Ponty Bistro Cafe & Bar

had the octopus salad and flounder. not the usual flavors. very interesting. Small portions though.

Pros: flavorful

Cons: small portions, pretentious

Posted 08/24/09

HOW LUCKY I AM TO LIVE NEAR PONTY.....It is a fabulous find....the prix fixe @$19 is hard to believe....the 2-for-$10 martinis with unusual flavors are terrific---try the ginger. I've already been there a dozen times at least with friends, who now bring their friends My cousins from Paris were in town last week and I took them there for dinner (even though it was after 7PM when the prix fixe is no longer available, that's how good it is)...They LOVED it.....The waitstaff is very gracious and accommodating....I wish it a long and happy life in the neighborhood--I just hope it doesn't start to get crowded, for my sake!!

Pros: FOOD & SERVICE

Cons: NONE

Posted 08/08/09

I just cam home from dinner and every bot of it was AMAZING! I can't wait to bring my everyone I know to this warm and friendly restaurant. The owner and staff made us feel very comfortable and special. The food was do good that I ate every last bite and am now too full and tired from the great wine and am off to a nice sleep to dream about going there for breakfast! haha!

Pros: warm & friendly & VERY DELICIOUS

Posted 07/20/09

I went there to eat. After I ordered, I looked through the glass window that allow you to see the kitchen, and there was the chef cooking my hunger steak. Since I was very hungry I kept watching. What I saw was very unpleasant. The person cooking my meal, grab the steak with his bare hands and flipped it. Like that was not bad enough, he stuck the finger in his mouth and then wiped it in his side. He continue to handle the other things that were on the grill. Trust me I watched carefully, he did not wash his hands. He just kept on cooking. So I walked out

Pros: nice decor

Cons: not clean

Posted 06/08/09

last week end we went to ponty bistro to celebrate my birthday with my girl friends we order couple appetizers some martinis the ponty martinis was very good and passion also
for dinner we order sirloin steak with senegalese spices he was excelent

Posted 06/08/09

My husband and I dined at Ponty Bistro tonight and had another superb meal there. We have been wondering why the food is so great, and it turns out the two Chefs, originally from Senegal, have worked in the some of the very best restaurants in NYC, including Daniel Restaurant, Vong, 60 Thomson and Towne at the Chambers Hotel.
The food and ambiance are warm and inviting, and they play very cool music. We think its the type of "find" that makes living in New York worth the hassle. We both had very tasty butternut squash soup with a touch of ginger. I had the grilled whole fish as an entree, which was stuffed with herbs and spices--truly awesome. He had a fantastic strip steak with delicious sauce. We totally recommend Ponty Bistro. There is something for everyone, including vegetarians. The presentation is always four star, and the prices are extremely reasonable, especially the pre-fixe menus, which seem to offer a real bargain at lunch and dinner. We have been there a number of times, and its always consistent in top quality food and service. Enjoy!

Pros: Cuisine is flavorful, original, fresh and delicious

Posted 06/08/09

This little spot is an undiscovered gem in the neighborhood. All the dishes have the finest, freshest ingredients. The food is so earnest and so lovingly prepared, you feel as if you have your own personal chef cooking for you. The fish soup -- loaded with lobster, mussels, clams, fish -- and the salade nicoise are my favorites at a great price. The chocolate mousse is a trip to Cloud Nine.

Everytime I come here, I hear other customers raving about their dishes too. Don't let the simple decor mislead you -- there is some gourmet magic here to be discovered and to return to again and again.

Posted 04/10/09

Best french toast I've ever had. After I ordered from them I received a call to make sure everything was good. It was!

Pros: Service, brunch, steak with african spices (can't remember the exact name)

Cons: none

Posted 12/27/08

Just returned to Forest Hills apt. after having a delightful breakfast at Ponty Bistro. The restaurant is located at 19th St. and 3rd Ave, a great neighborhood gem. My husband had the Almond Brioche French toast, the best in the city, according to him. I had the light, fluffy, delicious pancakes. The coffee was smooth and not bitter. Looking forward to returning soon to try their very interesting lunch or dinner menu.

Pros: Friendly welcome!

Cons: Parking a problem

Posted 12/20/08

My wife and I ate here on their first night open on a whim. What a pleasant surprise!
The place is slightly minimalist and slightly romantic. The service was just fine with
chef Cise coming out to say hello and chat about the food. Ah, the food. The French foundation
with Med. / African touches made for extraordinary dishes, a blend of the familiar with
new and surprising that makes you open your eyes wide and say wow! while you savor
every bite. Believe me, we've been all over the e village and gramercy areas and this place is
a find with quite reasonable prices. Give it a try, I think you'll come away smiling like we did.

Posted 12/05/08

My friend and I had dinner here just by chance and will definitely go back! We had mussles, scallops and hangar steak and they were all awesome. Im not a big drinker but we tried a couple of the house cocktails, feeling adventurous, I went for the red pepper martini (I can't remember what it was actually called on the menu) which I know sounds really strange but it was so good!
Definitely try this place out!

Pros: Right by NYU, great food, not too pricey

Posted 11/14/08

Ponty Bistro has the most amazing authentic african and french food ever. I tasted their Pan seared Scallop with roasted beet and it was delicious. The service at was incredible and the atmosphere was warm and cozy. Ponty Bistro is definitely going to be my new favorite East Village restaurant.

Pros: Delicious Food and Excellent Service

Posted 11/10/08