Pricey but good food. Very bad service. We were seated on time but it took 30 minutes before our drinks arrived. Another 45 minutes or more before dinner finally arrives. I had to go and find the waiter to order dessert and then another search later to get the check. After another 15 minutes I had to go inside and stand visibly at the bar so I could get the transaction completed. This was for a dinner over $125. Ridiculous. read more

Overall, this was a fine place to get dinner. We came in about 40 minutes before the stated closing time with 3 people, and asked if they had time to serve us. They said they did, and we pretty quickly ordered. We started with the cheese plate and two of us happened to get the special of rabbit meatballs with pasta. The cheese plate was pretty good with a really nice Bri cheese. I felt the rabbit meatball and pasta dish was peppered to a pretty extreme level. My boyfriend got the chicken with pastry and said it was also fine. The ambiance was really nice, and I think if we weren't showing up at the last possible moment it would have been a slightly nicer dining experience. read more

We had booked a table for dinner, then read some bad reviews. We decided tinte y the restaurant, in spite of the reviews- and we had a wonderful dinner, noted exemplary service and we loved the ambiance. We shared the autumn salad- the dressing was light and divine. My husband had the Beef Bourguignon and I had the salmon - served atop lovely slightly creamy pasta and perfectly cooked veggies. Allow cake was delightful. Wine list quite good as well. We will be back! read more

Had the escargot and braised duck and gnocchi. Paired great with the recommended wine. The decor was cute and they have a live pianist some nights. The service was awesome and the staff were super friendly. Will definitely go back. read more

Not sure what happened. Been coming here for years and enjoyed the beef bourginion and lobster risotto but menu changed. Beef was a watery salty flour sauce. Chicken rigatoni with store bought pasta bad Americana Italian. Gnocchi with pork ragout appeared as packaged gnocchi with water salt cooked pork. Service was slow. Menu special items mispriced, said $12 dollars but charged $31 for "entree size" we did not request as we wanted the appetizer size. Ambiance was as usual. read more

What a surprise to find this cute little French restaurant in the middle of Saranac Lake! The ambiance is wonderful - indoor and outdoor dining, music on some nights. On a nice night, sitting ouotside is the way to go. There is a full bar so you can have a glass of Frech wine or a crafted cocktail or a non-alcohol beverage. We ordered the bread basket which was wonderful and worth the calories and the cost. I had Frech onion soup that I loved - standard but well done, and the salmon which was very good. My husband had the beef bourguinon which he enjoyed although he felt that was the least impressive of our dishes. The service was good although if they were much busier it may have been slow (we didn't experience that). I would say this restaurant is charming, the food and drinks are very good and the service is good. I recomment highly and will return. read more

New management since Ann retired and new chef snd now has a full liquor license. The facility has had a major redo but if you weren't paying attention it feels the same. And that is good. We had excellent service. The special was just perfect for what we wanted and well prepared. That was all we had so I can't comment further on the food. Lorraine was a first class server. All that is good. It feels different. Not better or worse different. It's a bit more formal. A little distant. You might prefer that. You might not. It's just different. We came many times before snd we will return many time as long as it's this good. read more

The Left Bank Cafe - people sitting at the bar - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

Loved this place! We were lucky enough to attend this place as part of a wedding reception, and everything was immaculate. From the friendly, attentive, and flexible staff, to the wonderful beef and cauliflower soup, to what was probably the best dirty martini of my life. This place is woefully underrated, and everyone should go here. read more

Cheerful helpful service, solid bistro offerings and a cozy setting. 5 stars for atmosphere and service, 4 for food :) We liked the beef bourguignon, lobster risotto, and bread basket with fondue dip. Lobster was well prepared and sweet but the risotto could have had a bit more complexity. All in all a nice evening out. Eating by the river was magical and the live music added to the atmosphere. read more

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I have always had a beautiful dinner here. The ambiance, service and food were always spot on. I have always recommended The Left Bank as one of the best restaurants in Saranac Lake. Unfortunately, our dinner was seriously terrible this past evening. I had the beef Bourg, which in the past was like eating in Beaune. This time it was a $40.00 bowl of tasteless goo that resembled a bad soup. Our server was not good, seemed distracted or inebriated. Very sorry to write this. Maybe I will try again one day, but I can't in good conscience ever recommend this again. read more

Excellent food and service at this cozy bistro. The live music from an electric keyboard player was a nice touch. Probably the best dining experience in the town of Saranac. The Apple Tart with vanilla ice cream was amazing! read more

A Gem In The ADKS- Just 8 Miles from Lake Placid in Saranac Lake -Limited Menu Small Plates with Quality Food , Excellent Service ! Covered Outdoor Seating along the River . Live Music Tip - Make A Reservation read more

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If you just want to grab a quick bite, this place is not for you. But if you want to enjoy true French cuisine (unexpected surprise for us) and a charming atmosphere of a quaint French bistro, this place is for you. The service was slow, and we were warned by locals that's usually the case, but it didn't bother us, we were there to enjoy our time. The food was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. read more

The Left Bank Cafe - a plate of food on a table - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

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Saranac Lake now has a real cafe. This has been a VERY long time coming. Staff is efficient, friendly, and let's you enjoy the excellent offerings in coffee, wine, and food. There is a balcony over the river (for warmer months), but inside is tastefully decorated, and welcoming. Keep it up, and I hope to visit again. read more

Delicious, expertly prepared food in an elegant yet relaxing setting. Highly recommend the beef bourguignon and scallop special with potato gnocchi. To top it off, cocktails, wine, and service were excellent. read more

The Left Bank Cafe - the interior of the restaurant - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

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Had an amazing experience and the best waitress, Roxane! She came all the way from France to work here and had great recommendations. She was very attentive and thoughtful, glad to have met her! read more

Wow -- I was frankly surprised by how good the food was! Everything was absolutely delicious start to finish, complemented by nice cocktails and wine. That combined with friendly service made for a wonderful evening. read more

Bottom line of my lengthy review: Service worsens as they gain tables. If you want to wait 2 hours to eat cold food, this is your place! The service was exceptional when we first arrived at 5. We were seated on the patio, and enjoyed the ambience. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. We received our drinks an appetizer promptly, then our salads. And then we waited. For 40 minutes. We sat and saw no one except the waitress for the other tables. No checking on drinks, no apology for the lengthy wait. Nothing. Finally, the waitress for the other tables came out with our duck and it was cold. The lentils were a little warm in the middle, but otherwise it was cold. We also had no silverware at this point, so after another 10 minutes we received that and advised the waitress the food was not warm. She tried to take the plate and say she would have the chef reheat it. Seriously? Magret de Canard is a perfectly cooked breast of duck where the fat is rendered into the meat, leaving a wonderful crunchy top. This was not that, and certainly would be no better if it were microwaved. The waitress insisted she grabbed it as soon as it came out, so I'm not sure where the duck disappeared to during the 40 minutes where no one acknowledged us, but it was hard to believe. The original waiter came out and offered to get us something else or, again, to reheat the duck, which we again refused. We tried the cold duck, and unsurprisingly, it was not great. It seems that it may have already been reheated in the time we waited. Another 20 minutes: no one has checked on us, and still no refills. Finally, our original waiter came over and offered us a glass each of complimentary wine, which we accepted (earning them a 3rd star on my review for at least attempting to make things right) We were also not charged for our appetizer, which was nice of them. But alas, the service fell short again. We were left sitting there for at least another 20 minutes, and when we received our checks, there was no pen. We were just laughing at the ridiculousness at this point. After waiting to see if we could get a pen, we finally used my car keys to sign the check and left, seeing no workers as we walked out through the restaurant. Not sure if they are severely understaffed, but it certainly feels that way. Our overall experience left us irritated and not willing to return to this establishment. read more

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Amazing food in Saranac Lake. Had a wonderful evening of outstanding food and service. Reminded us of our time in Colmar, France. Outstanding! read more

Seriously don't know why they suggest having a reservation, as there is a reason why we only saw one other party inside the restaurant when we were there (about 1 1/2 hours). It is described as a quaint authentic French find, with authentic French food. That is not what my friend and I experienced. The place has the same decor (posters of Air France on the walls) based on pictures of years past, except now the plants are almost dead, and the bench has matching green tape to cover the splits/tears. The food was nothing to write home about as our meals were very salty. The prices are high for the size of the portions and the martini's are over priced, as the glasses are very small. Overall, this place is not worth all the hype. read more

I'll make this short. My wife was kind in her review. Do not go here. My main course that was a $29 Duck salad had green worms crawling in it. The Duck was old and tasted like a refrigerator, the lettuce wilted and had been sitting out for hours. I thought I was going to get sick. My app was a Burratta that was dry. I ordered a Kir Royal that was flat and way too much Kir.Insult to injury the maitre d wanted us to please tell him if anything was wrong. For a $175 meal why in God's name should I then have to relive this disaster of an experience? We have been going here for years before new Management and we loved seeing Ann Sterling and enjoying a nice time out. This was probably the worst meal I have ever had. They are out of their element.A very sad, disappointing and disgusting evening. Save yourself the money and aggravation. Don't go. read more

After relocating to Saranac Lake NY, finding places to eat has become must easier then my previous home location. However on Sunday mornings the options for brunch are some what limited unless you're willing to travel 2 hours to Montreal. In comes The Left Bank Cafe! A delightful local cafe run by professionally trained chef Anne Sterling who offers multiple options for every patron. Her menu sings with flavors from France that bring you instantly back to Entrains-sur-Nohain the sister city of Saranac Lake. Ms. Sterling opens her doors for breakfast, lunch and diner with seasonal hours. Check her website for her schedule. Many events and special meals are offered which are affordable and delicious in their variety. During the summer months her outside porch area is dog friendly which just makes me love this place even more. Today's meal was all about the Sunday Brunch. We started with a great cup of coffee and a croissant. We had come a bit late and missed out on her Almond Croissants. Quelle dommage! One of her signature and most popular plates is the Duck confi Beni which a happily ordered and savored each bite with its crusty bits and tender moist flakes of duck swimming in my yolk! I was in heaven! Cappuccino in hand and relaxed surroundings makes The Left Bank Cafe the perfect spot to unwind and savor good food, maybe a nice glass of wine, on the snowy streets of Saranac Lake NY. Do check out her website for additional special events, live music, guests chefs, and special weekday menus at great price points. Plenty of street parking and non cramped seating. Family friendly, Dog friendly ( out on the porch ) you cant go wrong here!! read more

The Left Bank Cafe - Duck Confi Benis - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

Delicious French meal. We had prosciutto wrapped chicken and spinach, a lamb dish, Pate, and topped our evening off with mouse. Everyone was kind and accommodating with her toddler. We plan to return soon. read more

I was thoroughly impressed by this restaurant. I was not expecting to find a very authentic French restaurant in the heart of Saranac Lake! Coming from a French family, we were generally impressed that they had dishes that were very true to French culture, and not the stereotypical dishes. I went there on Christmas Eve, and it was not busy but the staff were very friendly, and spoke French with us! They also had the traditional Yule loge chocolate cake (a French custom around the holidays), which they gave a free piece to every table to share for the holidays. The dishes were all very light, extremely tasty with sauces and mild herbal spices, and filled with vegetables. The bread was also delicious - although not like the real French bread, it was crusty and quite addictive. You will definitely feel welcome and cozy in this restaurant. You will feel transported to a little village in France, with friendly, homey staff who share their love for France and French culture with you. And the food also speaks for itself - magnifique! read more

The Left Bank Cafe - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

What can I say, I enjoy Left Bank. A nice variety of food choices, quality and taste in presentation, delicious appetizers, nice choices of wine and cocktails, and the desserts are always good as well. Friendly and attentive staff. It's always consistent and always good. read more

We had a really good experience at The Left Bank Cafe. The service was amazing, the food was supreme and the atmosphere was what are looking for when getting away with your significant other. I got the salad with the smoked duck (master preparation!) and my partner got bouillabaisse that was also delightful. Our server Jenna did an excellent job and the atmosphere at their terrace at the Saranac River was the perfect environment for a romantic evening enjoying the perfect summer weather in the Adirondacks. Thanks for a perfect evening! Sorry no photo of the smoked duck but highly recommended! read more

The Left Bank Cafe - Delicious bouillabaisse - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

Had a really tasty brunch on their first day starting them again. Sat on the outside patio next to the river with our pup. We both had their veggie eggs benedict. read more

The Left Bank Cafe - Brunch served on the wood porch. - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

We ate here the other night. What a great experience! Started with the Charcuterie board. There was enough for light appetizer for 4, and good choices for all. 3 of us had the Truffle Tagliatelle. Simply outstanding. The sauce was light and full of great flavor. One of us had the salmon and said it was delicious. We enjoyed an expresso martini to finish and it was heaven. But I have to mention that our server, Roxanne, was truly fabulous. She knew the menu and made good recommendations, which we took. She was very friendly and gave us the perfect level of service - just the right level of attention. And she's French! Our entire evening was more authentic because of her. Thanks Roxanne! read more

Food was terrible. Very nicely presented with heavily salted sauces almost inedible. $80 for two moderately small pastas dishes. Please expand your menu and use less salt! read more

I got this chicken dish wish I can't remember the name of. I also got the baguette and olive oil for apps. It was disappointing to say the least. First, olive oil was good but the baguette was very dry and hard. A few of the slices were hard as a rock and I could bang it pretty good on the table without it changing it's shape. A few of the slices were also burnt. 1/5. The chicken dish wasn't any better. The chicken itself was actually pretty good, cooked well but it could use a little bit of more spice. The rice was below average, it was a bit soggy, but it tasted fine. The sausage was great, but for some reason they only serve a quarter of it. The biggest disappointment was that the dish was soaked in grease and oil. The bottom of the pool was just grease, and the food was swimming in it. The rice and the chicken pretty much tasted the same since the rice soaked up all the grease. I would recommend that the chef find a way to remove the excess oil. Rice was fine, maybe make it less soggy. The sogginess could have came from the oil. And finally, give the whole sausage. What's up with that? 1/5 The customer service was a little below average, it wasn't too busy but they were taking a long time with everything. 0/1 I gave it a two star cuz the place was pretty affordable, so I guess i got what i paid for. The restaurant was very cute tho read more

The Left Bank Cafe - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

Still can't figure out how this restaurant is located in Saranac Lake! Let's start with ambiance. Unique. Old wooden floors, lots of space between tables, a piano and if you're lucky a piano player. Nice French menu. Good well prepared and presented. Memorable meals every time. Worth the money. read more

While vacationing in the Adirondacks we were encouraged to visit the Left Bank. We planned an evening with old friends who live in Saranac Lake calling ahead we made a reservation for four on the porch overlooking the river. The perfect table for our leisurely repast. We all had a variety of appetizers from sunchokes, pate, and salads that were all enjoyed. They have an excellent wine list with decent prices by the glass and bottle. Two of us shared an excellent French Pinot Noir. The gentlemen opted for hard cider...go figure. Tom had the seared scallops and I enjoyed a perfectly cooked rack of lamb with savory marinated heirloom tomatoes and creamy polenta. My friends ordered a special seasonal pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella and prosciutto and a braised chicken and sausage dish. All entrees were beautifully presented and plentiful. We managed to make room for the desserts. Tom had a macaron with fresh berries that he enjoyed. The chocolate moose was spectacular! It is a leisurely pace there as it was quite busy as it is the place to dine in Saranac Lake. The restaurant inside and out was packed so they must be doing something right! Don't miss it! https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g48561-d1861900-r698327696-Left_Bank_Cafe-Saranac_Lake_New_York.html# read more

The Left Bank Cafe - Front of restaurant and there is outdoor seating as well. Pretty. - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

This was extremely disappointing! When we arrived we were seated inside with no air conditioning. It was so hot we had to ask to move outside. Online their menu has escargot. When i asked the waitress why it was not on the menu she said, "Our chef doesn't k ow how to make it." Obviously we were immediately alarmed that a French Bistro chef can't make a traditional French dish. We ordered drinks and apps. This is NOT a kid friendly place. No soda or juice or anything off menu fir kids. The smoked duck was barley smoked and the pate was flavorless. The fondue was just disgusting Nd the bartender NEVER brought my drink. We left without ordering dinner. read more

Had a lovely breakfast here this morning for Easter. When you first walk in, it's a little confusing as there is not host stand or sign if you should wait or seat yourself. We waited a good 5 minutes until we were finally acknowledged. Started off with a croissant and jam as well as coffee and OJ. Our server forgot my OJ at first but quickly grabbed it. Croissant was very good and fresh tasting. Our main food took about 30-40mins to actually come out as we believe our server forgot to put our order in. She was by herself and seemed a little overwhelmed but was very friendly. We ordered classic egg benedicts and they were definitely worth the wait. The presentation of the food was very appetizing. Flavors were on point, potatoes were good and they came with a side of fresh grapes. There was not a typical english muffin with the dish which was different. We enjoyed our food thoroughly though and we'll definitely be back. read more

The Left Bank Cafe - Classic eggs benedict, sooo good! - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

My brother lives in Saranac Lake so we met him here on our way to the Saturday morning, farmer's market. We passed it at first but turned around and found it. I've added a storefront photo to help everyone else out... My husband ordered the banana smoothie and it was delicious. Nothing artificial tasting at all. My brother and I had the breakfast crepe with bacon, eggs and cheese in it. Wow! Amazing food! Would have loved to visit for dinner. It's a beautiful restaurant and they have a nice wine list. The player piano is a nice touch! If you're anywhere near Saranac Lake, make a point to visit Left Bank. You'll love it! read more

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We came here for lunch on an early fall day. There were maybe three or four parties in the restaurant. Anne, our server could not be more accommodating. She allowed us to seat ourselves on the patio, overlooking the river. Unlike other reviewers, we thought the service was timely, and attentive. But the food, oh my gosh the food! My wife had the Tartine Chevignol and I had the Tartine Indienne. Both had a small side salad. These are the best open face sandwiches we have ever had. Not only is this a slice of Paris in the Adirondacks, the table next to us RE from Montreal so our server spoke French with them. Great fun to hear the differences between Parisienne French and Québécois French! Manifique! read more

The Left Bank Cafe - Tartine Chevignol - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

Fabulous French cuisine!!! If you want to sit outside, be sure to make a reservation.

They get it right here...well they are French. On the banks of the Saranac River in this little city sits this resto, which just makes me very happy. . Authentic, beautiful rustic interior (wood floors). Even a classic guitarist putting interpretations to Elton John's "Your Song" etc.. He runs a music shop locally (I asked him if he was with Crane in Potsdam...). Pate with grainy dijon, little cornichons, and a bagette (not baked in house but excellent), along with essentially a coq au vin with couscous. Fantastic.. We had a French Malbec as well..usually Argentina, but this was excellent as well... very laid back here, they know the pace of French dining is a whole other concept. Patience (Yes...talking to you impatient NYC interlopers) is a virtue and this place is paced from another era....dining the way it should be. I would drive two hours from my house just to dine here....I don't usually say that as many of you know. Excellent. read more

This place has impressed me time and again. It really is a jewel in Saranac. The food is great and every time the service goes above and beyond Today stopped by with my daughter and dog and there was only one small table outside as it was cool. I asked if we could sit outside. Our server immediately came out wiped off the table and took our drink orders. He came back with the drinks, settings, a dog bowl of water and a dog treat. When he brought our food he brought another server and they brought out a second table to put everything on. The cafe au lait was delicious. I had the croque Monsieur and my daughter had the chèvre tartine. Both were great. I love the mustard vinaigrette on the side salad. A great way to start the weekend in Saranac. We will definitely return. read more

The Left Bank Cafe - Cafe au lait and tea outside - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

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A perfectly unpretentious bistro, and if you're in the mood for that, Left Bank Cafe is hard to beat. Started with a mellow French Onion Soup...nicely crisp toasted crouton. Shared a hot Camembert with some friends. Exquisitely fresh baguette and sliced apple to dip as well as a side of sliced smoked duck breast. Marvelous and so much easier than fondue. My entree was something that I hadn't tried before, a braised chicken in the Basque style over a saffron rice. The chicken was amazingly tender and browned. A perfectly delicious dish. The Creme Brulee was off the charts. a perfect crust. Not that windowpane sheet like so many others but, a perfectly crumbling sugar, fractured rock candy. Wonderful. Most of all the hostess was extremely accommodating, and friendly, as well as a knowledgeable food historian. A great place to relax and enjoy the company of friends... read more

The Left Bank Cafe - Biscuits & Gravy - French Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York