To share or not to share; that is the question at Bagatelle. The brand new ninety seat French bistro has a menu geared toward tapas style eating, but the succulent plates are good enough to get possessive over. I know it was hard to let the other kids play with your toys in Kindergarten but, just like good food, some things are just better shared.

A foray into the truffled organic whole chicken for two with country style potatoes ($55.00) is a delicious revamped classic. It might give the old tummy a bit of a workout if you refuse to share it though. Other communal dishes include the grilled 19 oz. rib eye steak ($85.00) and the tartine starter plate ($13.00). Bagatelle's tartines are made with warm ham, comte cheese and truffled béchamel. They are not to be missed.

Seafood martinis, juicy tartars and a refreshing asparagus and blood orange salad ($15) are other lesser but no less flavorful items that keep the discerning menu reader’s attention into the main course. Small plates, but many combinations have such assertive flavors that sometimes less is more.

The manageable size of Bagatelle gives it that cozy, romantic bistro vibe that the French do so well. The service is impeccable and the crowd is full of beauties. The stark white walls find colorful repose in the great variety of eye-catching abstracts that don the walls. The meatpacking location sits right under “Kiss & Fly” making it a great date spot that will deliver the real thing.

Remember to mind your manners and share your dish. A wise auther once wrote "Everything you ever need to know you learned in kindergarten," it's true, but I wish they'd also told us how to get laid in kindergarten. That would have saved so much time. –J.T.