La Boite en Bois

Great local spot with wonderful food

Absolutely delicious and delightful! Cannot wait to return.

In an area with several French options, one of the best. Really enjoyed the Fish Stew.

Have dined here many times and had wonderful meals. Not so the last time. Was there on 2.17.24 with a 7:45 reservation. We arrived a bit early and were seated immediately. I had French onion soup and my friend had escargot. Both were excellent. I ordered lamb chops for my main course. I ordered them medium. I was served three pancake thin chops that were raw in the middle. My friend had the duck, which he said was dry. Not what I would expect for a $220 dinner. Very disappointed.

There surely was a time when La Boite en Bois was known as one of the premier pre-theater eateries in the UWS, serving classic French food in a white-linen-adjacent environment. Sadly that reputation seems to have fallen by the wayside - aside from the white linen bit. Dropped in with two friends for a quick, low-key bite around 5PM to be told by the maitre'd they only had outdoor seating available. They had one occupied table at the time. We're flexible, so we sat outside - no bother aside from having to reclaim out coats from coat-check. The menu is, honestly, pricey. It is expected every French spot on the UWS serve a good soupe à l'oignon gratinée - it's surprising when they charge 19.95 for it. We ordered the specials - the beef bourguignon and the soup of the day, as well as the chicken from the menu. All classic French, done decently enough, but certainly not worth the 45 dollar price tag on the bourguignon nor the 35 dollar price tag on the chicken. Service was fine aside from the staff spilling a third of my stew onto the floor and my sleeve, and offering nothing as an apology. The environment was fine aside from the malcontent who joined us in the outdoor dining hut, who after walking into the previously abandoned but for our group shed, immediately "shushed" us as he sat alone at a 4-top. That interaction really sums up this place: self-absorbed and dated, serving French classics to people who don't know, or are unable to manage the walk to, one of the four better, more reasonably priced, French restaurants within 10 blocks.

This is the place if you want zero privacy and to enjoy 2 other table conversations next to you! Host gave us a table at the entrance and I was freezing the entire night because the door was opening every 5 seconds. Posted pictures how close are other tables. Tables are so small that this is how my escargot was served (btw, it was not hot at all)

Authentic. Quaint. Fantastic food. Yep. Quiet. Yep. But this is great bistro food.

Feels like Valentine’s here. Maybe it was the ambience or creme brulee. The seafood crepes unique and superb. For me though, it’s the simple things some times. Ok, mushroom ravioli are not simple —my favorite at La Boite. They have a wonderful wild mushroom flavor that pair with any wine. Overall, kudos to the chef and team for making it feel like Valentine’s as I fell in love with that generous mushroom appetizer. You know it’s good when you see regular locals (see photo) here. Tout le repas était une force merveilleuse.

We had a booking at 8:30pm (mind you closing time is 10:30pm). We trapsed through torrential wind and rain to get there only to be told they were closed! If a customer doesn’t turn up we are either charged or have a bad mark against us in the reservation platform, but what happens to the restaurant when they close cancel or both and don’t even notify you? Just got home and soaked to the bone. If you could rate in the negative then I would. Disgusting

Lovely French Neighborhood Restaurant with delicious menu choices including some traditional French classic dishes. Good service.