FRENCH CONNECTION

There’s much to recommend at Laissez Faire, a spiffy new King Street West spot with a French farmhouse vibe: fantastic bread, a coffered ceiling, the ’gram-worthy Watermelon Picanté, which pairs fresh watermelon juice with a tequila-and-jalapeño-goosed kick. However, we’re especially partial to their playful takes on Gallic classics, like beet tartare with pickled fennel and duck confit offset by herbaceous romaine.