Brasserie 19 on West Gray

Eat here for a summery, beach-like atmosphere, but not for great food. The white-on-white decor is stylish and reminiscent of a seaside resort in the Hamptons. Unfortunately, the food doesn't live up to the decor. It is average, with limp mixed greens, bland and too rare sirloin strip steak instead of typical entrecôte for steak frites, and a funky wine list presented on an iPad. While the wine selection is decent and the bottle prices reasonable, the by-the-glass prices are ridiculously high. A $45 bottle is offered for $18 a glass. The pommes frites and bread are good, as is the service. We may give the restaurant another try in order to sample other menu items, such as mussels in white wine and French onion soup, since these are typical bistro foods that you can't find everywhere, but I am not terribly optimistic. However, there is something to be said for an attractive setting and a good bottle of wine. So if you go, ask for the "quietest table", go early, and don't go with high expectations.