Exhale slowly as you slip into Bistro Vatel, cozy and relaxed with just enough formality to remind you that you are dining well, not just eating out. The menu is dependable, but the daily blackboard (including the prix-fixe) is where owner Damien Watel shines: lobster beurre blanc in the shell exemplifies the sublimely simple side of French cuisine; creamy pasta and coquilles Saint-Jacques with a dust of curry over the scallops is a nod to France’s global connections. The dark chocolate mousse offered the deepest, most interesting rendition of this classic we’ve encountered. You’ll be expertly served amid tables filled with diners whose familiarity with the menu and staff speaks volumes about their loyalty. Beer & wine.