La Boite en Bois

Tucked away down a small flight of stairs into a small, rustic, wood-paneled dining room decorated with touches of brass and other small items is this distinctly provincial French charmer. Small and cozy, local regulars come in pairs or alone with a book and order comfort food such as lentils with sausage and potato, pumpkin soup, duck confit and salmon with honey-mustard glaze and dauphinoise potato. Food is well-prepared and hearty of flavor. Service is casual and there when you need it. The long open restaurant has notoriety as one of the Upper West Side eateries that was a favorite spot for the characters in the TV show Seinfeld.