Overcast 38° » 5-day

You are not logged in

New York Magazine

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Home > Restaurants > Lucien

Lucien

14 First Ave., New York, NY 10003
at 1st St.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-260-6481 Send to Phone

  • Price Range: $$$

    Key to Prices and ratings

    Upscale
    • Almost Perfect
    • Exceptional
    • Generally Excellent
    • Very Good
    • Good
    Cheap Eats
    • Best in Category
    • Excellent
    • Delicious
    • Very Good
    • Noteworthy
    • Very Expensive
    • Expensive
    • Moderate
    • Cheap
  • Reader Rating:

    6.0 out of 10

      |  

    7 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: French

Official Website

luciennyc.com

Hours

Daily, noon-midnight

Nearby Subway Stops

F, V at Lower East Side-Second Ave.

Prices

$18-$30

Payment Methods

American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

  • Bar Scene
  • Dine at the Bar
  • Singles Scene

Alcohol

  • Full Bar

Reservations

Recommended

Profile

The Balthazar/Pastis empire has spawned dozens of budget-priced brasserie imitators. This cramped, very loud First Avenue fave near Houston Street is one of the less egregious copycats, right down to the distressed mirror and the filet mignon au poivre, scarfed down by yakkety office drones in Prada knockoffs. Quirky neighborhood characters populate the small bar, and the enthusiastic proprietress always seems to be giving out free stuff. — Andy Bailey

Recommended Dishes

Bouillabaisse served Marseilles-style, $32; rabbit in a dijon mustard sauce, $26; clams or oysters in season, market price

6.0 "Mixed Reviews"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
71% Would you go back?
71% Would you take a date?
0% Would you take kids?
14% Would you go on business?
28% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 5.9
Service: 6.1
Décor: 5.0
Value: 5.7

A ten for a low-key NY bistro

silvny from 10014 | Posted on 7/10/09

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Food: 9
Service: 9
Décor: 7
Value: 9

The athmosphere is great and unpretentious, the food is just fantastic. Every time I go I try something new and it is always outrageous. It is not a fancy resaurant and I guess thats why it is so cute and charming. Service is friendly. My only complain: even though you make a rez you always have to wait, and the space is really tight (even for the city standards)

Full of energy and flavor

Photomat2000 from 10009 | Posted on 11/25/08

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)
Food: 8
Service: 8
Décor: 7
Value: 6

After 2 years of living around the corner, my wife and I finally strolled into Lucien on a bustling Thursday night without a reservation. We were instantly greeted by a familiar face - the always energetic maitre'dess from one of my old favorite haunts, 26 Seats. The 20 minute wait at the bar was tight, but nothing awful, nor unexpected. Once seated, service was terrific. Food came out in a very French manner (slowly), but not rudely so. We shared the arugula salad with shaved parmesan and a bottle of Chinon (a nice, affordable red). For mains, my wife had the scallops which were buttery and delicious and I had the duck. The duck was cooked perfectly though if I had my wish, I'd leave a little more fat on the sliced breast. The leg, however, was done perfectly. After 2 years of walking buy without stopping in, we're going again this weekend. Making up for lost time, I guess.

Read All 7 Reviews >>

Advertising

Latest News Near

Advertising
Advertising