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  5. Upper East Side

Bistro 61 - Permanently Closed

3.9
3.9
434 Reviews
$30 and under
French
Description ZAGAT: Food & Service rated Very Good to Excellent.

SEE BELOW FOR OUR WEEKLY SPECIALS!

Executive Chef Adil Fawzi is responsible for the creation of a menu not often seen in a bistro setting. He takes a proactive role in the maintenance of the kitchen; on any given night throughout the week he can be found manning the fires, ensuring that the quality of the dishes he designed never falters.

The consistency of the food is obvious to any of their regulars. The menu is a sophisticated, creative combination of classic Provençal fare fused with inspiration from the Mediterranean coast & Morocco. Chef Adil's menu provides the palette with an eclectic array of dishes drawing tastes from Marseille, Spain, Italy, Greece and Morocco, all the while staying true to the premise that less is more.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    French, Mediterranean

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday - Sunday: 10:30am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Sunday - Wednesday: 4:00pm - 10:30pm, Thursday - Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:30pm

  • Phone number

    (212) 223-6220

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Adil Fawzi

  • Catering

    Bistro61 offers any number of catering options in every price range. Whether you wish to celebrate at Bistro61 or at your home or office, we can accommodate all of your needs and then some.

  • Private party facilities

    Outstanding food, carefully selected wines, caring service and an intimate atmosphere combine to create a memorable event at Bistro61. Whether it's a bridal shower, a family event, or a business function, our lovely room provides a comfortable setting that is sure to meet your needs. The room features exposed brick, antique lighting and chandeliers, comfortable banquettes, terrazzo and wood floors, and a small, elegant bar made of sandstone and mahogany. Bistro61 is available for private parties for partial or entire evening events. The restaurant can host seated events for up to 60 guests (or 75 including the outdoor seating, weather permitting) and cocktail parties for 70 standing guests with limited available seating.

  • Private party contact

    Jon: (212) 223-6220

  • Neighborhood

    Upper East Side

  • Cross street

    NW corner of 1st Avenue and 61st Street

  • Parking details

    Metered parking is available along 1st Avenue; after 7 pm and all day Sunday parking is available along 1st Avenue as well as 61st Street; numerous parking garages are located along 61st Street.

  • Public transit

    4, 5, 6, N, R & W trains to 59th Street/Lexington Avenue, and Roosevelt Island Tram.

  • Additional

    Bar Dining, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

What 434 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

3.9
3.9 based on all time ratings
  • 3.8Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 3.6Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

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Filters

  1. Jak43

    New York Area

    48 reviews

    5.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Bistro 61 will close its doors forever on Tuesday, March 14th. It was a neighborhood gem and its owners were more than merchants, they were friends to those who frequented it often. This lovely restaurant with its delicious menu will be sorely missed. My family and I wish John and Adil all the very best always.
  2. LarryM

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2017

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great neighborhood French bistro. Wonderful staff and a regular spot for dinner.
  3. TatianaM

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    2.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2017

    overall2food1service2ambience4
    I use to love this place. Food use to be exceptional, service outstanding but everything has changed.... Salmon was overcooked, stake was cold so we had to send it back... I hoped that chocolate lava cake will be as usual but no, it was cold and dry.... Unfortunately I gave to cross our this place from my favorite list.
  4. Cindy

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2017

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Love the neighborhood gem! Great food and cocktails!
  5. Jak43

    New York Area

    48 reviews

    5.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We come here often. Highly recommend. Great staff. Always good meals. Neighborhood gem
  6. Nycnurse

    Raleigh

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Valentine's Day menu! Bistro 61 is one of our favorite places to eat (several times a month). It is always a great meal with friendly service.
  7. GabChapenot

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2017

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    I decided to go on an impromptu date with my man to Bistro 61. At a glance, it's perfect for date night. Cute decor, candlelight, very cozy. However, there were three large parties in the restaurant that were so incredibly loud that we could not hear each other unless we were shouting. They were also playing a top hits of the 00's playlist? Kind of weird for an "upscale" French place. The saving grace of this place is their mussels. 100%. My god they were good. We got the ones that were in the mustard cream sauce. I don't even like mussels that much, but I'm salivating just thinking of them...note that the waiter took away the incredible sauce at the bottom before we finished! Bummer. For the main course I had gotten the half chicken with veggies and potatoes. Flavorful, but a little dry. My date got the lamb burger, that was perfectly cooked, but lacked anything particularly special. I would say the only thing on the menu worth the money is the mussels, and if I were to return I would go solely for them. Not the best, but also not the worst.
  8. kushie

    New York Area

    34 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Brunch menu really great because everybody could find something that they like or would love to try. The food was good and overall I would recommend it highly.
  9. RobertS

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We've been many times and it never disappoints. Definitely order the mussels.
  10. DrMalagise

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food and service! Our food was delicious and our waiter was extremely nice. Great wine too!
  11. JAG1

    Washington DC

    12 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2016

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Thanksgiving food was at best mediocre.
  12. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2016

    overall1food2service1ambience1
    Horrible service! My steak arrived cold , our waiter finished his shift but never bothered to let us know that he is leaving.. I had to wait for a warm dish to come while my guests finished Their food. No compensation was offers so we didn't leave any tip. On the way out suddenly our waiter arrived ask for the service tip...unbelievable!!!
  13. Dissapointed

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2016

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Very enjoyable dinner with friends. The staff were friendly and attentive. Six of us dining and everyone commented on how much they enjoyed their food and the restaurant. Wines were reasonably priced.
  14. Linda333

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great French Bistro ....wonderful brunch menu and I met friends there recently to celebrate a birthday...we weren't rushed and the service was outstanding and the waiter was very courteous and friendly. Also terrific for a date and a glass of wine at the bar!
  15. Nycnurse

    Raleigh

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Bistro 61 is our favorite neighbor restaurant. We enjoy taking out of town guests here as well. We have never been disappointed. Staff is very welcoming.
  16. TracyB

    New York Area

    38 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2016

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    A go-to in our neighborhood. Consistently good food and something for everyone.
  17. Golem212

    New York Area

    199 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    199 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Bistro 61 is our go-to burger bistro in the lower reaches of the Upper East Side of Manhattan (if that makes sense). And our all around favorite is their Bistro Burger. A varied menu, friendly service, reasonable prices and conveniently located near several movie theaters, Bloomingdales's and Bed, Bath & Beyond, it's a great place for an unhurried lunch or a casual dinner.
  18. LarryM

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2016

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    Bistro 61 is a standard "go to" for me. It is truly an great place close to home and a very good value. Great food, good service and nice people. Will help with the menu and give you their favorites, not just the special. Love this place
  19. AmieR

    Washington DC

    35 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2016

    overall3food2service1ambience2
    Waited way too long for food. Prosciutto and Melon was not good. Melon was not ripe and taste was fair. Had to ask waitress to be served water and asked multiple times status of dinner.
  20. Wendy

    New York Area

    68 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    My friend and I had eggs Benedict and eggs Florentine, both of which were prepared to perfection. The prix fixe brunch was very reasonable at $19.95 and included the Bloody Marys. Cozy, pleasant atmosphere. The bartender/server was friendly, attentive, and accommodating.
  21. SusanM

    Naples

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 14, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We arrived early before the restaurant was open and they accommodated us with a warm welcome and we were able to have a glass of wine and the food was also served early. A very warm and lovely experience.
  22. LuchoP

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on July 12, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very pleasant experience. Will go back in the near future.
  23. funfoodie

    New York Area

    48 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2016

    overall4food5service2ambience4
    Nice place, service could have been better, they didn't bring water for a long time and we had to ask for it. They charged us for a minor substitution which really wasn't necessary. food was good though and the ambiance was nice.
  24. taste1ny

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    we both love the "snail" appetizer. The bread was too dry(could be better and should be better).
  25. dojero

    New York Area

    32 reviews

    3.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2016

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Not particularly charming, Bistro 61 offers a decent menu and delivers decent food. Unfortunately, it pairs this reasonably priced food with unreasonably priced wine. On our visit, there were three bottles of wine identified in a section of the list called "Under $40". Their prices were $38, $39, and $39. Keep in mind we were there for lunch (so sandwiches and salads were among the entrees available). Glasses of wine were prices at four to the bottle price (so the cheapest glass of wine is $10). I'm well aware that liquor prices in the City are high. But there's no excuse for not offering a bottle of wine priced at $30 or less in a little bistro.
  26. Andy

    New York Area

    28 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2016

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Came here for Mother's Day brunch, so it was pretty busy. Showed up early and while our table was not yet ready, the staff was very accommodating by bringing food to the bar area for our hungry kids. A little disappointed that the menu for that day did not include mussels or escargot, but there were plenty of good choices.
  27. QuinonesNYCNJ

    New York Area

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful Mother's Day brunch Service was great and all staff was so very kind to us
  28. Tastebuddy

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2016

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    This is an excellent traditional French bistro in an area near Rockefeller University and the hospitals, even Bloomies. It's a neighborhood that does not have many good, reasonably priced such bistros. This is something of a neighborhood secret. Menus are encased in old vinyl-record covers, a wonderfully quirky (and nostalgic) effect. Service is excellent, and the room, though small, is appealing. There is outdoor seating on two sides, though both sides are on traffic-heavy streets. Many good possibilities for what to eat here, but the mussels, with choice of seven possible broths, are a standout. A 1-lb. order is just $14; the 2-lb. size, with includes excellent french fries, is $25. There's an egg-centric $19.95 brunch special (cash only). I come back often, and have brought many friends.
  29. NiseyJ

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2016

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Good food, attentive staff, special requests are not a problem for them
  30. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 30, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great atmosphere, exceptional meal, a little noisy.. But overall would recommend this cute Lille place, and look forward to eating there again.
  31. ravmich

    New York Area

    21 reviews

    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We went to Bistro 61 for their Easter Brunch. The menu had something for everyone at reasonable prices. The staff was helpful and attentive and the food was just what brunch should be. I would definitely return and try the dinner menu.
  32. OpenTable Diner

    Kansas City

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfect bistro meal that we weren't rushed through, so we were really able to enjoy every moment, from appetizer to dessert. The mussels were fantastic. And the jazz band was a fun touch, playing standards that got the whole restaurant engaged. Wish we could go every week!
  33. BestFF

    New York Area

    67 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    67 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We've passed by Bistro 61 a million times, said friends who live in the neighborhood. They were thrilled with the unexpected discovery of a warm, charming French bistro featuring savory dishes with Moroccan accents. Someone asked how such a delightful place with a tasty menu has managed to go relatively unnoticed. Nonsense, said a regular, Bistro 61 is no secret to local foodies--just don't tell anyone else about it!
  34. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2016

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Really enjoyed our dinner at this place, waiter was super attentive, rabbit stew was delicious, so was the quinoa salad
  35. Ilonka

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2016

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have dined at Bistro 61 by myself and with friends and have always been treated as a welcome guest. The food, wine, and service is delicious and warm in atmosphere. What a wonderful place in the neighborhood!
  36. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    36 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on January 31, 2016

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    Service was slow even though the place was not full Took a while to place my order and pay
  37. midtown

    New York Area

    109 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    109 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2015

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    This review is from New Year's Eve and therefore is not typical. A rather limited menu was offered, but something for everyone was available. My complaint was the service. They seemed either woefully unprepared or understaffed. Neither should happen when you know exactly how many people are coming and when.
  38. Flash

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2015

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    Do not go to this restaurant on special occasions or holidays. They will run out of the best food very quickly.
  39. IronGinge

    Warwickshire

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2015

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    My wife and I ate here on a recent trip to NYC from the UK, I had read a few reviews and decided to book a table here on Xmas day before we went on to a Broadway show. When we arrived the place was very busy so we sat at the bar and ordered a bottle of wine off the very extensive and reasonable wine list, once our table was ready (no more than 10 mins after we arrived, the staff sat us down and fetched our wine bottle and glasses for us. The ambiance of the place was lovely, the staff attentive but without being pushy. The food was top quality, we shared 2 large portions of different mussels which were well up there with the best I've ever had. overall i cant recommend this little gem of a restaurant enough, food was quality, service to match without the over inflated NYC prices. If I visit the city again this will definitely be on my 1st place to eat!
  40. ArthurP

    New Mexico

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2015

    overall3food3service3ambience2
    Thanksgiving was a poor time to visit. The noise level was very loud; the food was OK but perhaps not as good as the regular offering. We will not visit for Thanksgiving again but might try the restaurant another time.

FAQs

Bistro 61 - Permanently Closed offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 223-6220.

Bistro 61 - Permanently Closed is rated 3.9 stars by 434 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

  • Cross street

    NW corner of 1st Avenue and 61st Street

  • Neighborhood

    Upper East Side

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday - Sunday: 10:30am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Sunday - Wednesday: 4:00pm - 10:30pm, Thursday - Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:30pm

  • Cuisines

    French, Mediterranean

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Metered parking is available along 1st Avenue; after 7 pm and all day Sunday parking is available along 1st Avenue as well as 61st Street; numerous parking garages are located along 61st Street.

  • Public transit

    4, 5, 6, N, R & W trains to 59th Street/Lexington Avenue, and Roosevelt Island Tram.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Adil Fawzi

  • Additional

    Bar Dining, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

  • Phone number

    (212) 223-6220

  • Catering

    Bistro61 offers any number of catering options in every price range. Whether you wish to celebrate at Bistro61 or at your home or office, we can accommodate all of your needs and then some.

  • Private party facilities

    Outstanding food, carefully selected wines, caring service and an intimate atmosphere combine to create a memorable event at Bistro61. Whether it's a bridal shower, a family event, or a business function, our lovely room provides a comfortable setting that is sure to meet your needs. The room features exposed brick, antique lighting and chandeliers, comfortable banquettes, terrazzo and wood floors, and a small, elegant bar made of sandstone and mahogany. Bistro61 is available for private parties for partial or entire evening events. The restaurant can host seated events for up to 60 guests (or 75 including the outdoor seating, weather permitting) and cocktail parties for 70 standing guests with limited available seating.

  • Private party contact

    Jon: (212) 223-6220

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