élan

Pickled vegetables seasonal $10, seafood sausage on cheese sauce $20and grilled sea bass $30. Skip Brussel sprouts in XO sauce $10. $1 oysters at bar from 5-7pm.

Excellent bartenders. Short but strong cocktail list.

élan serves “contemporary American” a la carte dishes at contemporary Manhattan prices. Try the paper-thin, soy- and sake-cured beef, air-dried and served with king oyster mushrooms in lemon cream.

Order the duck fat hash brown ($8). The lardy puck tosses shoestring-thin russet potatoes with onions in silky duck fat, pressed until the edges are golden brown and exceptionally crunchy.

Christmas colors are reflected in the cocktails mixed with Pueblo Viejo Blanco at élan.

Try the new blackberry-blueberry tart with corn ice cream and basil reduction. Created by élan's pastry chef Diana Valenzuela.

Very nice French spot, at least I had brunch here and it was impressive. Don't just read the review on NewYorker. Stop by, and it worth the trip.