always on the lookout for "relatively real" french bistros (i know, redundant). usually disappointed, & basically believe they just don't exist, except in PARIS!

my current list, without trying to list every french bistro in manhattan, with comments & in no particular order:

Le Veau d'Or - pretty decrepit, no bar due to lack of servers, way past its prime

La Petite Auberge - average age ~ 90, service acts as old, food below average

Le Biarritz - amazing its still there. caters to the rent-controlled crowd nr 57th

Tout Va Bien - the food is absolutely terrible. serves frozen or canned vegs!

Chez Napoleon - the "grand-mere" (i believe) is ITALIEN - why go?

LCB Bras. - recent change, food still amazingly overpriced & still below average

La Goulue - anyone who goes for the food, doesn't get "it"

Orsay - never underestimate the pomposity & stupidity of the UES "wannabes"

DeMarchelier - no soap in the men's restroom - where does the help wash their hands after...?? the manager could not have cared any less!!??

L'Absinthe - beautiful, but jesus, nose-bleed prices for 67th & 2nd

La Tour - the owner hangs out at Orsay - enough said

Jacques Bras - good neighborhood bras., but dining room prices ridiculous

Quatorze bis - possibly the "ONE", but nr 1st on 79th = neighborhood only

Pastis - must be under 30, if go past 5:00

Balthazar - always crowded, but now only B&T, & tourists who didn't get the memo

Le Singe Vert - the owner(s) confuse hi wine prices with quality

Gavroche - replaced previous chef with the sous chef, it shows

Café Loup - why, unless stranded in neighborhood

Bar Six - ditto

Village - ditto

Nice Matin as well as all Simon Oren french "bistros", unless 1 likes faux-french cookie cutters, regardless of gael greene.

it's clear, french-like bistros are popular & appealing, & it strikes me the public is not tired of the motif. why then, aren't there more "good" ones????