Lil' Bistro 33 in Long Island City - Restaurant Review

Lil' Bistro, a small but great French-Asian fusion restaurant, hides behind its modest storefront, off in the hinterlands of Long Island City, almost so as to not betray the enormous delights that await inside. With seating for only half a dozen couples (plus a few coveted counter spots), mighty Lil' Bistro fills quickly with locals who know to reserve seats. They are rewarded with Japanese pumpkin soup, baby New Zealand lamb chops, tuna-foie gras roll, and more from the innovative menu.

Have your dreams ever fused a feast of fine sushi with a juicy hanger steak that's chased down with golden Sierra Nevada ale? You're dreaming of Lil' Bistro 33. This tiny restaurant delights with its delicious French-Asian fusion cuisine.

Don't let its physical size fool you; Lil' Bistro's adorable space is as intimate as its menu is inventive and its flavors fierce. The warm terracotta-hued walls and cozy booth seating add to its spell.

Start with a seasonal appetizer like the creamy Japanese pumpkin soup, or one of seven salads. The supreme appetizer, though, is the panko-crusted fried goat cheese. Not on the menu during my two visits, it came as a generous amuse bouche. Drizzled in toothy apricot sauce, this rich and flaky fried disk is a piece of tangy chevre heaven.

If you think that cheese and sushi are an unholy pair, then you need to experience the magic of a mid-meal sushi course. Offered only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Chef Gary's distinctive sushi rolls include traditional favorites and specials like the tuna-foie gras roll.

The entrees please with more fish like roasted salmon, while the heart of bistro fare beats in the familiar form of hanger steak. Fusion jazzes the baby New Zealand lamb chops with a lemongrass sauce.

Dessert continues the love with the fallen chocolate souffle, or the fusion coconut crepe with roasted bananas and vanilla ice cream. Pair these treats with a plum wine or a signature fruit-infused sake for the perfect close.