In a city as big as New York, you expect to find some posers, but at this joint there's zero pretension involved. The French name and the bistro vibe is down to one factor: they produce global cuisine with French roots. In fact, the folk behind L’Accolade have their first venue in Marseilles, La Parenthèse, which has been there since 2008, and this year they decided to dip a toe into American waters.
The result is an elegant and modern, but modest, restaurant on Bleecker. Tidy rows of marble tables match the marble bar and are complemented by carved, natural wood features. The menu is stocked with seasonal European (and a bit of American) fare, including crudo, gnocchi and brandade dauphine (crispy potato balls).
As for the wine selection, the eatery stocks natural vinos from across the globe and curates their collection. Plus, they have some garden space in which to enjoy a glass or two, and happy hour runs 4-7pm daily.