New French Bistro Citroën Tantalizes With 1920s Inspired Aesthetics

Get ready, Manhattan Avenue: another liquor license has been approved.

And that license is in good hands — Citroën, the new French bistro at 931 Manhattan Ave. with market-fresh ingredients, has been tantalizing Greenpointers with its unique cocktails on Instagram and leaving those in fear of political discussions around the Thanksgiving table wishing they were saddled up at the new restaurant’s custom-made bar.

In fact, much of the decor, chairs, and tables in Citroën — like the menu — is custom-made. That’s because long-time Brooklynite and kingpin of repurposed goods Craig Kafton is behind these nifty operations. Kafton created a similar experience at Williamsburg’s beloved but now closed Second Stop Café — notice the detail in Citroën’s recycled columns and bespoke tables — including a restored one made from Rosie Perez’ door in her old Brooklyn home.

This is all to say that Citroën is, yes, an excellent restaurant packed with foodie delights, but it’s also an aesthetic experience that connotes a vibe both mixed-media chic and 1920’s France: each element of the decor and plating has a story behind it. And the staff, Craig and cocktail-crafting Dawn Eldridge  — are happy to keep you entertained (and well-fed) with tales of wall tile origins and why jewel ice (it’s a thing) is the best match for their mixed drinks.

“We will have 10 craft cocktails, two cocktails on draft, and a non-alcoholic mocktails list called Social Sodas,” Dawn shares. She also said all of the good cocktail mix-ins — from syrups and juices to shrubs, tinctures, and infusions — are concocted in-house. The wine list is predominantly French and is mostly certified organic and biodynamic.

The bar will have a soft open tonight and operations will be in full swing on Saturday, Nov. 24th. Til then, feast on some turkey and yams to ready yourself for foods more exotic and drinks kaleidoscopic.