Technically, Frederick’s Downtown lies in the genteel western reaches of the Village. Spiritually, it’s the trendy Meatpacking District through and through. Buzzy, bar-centric, and continental, this boîte has a pleasant corner setting that flaunts sidewalk tables in warm weather and yards of windows—the better to see and be seen. The interior’s focal point is a long, handsome, dark-wood bar, flanked by café tables up front and banquettes and booths in the rear. The soundtrack is French house music—the kind played in Sephora stores to boost your shopping adrenaline. Frederick’s is owned by Frederick Lesort, one of two Parisian brothers who blitzed New York in the 1980s and 1990s with a series of nightclubby hangouts. Their downtown outpost can be relied on for strong, pricey cocktails plus an adequate bistro menu to soak up the booze. Tried-and-true is the catchphrase here: steak frites or filet mignon; its buttery chocolate cake. But Frederick’s scene is the surest thing.

p.s.- we get 25% off dinner with our reservation!