A classic French bistro with a Cuban flair: loud, casual, warm, and nourishing. Try the steamed mussels in creamy saffron broth, blanquette de veau on egg noodles, steak frite with sofrito and fries, trout à la meunière, lemon hazelnut tartlette. While the French-bistro cooking practiced in the dining room is much admired, don't sleep on Henri's bar menu, a luxurious take on Cuban food and cocktails. Long before frat boys discovered mojitos, Chez Henri was muddling mint with a vengeance and serving other Cuban classics, including real daiquiris and periodistas. The menu offers compelling small plates for weeknight dining: clam fritters, chicken empanadas, grilled sardines, raw oysters, smoked baby octopus. It’s often hectic in the cramped bar area, but this is one crowd worth fighting.

Insider's Tip: The biggest draw here has always been the Cubano, the famed pressed sandwich of roast pork, ham, cheese, and pickles. Chez Henri’s is arguably the tastiest in town.

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