Review: PANAME in Midtown East NYC for Excellent French Cuisine

C'est magnifique! Paname serves French cuisine as it is meant to be with some of the finest food selections you will find on this side of the Atlantic. Located at 1068 Second Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, this contemporary bistro has a very welcoming, subtly elegant atmosphere.

Executive Chef and Owner, Bernard Ros has spent seventeen years streamlining Paname's menu to a single page of items beloved by his regular customers. Ros also knows the value of increased visibility and regularly serves as a guest chef at Bloomingdale's, drawing New York shoppers to the easygoing French delights of Paname's setting.

We visited on a Sunday evening for dinner and started our culinary journey with Paname's "House Cocktail." It's a straightforward and rewarding blend of champagne and passion fruit. The fizz is evident at first then the complex fruit taste dominates as you sip this refreshing drink. The bar will also deliver some of the crispest Manhattans and dry Martinis that you have ever had, with no frills, just assured execution. Be certain to check their wine selection. Your server will be happy to help you make the perfect pairings.

Paname takes creative liberties to reinvent the classics in their appetizer menu. You will find the most succulent Escargot here, immersed in a garlic butter sauce and creatively served in baby potatoes. We suggest another very pleasing starter, their Portobello Mushroom topped with smooth, fresh mozzarella and Sherry Vinaigrette. Or you can begin your dinner with choices like Fresh Beet Salad, Caesar Salad Maison and, of course, the Soup du Jour.

Among Paname's points of pride is the $38 prix fixe dinner menu. This is a tasting experience that both stays true to the restaurant's brasserie roots and outshines many of Manhattan's more expensive price points. The Lobster Ravioli with Light Coral Cream Sauce is as delicious as it sounds, attractively garnished with a few basil leaves. It pairs nicely with other selections but would also make a hearty meal on its own. Much the same can be said for the New York Shell Steak. Ordered medium rare by most customers and accompanied by mixed vegetables and whipped potatoes, it easily competes with the steaks at the city's top steakhouses.

Once you're done relishing your appetizer and an entree, order a cup of coffee and one of Paname's well-curated desserts. Let your visit wind down with their Creme Brulee. It is a masterpiece of full, consistent texture. We look forward to returning for more of Paname's luscious treats that include Mousse au Chocolat and Apple Tart.

For those of you who've been wondering, "Paname" is French slang for Paris. Take the opportunity to enjoy a little bit of the "City of Love" in Midtown Manhattan. This is a restaurant with a lively future, a future that may well include you as a Paname regular.

Paname serves lunch, dinner, prixe fixe lunch, prixe fixe dinner, and you can stop by for small plates and drinks. They are located at 1068 Second Avenue (between 56th and 57th Streets) New York, NY 10022. Call them at 212.207.3737 and visit their web site at http://panamenyc.com/.

Editor's note: Executive Chef/Owner Bernard Ros was featured in our "Chef Spotlight." Read the article here: /bwwfood-wine/article/Chef-Spotlight-Bernard-Ros-of-Paname-Restaurant-in-NYC-20150218

Photo Courtesy of Paname

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