The people of Ha’s Snack Bar (one of our 25 top-rated restaurants) have done it again, less than a year later, this time around the corner on the LES. Bistrot Ha, as the name suggests, is more French bistro than its wine bar-ish predecessor: bigger, more boisterous, and even more of a scene, with jazz and fur coats, martinis with pickled oysters in them, and that fun, French-bistro-feeling that you’re always slightly in the way. The menu is longer, but still puts fish sauce on an equal footing with French pastry, with Vietnamese flavor-packed takes on pâté, boudin noir and even steak frites. (Those frites look pale, but are surprisingly crisp, like veggie straws.) Get the extra-crunchy yuba rolls stuffed with crab and pork, and at least a few of the desserts. Reservations are scarce, but they should eventually be taking walk-ins at the bar.
Dining and Cooking