| An inviting front entrance on 2nd Avenue in Turtle Bay near the United Nations. Since 1980, "La Mediterranne" has been well known in Manhattan for traditional French cuisine and contemporary specialties served in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for business lunches, romantic dinners and weekend brunches, it also serves as an inspiring milieu for the literati. Often seen enjoying the delectable Cote d'Azur fare have been Roz Avrett, Bartle Bull, Dominick Dunne, David Fromkin, Louis Auchincloss, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. and Kurt Vonnegut. Owner Ernesto Morel welcomes you with an old-fashioned "baise-main" as he invites you to enjoy your meal. From 7 to 10.30 p.m., "The Pianist" Harold, will take you on an imaginary journey with his interpretations of timeless melodies. Come visit us. We have prepared for you some delicious surprises prepared by executive chef: Xavier Mayonove, Formerly of "La Cote Basque" in New York, New York. |
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This is simply a wonderful restaurant!
La Mediterranée is a classic French Bistro. It is designed to transport the guest to a small restaurant in the South of France. At the rear is an artist's interpretation of an old French fishing village. The theme is cleverly carried along the walls by replicas of windows with other interpretations of this same fishing village. This is accented by a display of copper poölé used for serving food, a symbol of the high quality normally associated with French menu service. Tables are beautifully appointed. Each table is covered with a sparkling white tablecloth and there are always fresh pink and white roses. The entire restaurant has wooden beams making it look and feel like you are dining in an old Country French farmhouse. The feeling is completed with rough stucco walls and even an antique lantern that is carefully placed as part of a variety of lighting to achieve the desired atmosphere. La Mediterranée is a charming, culinary oasis of European style in the middle of the active Turtle Bay section of Manhattan not far from the United Nations. It is a perfect setting for an enjoyable lunch, dinner, or after dinner drink at their piano bar featuring contemporary entertainer Charles Sleeth. This warm, French bistro ambiance and old world atmosphere are the result of its dedicated owner, Ernesto Morel. Ernesto, after all, is a warm and gentle man whose experience in caring for his restaurant guests goes back to his early career at The Leopard...a legendary haute cuisine restaurant in New York. You feel the warmth and passion for his customers the minute you enter La Mediterranée. You will find it in every detail from the greeting at the door, to the décor, to the books on the shelf in the bar written by well known authors who are frequent guests. La Mediterranée featues delicious menu items, prepared with class and presented with exquisite style. The menu at La Mediterranée underscores Ernesto's uncommon love of food and guests. The chef, Xavier Mayonove (formerly of La Cote Basque), is one of New York City's most well known chefs. Chef Mayonove is also an instructor at the French Culinary Institute. His demanding standards, fresh ingredients, and talent with food mean that guests are never disappointed. One signature dish that is popular with the regulars, is Roasted "Long Island Duckling" a l'orange. Other memorable French Provençal Cuisine & Contemporary Dishes include Baby lamb chops, grilled, Béarnaise sauce; Salmon scaloppini, mustard sauce; Steak au poivre; Trout "à la Grenobloise"; and Mussels Marinier and Pommes Frites. Menu items are served both in the dining area as well as at the library / entertainment bar. The charming outdoor seating area in front of the restaurant gives only a hint of the interior where dining in the front library bar area or main dining room surrounds you with a sense of relaxing comfort and graciousness. Ernesto also brings together the locals from Turtle Bay with visitors to NYC at his piano wine bar for entertaining nightlife. During dinner, Harold Jon plays piano that compliments the ambiance, the menu, and the decor. He takes you on an imaginary journey with his interpretations of timeless melodies. It is subtle and relaxing. But after dinner, Charles Sleeth turns La Mediterranée into a convivial piano bar with popular songs appealing to young local residents who are moving into this dynamic, always growing neighborhood. The type of guest that enjoys La Mediterranée appreciates traditional fine dining in an intimate setting. Many are successful leaders, diplomats, and professionals who enjoy quality and comfort. Others are travelers who have been refered by the concierge from one of the nearby hotels. The gracious staff is experienced and always ready to make your visit a pleasant experience that you will long remember.
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Cuisine Type
Continental
French
Type of Food
Full Menu
Gourmet
Seafood
Pricing: Baby lamb chops, grilled, B'arnaise sauce 33.00;
Calf's liver Lyonnaise 25.00;
Escalope de Veau Milanese 29.00;
Roasted Long Island Duckling, al'orange 32.00;
Steak au poivre 30.00;
Sliced Supreme of chicken al'estragon 25.00;
Salmon scaloppini, mustard sauce 26.00;
Pan seared shrimps Provencal 28.00;
Cold poached salmon, green sauce 20.00;
Trout ala Grenobloise" 25.00;
Grilled dry sea scallops, vermouth sauce 33.00;
Filet of sole grilled or meuniere 30.00;-
Average Check: $35
Credit Cards Accepted
American Express
Diners Club
Discover
Mastercard
Visa
Address: 947 Second Avenue
City: New York
State: NY
Zip: 10022
Country (Location): US
Cater to Theatre Crowd
Yes
Neighborhood: East Side of Manhattan; Turtle Bay; Near United Nation
Telephone: 212-755-4155
Reservations number: 212-755-4155
Year Opened: 1980
Full Description: French Provencal Cuisine & Contempory Dishes in a Relaxed Atmosphere
- Prix-fixe Menu and Brunch
- Relaxed & Friendly Atmosphere
- Local Literary Favorite
Owner Ernesto Morel welcomes you with an old-fashioned "baise-main" as he invites you to enjoy your meal in this original French Bistro ; he also arranges the flowers to enhance your table. From 7 to 10.30 p.m., "The Pianist" Harold, will take you on an imaginary journey with his interpretations of timeless melodies.
Since 1980, "La Mediterranee" has been well known in Manhattan for traditional French cuisine and contemporary specialties served in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for business lunches, romantic dinners and weekend brunches, it also serves as an inspiring milieu for the literati. Often seen enjoying the delectable Co´te d'Azur fare have been Roz Avrett, Bartle Bull, Dominick Dunne, David Fromkin, Louis Auchincloss, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. and Kurt Vonnegut.
Owner Ernesto Morel welcomes you with an old-fashioned "baise-main" as he invites you to enjoy your meal. From 7 to 10.30 p.m., "The Pianist" Harold, will take you on an imaginary journey with his interpretations of timeless melodies. Come visit us. We have prepared for you some delicious surprises prepared by executive chef: Xavier Mayonove, Formerly of "La Cote Basque" in New York, New York.
La Mediterranee is a french Bistro carrying not only the gastronomic tradiotions of Provence and Cote D' Azur, but also those of other regions of France. Represented in our daily specials such as bouillabaise, Pot Au feu and Cassoulet, Freshest array of Seafood, with freat emphasis on mussels (Five different receipes). The Italian influence in the south of France is of course manifested in our pastas prepared with our family recipies.
A "Beekman Place" favorite and a "United Nations" Bistro
History: Ernesto Morel's more than 25 years as proprietor of La Mediterranee began when he stopped in at the establishment in the spring of 1980 and asked if he could buy a drink at the bar. "Not only can you buy a drink, you can buy the whole restaurant," Ernesto recalls the owner of the then-struggling bistro replying.
Fresh from a five-year stint as the maitre d' at La Mangeoire, Ernesto did just that. He refurbished the space, commissioned handsome murals of the south of France; hired a chef specializing in Provencal cuisine; and within months La Mediterranee had become the popular neighborhood eatery that it remains today.
Many loyal customers go back to La Mediterranee's first days. But Ernesto says his clientele also reflects younger residents who are moving into some of the new apartment buildings in the neighborhood. "I'm happy with the change I'm seeing here in Turtle Bay," he says, "It's bringing in young working families, and that's good for all the merchants."
View a map of the area
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Restaurant Features
Dating
Outdoor Dining
Romantic
Insider Tips: French Bistro La Mediterranee - original French cuisine and wines in Midtown Manhattan.
Pianist Harold Jon plays romantic classics until 10:30 p.m.; then piped-in music at the bar takes on a more modern beat.
Prix-fixe menus are $20 per person and available from 11:30am-3pm and from 5pm-6:30pm.
Parking: Street or nearby inside parking.
Entertainment
Piano
How to Get There: Located on 2nd Avenue between 50th Street and 51st Street.
Easy access to the Subway Line
Bar Menu
No
Seating Capacity: 60
Dress Code: Neat Casual or Business attire
Party Room
No
Alcohol & Wine
Beer
Extensive Wine List
Full Service
Wine
Galley Photos: People: http://www.cityentree.com/restaurants/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=9317&galleryphotos_people=yes&showcaption=yes
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Nightlife Description: After 10:00 PM, contemporary La Mediterranee becomes a convivial piano bar with popular songs appealing to young local residents who are moving into this dynamic, always growing neighborhood.
Wednesdays 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Jerry Scott at the Piano with Scot Albertson singing
Thursdays 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Steve Bocchino at the Piano
Fridays 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Steve Lowenthal at the Piano
Saturdays 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Steve Bocchino
Sunday Brunch 1:00 PM - 4:00 AM
Jerry Scott at the Piano with Scot Albertson singing
Sunday 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Steve Bocchino at the Piano
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![French%20Bistro%20sign](javascript:imgchange('9317_lamediterranee_sign_500.jpg','French%20Bistro%20sign','Ernesto%20Morel\'s%20more%20than%2025%20years%20as%20proprietor%20of%20French%20Bistro%20La%20Mediterran\'e%20began%20when%20he%20stopped%20in%20at%20the%20establishment%20in%20the%20spring%20of%201980%20and%20asked%20if%20he%20could%20buy%20a%20drink%20at%20the%20bar.%20"Not%20only%20can%20you%20buy%20a%20drink,%20you%20can%20buy%20the%20whole%20restaurant,"%20Ernesto%20recalls%20the%20owner%20of%20the%20then-struggling%20bistro%20replying.%20Fresh%20from%20a%20five-year%20stint%20as%20the%20maitre%20d\'%20at%20La%20Mangeoire,%20Ernesto%20did%20just%20that.%20He%20refurbished%20the%20space,%20commissioned%20handsome%20murals%20of%20the%20south%20of%20France;%20hired%20a%20chef%20specializing%20in%20Provencal%20cuisine;%20and%20within%20months%20La%20Mediterranne%20had%20become%20the%20popular%20neighborhood%20eatery%20that%20it%20remains%20today.%20'))
![Bar](javascript:imgchange('9317_lamediterranee_bar_1_500.jpg','Bar','Warm%20and%20charming,%20with%20fresh%20flowers%20and%20sparkling%20crystal.%20%20Owner%20Ernesto%20Morel%20welcomes%20you%20with%20an%20old-fashioned%20"baise-main"%20as%20he%20invites%20you%20to%20enjoy%20your%20meal%20in%20this%20original%20French%20Bistro%20;%20he%20also%20arranges%20the%20flowers%20to%20enhance%20your%20table.%20From%207%20to%2010.30%20p.m.,%20"The%20Pianist"%20Harold,%20will%20take%20you%20on%20an%20imaginary%20journey%20with%20his%20interpretations%20of%20timeless%20melodies.
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![Dining%20room](javascript:imgchange('9317_lamediterranee_diningroom_2_500.jpg','Dining%20room','Often%20seen%20enjoying%20the%20delectable%20Cote%20d\'Azur%20fare%20have%20been%20Roz%20Avrett,%20Bartle%20Bull,%20Dominick%20Dunne,%20David%20Fromkin,%20Louis%20Auchincloss,%20Arthur%20M.%20Schlesinger,%20Jr.%20and%20Kurt%20Vonnegut.%20Owner%20Ernesto%20Morel%20welcomes%20you%20with%20an%20old-fashioned%20"baise-main"%20as%20he%20invites%20you%20to%20enjoy%20your%20meal.%20From%207%20to%2010.30%20p.m.,%20"The%20Pianist"%20Harold,%20will%20take%20you%20on%20an%20imaginary%20journey%20with%20his%20interpretations%20of%20timeless%20melodies.%20Come%20visit%20us.%20We%20have%20prepared%20for%20you%20some%20delicious%20surprises%20prepared%20by%20executive%20chef:%20Xavier%20Mayonove,%20Formerly%20of%20"La%20Cote%20Basque"%20in%20New%20York,%20New%20York.'))
![Pianist](javascript:imgchange('9317_lamediterranee_pianist_1_500.jpg','Pianist','From%207%20to%2010.30%20p.m.,%20"The%20Pianist"%20Harold,%20will%20take%20you%20on%20an%20imaginary%20journey%20with%20his%20interpretations%20of%20timeless%20melodies.'))
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![Roasted%20](javascript:imgchange('9317_lamediterranee_duckling_1_500.jpg','Roasted%20','Roasted%20"Long%20Island%20Duckling"%20a%20l\'orange.%20La%20Mediterranne%20is%20a%20charming,%20culinary%20oasis%20of%20European%20style%20in%20the%20middle%20of%20the%20active%20Turtle%20Bay%20section%20of%20Manhattan%20not%20far%20from%20the%20United%20Nations.'))
![Roasted%20](javascript:imgchange('9317_lamediterranee_duckling_4_640.jpg','Roasted%20','Roasted%20"Long%20Island%20Duckling"%20a%20l\'orange'))
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