The Feed first look: Lafayette

Ace culinary crew Andrew Carmellini, Josh Pickard and Luke Ostrom—the winning team behind blockbusters Locanda Verde and the Dutch—follow up their rollicking hot spots with this souped-up, 150-seat French bistro, set to open by April 15th. The dream-team trio recruited bold-faced toque Damon Wise (Tom Colicchio's longtime right-hand man at Craft) to execute the Gallic menu, which marks Carmellini's return to his Francophilic roots (exemplified by runs at Café Boulud and Lespinasse). The menu focuses on the country's rustic south: House-made ravioli au pistou reps the eastern tip butting against Italy; grilled octopus with smoky eggplant and pipérade pledges allegiance to the Basque border; and roasted lamb chops with burnt orange and olives evoke France’s Moroccan ties. A zinc-hooded rotisserie twirls roasted chicken pour deux in the spacious, mahogany-floored eatery, while an in-house bakery, manned by Per Se alum James Belisle, churns out Provençal staples like pain de campagne and whole-grain pain aux noix. Slip into a caramel-leather banquette for aperitifs (Bonal, Byrrh, Dubonnet) or vin—the by-the-glass list touts 25 Gallic bottles, featuring big-ticket wine regions (Loire, Bordeaux), as well as small-production country-style varietals. See the menu below. 380 Lafayette St at Great Jones St (212-533-3000)

LAFAYETTE MENU

CHARCUTERIE
Pâté Maison- meau mustard, $16
Foie gras terrine- huckleberry, d'épices, $20
Charcuterie board- saucisson, terrines, jambon, rillete, $32

GRAND FROMAGE
Torus
Pyrénées Brebis
"Brin d'Bleecker"
Tarentaise
Tomme de Savoie
Fourme d'Ambert
Served with fruit stewed in cognac and pain aux noise
Three for $12
Five for $19

GARNITURES, $8
Pomme Frites
Pomme Purée
Spinach with garlic
Wood-Roasted Vegetables
Organic Carrot Vichy

FRENCH MARKET
Les Olives Vertes, $5
Eggs Lafayette, $9
La Riviera, $16
Duck Mousse Tartine- cherries, walnuts, $9
Crab Tartine- aioli, lemon confit, $13
Selles-sur-Cher Tartine- radish, tomato, $8

HORS D’OEUVRES
Spring Salade of Lentils- leeks, radishes and kale, $12
Roasted Beet Root- hazelnut, fleur verte, $14
Seafood Salade- celery, provençal olive oil, $19
Frisée Salade- bacon maison, poached organic egg, $17
Beef Tartare Cressonnière- poached marrow, $19
Grilled Mediterranean Octopus- smoky eggplant, pipérade, $17
Warm Asparagus Vinaigrette- orange, mimosa $16
Oysters “Sargent” $18
Tripe Bourguignon $14

LES PÂTES
Ravioli au Pistou, $19
Fleur de Soleil- snap peas, pancetta and mint, $18
Spaghetti Niçoise with tuna, $22
Linguine Noir with seafood and chorizo, $25
Macaroni with veal ragoût and brebis, $24
Spring Mushroom Risotto with asparagus, $24

ENTRÉES
Steamed Sea Bass- artichoke barigoule, $29
Scallops à la Plancha- spring peas, morels and tarragon, $29
Wood-Fired Dorade- beans en cocotte, muscat grapes, $30
Duck au Poivre- organic grains, radish, smoked bacon, $30
Steak Frites- béarnaise butter, $28
Lamb Chops Marocaine $32

FRUITS DE MER
Oysters Du Jour:
Bluepoint, NY $3
Island Creek, MA $3.25
Wellfleet, MA $3 Kusshi, WA $3

Littleneck Clams, LI $2.50
11⁄4 lb. Maine Lobster MP
Louisiana Crawfish $16
Shrimp Cocktail $18

CAVIAR SERVICE
Lafayette $95
The NoHo Plateau $75
Le Grand Jones $125

PLATS POUR DEUX
Bouillabaisse Royale MP
Rotisserie Chicken, $22 PP