Spiral Project #10: Flea Market Cafe

Midway down Avenue A ‘tween 9th and 8th is the Flea Market Cafe, a French-bistro style eatery and bar.

FINALLY. After a depressing review of I Coppi and nothing really standing out, my first good selection!

I arrived at about 6:50. The place is smallish, maybe a dozen tables, and had a few patrons. The menu has everything French bistro-y: mussels, frites, steaks ,and dinners. I started to peruse the menu but the host explained that the ‘twilight’ special was about to expire, if I wanted to try that, so I elected to. It was Twenty bucks for three courses – not bad!

You get a wine/soda/beer (I got seltzer – carbs again) with the meal. Then I got a basket of warm, fresh, rustic bread – here that, I Coppi? This was good bread. Then followed by an onion soup, which was one of the better I’ve had – a healthy serving of sweet onions in a nice broth – not salty at all, usually a problem with onion soups – crouton and cheese. Very nice.

My entree was salmon over a vegetable stir fry in a balsamic sauce (of sorts), which was recommended. I asked for the salmon medium and got it, for a change – 99% of the time salmon is dry and overcooked, but this place did a bang-up job. It had a sort of nut crust on top. My only criticism was it was smallish – probably 3 oz or less. But it was adequate in size.  I just felt, presentation-wise, for a giant plate and a mound of veggies it could have had another inch’s worth. Of course it was Delicious, so having more was on my mind.

Lastly I got the Crème brûlée – very well done. Not too much crunchy caramel, and the custard was cool but not too cold.

All of this for twenty bucks! Of course, it was early dining, and if purchased regularly would have been double that all told, probably, which makes the place a touch pricier, but still.

The decor screamed ‘French bistro’ – French knickknacks, racing posters, art, etc. Music was some nice mellow house tracks plus a tasty jazz selection.

value: very good for early dining, sort of average for otherwise; service was excellent and fast; decor fun. Taste very good. Will definitely come back soon.