• La Caravelle

  33 West 55th Street, 212-586-4252

  Maybe because we encounter it so rarely, being seated in a room that celebrates gentility is initially unsettling. Suddenly, you’re aware of being two days overdue for a manicure and afraid everyone will notice that you’re not really sure what to do with a fish knife. But at La Caravelle, you’re bound to be more charmed than judged, not only by a room that takes you out of time but by Troy Dupuy’s stunningly spirited renditions of classic French cuisine. But heavenly as his grilled Dover sole is, it’s the gloriously crowned chocolate and Grand Marnier soufflés that will make you reach for any nearby utensil to dive into these creamy clouds of absolute indulgence. Go ahead—swoon. Under the circumstances, any other response would be bad manners..

From the 2004 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine