Known for upscale cuisine and perfectly paired wine, Tootles and French is so much more than a restaurant. Best of all, there are a few different ways to enjoy this posh spot at accessible price points. This gives customers the opportunity to possibly meet an international guest winemaker or to simply enjoy lunch, brunch, happy hour, Friday Broadway night, and so much more.

Owner Chad Goldsmith has gone out of the way to make each visit unique and delectable, and he explained that it all begins with the local community. “I’m a die-hard Astorian,” he said. “I was a regular everywhere on Ditmars before I opened here. If Tootles and French wasn’t on Ditmars, it wouldn’t exist – I wouldn’t have taken the risk outside of home.”

With his small business relationships in place, Goldsmith has been able to bring special food and drink options to Tootles and French. “[We can obtain] things that are difficult to get or offer them at a price that’s lower than what you might get in Manhattan,” he explained. “It’s amazing how far supporting small business goes. We have access to amazing things because of that.”

About those amazing things? Let’s talk wine. “Our wine list is 400 bottles long,” Goldsmith said, “We do 20 by the glass.” Not sure what to get? Ask the expert staff to suggest a pairing for you, or, better yet, set up a tasting with a flight. “There’s something for you,” Goldsmith said. “We have a sommelier. Of course we have a full bar. Our head bartender is a spirits expert. We have flights of everything.”

You’ll want food to go with all that wine, and Tootles and French has a small but enticing menu that’s mostly seasonal. “We’re going into a summer menu a little early this year because it’s been hot out. We’re introducing some tartars and some carpaccio,” he noted. Certain staples like chicken wings are always available. “Every bar needs to have a good wing,” Goldsmith said, “That’s in our coq au vin sticky wine sauce with bacon.” After some light bites, you can order up the signature dish at Tootles and French: an elevated version of the bodega chopped cheese, made with ground ribeye, jalapeño aioli, cheddar, muenster, and sourdough bread.

And while you might think Tootles and French is out of your price range, you can likely afford to try out lunch or happy hour. Goldsmith elaborated, “Get to our happy hour. It’s insane. We have $6, $9, and $12 snacks: shrimp cocktail, bean dip, bar snacks, and wings. Our happy hour is huge. Most people know it for our Sundays because it’s 4pm all the way to close.” Use the opportunity to order highballs, certain beers, and most importantly, $30 bottles of wine. Happy hour runs Monday to Thursday from 4-6pm, Friday and Saturday 10pm until closing, and Sunday 4pm to closing. Huge bonus: a full kitchen is available on Friday and Saturday until midnight.

The most cost-effective way to experience Tootles and French is by taking advantage of its lunch specials. “We have $15 lunch specials – a lot of people don’t realize because we look fancy. We have $5 wine for lunch,” said Goldsmith. That means you can get a full lunch and a glass of wine and get out the door for under $25. “And those sandwiches are the size of your head,” Goldsmith said, “It’s enough to bring home.”

Tootles and French also has wine pairing dinners available. “Usually, we have people flying in who represent the food. In June, we have Uruguay. We have a winemaker coming soon who’s top fifteen in the world, Goldsmith explained, “We had a national ambassador for Ukraine here for that month.” Wine pairing dinners are $120 a person.

Once a month, Tootles and French offers a special luxury dinner hosted by a guest international winemaker. There are only eight spots available, and you’ll have the pleasure of dining with the host as well. “The monthly dinner is inspired by a host country’s food that’s prepared by our chef,” Goldsmith said. “It’s an intimate experience. The value is amazing. One time, we had ten courses.” Luxury dinners are $220 a person.

As for Goldsmith, he participates in the local community every way he can. “We’re very community oriented here. I just spoke at the local career day at the high school. I was the main organizer of Ditmars’ restaurant week. The biggest reason to open this was to have a place near home to bring the community closer together.”

36-15 Ditmars Blvd. / Phone: 347.642.3012 / tootlesandfrench.com / Yelp: 4.2