Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

I was really excited when I got invited to a press diner at La Sirene, a French restaurant located in Soho, couple of minutes from the subway. I met the Chef and Owner, Didier Pawlicki, at Le Village last December (below is a photo of Chef Pawlicki in kitchen of Le Village).

Opened in 2007, La Sirene serves classic dishes from the South of France, some of the dishes being in fact served at Le Village, such as the coq au vin or the banana brûlée. Located next to its third restaurant, Taureau, La Sirene is a casual place that reminds me some of the places I loved so much when I was living in Paris: intimate and welcoming.

Menu wise, the French food lovers will definitely find a dish to satisfy their appetite: they have escargots, foie gras, ravioles (French mini-ravioli that are amazing), mussels, paté, cassoulet, magret de canard (duck breast)...And the dishes I tried were pretty good! I got of course the Escargots à la Bourguignone, 6 snails smothered with a butter and garlic sauce that was divine and perfect either with the escargots or simply with their homemade bread.

The second appetizer I tried was the Sepios sautés à la Provençale sur un lit de salade or Sautéed Baby Octopus with garlic, parsley, olive oil , tomato and mushrooms:

The octopus was perfectly cooked, not rubbery and definitely reminded me the South of France.

The last appetizer I tried was the Tartelette de Chèvre Frais aux Echalottes, Truffes, Raisins Confit et Voile de Vieux Gruyère or Baked Goat Cheese tart with Shallots, Truffles, Grape and a Veil of 180 days Aged Swiss:

Goat cheese tart at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — Goat cheese tart at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

I liked it, although I admit that I did not taste the truffles, but loved the fact that they were generous with the amount of cheese.

For the entrées, I tried the following:

Onglet Poêlée, à la Luchonaise or Butter Only Seared Hanger Steak, Roasted Garlic, Parsley (this is their signature dish):

Hanger steak at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — Hanger steak at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

Magret de Canard Gras Montmorency or seared Rohan duck breast, topped with sweet and tart Michigan’s cherry sauce:

Carre d’Agneau au jus de truffes or Frenched rack of lamb with white wine rosemary and truffle au jus:

Rack of lamb at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — Rack of lamb at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

My favorite was definitely the hanger steak that was cooked perfectly and so juicy. I also liked the magret de canard, although I would have liked it pink; but I have to say that their cherry sauce is phenomenal and gives another dimension to the dish. The first two dishes were served with some potato au gratin that was so good I wish there was more and would have liked to see it offered as a side. There were other vegetables served with our entrées: carrot purée, Chayote (a Mexican vegetable), butternut squash and cauliflower.

Vegetables at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — Vegetables at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

I should mention that with the meal, we drank some house wine (Pinot Grigio and Bordeaux):

House wine at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — House wine at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

Of course, we could not leave without trying some desserts.

The tarte tatin (upside down apple cake):

Tarte tatin at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — Tarte tatin at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

Tartelette aux Fraises:

Strawberry tart at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — Strawberry tart at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

Choux Chantilly (made with homemade whipped cream!):

Chou with whipped cream at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — Chou with whipped cream at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

Profiteroles:

All of these desserts were spectacular, but I admit that the profiteroles was my favorite. It is a big plate, perfect to share for sure, although I am to sure how one can resist the creamy ice cream, succulent chocolate sauce made with Caillebaut chocolate, the light house made whipped cream or the delightful choux. I guess I just drooled just describing it...

Decaf espresso at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York — Decaf espresso at La Sirene, French Restaurant, NYC, New York

I finished the meal, full and satisfied, with a decaf espresso. La Sirene is definitely a restaurant to know: charming with some delicious food. They have a 3 course prix-fixe from Sunday to Thursday, 5pm to 6:30pm that is worth noticing. Would I go back? Definitely! I already have my next meal there in mind: foie gras, tournedos rossini (filet mignon topped with foie gras) and the fondant au chocolate (dark lava cake). Chapeau Chef Pawlicki!

Enjoy (I did)!

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La Sirene, French Restaurant in Soho

I Just Want To Eat!