“Sat at the bar and loved the ambience. It’s quaint and can be a nice romantic spot for couples. Our bartender was great and he recommended the prix fixe menu and it was definitely worth it. Got the marinated beets salad, lamb and Crème brûlée! Will definitely return. Great service, great food. What else can one ask for?!“
“I stop in here almost weekly, and the lattes have been great! The first time I went I also had the coffee cake which was really good & soft as well. Even at the end of their day I was greeted with a cheery bonjour and was able to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of a great coffee break. I have to note that on my visit last week I left without being able to order as it seemed as though the one person working was taking out trash and must’ve not seen me & the other gentleman that were perusing the shop…but I’m sure it was just an oversight as I’ve been told that this area can be pretty slow on Tuesday afternoons. Really great coffee, and a really great experience otherwise. Bonne chance! ?“
“The ambiance of this restaurant is really stunning. Definitely perfect for a nice date spot and the staff is always coming by to checking in on your table to make sure everything is going well.We ordered both the steaks, oysters, and some kind of liver. The liver looked like ice cream but I wasn’t the biggest fan of the aftertaste.“
“Le Refuge Restaurant in Alexandria, VA, is a true gem that transports you to the heart of France with its authentic cuisine and charming ambiance. My recent dining experience at this establishment left me utterly impressed and thoroughly satisfied. Upon arrival, my spouse and I were greeted warmly and seated promptly, though I would highly recommend making advanced reservations as the venue tends to fill up quickly - a testament to its popularity and excellence. Our culinary journey began with a delightful array of appetizers. I opted for the Salade maison à la vinaigrette, a refreshing house salad with a perfectly balanced vinaigrette dressing, while my spouse enjoyed the classic Caesar salad, both impeccably prepared and bursting with flavor. For the main course, I indulged in the Poitrine de poulet Dijonnaise, a succulent chicken breast adorned with a luscious mustard cream sauce. The flavors were exquisite, and the dish paired beautifully with the restaurant's recommended white wine selection. Meanwhile, my spouse savored the Salmon Béarnaise, cooked to perfection and accompanied by a rich and flavorful sauce. No French dining experience would be complete without dessert, and Le Refuge did not disappoint. We indulged in the Peach Melba and Chocolate Mousse Cake, both of which were heavenly and provided the perfect sweet ending to our meal. Throughout the evening, the service was impeccable, with Jean-Francois Chaufour and his family ensuring that every guest felt welcomed and attended to. It's evident that their passion for French cuisine and hospitality shines through in every aspect of the dining experience. Le Refuge's cozy atmosphere and authentic dishes truly make it a standout dining destination in Alexandria. With over 36 years of culinary excellence, it's no wonder that patrons keep coming back for more. Whether you're craving a taste of France or simply seeking an exceptional dining experience, Le Refuge Restaurant is a must-visit. My spouse and I left feeling thoroughly impressed and already looking forward to our next visit. Merci beaucoup, Le Refuge, for an unforgettable evening!“
“I had the most wonderful dining experience at La Fromagerie! Everything was delicious and the service was great! I began with champagne and foie gras. Next, I had the bouillabaisse; then, cheese course (a double or triple cream). I finished the meal with a chocolate pot de crème. I can’t wait until my next visit!“
“We had dinner tonight at Bistro Sancerre and it was a culinary masterpiece. Our server Jarrod was attentive and engaging. We ordered the escargot as an appetizer - it was buttery garlic goodness.For mains we ordered the steak frite (ribeye) and the duck. Both were cooked to perfection. The French fries were addictive and the seeet potato puree was velvety. They have a good wine selection by the glass.It’s a short walk from King St metro. It was a perfect impromptu date night and cannot wait to go back!“
“Excellent experience! I came to Alexandria for a couple of days and I had dinner there 3 times! Cheeseburgers are just amazing and I tasted also other recipes, very good!The service is excellent, they are so kind and accurate! I definitely recommend it!“
“Easter Sunday, we got an early start and had a beautiful breakfast. Doting waiters even prevented a food allergy mishap and steered us to a proper option. The savory Crepes were made w buckwheat flour, sweet with a lighter flour. Well-kept spot, outdoor seating as well.Dietary restrictions: Vegan, dairy“
“Everything on the menu looked delicious and I'm sure it is. We had onion soup to start then the New York strip and the Salmon, with creme brulee for dessert. With loud, vibrant atmosphere, a handsome server, and every bite exquisite, my wife and I loved our visit! This will definitely be our must hit during trips to DC for high end French cuisine!“
“My wife and I dined here recently for our wedding anniversary. The food was terrific as detailed in other reviews. But you can find terrific food in many other restaurants in the area. What made our experience special was the staff.Thank you Jason, Sam, and the other staff whose names escape me for being perfectly attentive and genuinely caring about making our dinner a special experience.“
“I thought that for the price, the food and service were very good. I appreciated that they were able to accommodate a walk-in for weekend brunch. The hostess was very polite and the servers were very attentive. The restaurant was very clean, including the bathrooms which were very nice compared to a lot of restaurants in DC. For a restaurant I had not heard of prior to visiting, I was pleasantly surprised!“
“I can't say enough great things about Lutece. My wife and I shared one of the best dining experiences we've ever had in DC there recently. The food was sublime (duck confit tagliatelle was my personal favorite). The wine service was impeccable. The staff was super chill yet very attentive. And the atmosphere was perfect for the moment. We sat at one of the high top kitchen tables, which I highly recommend. We'll be back for sure.“
“Dear Diary - What an amazing place! The food menu, extremely helpful members, and drinks were absolutely wonderful in making the experience great. Since I have a few food allergies, they were able to accommodate and make substitutions. I definitely recommend going here. I can't wait until their menu rotates to go again!“
“The service was really good.The train was having issues and we were an hour late for our table, we called and they were totally understanding even though they were booked out.Food was good, not amazing however it’s price well the location.“
“I honored my reservation, identified myself and the time of the reservation at the front desk but the restaurant never checked me in and listed me as a no show. No one came to take our order. After 1/2 hour we flagged down a server (not our section) who said she would be happy to take our order and let our server know. We said ok just let our server know. Once she came snd took our order, food arrived quickly.“
“This is a fun place in Clarendon. I lucked out and got a parking spot right out front of the restaurant (but it was early on a Sunday). Otherwise I was told by fellow diners parking was a nightmare.Loved the service and atmosphere...but the food was just ok. I had the Lyon Burger and I ate without the bun and sauce and the burger was way too salty.“
“One of the few places in DC that feels authentically French. You can find a lot of classics here that aren't served elsewhere like rabbit and sweetbreads. They have excellent bread and a nice bar. There's also great people watching here. It's one of the places where it feels like locals have been going forever. A little on the pricey side, but a nice treat.“
“I enjoyed a quick dinner solo before grabbing a flight home. Everything was truly excellent. I enjoyed the aramanagc old fashioned, burgundy escargot and braised short rib. I'd highly recommend Chez Billy if you're visiting Georgetown.“
“Lovely little spot in Georgetown for authentic French baked goods. They use mostly French ingredients to get as close to the “real thing” as I’ve had in DC. Staff is friendly, efficient, and there is a nice patio in the back to enjoy your coffee.“
Modern European
“Had a wonderful time at the 25th anniversary celebration. The food ; wine; and drinks were spectacular. The service was overwhelming! My wife and I love this special place. Everyone needs to experience the greatest restaurant in town! You be pleased you went.“
“Bistro Cacao was an outstanding choice to cater lunch for a very important business meeting. The food was AMAZING, from appetizers, salad, main course and dessert! Highly recommend them for your next event, meeting or just a fine place to dine!! Great Service, Great Food, Great Presentation!“
“I’ve always loved coming here! Great seafood all fresh, you can really tell the quality is there. As someone who’s actually not a big fan of Italian this is somewhere I really enjoy frequenting. Recommend there scallop squid ink ravioli, calamari, and tiramisu. Only thing I’ll say is parking can be tricky so leave some time to find some if you’re coming here.“
“Absolutely amazing ! It’s a french + asian fusion, I was really impressed. We went during happy hour at the bar ~5 pm and it was PACKED, however, around 6:30 when we left, it was much emptier so that is a better time to go. This place tops DC’s happy hour scene w great prices and great food“
“Loved the ambiance. Very interesting decor. Wish I had sat near the fireplace. Service was awesome and attentive Food made us all happy but you have to get the bouillabaisse and the duck fat old fashioned were my favorites. Great presentation“
“Everyone there was so warm and the food is reliably good. I normally don't go with my children, but we went for my daughter's 15th birthday and it was so lovely. There was something for everyone: rigatoni bolognese for my daughter, steak for my husband, mussels for me. And of course fries and delicious bread for everyone. I love this restaurant for every occasion.“
“This sure is a proper French Restaurant!The classic dishes are all there, the food was of very good quality and the service excellent (allowed us to taste several wines before settling on chateauneuf du pape which was wonderful choice).We definitely can recommend!“
“This place made for the perfect Valentine's weekend night out. The atmosphere is sophisticated, romantic and elegant. The food and wine are excellent and the service is superb. My boyfriend and I had a lovely night. Thank you, Vin Sur Vingt!“
“Came here for brunch and it did not disappoint. My mom and I love french food and we had to check out this new place in town. First off the service went the extra mile to help us get a extra seat on a busy Sunday. Their reservationist without a doubt one of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Definitely made us feel good before even walking in the door. We got some Bloody Marys to start. It was well balanced and we requested it extra spicy and it was. Well balanced and flavorful. My mom got the Quiche it was big and served with a side salad. She said it was very good rich and flavorful. She had to finish it because it was that good. It was well balanced with the mixed green salad adding freshness to the meal. I got the steak sandwich it was really good. Had a ton of flavor and the steak was tender. Coked mid rare which is the way I like it. The cheese was super gooy and rich. Bread was perfectly crispy and airy. It held its form even with all the drippings from the steak. Fries served with it were crispy and well seasoned. Our friend got a classic French omelette which was served with home fries. She said it was good but more plane than she was expecting. The interior is classic french restaurant looks fantastic. Overall a delicious meal cant wait to try the dinner menu another time.“
“Thoroughly enjoyed our experience here! It was a little busy and loud but can be expected on a Saturday night.Something to note if its your first time visiting, the host/hostess is located in front of the bar and not at the entrance, so just walk on in and check in at the bar area.We ordered the Deviled Eggs, Gougeres, Mussels, Duck and Steak. Drinks were Kentucky Rose (with ice) and Como La Flor, however the latter may no longer be served for Spring season. Dessert was the bread pudding, if I had to be picky it would have been nice to have a sauce or more of the caramel drizzle as it was a little dry.Everything was VERY good but maybe the Mussels and Gougeres win for best in show!!! Looking forward to next visit!Kid-friendliness: not really, but I dont have kids“
“Larger than it looks from the outside, this is a down to earth french restaurant. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive. Before you make a decision on your meal, wait to hear what the specials -- we had a few at our table that made last-minute changes! We had a white Rhone wine that was delicious. The servings are tasty and ample. The upstairs Is a little quieter, although while lively, it id not overly noisy in any location“
“We came for “Linner” after seeing the cherry blossoms. It was delicious. We had the hamburger and the shrimp burger (yum!). For dessert, we had profiteroles—amazing (wish I knew how to post the picture?♂️). Service was excellent.“
“We really enjoyed the food!! We had the truffle Brie which was more of an appetizer, the duck and the chicken! Everything tasted really good. Just be aware that they charge you for the water ! That was our mistake but it ended up costing $60 just for water, which made our bill way more than we were expecting. I wish they would have told us that before serving it to us. The deserts were good, nothing super special with the waffles. The restaurant is very nice. It was quite tight seating, to the point that you could hear absolutely everything the table beside you was saying lol.“
“I enjoyed a quick dinner solo before grabbing a flight home. Everything was truly excellent. I enjoyed the aramanagc old fashioned, burgundy escargot and braised short rib. I'd highly recommend Chez Billy if you're visiting Georgetown.“
“This is my first time going to Bistro Bis, as it's not in my typical price range. I went there after work with a few coworkers. The food and atmosphere was great with excellent service. We had a few appetizers for the table and I opted for the lamb shank.“
“My husband and I went to cafe tatti on our date night. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the service quite a lot. We had the Coq Au Vin and the Chicken Francaise and ended the meal with a chocolate mousse. The mousse was our favorite part of the meal. I also enjoyed a nice glass of Pinot Noir from their wine list. What stood out to us was definitely the service. Thanks for a great night.“
“Food was great and it was only made better by the atmosphere. Going into it we thought it would be fancier and we’re glad it wasn’t! Our server was very knowledgeable about gluten free options (which there are plenty) and everything we had was delicious. I will say that some of the wine/cocktails seem to be priced pretty high, but honestly everything else was great so who cares.“
“It was a beautiful early springlike day when I dined here so I requested a table outside. The food was delicious - I had the brussel sprouts appetizer and the chicken tagine. Excellent flavors in both. My server was very kind and helpful. I splurged on the crunch bar dessert which was delightful! I will definitely return for another meal.“
“Our favorite French restaurant in NOVA and an absolute gem. Service and cuisine are truly classic in a real bistro setting. They get everything right and I'm happy to continue to frequent their establishment. Bravo to owners and staff.“
“Excellent food, excellent service!My wife and I had been trying to go to this place for quite some time (place is booked weeks in advance and for a good reason) so we finally booked a reservation to go with some friends and we all had a really good experience. I would have to disagree with some of other reviews on the service. Our waiter (and at least one other that was serving the table next to us) were very attentive, they had pretty good knowledge of the menu (including good recommendations on wine and dessert liqueuers), and service was fast and no errors on our orders. And the food was pretty authentic! Definitely try the Escargots and Beet salad (Betteraves - if you like beets you are going to love this salad). For mains we got Loup de Mère a(Sea Bass), Confit Canard and Steak Frites. Steak was perfectly cooked and the Sea Bass' almond-capers beurre was delicious (perfect amount of this butter sauce in the dish). My wife favorite French dish is the Confit Canard and Cafe Colline knows how to make it. She loved it. I tried some and I'll definitely will be back for that dish. And don't skip dessert, plenty to choose from (Creme Brulee, Pots de Creme and Olive Oil Cake were our choices, and they did not disappoint!). Make sure you plan ahead, as again this place is pretty booked most of the time.“
“Absolutely a must stop if youre in Washington and Dupont Circle.The food is great, the atmoshere fabulous and the staff go above and beyond to make sure youre happy and looked afterWe happened in by chance and the staff were particularly interactive with my daughter making her feel safe and comfortable in new surroundingsIn fact Tony who looked after us on our firsr visit made such an impression with her that we ate there for the rest of our staySo Tony deserves a pay rise!6 ??????Kid-friendliness: Absolutely fabulous??????“
“What an adorable coffee shop/bakery nestled in the Navy Yard! I was immediately taken with all the floral accents and the antique French decor of the space... tea party vibes! I came in to kill some time so I ordered a cappuccino and the curried egg salad tartine. Food and service were great. Surprisingly I found the place to be quiet, peaceful and not very loud. I would love to see a maman open in Tampa!“
“This place really deserves 10 stars, the food was exceptional and the service was top notch! I have been to Michelin rated restaurants that cannot compete with this place. Me and my wife came here for a wedding anniversary dinner during our visit to the cherry blossom festival staying for an extended amount of time. The first server Maher and the second server Cassie both are super professional, went above and beyond, we never felt rushed. We never had a dull moment over dinner and we never felt pushed. Next time we are in DC we will be back here!“
“One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Try the scallops. Perfection. Great staff. Cecilio at the bar has the best pairings, and the wait staff were spot on. Will absolutely be back. Perfect romantic dinner with the wife. Dessert and an espresso martini were the perfect cap to a great evening.“
“Top tier croissant. I would return to try the sandwiches, and get more croissants. I would have appreciated the offer to toast/warm my croissant since i said i was dining in. They just tossed a cold one on a plate... i had to ask them to warm it. Anyway, quality patisserie, it seems.“
“The epitome of excellence, from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, everything is executed to perfection. The staff is lovely and warm, the food is stellar, and the ambiance is unbeatable. Everything make you feel warm and at home. We had the squash salad, mac and cheese, and for entrees chose the smash burger and steak frites.“
“Took my son there to celebrate his birthday. Reservations were easy. Staff was AMAZING! The food was excellent, from the frog legs to the Wagyu burgers to the steaks, not a disappointed person at all. Espresso martinis were good as well. I enjoyed the wine selection. The restaurant is also located in a great location. I’ve already recommended to many people.“
“What a beautiful experience. The atmosphere was amazing and the food was nice and seasoned. We had the whole free range chicken. Too die for. Definitely split this with two people because it’s quite the meal. The chicken pannise was so unique. So flavorful. Amazing. I’ll definitely be back. PS. The music was wonderful. Soulful. Loved it.“
“Such an amazing service!! I was in town visiting my best friend. She loves it here and suggested this location for a quick bite. The food was delicious, the decor was beautiful! The staff was warm, welcoming and attentive. I will definitely come back and try the rest of the menu and their deserts. I strongly recommend if in the area!NB: Make sure you come a few hours early to enjoy the brunch menu to the fullest!“
“A couple of colleagues and I got together at Union Market - we decided on La Jamba as the cheese selection was excellent. We ordered two medium boards… one cheese only and the other with cheese and a selection of charcuterie. Plus a couple of bottles of well balanced red wines, tasty Pinot Noir and a light Beaujolais. The cheese selections were some of the best… all served with fresh baguette - a relaxed atmosphere overall. A great place to sit at the bar and enjoy board of charcuterie and cheese! I must visit when at Union Market.I’ll be back for some fresh slices mortadella for sandwiches at home!“
“Ambiance is an interesting hole in the wall. We begin with the fluffy warm bread. Soft and fresh and distracting from eating. Then the octopus salad. The octopus is just right; a good sear with a bit of smoky taste, cooked through and just right. Mussels: served with a few pieces of chorizo. Not too many to blot out the flavor of the mussels, mind you. The mussels were a bit dry, this one wasn't swimming in liquid like other places so it. Always fall for the liquid, ordering extra bread to dip into it like a weirdo. Grand marnier soufflés were good. Ask about the dog biscuits!“