Alan Richman from GQ names Le Penguin in Greenwich one of the Best 25 New Restaurants of 2014

(Pictures from http://lepenguinbistro.com)

Alan Richman, writer for GQ and 14 time James Beard winner for journalism, is no stranger to Connecticut and what our restaurants have to offer.  Last year he named the Green-Goddess Deviled Eggs at the Whelk as one of the “The 50 Best Things to Eat and Drink Right Now“ and put it on his 10 Trophy Dishes of 2013.  And, this March, he has released a new list that features another Connecticut restaurant:  “The Perfect Night Out: GQ’s 25 Best New Restaurants in America, 2014.”

The list (scroll down) takes you through a to-eat list of places throughout the country and there, right at #17, is Le Penguin in Greenwich.  While this restaurant might be new, the location isn’t new at all…it’s where the famed Jean Louis used to be.  And, if Richman’s praise is any indication, Le Penguin should be around for quite a while.  Here’s some of what he said about this new hot spot:

“Everything at Le Penguin feels French, starting with the tiny stand-up bar at the back of the room and extending to the butcher paper tablecloths (stamped with little penguins). The food is mostly classic bistro, but it seems livelier, re-energized. The salty frites are crunchy, perfectly Frenchified, and the garlicky escargots have flair—they’re gathered together in a little bowl and topped with puffs of pastry. Your dessert should be a floating island—balls of soft meringue adrift in crème anglaise—because it’s there, and some day nobody will make this anymore. French bistros are at their best when they’re mom and pop, and Le Penguin feels even more agreeable when Suzanne Blech, the mom, shows up on busy nights to help out.”

Make sure to check out the rest of what he had to say as well as all the other winners.  Le Penguin is located at 61 Lewis Street in Greenwich and can be reached for reservations at (203) 717-1200.  You can also make reservations by clicking here.  

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25. Pizzeria Vetri

Philadelphia, PA

24. Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop
New York, NY

23. Westward
Seattle, WA

22. Row 34
Boston, MA

21. Sweedeedee
Portland, OR

20. Chi Spacca
Los Angeles, CA

19. The General Muir
Atlanta, GA

18. Avance
Philadelphia, PA

17. Le Penguin
Greenwich, CT

16. Casa Luca
Washington D.C.

15. Daikaya
Washington D.C.

14. Alma
Los Angeles, CA

13. La Barbecue
Austin, TX

12. Bar Sajor
Seattle, WA

11. Sir and Star at The Olema
Olema, CA

10. Nico Osteria
Chicago, IL

9. Dover
Brooklyn, NY

8. Orsa & Winston
Los Angeles, CA

7. Gunshow
Atlanta, GA

6. Husk
Nashville, TN

5. King + Duke
Atlanta, GA

4. Carbone
New York, NY

3. Roe
Portland, OR

2. Trois Mec
Los Angeles, CA

1. Qui
Austin, TX