Ever wondered where New York City’s billionaires grab a bite? Cafè Boulud might be the answer. This French restaurant exudes high class. But it is accessible if you choose wisely.
Cafè Boulud is owned by French celebrity chef Daniel Boulud. He is New York City’s longest-tenured four-star chef. The restaurant first opened its doors in 1998. It was located on East 76th Street. You could find it inside the Surrey Hotel.
Sadly, the original Cafè Boulud closed in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. But fear not food lovers. It reopened in 2023 at 100 East 63rd Street.
Daniel Boulud brought over some familiar faces upon reopening. Head Chef Romain Paumier came from Daniel. Pastry Chef Katalina Diaz also joined from Daniel.
The name Cafè Boulud has a sweet backstory. It pays homage to a restaurant outside Lyon. Boulud’s family once owned that restaurant.
The Cafè Boulud menu draws inspiration from Daniel Boulud’s culinary muses. These muses are La Tradition. This represents classic French cuisine. La Saison showcases seasonal delicacies. Le Potager highlights the vegetable garden. Finally, Le Voyage explores flavors from world cuisines.
In 2000, The New York Times gave Cafè Boulud three stars. The review praised its sleek and easy atmosphere. It also noted the staff’s permission to have fun. The menu was unpredictable and exciting. Most days, there were over 30 dishes. None of them were ordinary.
Zagat’s gave Cafè Boulud a food rating of 27 in 2013. This was the third-highest rating in the East 70s. One Zagat’s reviewer called it “A neighborhood bistro for billionaires.”
The new Cafè Boulud location has a vintage feel. Jeffrey Beers International designed the space. It features original black-and-white tile. Varnished wood flooring adds to the charm. The restaurant displays an extensive art program. It has rotating selections from European artists. Velvet banquets and mirrored walls echo the original location.
The new menu still includes the four distinct sections. There is la tradition for French classics. La saison includes seasonal dishes. Le potager has vegetables and farmer’s market ingredients. Le voyage presents a cuisine from around the world. One example is Thai cuisine. It is inspired by sous chef Kevin Inocencio.
Some menu classics include glazed sweetbreads dubarry. You can also find black sea bass en paupiette. This sea bass dish is almost 35 years old. It is as loved and popular as yesterday.
Cafè Boulud is more than just a restaurant. It’s a culinary experience. Daniel Boulud’s passion shines through every dish. So, step inside and savor the flavors.