There was something different about Le Dive. I hadn't been there yet, but I know a promising experience when I see one. The fact that it wasn't widely covered by influencers and Tik Tokers was my first clue that Le Dive was probably excellent -- catering to a crowd that doesn't hang out at The Thirteenth Step or Chuckie Cheese. I bookmarked it hoping to visit one day and recently got my chance when leaving the Metrograph Theater. It was five steps away across the street.What luck!Hang onto your beret for this one, ladies and gents...
Atmosphere
I feel that atmosphere is key here. If you cringe a little when you hear the phrase,wine barin New York City -- you're right to also thinkdouchecentral. They're notoriously pretentious, over priced, and overrated. Le Dive, by comparison is just elevated in its ambiance enough to feel like you're out having a special night while also not making you feel like a sack of sh*t in the process. It's French - Tabac inspired, after all. A Tabac is kind of like a neighborhood hang out spot in France, and that's exactly what this feels like. In France and quite frankly in most of the cities Western Europe, the bar functions as a living room as most people live in small apartments. Le Divenailedthat vibe perfectly. There's a partial elegance in the atmosphere, but by no means are you made to feel like your role is to accentuate that sophistication. The layout also makes things feel communal. Normally, I don't know why, I HATE that. But for some reason it evokes a sense of ease and even happiness to be sitting closely with others.
The staff should probably be its own category, but they kind of add to the warm ambiance above. When visiting most wine bars, you pay to be silently criticized by the staff. Eye rolling and extensive attempts to act like you don't exist are part of the shtick. Despite the place being very busy, the staff keeps things casual at Le Dive. There's no frenzied tone of voice. No rushing to and from. I never once felt like anyone was looking my outfit up and down. The group of women next to us ordered one drink each, got the check, and left and that seemed to be totally fine. I don't know. It's a really welcomed change from the usual.
The Food
Look, I love a good duck l'orange, but can we move on from it? Le Dive offers some more unusual tapa style dishes that aren't offered at many of the French eateries in New York City. Dishes like radishes and butter were simple, but divine in that simplicity. I noticed that there was a yin and yang to many of the dishes. Spicy and crunchy radishes with smooth, salty butter. Earthy beets served with tangy and creamy ricotta. The food is exciting in the way it dances on the tongue, but also in its uniqueness. Thought, there's also some old favorites too -- mussels, steak frites, charcuterie...
The Wine Selection:
Let's hear it for Le Dive who decided not to have a menu full of 45 different obscure wines that no one gives a sh*t about! Five categories...one to three choices in each. Boom. We're more than grateful.
We ordered the brandade. Raise your hand if you know what that is. Well, we didn't. I know...howdarewe. Look, you can't convince me that the majority of people visiting this place know what brandade is, or that people come heremostlyfor the brandade. The menu description is "warm parmesan, baguette." Nowhere does it mention that brandade is actually parmesan, potatoes, and salt cod. Does it work taste wise as a dish? Absolutely...if you like fish and you're not allergic to it. Considering how many people are allergic to seafood and how much of an acquired taste salt cod can be, not disclosing that it's an ingredient in this menu item seems like an unecessary liability. Who's winning by keeping it a secret?
Moving on, it's not that I hate bread, it's that I hate when it's called "baguette" not just in the menu but also in person. It felt like every single dish you ordered came with "baguette." It was more ubiquitous than the googly eyes in Everything Everywhere All at Once, but way less inconspicuous. It showed up everywhere, in places you'd never expect.What's that I feel in my pocket...AH, BAGUETTE! NOOOO!WHO PUT THAT THERE!It took over every inch of available real estate at our very small table. I used a piece as a frisbee and yeeted it across the table out of frustration. A drink was accidentally spilled at our table and since there was a lack of napkins, I used a piece of baguette to wipe and soak up the liquid.
The dark lighting, flickering candles, and cozy, warm atmosphere would be ideal for couples normally. But somehow, this doesn't strike me as exclusively a date night spot. What I actually noticed more of were groups of friends catching up. So often, people in their 30s and 40s aren't really sure where they're supposed to hang out now that they've aged out of Mercury Lounge and Bar None (thank God.) I think Le Dive is the answer to that question. The relaxed but refined environment here makes it the ideal place for you to grab a few drinks with the girls or guys. It's exciting because the ambiance and menu feels foreign (unless you're French) and it's inviting enough that you'll probably want to stay the evening. There's a sophisticated and subdued sense of "drunkenness" here -- not a bunch of 20 somethings covered in glittering screaming and shouting.
Yes, absolutely. But, I would know what you're getting into here. If you're the person who typically orders a burger with an egg on top and thinks that makes you an honorary Parisian -- be warned. This isn't the place for adults who eat mostly chicken nuggets. Tuna nicoise, beef tartare, marinated tinned sardines, pork rillettes -- it's that kind of place. Yes, there's falafel and fromache, but the more unique dishes are what shine here.
