Le Manhattan Bistro – Wilkes Barre, Pa

Le Manhattan Bistro- Braised Lambshank

‘Where are we?’ We literally blindly followed the advice of friends, which is always a 100% totally reliable way to make meal choices, to come to Le Manhattan.

We knew there was French food, that fellow Traveling Circus fiends liked the place, and that was it. We had fallen head over heads for the menu. It was a blind-date for sure. On arrival, we were underdressed, over enthusiastic,  and really bad loud. (So a bad blind date?) Truth be told, it was more fun than it should be. (Should French dining be… fun?)

But no matter what, Le Manhattan is a blind date worth repeating.

Boudin Noir - Blood pudding, mashed potatoes, carmelized applies and waffle crisps le Manhattan Bistro

All of our terrifyingly loud laughs and bellows were captured in the giant, human sized fans of the renovated bank.  When I first heard of the restaurants going into the casino, *this* is what I was expecting. Awes and oooos.

le-manhattan-steak-frites-1

Fair warning, we’re never going back as a group. Not because we don’t want to. Unfortunately, Whiskey Beard shamed us all, so to show our faces as a collective would be out of the question. I mean we have reputations to uphold. So we’ll all have to come back on our own, el solo for brunch. (A sumptuous looking menu all it’s own.)

Huge servings, bigger than life taste and all in a very appealing, dare I say, sexy presentation. Pate that tasted *good*, bloody great bloody sausage, and juicy gerkins. Seriously, everything was great. The only complaint? There’s so much to try again!le-manhattan-charcut-and-cheese

Stuffed puffs.Bourbon Apple Cocktail - Le Manhattan Bistro

Side note: in an episode of Bourdain’s Part’s Unknown he hung with some sly dudes who were a part of Lyon’s all-male societies. Eight times a year, these macho men feast and drink with a policy of: “No women, no politics, no religion.” When watching this, I nearly had a spit take – HOLY SHIT. This means we’ve been a French, mixed sex group, following centuries of tradition all along!

To visit Le Manhattan Bistro yourself:

  • 264-268 South Main Street (Corner of Ross Street), Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.
  • Lunch Hours Monday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Dinner Hours Monday-Thursday 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Friday-Saturday 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.
  • Check out the menu online
  • Facebook for Specials

Ahi Tuna Tartare - with spicy avacodo and waffle crisps- le Manhattan Bistrole-manhattan-lobster-risotto