L’Artiste

A great sweet little spot. The staff are nice and the food is amazing. Wine selection is pretty good and great for the price. It is a special place that belongs forever in Astoria.
Apps are unique and great, entres (I have had every on the menu) have little room for improvement and the deserts are heavenly.
Good service, but try to stay away during super crazy times like Valentines, they still do a great job, but the little extra touches are sacraficed during their busy times.

Went there for a double date on Saturday night.
Pros– food is delicious. The taste, the presentation. Simply finger-​licking good
Cons– service was really bad but seemed that in that particular night the server had called out/didn’t show up. The lady taking orders seemed more like the owners wife who came to help out rather than professional waitress.
The a/​c unit was too small to properly cool down the place. It was as humid inside as it was outside. Will definitely go back but when it’s colder outside.

Came in for brunch during a Groupon rush. The staff was friendly to all and worked their butts off.
I ordered the eggs casserole which was pretty tasty but I regretted it after about 5 bites. The casserole was served in a deep dish and though it filled me up, it got boring and tedious. The dish really needed some sides or something.
The eggs Benedict was served with a side salad and potatoes. That’s what I should have ordered.
The menu is a little pricey but food & service were good. Nice place.

I don’t know anything about French fare, but all I know is that L’Artiste was scrumptious.
It was my dad’s birthday, so we decided to take the parents out. For a Friday night, it was not bustling, but there were a couple of tables filled. The restaurant is pretty small, but you get that intimate feel. I would say it would be a great date spot if you’re in Queens.
For appetizers, we had the eacargot, scallops, salmon ceviche, and mussels. The escargot was my favorite appetizer. It was swimming in a buttery and herby broth that was delicately flavored. «Swimming» probably wouldn’t be the best term to use here, since some people are squeamish when it comes to snails, but it was delicious! The taste was perfectly balanced, and earthy undertones permeated the dish. The bread in the basket was perfect for dunking into the broth. The scallops were not very memorable. You would not be missing much if you did not order it. The salmon ceviche was fresh and flavorful. They dressed it with a little too much white wine for my tastes, but my parents loved it. The mussels were not good. Let’s just say it was not fresh. I could smell them a mile away.
For entrees, we ordered the striped sea bass, lamb shank, seared duck breast, and the NY strip steak. We beat the other Chinese family in ordering the last striped sea bass of the day, and that was so worth it! The sea bass had a layer of crispy skin. It was cooked to perfection and flavored well. However, I did not really like the lamb shank with the currant sauce. I’m not too fond of the savory and sweet thing and it reminded me of Chinese soup. The currant sauce tasted a tad like goji berries, which totally reminded me of Chinese soup, and I hate soup, even though my parents convinced to me to drink it by saying that it will get rid of my pimples. It was tender though.
My favorite dish was the seared duck breast. The duck was sliced thinly and each piece had a nice layer of skin and fat on it. I normally do not eat the skin, but I decided to eat it this time. It was delicious. Do not peel off the skin. Just don’t worry about the calories-​simply enjoy the food. The duck was perfectly cooked, tender and not gamey at all. It was a little sweet from the glaze on the skin.
The NY strip steak was good. Each cube was perfectly charred on the outside, and the inside was juicy.
And to finish off the meal, we ordered dessert. Do not forget to check in-​you get a free dessert! With my check in, we got the chocolat fondant and with my sister’s check in, we also got the French coffee panna cotta. The chocolat fondant was interesting. It was similar to a chocolate soufflé. It was chocolatey, and it had the cold and hot contrast going on from the ice cream. The panna cotta was pretty tasty. It had bits of toffee like crumble that went well with the soft texture of the panna cotta and cream.
I truly enjoyed my experience here. Very nice and intimate and the service was superb. I’m really surprised how only one waiter was servicing the entire Friday night. He did a great job and provided excellent service throughout the night, even though it was kinda hot in there, and he was moving in and out of the kitchen the whole time. I was surprised how he was able to keep his cool! He was very friendly and helpful, and so we gave him an extra big tip.

My girlfriend raved about this place so of course she brought me. A quaint, little restaurant with seating for 20 – 30 people. Audrey Hepburn, the Eiffel Tower, and French memorabilia decorate the walls of this place. We were greeted with an amuse bouche: mushroom topped crostini. This was phenomenal and only made my mouth water more as we looked at the menu.
For apps, we got the ceviche and scallops.
Ceviche: Large, chunky pieces of seafood, avocado, red onion, etc. This was very tasty however I wish they cut the seafood a little smaller.
Scallops: This was unbelievable! Three scallops arrived on top of a bed of phyllo dough. It felt like were were eating New England Clam Chowder! Delicious! It just melted in your mouth.
For entrees, we ordered the sea bass (special of the day) and lamb shank.
Sea Bass: Packed with flavor! It was cooked in parchment paper. You can’t really mess that up! Definitely, the lighter meal option.
Lamb Shank: Delicious. The meat feel off the bone. Savory and saucy.
We finished everything off with a crème brûlée which was also phenomenal!
The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was the lychee martini. Next time, I’ll opt for wine.

Brunch, the art to having breakfast food at 1 PM. I really love Brunch, but some how I then to miss the time slot more often than not. Yesterday I finally hit the mark.
L’Artiste is a small 20 plus seat restaurant in a very quiet area of Astoria. It is a long storefront with simple décor inside and soft background music. Brunch at L’Artiste is $ 12 for entrée, coffee and orange juice. Nice price point.
I mention the price early in my review because I had a Groupon. Over the last year, I just have been hooked by the «art of the deal». Let me just say it «I have become cheap». The New Economy has done this to me. I look for deals and they look for me.
I had the Norwegian and it was delicious; two poach eggs over salmon and English Muffin topped with Hollandaise Sauce. It was a wonderful explosion of creaminess and texture. Entrée was served with potatoes and mix greens. Potatoes were OK and the salad had a very nice dressing. It was tasty.
The Groupon deal was $ 18 for Brunch for two; which included two entrees and 2 Mimosa’s; value $ 36. Now, when they say entrée, they mean entrée only. I interpreted as entrée as entrée with coffee and juice. I was charged for coffee. No big deal, but very miss leading on both sides; LArtiste and Groupon.
Overall, my wife and I had a very nice meal with delicious food. Would I come back, yes; if I was in the neighborhood. The restaurant is in a quite and out of the main pedestrian traffic area. So, if you do not drive, LArtiste is a bit of a hike. The restaurant itself is a very good neighborhood establishment. I would certainly come back with another Groupon deal or if in-​laws pay. HA HA…

I was pleasantly surprised finding this place for a late dinner. I had set a reservation on the Upper West Side but since my flight into LaGuardia didn’t come in until later I had to look for alternate spots L’Artiste was close and rated pretty highly. I made a reservation, and my gf and I walked in a little late, which was fine with the staff. We were seated at a cozy table, and soon were presented with two shots. Shots of the soup of the day which is the soup du jour which was a potato leek soup, a smooth, savory, but not overpowering broth. Free to taste but I had to get more so I ended up paying for a cup of it while the woman friend got the French Onion soup, something that she enjoyed eating in France a few months ago. She said that it was pretty close to the stuff she ate in Paris.
Entrée wise we were having a hard time deciding but when the waiter came by to share the specials I couldn’t help but be lured by the Pork chop-​cut like a lamb chop with very thin green beans and whipped potatoes. My gf, a sucker for lamb got the rack of lamb which is a feature. The pork was delicious with the sauce a perfect compliment to the meat as well as the vegetables. My gf’s lamb was fall of the bone tender BUT it was a little too sweet because of the currant sauce.
We showed up close to closing time and in no way did we feel rushed, we showed up a little late and we were still served with a smile, we still ordered a dessert; well, 2 since checking in on Unilocal got me a free dessert. They didn’t have the fig tarte that evening but there was a peach one and we also got the coffee panna cotta. The peach tart was all right, but the coffee panna cotta, which surprisingly good-​not a big fan of coffee but the sea salt in the pastry with the strong, earth, coffee flavor made it the better dish. Pleasantly surprised by the last minute change in scheduling.

Eating here is what I imagine being wooed by a Frenchman would be like. A down-​to-​earth Frenchman who invites you to sit on plushy cushions in his living room while he makes his mama proud by cooking you a wonderful meal.
The lamb shank here is heaven. If you’re ordering the lamb shank, you know exactly what you want, and L’Artiste delivers here. The dish is savory and saucy, and the lamb falls off the bone. Couldn’t have asked for more.
The seared duck breast is tender and perfectly cooked, drenched in a delicious, if somewhat unusual sauce. The sauce is slightly sweet as it was a butternut squash purée. It was good to share and take bites of the lamb shank in between. I love duck and really enjoyed this dish, but the sweetness of the sauce may not be for everyone, and you would want a side dish or something else to break it up.
With the Unilocal check-​in deal we got to try dessert for free, and we went with the coffee panna cotta with caramel ice cream. The waitress was excited about the dessert menu and helped us narrow it down. I’m glad we tried it but I wouldn’t get it again — it was sweeter than I thought it would be, though she gave us fair warning. I loved that she was super passionate and excited about the dessert menu — always nice to have at any restaurant.
The owner who took our order originally was also a pleasure — really enjoyed the experience here and love the fact that it’s in Astoria, just 2 blocks from my apartment.

L’Artiste is a really cozy and friendly place and the food is not half bad either. First thing they did was greet us with a warm welcome and even hanged our coats. That’s something you don’t expect unless you dish out hundreds in a fancy restaurant. I am going say this now: the service is top notch.
We were given a complimentary appetizer. I couldn’t catch what it was called but it was cheese with some shredded beets on top. It really turned my taste buds on and I was ready to eat.
We ordered the:
Escargot ($ 11.00) — The escargot was served without the shell in a buttery broth. The herbs and the butter blended well with each other, giving a good flavor. There was about 10 pieces in the dish.
French Onion Soup ($ 8.00) — This soup was a disappointment. It was way too salty and not even the complimentary bread was enough to spread out the flavor. We couldn’t finish this.
Pan Roasted Free Range Chicken ($ 18.00) — Tender chicken with mushrooms and a blue cheese mash potatoes. The chicken was tasty but the blue cheese potatoes had a sweet taste to it that wasn’t to my liking.
Seared Duck Breast ($ 22.00) — I heard good things about this dish from the various Unilocal reviews and they were right. The meat was very juicy and tasted great with the blend of butternut squash sauce. There was a thin layer of fat under the crispy skin which added to the great taste.

After going to an elite even here, I decided to go back to try a dessert (as I’m a picky eater but really liked the dessert menu). The staff was extremely polite & attentive. No one made me feel less or inferior because I was only getting dessert & I got prompt service on top of that.
I had the chocolat fondant, which was everything I hoped it would be. It was a great mix of hot & cold with the ice cream.
I also observed another great thing: it was quiet. If you are a childfree person seeking a quite meal out with proper ambiance, this is the place for you. Sadly, I wish this was within our budget and had a cuisine my husband would eat. If it did, we would probably make the trek to Astoria.

After an elite event at L’Artiste I couldn’t help but go back for a full meal. Got seated right away and they took drink orders and then I had some time to check out the full menu. After settling on the portabello mushroom appetizer and the mushroom ravioli entrée we were then told about the specials and I couldn’t resist the mushroom risotto that I’d tried at the Unilocal event.
Service here is excellent, the staff is attentive without being overbearing. The food is all presented really nicely and everything is really good. The bread comes out with an olive spread that I could have eaten all day. Totally was full from the meal but of course I could not skip dessert here…
PROFITEROLES! Get them. I’ve had these things on my mind since I tried them at the Unilocal event and I could probably eat 5 orders of them by myself. The perfect combination of pastry and ice cream served cold and draped in chocolate sauce.
I managed to remember to upload a picture of everything I ordered except the profiteroles because I kinda couldn’t wait to eat them. By the time I remembered all I had left was an empty plate… oops I’ll just have to go back.

I had the honour of being able to go to an event at L’Artiste. It was très magnifique.
A week later… my mouth still waters thinking about L’Artiste. The most memorable for me was the:
–Beet topped with Goat Cheese and Walnuts. (WOAH)
–Mushroom soup topped with a Parmesan Foam in a shot glass. (YUM)
–Seared Duck Breast on top of Butternut Squash Purée with a Orange Beurre Noisette Sauce (OMG)
–French Coffee Panna Cotta with nougatine & caramel ice cream (YOAH!)
I also had the lychee martini at L’Artiste…WOWEEEEEEE
I would love to go back.

Absolutely fabulous, lovely, perfect, romantic place to spend a long, indulgent evening.
I made the wise decision to purchase the Unilocal deal, and the man and I eagerly headed over to L’Artiste to redeem it. We went fairly early (he might as well be a 70 year old man — he’d eat at 5 if I let him), and there was only one other table. The manager (owner maybe?) was a delightful and friendly man who complimented my dress and whisked us to a cozy table for two. He suggested some special martinis and we gladly accepted — a pomegranate and a peach, both sweet and fresh tasting, perfectly chilled.
An amuse bouche quickly followed — a petite filo cup filled with a ratatouille. It was the perfect hint of the culinary treats yet to come. A basket of crunchy, flakey bread soon followed, accompanied by a yummy black olive tapenade. We ordered a watermelon salad appetizer and it might be one of the simplest, most delicious ways I’ve ever begun a meal. Two disks of juicy, sweet watermelon, a few balls of honeydew and canteloupe, served with crumbles of feta cheese all over a balsamic reduction. Holy crap. The flavors exploded together in the most unique and refreshing way. I fully plan on eating this as much as possible this summer.
The man and I both ordered the special filet mignon. We try to go for different entrees, in order to try as many different items as we can, but neither of us could resist. A tender cut of filet mignon with a pork jus, sides of potato gratin with gruyère and baby asparagus. You guys, I can’t even pretend to find the words to describe how perfectly everything was prepared. My filet was cooked to the exact temperature I requested, the baby asparagus was crunchy and tender all at once, and the gratin was unlike anything I’ve ever tried. The potato was thinly sliced and placed one on top of the other and baked to perfection.
To finish, we went with a French coffee panna cotta and it was smooth a packed with a nutty flavor. Splendid textrue, almost like a flan.
The whole experience was just wonderful — the service, the food, the environment. The man and I are already planning our menu for our next visit.

L’Artiste is our local go-​to restaurant for special occasions and celebratory nights out. We discovered it — a mere staggering distance from our place — just after it opened, and we were thrilled with the décor, ambiance, food and service. In all the times we’ve been back, L’Artiste has never failed to please.
Our favorite meals have been the steak, salmon or chicken entrees. The soups are fantastic — the french onion is the best we ever had, and the carrot/​orange is amazing. Probably my favorite soup of theirs. The serving sizes are satisfying; the first time, we actually over-​ordered thinking that the sizes would be small as the prices are so reasonable. Their bread and tapenade, and complimentary amuse bouche, are always a treat.
The wine selection is excellent; the last time we had dinner there (for my birthday) the Beau Pere Pinot Noir was incredible and worth seeking out on its own. It went great with both the salmon and steak.
The service stands out as the best we’ve ever had — not hovery at all and definitely not negligent by any means. The owner is very friendly and genuinely interested in his clientele’s experience.
After many dinner meals, we still have yet to try brunch which we hope to remedy soon. L’Artiste is a wonderful addition to the Astoria community.

Holy Delicious! I went to L’Artiste on a $ 15 for $ 30 Groupon and they did not disappoint. I went for dinner, and it was a pre fixed (3 Course) menu but we also had drinks so my Groupon didn’t cover much. I believe the bill came to $ 150 for two. It was well worth it.
The service was great, everyone was super friendly… they checked on our table numerous times… maybe a little too much. but I appreciate the effort. I ordered the Sirloin and my friend got the Duck — my steak was amazing, I can’t speak on the duck because I don’t eat duck, but my friend really enjoyed it…
The only downside was that they were having a themed Moroccan night on the night I was there so we were seated on little cushions that were slightly higher than the table… so we had to lean down to eat our food. not cute. and not good for posture. The good news is that they have regular tables 99% of the time…
I’m told they have a delicious brunch… I plan on giving it a try. I will keep you posted Unilocalers
Oh I also want to note that this place had the best sangria I have EVER had… and I drink a lot… of Sangria :)
Feelin good, feelin’ great

My husband and I tried a new restaurant tonight. When finished our dinner I asked my husband to rate it from 1 to 10, he said 10 — I said 11.
We started with an acorn squash soup and escargot; both dishes were fresh and wonderful. Then onto sea bass in parchment paper and lamb shank — OMG.
For desert we both had peach tartartine that made us feel like we were in Paris.
Youssef, the owner greeted us when we came, the staff was both friendly and knowledgeable, making us feel like old friends even though it was our first time there.
If you’re looking for a wonderful French restaurant without going to Manhattan (or France) try L’Artise — you won’t be disappointed!

Very good food, decent ambience. Food reminded me of what I ate in Paris.
Since it’s Astoria, the prices are good and you don’t have the Manhattan bullsh*t.

L’Artiste is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, especially since the closing of the only other French bistro in the area. I can’t say I was sorry to see that restaurant go, and after dining at L’Artiste I think I can safely say that L’Artiste will fare much better than their predecessor simply because their service is charming and their food is outstanding. The restaurant itself is inviting and cozy, with cushioned bench seating that wraps around the restaurant and fluffy pillows to lean against. I’m also a fan of the window panel walls which give you a full street view, and on a cold NYC winter night I can definitely appreciate which side of the glass I’m sitting on.
We started with a complimentary amuse-​bouche of bleu cheese in a phyllo cup.
After that first bite, I knew I was in for a treat for the rest of the meal. The cheese was perfectly pungent and the phyllo cup was perfectly flaky. Even the bread basket is worth mentioning because of the delicious olive tapenade that it comes with. My friend and I polished off the whole bread basket in no time.
I had the pan seared duck breast as my entrée.
The medium rare slices of duck breast were as succulent as they look in the picture, and each slice had just the right amount of fat. The butternut squash purée added a lovely sweetness to each bite. If you decide to order the duck, do yourself a favor and get a glass of the pinot noir to go with it; it pairs wonderfully.
My friend had the simple grilled beef paillard.
The beef was tender and juicy, and great with the pepper sauce. It came with roasted fingerling potatoes. If you’re a meat and potatoes kind of person, this is the dish for you!
Though I usually opt out of dessert, the french coffee panna cotta sounded too good to pass up.
I wasn’t disappointed. The coffee flavor of the panna cotta was just strong enough and there was a thin layer of nougatine for a bit of crunch. Fittingly, the first bars of Etta James’ «At Last» floated to my ears right as our dessert was set on the table. «At last, my love has come along…» Yes, I think the panna cotta sealed the deal. L’Artiste, this is love.
**Contrary to what was written in some reviews, they DO take credit card here.

The food here is inventive, presented beautifully, seasoned perfectly, and some of my favorite anywhere. I’ve been here twice, and each time I greatly enjoyed everything I ordered.
Each meal was started with a different amuse bouche. The more recent one contained beef carpaccio, a potato chip, and a few other items on a tiny spoon. A bit blander than the last amuse bouche that had a flavorful vinaigrette, but still a good complimentary starter.
This time I had the classic escargot appetizer, which was about 6 tender pieces resting in a hot garlic and butter bath. I prefer escargot served in this manner, compared to how it was at the dearly departed Bistro Les Minot, where the escargot looked and tasted like mushrooms on pieces of bread.
We’d brought a bottle of wine since it’s still BYOB, and I was filling up quickly, so I was relieved I ordered the rack of lamb, which is a smaller portion, as it is at any restaurant. The lamb was very tender and flavorful, though I wasn’t a big fan of the yellow squash.
Dessert was a trio of amazing creations for any palate. I like desserts with a bit of tart fruit, so that option was my favorite.
I’ll definitely be back and I’ve recommended this place to my friends. Service was excellent and very attentive. The waiter kept us informed about what we were eating. My water and wine glasses were never empty. After we finished the wine we brought, the generous owner suggested we try a pinot noir he had just received. That was great too, a lighter pinot noir than the one we brought. My only complaint is that there is no mention it’s cash only until the bill comes. Also, until I read differently, if you want steak, reconsider.

Non, je né regrette rien…
Edith Piaf crooned those words of regretting nothing, and they’re apropos for eating at L’Artiste. I regret nothing that I’ve eaten there and regret only that I must leave to go home, but lucky me, I live close by.
I’ve been here for both dinner and brunch, and while each are delightful, the dinner is the stonger suit, just simply because of the incredible amuse bouches that they serve you.
Little bites of heavenly manna. The last time I was there they gave me a lovely little salmon mousse in a crispy phyllo cup. I loved the contrast between the airy light salmon mousse and the crispy crust. But what really took my breath away was their beets. I don’t think any place any beat their beets. If you think you don’t like beets, or know someone who doesn’t like beets, you MUST as a humanitarian mission bring them here. Once again, I got the most delicate slices of beets served with three different sauces — beet sauce, raspberry sauce, and crème fraîche. The pairing of beets and raspberry is beyond perfection. The sweetness of each brings out the sweetness of the other. I think if it had been a full on appetizer, the sweetness might have been too much, but as a little teaser, it was perfect. Honestly the most perfect beet dish that I’ve ever eaten.
Their brunch specials are $ 12. Various different egg dishes, French toast, quesadillas, served with coffee or tea and juice (orange, apple, and cranberry). I had the egg casserole and it was quite tasty. The potatoes were sliced thinly so that they cooked perfectly all the way through, but were not mushy — like a potato al dente — cooked, but with still with enough structure to give a pleasant yield when you bite into it.
The service here is wonderful. Yusef is warm and gracious and clearly very proud of his new venture. Thank you for opening here! Raises up a glass of wine ***A votre santé***