Came here for brunch based on a friend's recommendation and we arrived early before opening to get seats since friend said there can be a line. By the time noon rolled around, there was indeed a wait out the doors. Place was beautiful and comfortable. Friends got the matcha lattes while I tried the Vert Franis hot chocolate (both came in cute mugs with two small cookies on the side); hot chocolate was fragrant and not too sweet. We ordered a large fries and chicken karage to share (piping hot and crispy). I had the classic shio ramen (hearty delicious broth) and split the matcha soufflé pancakes with my friend. We ended the meal sharing bites of the matcha affogato since they were out of the matcha tiramisu my friend was interested in. Everything tasted great, I easily overate, and service was friendly and attentive without being pushy. Worth a visit but definitely come early.
Came back last night and it was even better than last year. The restaurant added a few items to the menu and has really hit its stride. There are several ramen options and more rice options too. The drink menu is now three times the size it was before, and the cocktails are very creative. The food was so delicious and reasonably priced. I can't wait for my next visit here.
I came here for brunch on a Sunday. They do not take reservations for brunch. It is highly recommended to get there around 10:45am (doors open at 11am) as there is always a line outside. This restaurant seats about 20-25 people. The decor inside looks like a little garden with a pergola in one corner. The famous soufflé pancake is a must try! I shared the matcha soufflé pancake, edamame, and quinoa salad with my friend. We also each got a matcha latte with oat milk. The pancake was light and not overly sweet. The quinoa salad was great and not too filling. The edamame could have had more salt. I took off a star as it took us 40min to get our matcha latte. It literally came at the end of our meal. We had asked a couple of times where it was, as I was used to getting it at the beginning of the meal. We were told each time that the drink orders are put in a queue and made in order. But, to me, it seems kind of crazy for a drink order to take 40min to get to and not everyone was getting matcha. Nonetheless it was very delicious and tasted like real Japanese matcha. I would love to come back here to try the other dishes in their menu.
We recently visited Vert Frais and had an amazing experience. The matcha soufflé pancakes were airy, fluffy, and absolutely phenomenal--easily a must-try. The matcha French toast was perfectly crispy on the edges with a soft, fluffy center, a delightful twist on a classic dish. The chicken karaage, which turned out to be wings, was a surprising but welcomed twist. The lemon added a refreshing tang, and they were so good that we finished the large order within minutes. If you're with a group, definitely go for the large portion. The classic shio ramen was warm, flavorful, and comforting, making it perfect for a cold winter day. As for drinks, the rosé sangria was a standout. It wasn't your typical sangria--it leaned more toward a sweeter, lychee-flavored cocktail, and it was absolutely delicious. The restaurant's bright and beautiful decor created a cheerful atmosphere. They don't take reservations, so expect to wait in line or arrive early to secure a spot. The service was attentive and friendly, which made the experience even better. Vert Frais is definitely worth visiting for its amazing food, drinks, and ambiance. Highly recommend!
Lovely Japanese and French inspired menu and decor. Quaint, quiet and excellent service. I've been here twice and both experiences were fantastic. Servers are all soft spoken and friendly. The menu is streamlined and offers limited choices on the weekday depending on what time of day you come. There's a little more variety at lunchtime (sandwiches and snacks). Weekends they offer brunch with items like eggs and souffle pancakes. I need to come back for those!! But I came here with the intention of having a nice dinner. Fellow Yelper Mike S. brought me here as he's been before and said the food was really delicious. I knew I'd be in good hands here with his recommendation. Dinner menu has salad greens, entrees with rice or ramen. And there's a great cocktail menu as well. The stunning bar and counter would be a great spot to sit if you're dining solo. The design of this restaurant is cozy, warm and inviting. Felt like a French bistro with the furniture and vibes. Oh, you gotta try the desserts (which was my focus on my second visit) and the Paris Earl Gray tea. It's one of the best Earl Gray teas I've ever had. My other dining companion agrees. We liked it so much, we had to ask the brand. And now we know why, it was a premium tea indeed - imported from France, hence the name. For my dinner with Yelper Mike S., we shared the beet salad with orange. The citrus complimented well with the beets. Light dressing was very refreshing. Then my dinner was the salmon and Ikura don. I thoroughly enjoyed how fresh the salmon was. Each piece was sliced evenly and the Ikura was fresh. Mike's LIC Mazeman was so delicious as well. The Parmesan cheese was a nice surprise to the traditional Mazeman I've had before. The chicken oil too was delicious with the mushrooms. Everything we had was so good. Dessert for this dinner was the affogato - it was beautifully plated and of course delicious. Perfect spot for a meal any time of day. And I shall return!! Totally recommend.
Came here for their matcha souffle pancake and it did not disappoint! Matcha pancake (5/5): The pancake was jiggly and soft, but not undercooked, and the paste on top was just the right sweetness to go with the pancake. The fruits placed around the pancake tasted fresh too - one surprise was finding a tomato too! Rose latte (4/5): Nice at first, but then as you drink it, the taste of beets gets stronger. Not recommended if you dont like beets. Bonus points for the nice latte art! Salmon Ikura Bowl (5/5): The salmon tasted very fresh and the rice was well marinated! Cappuccino (5/5): Bold coffee flavor and a good amount of froth Ramen (4/5): The pork was very fatty but tasted good and the soup had good flavor. The egg was also jammy, just the way I like it! Overall, not memorable but still good! The service was also quick and efficient. We didn't have to wait long to order and receive our order on a busy Saturday. The interior decor is also gorgeous along with the plates and cups! Would definitely come back to try the other items on their menu!
Officially one of my favorite brunch spots in NYC. I live in Greenpoint across the bridge to LIC, so I gave the joy of walking here. I was lucky to snag a table with my partner, and we ordered a rose latte, omurice, and citrus soufflé pancakes. Everything was executed to perfection. My partner was obsessed with the omurice, and the soufflé pancakes were perfectly done, with a fluffy and airy component that wasn't too sweet. Just a note, it's extra snug in here space wise. Definitely coming back again!
Came for lunch on a Friday and there was no wait for 3 of us. The food is all really solid but a little overpriced imo. I tried: + Iced blue moon latte - good vanilla flavor but a bit too sweet + Large chicken karaage - excellent + Large French fries - good + matcha soufflé pancake - great Probably wouldn't return because you can get better soufflé pancakes at Flippers, and great karaage just about anywhere. I would have tried the omurice except it's $23 which is insane.