The Citiblog

French Bistro Libertine Opens in West Village
May 23, 2023, 5:49.03 pm ET

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Photos: Evan Sung

A new French bistro guided by French countryside cooking and all natural French wines has landed in the West Village. Libertine, located at 684 Greenwich Street at Christopher Street, is a 46-seat restaurant with bistro tables sourced from the Pays de la Loire, France, burgundy leather banquettes, cream Venetian plaster walls, and chalkboard menus visible throughout the dining room. Partners Cody Pruitt [formerly of Anfora] and Executive Chef and Partner Max Mackinnon [previously of Relae in Copenhagen and Rose’s Luxury in Washington D.C.], have teamed up to create Libertine.



The menu is full-throttle French starting with freshly baked sourdough bread served with rich butter from Normandy and additions like anchovies and chicken liver. Hors D'oeuvres include a Jambon Persillé terrine, with cured ham hock and pork shank in a parsley aspic; Salad Maison with market greens and Savagnin vinaigrette; Oeufs Mayo with trout roe; Broiled Scallop with seaweed butter and leeks, served in the shell; and Lobster Chou Farci where fresh lobster and whitefish mousse is rolled in cabbage leaves and served with creme fraiche and leek oil.





Plats include Monkfish Á La Normande with a rich sauce of cream, cider and calvados from Normandy; Saucisse Purée featuring housemade pork sausage with a buttery potato purée and jus; Gnocchi Parisienne served crispy and with asparagus and spring peas; Braised Lamb A La Moutarde served with friseé, black olives, and orange; and Duck Breast Au Poivre with duck confit parmentier. Desserts include Riz au Lait with caramel and hazelnuts; and Chocolate Mousse with chartreuse crème fraîche.

The entirely French and all-natural wine list, highlights smaller natural producers from Burgundy such as Marthe Henry Boillot and Vin Noé, alongside cult winemakers in the Jura and the Auvergne including Domaine des Cavarodes, Stéphane Meyer, and Patrick Bouju.

The cocktail list highlights classic and lesser known French-inspired cocktails, composed mainly of small-batch French spirits. Aperó cocktails include Fine á l’Eau with cognac, verjus, honey, lavender, and Chartreuse Elixir; and Royale with cassis, plum, and Amér Rouge. Other offerings include Champs Elysées with armagnac, yuzu, and Chartreuse Jaune; as well as a Trou Normand, a chilled shot of calvados, traditionally served in Normandy in between courses of decadent meals.

Libertine was designed with the traditional bistro in mind, drawing inspiration directly from his extensive travels throughout the French countryside. Guests enter the restaurant through a door sourced from the Dordogne, France, and are greeted by the charming and warm dining space. A 12-seat red oak bar, accented by vintage gold-trim mirrors, anchors the 46-seat dining room. The space is decorated throughout with vintage French posters like and two pieces of art from Auberge de Chassignolles, a small and seasonal inn and restaurant in Auvergne, France (the unofficial birthplace of French bistro cooking).

Libertine is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5PM to 12AM, and reservations are available via Resy. Libertine will eventually expand service to seven nights a week, brunch, and weekday lunch. For more information, visit libertinenyc.com



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