New York - September 15, 2006

Here, Kitty, Kitty

Chat Noir Opens

The cat’s out of the bag.

Suzanne Latapie, the twelve-year manager of La Goulue, the lower Upper East Side cafeteria, has just opened a new scratching post around the corner: Chat Noir.

As in, “black cat,” though there’s nothing unlucky about the place. The bistro, named for and inspired by a 1880s Parisian cabaret of the same name, is exactly what you’d want from your local dining-room-away-from-home. It’s lovely and easy, with vanilla walls, red banquettes, gold-framed mirrors, and bronze sconces. Chances are you’ll recognize your neighbor across the cozy room. 

Latapie wanted to create a place that was a little more feminine than the dark walls at Goulue, and to that end, the très Français menu is very ladies-who-pretend-to-diet friendly: pan-seared goat cheese wrapped in zucchini, roquefort steak frites, insane (and insanely rich) ravioli gratin, truffle oil French fries. It serves lunch and dinner daily and brunch on the weekends. Breakfast is coming this January.

A new perch for your kitten heels?

Meow.

Chat Noir, 22 East 66th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues (212-794-2428).

  Brunch, Frenchy, Ladies Who Lunch, Lunch Spot, Romantic, Take Mom