Bonus: Shockingly, the bread and butter are free.)
Don’t skip dessert: here, the French classics are done right, with a gorgeous, crackling crème brulee and dark chocolate mousse served with chantilly cream. It’s all very romantic—and why wouldn’t it be, in the intimate room of just 12 tables? Chez Fifi is named for Firouzeh Foulquier, the mother of the brothers who run the place, and while it doesn’t feel like home, necessarily, it’s a lovely little place to stay awhile. After all, you scored the reservation—and it’ll take a while to get another—so you’ll want to make it last.
The vibe: Folks who can afford a $78 roast chicken or have an assistant who can nab a table, plus foodies who simply must try the hottest table.
The food: Elegant charcuterie, bistro classics like steak frites and an omelette and French desserts that are worth the wait.
The drink: Espresso martinis served with ladyfingers, rhubarb sours and other elevated twists on classic cocktails.
Time Out tip: Forget waiting up until midnight for the reservation drop—just swing by the bar after a day at the museums for a cocktail and some fries. You’ll soak up the vibes and be back on the street with enough time to grab a burger before bed.