French, Wine Bar
$40
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A Refined Lower East Side Wine Bar
From culture to cuisine, we talk up the French quite a bit. They’re thin, refined and dressed impeccably; however, we don’t often call the French “warm.” French-American Gerald Stinner created Jadis, a sexy Lower East Side wine bar with surprisingly homy, inviting cooking.
Inside Jadis:
A few steps down from Rivington’s street level away from the rush of cars and passerbys, Jadis feels like the cozy, favorite neighborhood dive of a Parisian 1940’s starlet. (Yes, that’s specific imagery pulled straight from Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds.) The restaurant is small, with bar seating and exposed brick walls. Young daters sat in the front opposite the bar while a birthday party set up in the back lounge area the night of my visit. The atmosphere is hip without the pretentious “-ster” suffix. Most importantly, the staff’s team dynamic, decor and location match the menu and quality of the meal.
Jadis feels like the cozy, favorite neighborhood dive of a Parisian 1940’s starlet
What to Order:
The food is meant to be shared, and in my opinion eaten with a spoon. Always one to relish sweet bites the most, I’ll begin my list of Jadis’s good eats with the chocolate chip bread pudding. Served as a slice of pie with strawberries and whipped cream, it’s not too rich or too heavy or too dense or too salted. It’s just right and literally had me dreaming of it for two nights after I devoured it. Also not to be missed is the quiche lorraine. The custard suspends the fine cubes of ham in place without being overcooked, and the butter crust proves a frittata is just not enough. Fouquet’s omelet be damned. Before I’m burned at the stake for that bit of Champs-Elysees blasphemy, I’ll help myself to any of Jadis’s wines. The owner consciously decided to only feature affordable, high quality spirits, any of which are appropriate for a calm, friendly night out. Don’t expect to see a bottle priced at $300. Noteworthy plates: the bacon wrapped scallops and truffle mac ‘n’ cheese cups.
Also not to be missed is the quiche lorraine. The custard suspends the fine cubes of ham in place without being overcooked, and the butter crust proves a frittata is just not enough
Why You Should Go:
It looks like a European round-the-corner place; feels young and approachable; and eats like I imagine the meals from Ratatoille. It’s all those French cliches: refined, boozy, romantic; however, Jadis has a je ne se qois that other bistros lack. It can only be a rejection of stuffiness. All this time I thought approachable Frenchmen were just called Belgian! I kid, Gerald, I kid.
It’s all those French cliches: refined, boozy, romantic; however, Jadis has a je ne se qois that other bistros lack. It can only be a rejection of stuffiness
Ladies: Next time he asks you to pick the restaurant, consider Jadis. It’s down to earth, fairly priced and charming.
Like any tapas restaurant, it’s always great to order in rounds so you aren’t too full to order what you’ve eyed over on your neighbors’ table.
Skip the carafe, just opt for the whole bottle. It’s a nice touch, but more wine is more wine.
So nice I’ll write it twice: the chocolate chip bread pudding!
About the Author: Sara Dunberg is a contributing writer to OMG Foodie. Sara learned about the importance of food from her father, an exceptional inhaler of anything on his plate (and hers too) and her mother, a baker. As a result, she favors the sharing and tasting aspect of tapas plates, but also anything sugary. She says the complement of food and joy is only matched by the yin and yang of health and positivity; as such, when she isn't baking for friends she can be found running or on the tennis courts.
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