Warning-- this is another one of those places which a lot of people really dislike but has some pretty strong defenders. Caveat emptor.
Chez Le Chef
Categories:
Bakeries,
French,
Breakfast & Brunch
127 Lexington AveApt 2
(between 28th St & 29th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Kips Bay, Flatiron
(212) 685-1888
- Nearest Transit Station:
-
28 St. (4, 6, 6X)33 St. (4, 6, 6X)23 St. (4, 6, 6X)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
- $$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
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Recommended Reviews for Chez Le Chef
Review Highlights What's this?
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"There was also a french accordion player playing live music which was..." In 5 reviews
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"The chef seems to use a lot of herbs de provence." In 3 reviews
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"French toast was smothered in a fresh homemade glaze & bananas." In 17 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
54 reviews in English
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Review from N. P.
Brooklyn, NYI really wanted the food to be awesome, but yeah maybe the butter did have an odd taste, and some things seemed undercooked or over-seasoned with dried herbs. Overall, I thought the 15.95 3-course lunch was a deal -- Ive paid more for worse food at city diners.
The chef is as eccentric and odd as the decor, and the server/busboy seemed to be confused about most things (e.g. he asked me how to say 'postres' in English when he served me my dessert). The experience of eating here is more about the strangeness of a place like this still existing in an area stuck between the Indian restaurants of Curry Hill and the yuppie goons residing in Murray Hill/Kips Bay. Restaurants like this are nearly extinct in post-gentrified Manhattan. -
Review from Cova N.
Miami, FLIf Yelp had a minus five star option, I would use it for this review, except that the weirdness of this restaurant is so accused that it may be taken as a funny joke.
The place could at first seem like a 'nice little French restaurant,' but the reality is that is a freak show, governed by a "strong charactered chef." The décor looks like it's being taken from a Hitchcok movie and the initial feeling turn into a creepy one. There are signs written in Sharpie everywhere telling you what to do (even in the bathroom!).
I went to Chez le Chef for Sunday brunch with my family. We ordered the 'Famous French Toast' that turned into the 'Famous French ROCK." Yes, you are reading correctly: we took a piece of the 'Famous' with us when we left the restaurant and threw it vigorously against a metal surface and DID NOT BREAK. Afterwards we gave it to the pigeons and not even 14 of them could not disintegrate it. Please note that we have all of it documented!
The food, the chef and the ambience were a total disaster!! I will not recommend this restaurant to anybody, unless is a health inspector, an anthropologist or a freak show casting director. -
Review from Ashley R.
San Francisco, CAInedible food, terrible coffee, bacon tasted rancid ... Only redeeming factors were the croissants were good and the proprietor is charming. -
Review from Juelz K.
New York, NYSomethings off here!
Avoid this place and don't bother to go back because of the confusing menu, unclear prices and past posts of food poisoning.
I went in for lunch on a Sunday and left as soon as I could after reading about other peoples experience -- but 27 dollars short.
Something was wrong when I noticed only one other customer sitting there alone. It's a bit creepy in there and everything inside your head says to walk away! -
Review from Priti K.
What? Huh? 2-stars? I am so confused. I walked outta ranting and raving with my girl friend. I thoughtfully considered giving it 5-stars, but I'd like to go one more time.
Background Info:
Yes. The place certainly has a personality to which you may not be accustomed!! It's not your average brunch spot. It's quiet and a little cooky. It's cramped with STUFF. Errywhere there is just mad stuff. The owner/chef looks like Father Christmas, I don't say Santa because he's German and that's how I imagine a European Santa to look, and abundance of straight white hair . Ha.
FOOD!
I had the Scrambled Eggs with smoked salmon-onion, tomato & fresh herbs. Delectable. I mean really, like I want it right now. The eggs were cooked well, moist, and the salmon was delicious. The fish didn't overpower the entire dish. I don't remember the herbs he used, but it had such a unique flavor. I started off the meal with a lovely hot croissant and cafe au lait. Paris, Je t'aime.
My friend got the Eggs Benedict. I'm not usually a fan, but one bite may have turned me to the other side.
A musician played lovely Parisian music on the accordion. Service was a little slow, but let go of your New York identity. Today you're not in one of these boroughs! -
Review from Alejandro R.
Manhattan, NYThis place is ridiculous. First impressions leave you with a charmed impression almost thinking you could be in France.
Summary: This place is a rip off.
Not only was I brought drinks I didn't ask for, but the owner added costs to our bill and defended the charges with his bold personality. I was charged $61 for two omelets, two oranges juices and a coffee. Oh and a side of sausage... which was a sliced HOT DOG. Not kidding here... "Sausage" was a hot dog.
I'm not sure what this guy is thinking. But it's one of these two things:
A) He's a nut job and honestly thinks that gourmet sausage means a sliced hot dog.
or
B) He's out to rip off every person that enters his restaurant.
Do yourself a favor, skip this one or come inside and just have a cookie. Had I not forgotten my glasses inside, I would have left only paying $40. -
Review from George D.
I'm shocked by the two stars. Really. Shocked. Like... here I am strapped to a chair and electric current is coursing through my body. I was floored my the decor. It felt like a comfortable place. I don't want to eat in a place that wreaks of industry. Those impress you with large TV's and pack them into large spaces places. I was comfortable.
Mulled wine made me more comfortable. Spicy mulled wine that I wanted more and more of. Coupled with the Rat Pack Christmas music, this placed was the "bees knees" to quote another Yelper.
The Coq au Vin wasn't highly sadventuresome. but well worth the money. The only thing I would complain about is the pumpkin soup, a bit of a let down. The desert was to die for. -
Review from christine a.
New York, NYThis is for the restaurant experience, not the bakery. I went for dinner. Maybe it's better for brunch?
It was interesting to say the least. The decorations are kitchy. Fake flowers are on every table. The artwork is quirky and faded. The owner/chef is obviously a character. The one clumsy waiter seemed strangely self conscious.
We went prix fixe since it seemed the best deal.
To make a long story short, the food was expensive and kind of tasted similar. The salad seemed like it had been sitting around in the fridge for a while. The dessert seemed cobbled together with several items on the plate.
While I didn't have a terrible experience, it's too expensive and just not worth it.
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