Bistro La Bonne

The next restaurant on our U St. expedition is the chic French restaurant Bistro La Bonne. Formerly Axis bar and grill this rustic café serves up traditional French cuisine to the culturally diverse U St. corridor. I for one was ecstatic when it opened last year mainly because French cuisine is heavily confined to Georgetown and North Dupont.

My first encounter was for a quick beer last summer before I started blogging. I remember enjoying the décor, the exposed brick lined with French memorabilia really gives it a European vibe. I had meant to return but put if off for a while until this month when I entertained two great friends.

Our evening started off by arriving past our reservation time. Being a Saturday night on U St. this spells nothing but problems as they were booked out with the occasional couple coming in to try and snag any available table. After waiting for a bit we decided to get ordering our meals from the bar.

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We decided to start off our meal with one of the most popular French/Belgian dishes moules en frites. Served in a bucket with your choice of broth these crustaceans are one of the restaurants most popular dishes and happy hour special. If you are daring you can create your own stew by adding a variety of ingredients.

Our bartender recommended that we order the Moules Mariniere which are steamed in white wine and topped with shallots, garlic and parsley. His advice was spot on, we all enjoyed it so much so that one of my friends began drinking the broth and soaking it up with our complimentary bread.

(Moules Marinieres)

Next I decided to order a side of Ratatouille. A cornerstone of French culture this peasant dish is simple yet masterful in the flavors it evokes, enough even to warm the heart of the harshest food critique (movie reference here). I have never tried this dish and was never able to find it at any French restaurant that I have been to so I was ecstatic to find out that it was served here. I enjoyed my introduction to the dish and hope to try it elsewhere so that I have a proper barometer.

(Ratatouille)

Next we decided to exit peasentry and order a more bourgeois dish. We ordered a plate of escargot and French Rooster. The escargot which deviates from its traditional serving comes out of the shell. They were far better than the escargot I had at Bistro Francais and Cafe La Ruche mainly because the butter and garlic was nowhere near as overwhelming to the palate. The seasoning and proportions fared well and were fantastic both by themselves or atop of a fresh piece of French bread.

(Escargots)

Our last dish was the aforementioned rooster that both friend and I wanted to order prior to coming here. I was simply interested in tasting the differences between a rooster and a hen. Our meal came in a warm pot and was prepared as a stew with an assortment of vegetables, tortellini all atop a creamy sauce. To put it simply the dish was fantastic. The juicy and succulent chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce emanated with flavor. We both took our turns devouring this dish and were promptly thrown into a food coma.

In the end we were all pleasantly satisfied with the overall meal which was fairly priced for what we ate. We decided to skip on dessert mainly because of our current condition and somehow managed to lift ourselves from our state of comatose and hit up the bars on U St.

(Coq au Vin)

Overall I was pleased with my experience. The food is great, the prices are reasonable and the service was prompt, I look forward to coming here in the summer for a happy hour and enjoy their outdoor seating which is confined to three tables.

I want to return to try their French Onion Soup, Quiche Loraine and Brunch all of which have received rave reviews. So if you are on U St. I would give this place a shot, their take on French cuisine follows the norm and they have a number of unique dishes that are sure to impress.

Bistro Francais

Aside from Citronelle, Bistro Francais is the most well know French restaurant in Georgetown. Executive chef and owner Gerad Cabrol, a native of France has brought his culinary talents to Washington DC and has been serving patrons for over 35 years.

Bistro Francais is located in the center of Georgetown right on M St. and offers customers authentic French cuisine. A staple to the area Bistro Francais offers you a fine dinning experience that won't deplete your savings. The best seats are located right by the windows which are opened when the weather justifies it. If you are lucky enough to get these seats you have the pleasure of people watching in one of the most relaxed environments in the city while enjoying quality French food.

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I have dined here on several occasions and usually go for a late night snack. I decided to take some of my coworkers here for a quick lunch. It was on this occasion that I had my first sampling of escargot.

A delicacy in the Western world this dish is traditionally served as an appetizer to be shared amongst friends. I went off course and decide to order it by myself since none of my colleagues wanted to partake. This dish was pleasant but I failed to understand the prestige behind it, the butter and garlic seem to overtake the dish eviscerating any flavor that the snails had to offer. Since it was my first sampling of this dish I will leave it up to future experience to mold my judgement.

(Escargots au Beurre de Légumes)

I followed up my meal with some French onion soup. As this is one of my favorite dishes I consider myself something of a connoisseur. I have tried it at a number of French restaurants and bistros and I can easily say that this is the best that I have had. Served in its traditional style it was both rich and hearty. As hard as it is to imagine you can easily ruin this dish, mainly because each ingredient is so powerful. It takes a creative imagination and proper experience to find the perfect balance which yield a delightful and decadent soup.

(Soupe à l’ Oignon)

Because there are so many French restaurants in Georgetown each one has to present a unique aspect that will draw clientele away from their competitors. What draws me to Bistro Francais is their late night dining experience. When you think of after bar foods in DC the first things that come to mind are Jumbo Slice, Julia's Empanadas, or any sort of Falafel place. My divergence from these popular destinations was what first took me to Bistro Francais which is open until 4 A.M on the weekends.

(Avocat Farci Bistro)

During my final years at George Washington I would go with a group of friends to eat after hitting the local bar scene. My personal favorites were the avocado stuffed with crab meat as an appetizer followed by the steak sandwich which I take medium rare. The food is both scrumptious and filling which is perfect for anyone who desires a late night meal. The low key setting is also enticing for anyone who doesn't enjoy waiting in line for greasy food with people who can't handle their alcohol.

(Steak Sandwich)

All in all Bistro Francais serves good food at an average price. The food and experience is on par with all the other French restaurants in Georgetown. What separates them in my opinion is their location and late night hours. So if you are in the area at 2 A.M I would skip the jumbo slice and give this place a shot if you aren't too out of it.

Cafe La Ruche

French restaurants in Georgetown are a dime a dozen, yet each one seems to offer something special. Cafe La Ruche provides their patrons with their own spin on Southern French cooking as well as the dining experience.

Located on a niche spot between K and M streets Cafe La Ruche, which is means beehive in French has been serving up contemporary French cuisine since 1979.

The quiet and relaxed outdoor patio is reminiscent of a European style cafe and is the perfect example of what the Georgetown area has to offer. This setting is ideal for just about any setting, whether it be a quick lunch time meeting or a quiet meal by yourself with a book in hand.

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The first time I came here the weather was too cold to sit outside so I was forced to skip the outside patio experience and stay inside. On most cold days I decide that a soup is a necessary part of my meal and that was no different on this occasion.

I started off with traditional Southern French fish soup with bread and butter. The soup was flavorful with a good combination of spices, vegetables, and a generous portion of fish. I have had this type of soup before but with different spins on the ingredients, needless to say I was satisfied with what I had purchased.

(Soupe De Poisson)

I continued my meal with a crab quiche which has received rave reviews both Yelp and Urbanspoon. While I did enjoy both the flavor and texture of the quiche, in the end the bitterness of swiss cheese became so overwhelming that I could not finish my meal. The salad that came with it was simple and refreshing. The whole meal cost me $20 including a tip which isn't too bad for restaurant style food for one.

(Quiche Au Crabe)

On my next venture I decided to stick to my roots and order one of my favorite soups. French onion soup is a staple of French culture, enjoyed by both the rich and poor. It was severed in it's traditional form, in clay pot with french bread and topped with melted swiss cheese.

The soup was delicious as is the case with most places that serve it. The mountain of oozing cheese coupled with soaked bread and onions yielded yet another foodgasm of eminent proportion.

(Soupe A L'Oigonon Gratinee)

For the next part of my meal I decided to try pate for the first time. This specific pate was made with duck and cornichons which is very popular in both France and Belgium. It is usually severed with crackers so I was a bit surprised when I did not get any. The taste of the dish resembled it's presentation, dull and poorly put together.

(Mousse De Canard)

While I did enjoy the experience of trying something new, I left feeling cheated by my introduction to pate. I am also aware that it is usually an appetizer to be shared with several people so having that much to yourself may have skewed my judgement. Regardless I did enjoy my overall meal which came out to $14 including tip.

After I paid I went to the front to check out their renowned desserts which you can see below. I am not that much of a sweets person so I did not try any but intend to in the future.

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All in all I did enjoy this quiet spot. This is my ideal spot for a summer lunch with my coworkers or an afterwork snack. It was never full but that doesn't really say anything since I do tend to take later lunches. The service was good and the prices are reasonable. I would recommend anyone with a passion for French cuisine to give this place a chance.

La Madeleine

Our journey continues to a popular French Cafe in the heart of Georgetown. La Madeleine is a chain restaurant that offers patrons both a taste of French cuisine and the environment that it is enjoyed in.

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Walking in gave me a glimpse of what I perceive to be an ideal day in a Cafe in Paris. The rustic interior exemplifies French culture. Once I came up the stairs I was greeted by middle aged woman who took my order. I proceeded to walk along the food line and saw the salad bar and the French sweets in the display case.

(Interior Salad and snack bar)

From there I chose the drink that I desired which was lemonade on two different occasions. I paid and took a seat and waited for my sandwich to arrive. During my wait I scanned the room and could not help but see how the decor evoked french culture. People were reading and sipping on red wine, on casual date, or enjoying a delectable French sweet.

(Kitchen)

On this specific occasion I was reading Camus' The Stranger and enjoying a chicken cordon bleu sandwich with chips and a raspberry lemonade. I found it to be good but was a bit disappointed primarily because the chicken was a tad dry. If this were not the case then I would believe this sandwich to be a success. The lemonade was great and the black pepper chips went well with the meal. I stayed a bit after my meal just reading and enjoying the harmony that the environment provided.

(Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich and Raspberry Lemonade)

Before I would return I decided to look at the reviews to get a gauge at what the most popular dish was. I came to find very positive reviews on the Croque Monsieur and decided to try it. This sandwich is very popular in many French bars and cafes so what better excuse to try it and get embedded with French culture.

(Croque Monsieur, Lemonade and Lime Tart)

My stomach was not feeling particularly well during that week and ordering this sandwich only made matters worse. Although it was tasty it quickly became overwhelming and I could not find the motivation to finish it. The lemon tart that I had to go with it did prove to be fantastic.

(Lemon Tart)

Needless to say I continue to dine here on a weekly basis for a quick lunch. Whether it be French onion soup (pictured below) on a cold or rainy day or quiche (Loraine or Spinach) on a breezy fall day I have never been dissatisfied by my meal. My meals typically range from $10-15 depending on how much I get. The meal below set me back $14 which is good deal anywhere in DC.

(French Onion Soup, Strawberries Romanoff, and Fruit Tart)

The strawberries romanoff were interesting and the French onion soup is great with free croutons and cheese. I hope to one day try some of their pastas and breakfast items when I have a chance. My favorite meal here is one of the three quiches that are served on a daily basis along with a bowl of French Onion soup

(Quiche Loraine and French Onion Soup)

Seating is never a problem for me because I usually take later lunches, the service is fast and the food is fairly dependable. I now consider myself a regular mainly because of my love for French dining and quick and the dependability of the food. I would highly recommend this place for quick lunches during work or for an after hour snack