56 replies to this topic

[Sneakeater]

Lyon is a self-conscious semi-recreation of a Lyonaisse bouchon in the old Cafe du Bruxelles space on Greenwich Ave. right off 13th St. It's owned by the guy who used to own La Golue and Orsay. Its chef is Chris Leahy, ex of BLT Prime.

This is probably my favorite food, so obviously I'm inclined to like it. I don't think anybody is going to be fooled into thinking they're eating in France, but on the basis of one visit it seemed pretty solid. The charcuterie platter was very good (at least by my low charcuterie standards). Every day they have a special cut of meat; my day it was a "Piedmontese" strip steak served with a sausage-pepper sauce: very good, the meat being EXTREMELY (and surprisingly) tender. My friend's skate was pretty much perfect.

The obvious comparison is Bar Boulud. I'd say it's probably a toss-up. Well, maybe not: the steak I had here was better than any steak I've ever had at Bar Boulud. Maybe Lyon is a bit better. Not as good as Benoit at its best, though.

So, not spectacular. But more than merely a good neighborhood option. If you're in the mood, I'd say this is worth a (short) trip (with the usual caveat that this kind of food SHOULD be so readily available, in good renditions, that you don't have to travel -- it just isn't). Roughly equivalent to the mid-level of the spate of very-good-but-not-fabulously-great Italian restaurants that have been opening lately.

[g.johnson]

That's where it is. The nabe is picking up restaurantwise.

[Sneakeater]

I'll tell you one problem with eating at Lyon.

I sat at the table waiting for my friend. He texted me and said, "I'm here. Where are you?" I texted him back where I was sitting. I had the host and my waitress look for him. No one could find him.

Finally, it turned out he was at The Lion.

I didn't know if I should have been insulted or flattered that he thought I'd suggest going there.

[oakapple]

I sat at the table waiting for my friend. He texted me and said, "I'm here. Where are you?" I texted him back where I was. I had the host and my waitress look for him. No one could find him.

Finally, it turned out he was at The Lion.

I assume he was in search of the $85 burger.

[Sneakeater]

He was more stunned at how great-looking Josh Duhamel is in person.

[Eatmywords]

He was more stunned at how great-looking Josh Duhamel is in person.

That’s a funny story. I bet many patrons are going to confuse the Lyions.

When I read Josh Duhamel I wondered if he was a rising chef I’d never heard of and how coincidental that he and John Delucie have the same initials and number of letters in their names.

Of course, after googling I learned he was a main character with James Caan in that horrible new Las Vegas show I’ve caught my wife watching a couple times for some masochistic reason.

[mitchells]

Was Fergie in the house?

[Sneakeater]

My friend is of the orientation where he wouldn't have been able to take his eyes off Josh.

[Sneakeater]

Although he did note, for my benefit, how absolutely unbelievably drop-dead gorgeous every woman in The Lion -- staff and patrons -- was.

[Lex]

Although he did note, for my benefit, how absolutely unbelievably drop-dead gorgeous every woman in The Lion -- staff and patrons -- was.

Like you ever miss any of that stuff.

[mitchells]

My friend is of the orientation where he wouldn't have been able to take his eyes off Josh.

You mean he is a Democrat?

[Sneakeater]

Although he did note, for my benefit, how absolutely unbelievably drop-dead gorgeous every woman in The Lion -- staff and patrons -- was.

Like you ever miss any of that stuff.

Except that I was at an entirely different restaurant five blocks away.

[Lex]

Although he did note, for my benefit, how absolutely unbelievably drop-dead gorgeous every woman in The Lion -- staff and patrons -- was.

Like you ever miss any of that stuff.

Except that I was at an entirely different restaurant five blocks away.

Don't be modest. You can do 5 blocks easy.

[oakapple]

Today, it gets one star from Sam Sifton.

[Anthony Bonner]

Today, it gets one star from Sam Sifton.

If you believe no stars but a positive write up is a decent review then that's what this place should have gotten. If you say no stars is by definition bad, then one star is about right. This place is fine, I'll probably go back when in the mood, but its very very close to where I live. I can't imagine getting in a cab or subway to come here.