Before greats like Bobby Flay, David Chang, and Dan Barber entered the culinary industry, they were students who dazzled diners at L’Ecole. As one of New York City’s premier fine-dining restaurants, L’Ecole is where students of The French Culinary Institute’s Classic Culinary Arts Career Program impress guests with their cooking on a daily basis.

Indulge in an elegant, seasonal prix-fixe meal of delectable and inspired dishes made with the finest ingredients. Our stylish and warm dining room is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious brunch, lunch, or dinner prepared by students on their way to success in the culinary industry.

L’Ecole has received high marks and acclaim from Zagat®, Michelin®, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator.

Additionally, our top-quality dining experience is a great value, so treating yourself to an exquisite four- or five-course meal is well within reach. Reserve your table today before our students take the industry by storm.

THE RESTAURANT

Behind every meal at L’Ecole is the passion and dedication of over 60 Chef-Instructors and students from every corner of the school.

As a true collaboration between the Culinary, Pastry, and Bread departments at The French Culinary Institute, L’Ecole is where the skills and training of our students shine through in thoughtfully prepared and elegantly presented dishes created with the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients.

If you love great food, there’s no place better than L’Ecole to get an upscale meal at a surprisingly reasonable price.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT L'ECOLE

Since 1984, The French Culinary Institute at The International Culinary Center has prepared some of the best classically trained cooks in the industry. Our Deans–Jacques Pépin, Alain Sailhac, André Soltner, and Jacques Torres–are culinary legends who helped to design the acclaimed, innovative curriculum that includes L’Ecole as a training ground for our most senior Culinary Arts students.

Students work at every station in our restaurant kitchens as part of their rigorous education (six months by day or nine months at night). This means that in a fraction of the time it takes other schools, they are industry-ready when they graduate.

After training in our cutting-edge facilities with our team of passionate, veteran Chef-Instructors, students embrace the challenge to cook for discerning guests in a working restaurant. And diners at L’Ecole love the excitement of being served delicious meals by students who could go on to become the next celebrated culinary icons.

The FCI is home to many disciplines, from Career and Amateur to Wine Studies and Restaurant Management. While only Culinary Arts students cook on the line in L’Ecole, every FCI student learns hands-on techniques and theory while using top-notch ingredients and the latest technologies.

We invite you to tour our kitchens for a behind-the-scenes look at The FCI’s many programs. Contact us at 888.324.2433 to schedule an appointment or join the group tour departing at 3:00pm each weekday from the Admission Office (462 Broadway, 4th Floor).

AWARDS & REVIEWS

Zagat®

Out of a possible 30, each score falls under "Very Good to Excellent." Food 25 - One of SoHo’s top food ratings Decor 20 Service 24

“Budding star chefs” “give the best they’ve got” at this “student-run” affair in SoHo; there may be “a misstep or two,” but its “aim-to-please” mien and “value” prix fixes keep it “memorable.”

Michelin® 2011, 2010 & 2009

L'Ecole received its third consecutive Bib Gourmand in the 2011 Michelin® Guide. Indicating an inspector favorite for good value, the rating means you can enjoy two courses and a glass of wine or dessert (not including tax and gratuity) for around $40.

"If you want to be a guinea pig, this is the place to do it. The restaurant associated with The French Culinary Institute provides the opportunity for its students to show off what they’ve learned. They’ve certainly mastered the first rule of good cooking: use the best ingredients you can find and don’t mess around too much with a good thing.

"The kitchen earns top marks for its four- or five-course dinner menus, and the prix-fixe lunch menu is a great – and inexpensive – way to sample the flavorful regional French fare, which changes every six weeks. A conscientious waitstaff caters to customers in a soothing yellow room decorated with photographs depicting the bustling world of a restaurant kitchen."

Wine Spectator

Award of Excellence
Only wine lists with quality producers are given this prestigious award. L’Ecole was recognized for offering a diversity of wines that appeal to a wide range of palates while maintaining a thematic match to our menu in both price and taste.

Best of Award of Excellence
Exceeding the requirements of the Award of Excellence, our wine list was awarded for its superior presentation, display of vintage depth, with several vertical offerings of top wines, and excellent breadth across several wine regions.

Wine Enthusiast

Award of Unique Distinction
Restaurants are judged on their personnel, storage methods, stemware choices, service options, special events, menus, size and scope of their wine lists, and more. L’Ecole was recognized for its superior rating in all of these categories and for being among those restaurants in the United States most enthusiastic about wine.

Crystal Beverages Awards

Award of Merit for Best Cocktail List
The Crystal Beverage Awards honor the best on-premise beverage programs across the United States. L’Ecole was recognized for its diverse and appetizing cocktail list, including its groundbreaking Red-Hot Ale and other heated spirits.

Yelp.com

A few choice quotes from recent diners: "Easygoing. Tasty. Tasteful." "Our servers were perfect and did their job flawlessly with great timing." "One of the best deals in the city." "Wine selection not to be overlooked." "Mmm… So good." Read more reviews on Yelp.com.

HOURS AND RESERVATIONS

BRUNCH

Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm - 3:00pm

LUNCH

Monday through Friday 12:00pm - 2:00pm

DINNER

Professional Menu Monday through Saturday 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Student Menu Monday through Saturday 8:00pm - 9:00pm

To make a reservation contact us at 212.219.3300 or visit Open Table.