Mathieu Palombino transformed last summer's successful pop-up Chez Jef into a bricks and mortar restaurant, La Gamelle, in the former Bowery Diner space.

La Gamelle serves an a la carte menu of 10 to 20 dishes of French classics, much like the original, including steak frites, a cote de bouef for two, and the critic's beloved roast chicken. With an extensive charcuterie list as well, Palombino has hired an in-house charcutier who came over from France.

The space - once home to retro American Bowery Diner - has been revamped with furniture imported from France, too, thanks to designer Alex Gherab (Felix, Prune, Juliette, and Léon), who in fact owned the original classic La Gamelle in Soho. 

Palombino, who is Belgian and trained in France, is best known for pizzeria Motorino with outposts in the East Village and Brooklyn. The opening of La Gamelle - meaning lunchbox in French - has been long delayed, partially due to Motorino expanding into Singapore. 

Ideal For

Francophiles, romantic dinners, brunch

Signature Dishes

Demi poulet roti

Signature Drinks

French wine and champagne cocktails