Tournesol

It would take us a long time to get tired of coming to Tournesol. This one-room French bistro serves good, affordable lunch and dinner everyday in a dark, cozy space with a small bar. The waitstaff is very friendly and professional, making jokes and keeping wine glasses full while informing you about ingredients and preparations. On one visit, we had a nice conversation with our waiter about the small town in France where he grew up. We thoroughly enjoyed his company, even if we could only understand every other word through his thick accent.

Tournesol is ideal for a casual date night, when you can share a bunch of small plates, like the duck liver terrine and grilled shrimp with chorizo. The reasonably priced wine list and shareable entrees, like mussels with french fries, also work well for a small group dinner. Plan to order the goat cheese croquettes and the escargots, both of which are under $15. Whether for a full meal or some wine and small plates, this is one of our favorite spots in Long Island City.