The address has fed Greenwich the French way for forty years. 61 Lewis Street was chef Jean-Louis Gerin's celebrated dining room from 1985 until Antoine Blech and Anshu Vidyarthi reimagined it as Le Penguin in 2013. The format now is classic bistro: a grilled hanger steak with bearnaise and pommes frites that regulars order on repeat, the namesake moules frites "le Pingouin" at $24, a crispy duck breast with potato galette. A dinner runs about $60 to $90 a head off Greenwich Avenue.
The Kitchen
Le Penguin is a neighbourhood French bistro, and it knows exactly what that means. The Lewis Street address carries real Greenwich history — it was the home of award-winning chef Jean-Louis Gerin from 1985 — and when Antoine Blech and Anshu Vidyarthi took it over in 2013 they kept the bones and lightened the cooking, leaning on local seasonal produce rather than heavy classical sauces.
The kitchen, led day to day by chef Adrien, does the bistro canon properly. The grilled hanger steak with bearnaise and a pile of pommes frites is the signature, the dish diners come back for; the moules frites "le Pingouin" at $24 is the namesake bowl; and the crispy duck breast over a potato galette with a blueberry-and-peppercorn sauce is the kitchen's slightly more ambitious plate. A foie gras terrine, a halibut and a proper bouillabaisse fill out the menu. Expect roughly $60 to $90 per person before wine. The address, 61 Lewis Street, sits just off Greenwich Avenue, and the through-line from Gerin's 1985 fine-dining room to today's relaxed bistro is the reason locals treat it as an institution rather than a newcomer.
The Room
Le Penguin is a small, low-key bistro: a compact dining room and a sidewalk-adjacent feel just off Greenwich Avenue, with closely set tables, warm lighting and a relaxed, lived-in look rather than a designed one. The sound is conversational and easy on a weeknight, livelier on a Friday when the bar fills. Dress is smart-casual; Greenwich does itself up a little but nobody needs a jacket. Service is friendly and unfussy, the kind that lets a two-top settle in for a couple of hours. It is the sort of room you return to rather than visit once.
Best for a First Date
Book Le Penguin for a first date when you want easy and unintimidating rather than a big statement. Three reasons it works: the bistro format is familiar and low-pressure, so neither of you is performing; the closely set, warmly lit room is intimate without being stiff; and the menu has something for everyone, from steak frites to mussels to halibut, which takes the guesswork out of a first meal together. Picture a corner two-top, a bottle of Cotes du Rhone, the steak frites to share, and a long unhurried evening off Greenwich Avenue. For more rooms like it, see our best restaurants for a first date.
Not for a grand romantic blowout or a special-occasion splurge. Le Penguin is a relaxed neighbourhood bistro, not a destination dining room; choose somewhere grander if the night needs fireworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Le Penguin worth it?
Yes, as a reliable neighbourhood French bistro rather than a destination splurge. On Lewis Street since 2013 — in the room chef Jean-Louis Gerin made famous from 1985 — it does the bistro canon well, from hanger steak frites to its namesake moules. A dinner runs about $60 to $90 a head, fair for Greenwich, and locals treat it as a regular rather than a one-off. See our Greenwich dining guide.
How hard is it to book Le Penguin?
Not hard most nights; book ahead for Friday and Saturday. The dining room is small, so weekend prime time fills, but weeknights usually have room. Reserve through Resy or OpenTable, or call (203) 717-1200. Ask for a corner two-top if you want a quieter table for a date; the bar area runs livelier later in the week.
What is the dress code at Le Penguin?
Smart-casual. Greenwich tends to dress up a little, so a collared shirt or a nice top fits the room, but you do not need a jacket and tie. It is a relaxed bistro rather than a formal dining room, comfortable for both a low-key date and a casual dinner out. Leave the gym clothes at home and you are set.
What should I order at Le Penguin?
Order the grilled hanger steak with bearnaise and pommes frites, the signature plate regulars come back for, or the namesake moules frites "le Pingouin" at $24. The crispy duck breast with potato galette and blueberry-peppercorn sauce is the kitchen's more ambitious dish, and the bouillabaisse and foie gras terrine are solid French-bistro choices.
Is Le Penguin good for a first date?
Yes, it is a strong low-pressure first-date choice. The bistro format is familiar and unintimidating, the warmly lit room is intimate without being stiff, and the menu has something for everyone so there is no awkward ordering. Ask for a corner table on a weeknight. See our first-date dining guide for more.