Love is in the air and so is fab food.

My Valentine and our offspring worked their magic to secure a challenging restaurant reservation.

Since the reopening Le Veau d’Or is an impossible get.

I was totally prepared to have a romantic Valentine’s dinner with my husband, but less enthusiastic about the quality of the hyped meal.

I ended up eating crow as an amuse bouche as the classic French food was beyond delectable.

Established in 1937, Le Veau d’Or reopened in July 2024 after being shuttered for five years and is now under the expert leadership of Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson of Frenchette and Le Rock fame.

The rebirth pays homage to the nearly 100 year history of the space while bringing an elevated level to the food and beverage programs.

The $125 fixed priced menu is varied and generous. In this day and age of expensive dining out it is actually fairly priced.

Satisfying food made with seasonal ingredients and French techniques drive the bistro specialties, drawn from the restaurant’s storied catalogue.

The welcome is warm and the service our superb server, Ryan, provided was friendly and accommodating.

We toasted Valentine’s Day with their “your way or our way” twist on a martini along with an elegant 2023 Mosse Chenin Blanc.

Bread with divine butter was offered (no charge!).

To initiate the meal we selected impeccable Escargots Provencale with a tomato based twist and a rich pesto sauce.

Our other appetizer was a superb Pommes Soufflées with Caviar Rouge à la Crème Fraiche. The crisp potato skins were light and airy served with a divinely rich and satisfying dipping creation.

There are 17 appetizers to choose from, including Sweet Breads, Oysters, Soup, Tripe, and a Petit Omelette.

My plentiful, tender Hanger Steak served with a delectable Bearnaise and Au Pouvre sauce was outstanding.

The outrageously crispy pommes frites were perfectly prepared. Even the watercress adornment was tasty.

The other entree was a beautiful Turbot served over a bed of spinach which was the special fish of the day.

Other main entrees include Lobster, Lamb, Veal, Fish, and Chicken.

A wonderful French salad is served as a palate cleanser after the main and it is a classic mix of lettuce with a light, exquisite French dressing.

With the salad we enjoyed a Cheese Plate, featuring a selection of Comte and  Bleu cheeses which is also offered as a dessert.

Our official dessert was an outrageous Tarte Tatin. I have enjoyed many as the dessert is a family favorite.  This Tarte Tatin was superb.

The intimate room seats 55 with a six seat bar. The restaurant features red banquettes, wood paneling and red-and-white-checkered tablecloths, just like when the restaurant opened. The flooring is a red and black pattern from the 1960s version of the restaurant.

A painting of a sleeping calf (“le veau dort”) has hung on one of the walls for years and was left untouched.

Le Veau d’Or is not to be missed.

If you close your eyes you could be dining in Paris at a quintessential french bistro.

Le Veau d’Or 129 E 60th St, New York, New York. Open Tuesday-Saturday 5-9:30 pm. Reservations on Resy. Starting March 1st OpenTable.com will be the place to go for reservations.