Laperaux, The Journeymanchef's French Bistro

Laperaux, The Journeymanchef’s French Bistro, is a hidden gem in Germantown, Maryland, where Chef Gregory Webb crafts a menu that feels both classic and personal. Open since early 2023, this intimate spot balances elegance with a welcoming atmosphere, offering a taste of France through meticulously prepared dishes.

The Meal

A meal at Laperaux begins with freshly baked French bread, warm and crusty, paired with whipped herbed butter—a simple but promising start.

For an appetizer, the pork belly arrives with a deep, savory red wine demi-glace, a touch of curried roast pepper rouille, and crunchy almonds. It’s a bold, complex dish where richness meets spice in just the right way.

The duck leg confit is a masterclass in technique. Slow-cooked for six hours in its own fat, then pan-fried for a crisp, spiced skin, the duck is served over hearty beans Provençal with roasted root vegetables and a drizzle of veal jus. Every bite delivers layers of deep, satisfying flavor.

The herb-crusted prime rib pairs beautifully with creamy garlic spinach, creating a dish that’s both indulgent and comforting. Meanwhile, the Coquilles St. Jacques—seared sea scallops with sautéed mushrooms, Gruyère cream, whipped potatoes, and haricots verts—brings a luxurious richness that still feels balanced.

Dessert is not to be skipped. The Belgian chocolate mousse is impossibly smooth, made with fresh cream, farm eggs, and a hint of espresso syrup that enhances its depth. Light yet decadent, it’s a perfect finale.

And, as always, a visit to Laperaux wouldn’t be complete without my signature cappuccino, a personal ritual that never disappoints.

The Space & Experience

Laperaux is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience. The main dining room offers a view of the open kitchen, adding a bit of theater to your meal. “Louie’s Bar” provides a quieter space for those who prefer a more intimate setting, while the outdoor patio is perfect for a relaxed evening. On weekends, live instrumental music elevates the ambiance, making the bistro feel even more like a small corner of Paris.

Since its opening, Laperaux has attracted a loyal following, with diners coming from across the region to savor its authentic French flavors. Chef Webb’s decades of experience shine through in every dish, making this bistro a standout in the Maryland dining scene. Whether you’re here for a special occasion or simply a great meal, Laperaux delivers on every level.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Checked all the boxes for me. Chef-owned and operated, diverse and creative menu, attentive service, reasonable prices considering the quality of the food, and as much ambience as you will find in a strip mall. Oh yeah, also damn delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was outstanding. When you were sitting inside the restaurant, you did not realize you were in the suburbs. Chef Greg and his team did an amazing job.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It’s about time Germantown had its own delicacy. This French restaurant has got it right. The attention to detail from the food to the layout is impeccable. The portion sizes are just right. The flavors are balanced. We even enjoyed a pianist with our meal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup, Steak Frites, Salad, Escargot

I was excited that a French restaurant has opened in Germantown and looked forward to trying it but I don’t think we will be back. The service was good but the food was lacking tremendously. I knew it wouldn’t be like France but it was not even good. It was edible. The duck confit was dry and the sauce was ok. Same with my husbands dish it was rabbit with gnocchi, they didn’t use enough sauce and it lacked salt! For the Creme brûlée they served it in the wrong dish! It was not a Creme brûlée ramekin and it was not toasted on the top properly. The custard was decent. Overall disappointed.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

I was very disappointed with my dining experience on Feb 1st, 2025. I'm 50 years old and have traveled and lived abroad throughout my life. I was shocked with a bad quality of beef tartar. I barely touched the dish, but no one asked if the dish was okay. Mussels and two other dishes were below average. Desserts (bread pudding and Berry Parfait) didn't make up for the dishes. Anything my companion and I appreciated throughout dinner were a bottle of sparkling water and a Sancerre. We are not going there again. I had to pour the water and wine throughout the entire dinner. They just brought desserts whether we were still working on our food or not. Overall, it was a bad quality of food and service. We were thinking about trying this place for Valentine's Day this month, though I am glad that we tried before Valentine's. We're canceling our reservation here and reserved a table at a different restaurant.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Nice experience. The food was excellent and the service was great I can't remember her name possibly Olivia? But she was awesome. Would def return.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We went for the first time on Valentine's Day, with the prefix menu. The evening started with the host stand describing amuse bouche as "a little snack". With a near empty house, they sat us near the bar, by the tacky $60 metal wine rack as filled it, and discussed pairings and stock.

The wait staff loudly talking wine and stocking the rack while we tried to get settled was very distracting, and killed the atmosphere.

The soup came out (luke warm, but good) before the amuse bouche. The overall pace of meal felt rushed, esp for a restaurant advertising (and charging) as fine dining.

One course was cleared at the same time as the next was served. The risotto (not French) was mushy molded rice - not a risotto at all. Light on the seafood. Micro greens were everywhere.

Beef Wellington meat was fantastic. Asparagus was bland, and the sauce all over the plate did a number on the pastry.

Dessert was the best part of the meal, save the company of my wife. The bar was playing the food Network, pioneer women's cooking show. This was twice as amusing because of everything else.

The one star is largely because this is supposed to be fine French dining, and at $360 - we didn't even have a manager come check on the experience. Many seem to enjoy this restaurant, our journeys will likely never venture this way again.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 5

I've come a few times before and each time was great. This was our last date night before becoming parents. Food was divine and I enjoyed every last drop of my mocktails. It was also great to chat with the chef before we left. Service is incredible and I can't wait to come back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Steak Au Poivre, Steak Frites, Creme Brulee, Chocolate Mousse, Escargot, Profiteroles

We've been here three times and each one was a fantastic dining experience
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Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Steak Au Poivre, Steak Frites, Duck Confit, Chocolate Mousse, Profiteroles

Great experience! Absolutely worth the long drive. Every one at the table of six loved their food, special compliments going to the two duck dishes. The definite highlights were the pear in champain souse and the appearance of the chef himself.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing authentic and delicious.

#Gs5secondReview oui! 👑

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food here was really good! The chef came out of the kitchen to say hi and was very nice. I recommend this place for a good dinner.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wonderful first experience, highly recommended for both families and a date night.

Started with a French 75, very nice cocktail which paired well with our food.

We had the French omelette, French onion soup, steak au poivre, and the Duck a l'orange.

The omelette was cooked perfectly, light and fluffy with the perfect amount of goat cheese.

The onion soup was great, maybe needed a bit of salt, but that's if I was being picky.

The duck and the steak were also both excellent, cooked perfectly.

For dessert, the pear and profiteroles were huge hits with the family

Side note: the owner was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable

5/5 will be back again, thanks for a great meal Greg and the rest of the team!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Steak Au Poivre, French Onion Soup, Poached Pears, Duck Breast, Profiteroles

So we got there and nobody came to our table for 30 minutes, even after having a reservation. There were only 5 tables with customers on it but no one brought bread or water to our table. There was only one server and three server helpers, running around in the restaurant, but wouldn’t bother to come to our table. The one server who was taking orders, kept taking orders from other tables even from the people who came after us and were sitting literally next to our table. On our way out no one had the courtesy to ask us why are we leaving, even though it’s such a small restaurant with open kitchen where everyone can see everyone. My kids were shocked per this restaurant’s attitude towards us as they have never experienced such treatment.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1