You could spend a whole weeks per diem in one sitting at a French restaurant. You even stand a chance of getting some of that art food. You know the single little frog leg wrapped with a piece of lettuce, which they call a main course. The fact is that French food can be absolutely incredible tasting. Especially when the portions are a reasonable size.

There’s a place in New York City that is incredible. It’s The French Culinary Institute that is also a restaurant called L’cole. Even the waiters are students, so you don’t even get that snobbery service the French are known for.

You get a 3 course meal for $20 at lunch and $30 for at dinner time. There are about 3 options per course. You know you will get a good meal since top chefs supervise the students who prepare it. We had soup and pate for our starter, and quail and fresh fish for our main course. For Desert, it was raspberry mouse, which was probably the best. If you’re a wine buff, you certainly can’t go wrong with their list. Starting at $20 all the way into the hundreds.

If you don’t like the set meal, you can always order a la carte.

Make a reservation, otherwise you will have to deal with the flamboyant maitre D giving you attitude. Chances are he will seat you anyway.

It’s located:

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