Classic French bistro w/ downtown vibe. Old NY feel, but beware of trendy crowds & tough reservations.
Lucien, a French bistro in the East Village, offers a classic downtown dinner vibe and an old New York feel. It's known for its brasserie-style French cuisine and has been a popular spot, though some recent feedback suggests it may have become more of a trendy hangout, potentially impacting the overall experience and reservation accessibility.
Lucien is a French bistro in the East Village, praised for its classic dishes like steak frites and escargots. While some diners highly recommend it for its authentic French cuisine and ambiance, others have described the food as 'okay' and feel the overall experience is negatively impacted by a perceived shift towards a trendy, influencer-heavy crowd.
"Steak frites and escargots are specifically mentioned as recommended dishes at this French bistro."
Customer sentiment is mixed. While many appreciate the classic French bistro atmosphere and food, a growing number of recent comments suggest a decline in quality and an increasingly pretentious clientele, making it difficult to get a table.
Important Note
Recent feedback suggests the restaurant has become very popular with influencers, making it difficult to secure a reservation and potentially impacting the overall dining experience. Some patrons feel the quality has declined and the clientele has become more pretentious.
"This user recommended Lucien."
Positive"Lucienne is listed as a recommended coffee roaster."
Positive"This commenter asks for an update on Lucien, noting they used to go often but moved away and heard it became an 'instagramer hangout' and hard to get a table."
Neutral"This user lists Lucien as a French restaurant recommendation for a budget of under $35 per person with no drinks."
Positive"This commenter suggested Lucien."
Neutral"This user recommended Lucien, located in the East Village."
Neutral"This commenter suggests going to Lucien after Le Dive."
Positive"Lucien was recommended as a French dining option in NYC."
Positive"The user lists Lucien as a recommendation."
Positive"This user feels Lucien has declined from its former status as a staple, becoming more of a 'Dimes Square clubhouse' and is now a less desirable dining spot."
Negative"The user notes that Lucien, once a favorite, is now difficult to get into due to its popularity with influencers, and reservations are hard to obtain."
Negative"Luciene was mentioned as a distant second choice after Raoul's for steak au poivre."
Neutral"This user recommended Lucien as a French restaurant option."
Positive"Lucien's in the East Village is recommended for its old New York feel, making it a suitable option for a leisurely dinner."
Positive"Lucien is recommended for a late-night French bistro experience, noting it's open until 1 AM and has a "sceney" vibe that might appeal to a college-aged student."
Positive"The commenter expresses sarcastic anticipation for a review of Lucien, implying it's a type of restaurant that attracts a particular clientele, playing on the original poster's perceived review style."
Neutral"The user describes Lucien as a mess with an overall horrible experience, noting that their "okay food" does not justify catering to an entitled and pretentious clientele."
Negative"The user expresses firm resolve not to return to Lucien again, indicating a very negative past experience."
Negative"The user agrees with a previous comment that Lucien sucks, reinforcing a negative opinion about the restaurant."
Negative"The user strongly advises against going to Lucien, stating that anything else would be a better choice."
Negative
