La Boite en Bois

Lace curtains and antique kitchenware lend a country-farmhouse feel to this snug, cheerful bistro. Southern French flavors—anchovies, black olives, tomatoes, saffron—dominate, as in the Marseille-style fish stew, topped with baguette toasts and spicy rouille. In a nod to the north, the juicy double-thick veal chop is paired with apples roasted in Calvados. Plan ahead: La Boite is a popular pre–Lincoln Center destination, and you’ll want to linger over a satiny smooth crème brûlée.