Originally Posted by kboo
I highly recommend Bistro du Vent or West Bank Cafe, like previous posters - the food is excellent and a good value. Also suggest Esca - Italian seafood - (around the corner from Bistro du Vent and West Bank, on 43rd St.) the tasting menu is still relatively affordable ($60 for 8 courses, I think), of course if you got dinner a la carte would be even less, and they have a good assortment of wines by the glass (this is also the case at Bistro du Vent and West Bank) and the ambience is lovely. Also across the street from Esca on the N side of 43rd St. is Le Madeleine, which has a French cafe -type atmosphere - try sitting in the back room which has a tree in it.
FWIW, I just went to Bistro du Vent last night and they have a new chef - Laurent Gras - and a new menu. Laurent Gras has earned Michelin stars in SF (Fifth Floor) as well as with Alain Ducasse (and I'm sure there is more I'm not aware of). I wrote the above on my previous visits, and am happy to report that the menu is even better. And it's a great value: $55 tasting menu (5 courses), another $25 for a wine pairing. We ordered ala carte and ended up with a $100 bill (that includes the tax) that included: wine, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts and 2 after dinner drinks (capuccino and an herbal tisane). If anyone is reading this thread - I have found a new favorite in my neighborhood.