Lucky for Francophile foodies, the famed French chef Daniel Boulud has opened DB Bistro Moderne, a contempo-casual bistro where the flavors of France are creatively tweaked for American tastes. In the spacious dining room, traditional European bistro – the floors are laid with rustic stone tile and the ceilings panelled in rich woods – meets cutting-edge Manhattan – large, swirling floral photographs line the walls and chairs and tables are carved with African motifs. When Daniel Boulud opens a restaurant, the diners descend, and DB Bistro Moderne swells nightly with a savvy, sociable, wine-fueled crowd, making it feel very much like the kind of Parisian bistro it aspires to be. The best part, though, is that this is your chance to sample Boulud’s renowned cuisine without paying an arm and a leg. To be sure, this is Manhattan, so the prices are far from budget, but with entrees starting at about $20, DB Bistro Moderne offers one of the better gourmet deals in the city. Try the silky smoked salmon, Moroccan tuna tartare with chickpeas, oversized shrimp with squash-arugula risotto and toasted pumpkin seeds, or the restaurant’s justifiably famous DB burger, stuffed with foie gras and black truffles. It’s the most expensive burger in New York City, but you’ll be swooning over every bite.