My Perfect Omelette and I: Lunch at La Bonne Soupe
I was really craving an omelette – a golden buttery omelette. I especially love it when the filling is completely hidden inside, revealed only when the fork slices through the fluffy tender omelette. One of my go-to spots time and time again for that perfect omelette is La Bonne Soupe in midtown. I guess you can call La Bonne Soupe a French bistro but it is more of a faux bistro. The menu is a smattering of French “classics” including French onion soup, croque monsieur and quiche Lorraine and the decor is a bit cheeky with old French posters of late. The clientele there is usually slightly older couples or families so I wouldn’t really say it’s a “hip” place to eat. Nevertheless, ever since dining here three years ago, I have found a soft spot in my heart for La Bonne Soupe, especially whenever I am looking for a great value and vast menu of choices.
I stopped by La Bonne Soupe last Wednesday for a quick lunch, partly because I was craving a real french omelette and partly because I knew this would be a hit with whoever I brought. As always, there was the French hello when we first stepped into the restaurant. After placing our order, a basket of bread and butter appeared. Don’t ask why but even though this is definitely not exemplary French bread by any means, I still enjoy gnawing on a piece with butter while I wait. I really need to kick this terrible habit!
My salad came out in the knick of time, just before I devoured one more piece of bread. All the omelettes on the menu come with a small side salad. Nothing extraordinary of note but their lemony housemade dressing is rather refreshing and I love that it comes in a La Bonne Soupe bottle when you ask for it on the side.
The service here always is quick and speedy. As soon as I was done with the salad, out came our entrees. Now, this is that special omelette that I have been raving about. This particular one is topped with a creamy wild mushroom sauce and tucked inside the omelette is a delightfully light creamed spinach. The portions here are rather generous so after half, I was ready to put down my silverware. But being me, I soldiered on and polished off the entire thing.
As for my friend, she had debated back and forth between a burger or one of the many large salad entrees. In the end, her burger cravings won and she ordered the cheeseburger Francais. From her report, it was a hit. I guess it’s hard to go wrong with a burger on toasted brioche bun and caramelized onion with gruyere?
You see, that’s what I love about La Bonne Soupe. In its simplest form, stripped of all those French posters and a harder to pronounce entrees on the menu (Cabillaud aux Épice or Steak Haché Oeuf à Cheval anyone?), this is a really great affordable restaurant with a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you are in the mood for a glass of red wine with soup or a ice cold beer with your croque monsieur or maybe a filet mignon au poivre pre-theater, La Bonne Soupe will have it well within a typical budget. Plus, where else can I get an amazing omelette like this one for under $14? (P.S. the omelette ratatouille is also a runaway hit!)
La Bonne Soupe | 48 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019 | http://www.labonnesoupe.com
