Double Nine Address Proves Lucky for Pastis of New York

Double Nine Address Proves Lucky for Pastis of New York

Pastis is another New York City restaurant that is located at a great address: #9 Ninth Avenue – should that tell us that Pastis is a very lucky restaurant having a double nine in its location? Perhaps, because Pastis is said to be among the top 25 restaurants in New York City. Even if you are not superstitious, go to Pastis anyway for the various meals that it serves, such as your basic breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as brunch and supper. Breakfast is served everyday from 8:00 in the morning to 11:30 am. Lunch is only served Mondays to Fridays from 12 noon to 6:00 in the evening. Brunch is reserved for Saturdays and Sundays only, from 10:00 am to 4:30 in the afternoon. Dinner is served everyday from 6:oo in the evening to 12 midnight, while supper is served from Sundays to Wednesdays between 12 midnight and 1 am; on Thursday from 12 midnight to 2:00 in the morning; and from Fridays to Saturday from 12 midnight to 3 am.

Since each meal is different from the others served at Pastis, each meal comes with its own set menu. Meaning, if you come in for breakfast, don’t expect a brunch menu. Pastis basically operates as a French bistro so be ready to order Provencal-style dishes prepared by Pascal Le Seac’h (the Chef de Cuisine), and executive chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, and their team. Prices here are said to hover in the moderate range, which is good news for those who want good food but not the outrageous prices that often accompany them. There is a bar in Pastis where you can order glasses, carafes or bottles of wine (as you like), different house cocktails, and of course any of the varieties of pastis that give the restaurant its succinct name. (Pastis is actually an aperitif from southern France that is laced with the spice called anise.) Some dishes which are said to be quite in demand are the moules frites au Pernod (priced at $18), seared Tuna Nicoise (which costs $16), and the eggplant salad that comes complete with cherry tomatoes, arugula, chick peas and feta cheese (which will run you $11.) Pretty good prices actually for pretty good food.

The restaurant was conceived of by founder Keith McNally who was one of the early few who dared to make the New York City Meatpacking District into a common destination for daring diners. Keith made Pastis in the mold of the brasseries of Paris as they used to be in the 1930s.

Pastis does accept advance reservations, even if the day you reserve a table for will be 30 days hence. However, you have to make reservations by phone or in person since Pastis does not permit reservations initiated through emails. You can also reserve space at Pastis for special occasions or important events with a minimum guest list of 9 which then maxes out at 150 diners. You may choose between reserving just a table (such as the 24-seat communal table) or the whole restaurant if necessary.