ESPRESSO
$5.00Rich single shot of espresso or short ristretto with thick golden crema.
Rich single shot of espresso or short ristretto with thick golden crema.
Classic shot of rich espresso topped with a delicate dollop of velvety steamed milk foam.
Bold and full-bodied double shot of dark-roasted espresso.
Smooth espresso shot perfectly cut with an equal portion of warm steamed milk and foam.
Espresso combined with equal parts rich steamed milk and lush milk foam.
Double shot of espresso blended with warm steamed milk in classic French style.
Rich espresso shot poured over velvety steamed milk with a smooth foam top.
Aromatic medium-dark American roast drip coffee highlighting bold African bean notes.
Decadent scoop of rich vanilla ice cream drowned in a hot shot of fresh espresso.
Smooth cold-brewed iced coffee crafted from single-origin Ethiopian beans.
Espresso combined with rich chocolate syrup and silky steamed milk.
Traditional French hot chocolate crafted with rich steamed milk, served warm in a bowl.
Refreshing freshly-brewed iced tea, available classic or lightly flavored.
Curated selection of Steven Smith artisanal full-leaf teas including black, herbal, and green varieties.
Classic French upside-down caramelized apple tart served warm with fresh crème fraîche.
Rich, dense flourless chocolate cake served with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
Silky smooth French baked custard topped with a rich amber caramel sauce.
Chilled vanilla panna cotta served with a vibrant fresh raspberry coulis.
Classic rich and creamy New York cheesecake baked on a crisp graham cracker crust.
Rich vanilla custard base beneath a layer of crisp caramelized sugar.
Selection of artisanal ice creams and house-made fruit sorbets.
Rich ruby port featuring vibrant dark berry fruit notes and a smooth finish.
Aged 10-year tawny port displaying elegant dried fruit, fig, and roasted nut aromas.
Distinguished 20-year tawny port with complex layers of dried figs, walnuts, and oak spice.
Fine Pays d'Auge Calvados apple brandy with crisp fruit character and subtle wood tones.
Aged Pays d'Auge V.S.O.P Calvados featuring mature baked apple, vanilla, and oak notes.
Vibrant Hennessy V.S cognac offering aromas of toasted oak, hazelnut, and sweet vanilla.
Extra old cognac delivering rich, velvety layers of candied fruit, cocoa, and oak complexity.
Smooth Fine Champagne cognac with floral aromas, ripe summer peach, and subtle oak.
Luxurious Fine Champagne cognac with vibrant notes of plum, candied orange, and hazelnut.
Refined V.S.O.P Armagnac featuring subtle aromas of dried fruit, prune, and toasted oak.
Aged X.O Armagnac with complex bouquet of dried fruits, warm spice, and deep wood notes.
Sweet French dessert wine Domaine de Fenouillet Rhône 2022 with stone fruit and honeysuckle notes.
Luscious sweet Bordeaux dessert wine Chateau Petit Vedrines 2017 with rich apricot and honeyed fruit notes.
Traditional Italian herbal amaro with orange peel, coriander, and gentle botanical spice.
Classic Italian herbal amaro infused with 30 herbs, offering a balanced sweet and bitter finish.
Bold and aromatic Italian bitter digestif crafted with herbs, mint, and spices.
Bittersweet Italian liqueur infused with artichoke leaves and 13 botanical herbs.
Classic blend of Benedictine herbal liqueur and fine cognac with spiced and floral notes.
Premium orange liqueur blending fine cognac with bitter wild orange essence.
Crisp and clear orange liqueur balancing sweet and bitter orange peels.
Smooth almond-flavored amaretto liqueur with sweet notes of apricot kernels and vanilla.
Iconic French anise-flavored pastis spirit with licorice and botanical notes.
Sweet Italian anise-flavored liqueur, traditionally served neat.
Craft American absinthe distilled with grand wormwood, star anise, and fennel.
Sweet French herbal liqueur crafted by Carthusian monks with 130 secret botanicals.
Potent French herbal liqueur naturally colored green by 130 botanical ingredients.
French cheese platter featuring triple cream brie, Danish blue, aged comté, and caña de cabra, served with fresh grapes, guava paste, and grilled sourdough bread.
Nestled along Park Avenue South near Union Square, L'Express stands as an enduring fixture of classic French bistro dining in Manhattan. Operational with the rhythmic pulse of a traditional Parisian brasserie, the kitchen merges time-honored French culinary technique—slow braising, delicate pan-searing, precise espresso extraction, and artisanal cheese curation—with approachable bistro sensibilities. Whether stopping in for a mid-day café au lait or an indulgent post-theater digestif, L'Express captures the effortless charm of French neighborhood dining.
The interior evokes a quintessential Parisian café, centered around an iconic zinc bar where regulars gather for craft cocktails, aperitifs, and house-pulled espresso. Warm interior wood accents and cozy seating create an inviting, lively energy inside, while the extensive outdoor patio offers shaded sidewalk tables ideal for alfresco dining and people-watching along Park Avenue. Service moves with attentive warmth, balancing relaxed solo dining with the brisk pacing of a bustling neighborhood hub.
The menu delivers robust bistro flavors anchored by classic technique and meticulous plating:
Entrées and shareable plates lean generous, making L'Express one of the more accessible French dining destinations near Union Square. Mid-tier appetizers and desserts ($13.00) pair comfortably with hearty main courses, delivering solid value for Park Avenue. The expansive after-dinner program—ranging from vintage ports and aged Calvados to rare Green and Yellow Chartreuse ($14.00–$48.00)—allows guests to tailor their experience from casual bites to lingering multi-course celebrations.
Vegetarians and gluten-sensitive diners will find ample flexibility across the menu, including rich flourless chocolate cake, chilled raspberry panna cotta, artisan cheese selections, and customizable salads. Peak weekend brunch can draw significant crowds, making advance reservations recommended, while off-peak afternoons offer quiet respite at the zinc bar.
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
225 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003
109 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010
52 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
5 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003
L'Express offers an extensive nightcap menu featuring vintage ports like Taylor Fladgate 20-Year Tawny, aged Busnel Calvados apple brandies, fine Rémy Martin and Hennessy cognacs, classic Italian amari (such as Montenegro and Fernet-Branca), authentic craft Absinthe, and monastic Yellow and Green Chartreuse.
The $27 Assiette de Fromage highlights a balanced selection of four cheeses: triple cream brie, Danish blue, aged comté, and caña de cabra goat cheese. It comes paired with fresh grapes, rich guava paste, and slices of grilled sourdough bread.
Yes, L'Express offers several naturally gluten-free desserts, including a dense Flourless Chocolate Cake served with vanilla ice cream, traditional Crème Brûlée, silky Crème Caramel, chilled Raspberry Panna Cotta, and house-made sorbets.
The beverage program includes traditional French coffee preparations like Café au Lait served in wide ceramic bowls, Cortados, Cappuccinos, single and double Espresso with thick golden crema, traditional French Hot Chocolate, single-origin Ethiopian Cold Brew, and loose-leaf Steven Smith teas.
Yes, L'Express features covered outdoor sidewalk seating with shade along Park Avenue South. While walk-ins and zinc bar seating are always welcome, reservations are recommended during peak dinner hours and busy weekend brunches.
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