"Keith McNally's Meatpacking brasserie, reborn in 2019 with the zinc bar and steak frites intact — book it for a lively first date."
About Pastis
The zinc bar curves the same way it did in 1999, the mirrors still carry handwritten specials, and the mosaic floor is a near-exact copy of the original. Keith McNally first opened Pastis in the Meatpacking District in 1999, closed it in 2014 when the building came down, and reopened it at 52 Gansevoort Street in 2019. Executive chef Pascal Le Seac'h cooks the brasserie canon: steak frites around $40, escargots, trout amandine, oysters and a raw bar. It runs from breakfast to near midnight on weekends, and the room is as loud and good-looking as it ever was.
The Kitchen
Pastis is a Keith McNally creation, now run in partnership with restaurateur Stephen Starr, and the kitchen is led by executive chef Pascal Le Seac'h. There is no tasting-menu ambition here; the point is to cook the French brasserie standards correctly and at volume, the same formula that made McNally's Balthazar and the original Pastis Manhattan institutions.
The signature is steak frites, a hanger or sirloin under maître d'hôtel butter with a heap of thin fries, around $40 and the most-ordered plate in the house. Escargots in garlic butter, trout amandine, the croque monsieur and a full raw bar of oysters fill out a menu that barely changes by design. Brunch brings out the eggs Benedict and a basket of pastries. Expect $55 to $95 a head before drinks at 52 Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District. Since the 2019 reopening the room has been one of the hardest weekend bookings downtown, and the MICHELIN Guide lists it among the city's notable bistros. It is comfort cooking executed with polish, not invention.
The Room
The room is a faithful rebuild of a Paris brasserie: a long curved zinc bar, subway tile, nicotine-cream walls, vintage mirrors and that mosaic floor, seating close to 180 across banquettes and bar. Lighting is warm and low at night, brighter at brunch. Tables are banquette-tight, packed the way a real brasserie is, and the sound level runs loud once the room fills. Dress is smart-casual; the crowd skews stylish but no jacket is needed. Service is quick and professional. There is a sidewalk terrace for the warmer months and a bar that fills with walk-ins.
Best for a First Date
Book Pastis for a first date because it does the hard part for you: the room is good-looking and buzzy enough to cover any silences, the menu is familiar so nobody has to decode it, and the bill stays reasonable for the address. Take an early banquette before the room peaks, or meet at the zinc bar for a drink first. If conversation flags, the people-watching carries it. For another McNally room, see Balthazar, and browse the best first-date restaurants.
Not for
Not for a quiet, intimate dinner. Pastis is a loud, packed brasserie with banquette-tight tables, so it suits a lively date or a group, not a hushed conversation across the table.
Frequently Asked
Is Pastis worth it?
For atmosphere and reliable brasserie cooking, yes. Keith McNally's revived Pastis nails the Paris-bistro look and serves dependable steak frites, escargots and a raw bar without overcharging for the address. It is not destination dining, and the room is loud, but as a fun, good-looking night out in the Meatpacking District it delivers. See the first-date restaurants guide for similar rooms.
How hard is it to book Pastis?
Prime weekend evenings are hard. Pastis books on Resy and the best Friday and Saturday slots clear quickly when they open, so set a reminder for the release window. Weeknights and late tables after 10pm are far easier, and the bar keeps walk-in seats. Brunch is busy but more forgiving than a Saturday dinner.
What is the dress code at Pastis?
Smart-casual. The crowd skews stylish and downtown, but there is no jacket requirement and you will not be turned away in neat jeans. Dress as you would for a good Paris bistro: put-together but not formal. The terrace and bar are even more relaxed than the dining room itself.
How much does Pastis cost?
Plan on $55 to $95 per person before drinks, with steak frites around $40 the anchor order. Oysters, raw-bar towers and wine push the total higher, while brunch or a quick bar meal lands lower. It is mid-to-upper priced for a brasserie, fair for the Meatpacking location and the McNally polish.
Is Pastis good for a first date?
Yes. The buzzy, attractive room covers conversational lulls, the familiar brasserie menu keeps ordering easy, and the price stays reasonable enough to pick up the cheque without strain. Book an early banquette or start with a drink at the zinc bar. For a quieter date, look elsewhere, since the room gets loud as it fills.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Pastis
Pastis books on Resy and keeps walk-in bar seats. Prime weekend slots open in advance and go fast; late tables after 10pm are easier.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address52 Gansevoort St, Meatpacking District
NeighbourhoodMeatpacking District
CuisineFrench Brasserie
Price$55–$95 per person, steak frites ~$40
Dress CodeSmart-casual
Seating~180, zinc bar + banquettes
ReservationResy · open late to midnight Fri
