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Bistro Canaille Re-Opens, Now Canaille Wine Bar
Monday, October 22, 2024 at 12:00PM 
Bistro Canaille, the hidden gem of a French restaurant on Fifth Avenue between St. Marks and Prospect, closed back in July "for renovations," which were only supposed to last for a week. They didnt in fact re-open until several months later, and the space looks very much the same as it did previous to its closure. There are a couple glaring differences, though: a much, much smaller menu, and a new name.
Canaille Wine Bar now serves a small (if well-curated) selection of alcohol (two sparkling wines and five of both reds and whites, available by the glass and bottle, two draft beers, and a few varieties of booze), and a small selection of food: bar snacks, cheeses, charcuterie, and a couple specials like a Merguez sandwich and sliders.
Based on the menu, it appears as if they are using their kitchen very sparingly (if at all); offerings are similar to other wine bars in the area, including Wolf and Deer next door. The food at Canaille was always excellent, so it's a shame to see that they've moved away from that. The full menu is below.
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Re-Opening in Bars, Food, Scoops, Storefronts
Reader Comments (12)
That doesn't appear to be using the kitchen at all. Shame.
Really disappointing. It was THE best French restaurant in Brooklyn.
Now it's always empty and looks sad. I have no interest in that menu.
A nice selection of small-producer wines (you probably won't find many Douros in wine bars and certainly not for $40 a bottle).
Wow. We were waiting months for this place to reopen, and now there's no more dinner menu? Talk about disappointed. I hope they expand the menu in the future.
Is it also under new management? I really miss the old menu, would not bother to go now. It seems a bad decision, especially with the expected influx of people going to BC events, who want to eat.
sadness
Philippe and Marie are still there, with new partner Daniel, and the food is wonderful. The full charcuterie and cheese plates, along with a salad, make a substantial, delicious dinner for two, and the wine list is strong and very reasonable. We were regulars before and have been twice to the new version of Canaille since reopening, and had a great time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. They will be expanding the menu gradually.
@gail: The issue isn't whether or not the new menu makes for a substantial dinner. It's that I can get charcuterie at half a dozen places along 5th Ave. now. What made Canaille stand out was its top-notch French food, and that appears to be gone.
Far be it for me to tell restauranteurs how to run their business, but they closed for months at a really bad time considering the arena opening and are still saying they're going to expand the menu. What are they waiting for?
Without food, I have no interest.
they have cheese and meat plates everywhere.
It was a great restaurant and now it's not.
Surprising. This place was high on my list of places to try with all the talk about how great the food was. Strange choice on the new direction, especially with Terrior opening just down the street. Hopefully they do expand the menu...
Are we sure the original owners are still around? I find it hard to believe he would have a wine menu without a French red on it.
This is about the least inspired menu I've ever seen. But I won't cry. I won't.