Matisse

Escape the hectic day-to-day at this French bistro in Midtown East. Order a glass, carafe or bottle of wine to take the edge off (hey, we’re not judging), then settle in for a traditional Gallic meal. You might start off with a cheese plate (three cheeses for $18), then dive into classic hors d’oeuvres like seared foie gras ($18) or a caramelized onion tarte tatin with goat cheese ($12). The entrees include even more hallmarks of French cuisine like Julia Child’s recipe for beef bourguignon ($25), coq au vin ($24), hand-cut steak tartare ($24) and salmon a la niçoise ($26). Finish your meal with ile flottante, a dessert of soft meringue floating in a lake of light custard, or perhaps a few profiteroles with molten chocolate sauce (both $9). Be sure to snag a reservation for Saturday nights—the restaurant hosts live jazz from 8 to 11pm.