Paris in New York

One customer review complained of 1) a long wait 2) a grossly small restaurant with people bumping into your chair every time they pass 3) a rude and poorly trained staff with major attitude 4) a bus boy that thinks its ok to sweep and stack tables right beside you while you're still eating. They take no credit cards, no reservations, have no liquor license (BYO), yet they wait in line. Why? Many just love this place. NYC is a city of extremes and this includes restaurant experiences and opinions. Tartine was started by Thierry Rorchard and Jean-Francois Bernard, two chefs who had worked several decades in large French restaurants. This wonderful small French bistro at 253 West 11th Street on the corner of 4th Street is probably in the most bucolic area of town - the West Village between 7th and 8th Avenues. I have written before of this neighborhood - click on any of these four links - 39 & 41 Commerce, Cherry Lane Theater, 17 Grove Street and 121 Charles Street. Here you will find the charm of being in the Latin Quarter of Paris. The stretch of West 4th Street from 7th to 8th has a number of restaurants discreetly hidden - these blocks are decidedly non-commercial, in part due to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which has strict guidelines. I love al fresco dining but I find most streets in Manhattan much too busy. Tree lined West 4th street is the perfect place for a summer brunch. Be prepared to wait in line ...