359649 Fri Jan 12 17:53:31 -0800 2007 32 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 2181958 Anywhere decent- I'm in the mood for some decent french food. I've been to that place on King Street in Alexandria, which I didn't think was good at all. I'm trying to remember the name, but it's been family owned for years. Price isn't really an issue, but I want this to be a somewhat relaxing dinner. Fri Jan 12 17:53:31 -0800 2007 49180 jpschust 1 2182262 I haven't been, but everyone I know who has, has liked it is Bistro 123 in Vienna, Va. http://www.bistro123.com/ Fri Jan 12 18:50:09 -0800 2007 2181958 50613 weezycom 2 2186418 I'll second Bistro 123. I've been there a couple of times. Sun Jan 14 00:44:09 -0800 2007 2182262 55219 jdefontes 1 2182608 L'Auberge Chez Francois http://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/ Mediterranee Restaurant http://www.mediterraneerestaurant.com/ La Côte D'Or / Bistro des Célestins http://www.lacotedorcafe.com/ Fri Jan 12 19:49:54 -0800 2007 2181958 29393 dcs 2 2191186 I second La Côte D'Or / Bistro des Célestins...being just off 66 (exit 69) and a very reasonable walk from the East Falls Church metro, I would consider it easily accessible from DC. Mon Jan 15 19:35:56 -0800 2007 2182608 12317 Lowbar 1 2182648 La Refuge on Washington St. in Old Town Alex Fri Jan 12 19:58:55 -0800 2007 2181958 66063 pianopage 1 2185839 Le Petite Mistral in McLean is now Le Mistral, having moved down the street to a new, more elegant and larger location. Ate there last month and was pleased with both food and service. Sat Jan 13 21:09:20 -0800 2007 2181958 44591 GeezerGourmet 1 2186812 La Bergerie in Old Town on Lee Street between Cameron and Queen Street. A classic, real French restaurant where they still prepare caesar salad tableside and has impeccable, discreet service. The real deal. http://www.labergerie.com/ Sun Jan 14 03:22:34 -0800 2007 2181958 40249 OTChowHound 1 2186977 For classic country French, Le Gaulois on King Street in Old Town has always been a favorite of mine, though I haven't been in a few years. Sun Jan 14 04:41:54 -0800 2007 2181958 66779 dancingfool 2 2771630 So sorry to say that Le Gaulois has changed totally, as the nice French couple who started it have returned to France. None of the old fabulous dishes, like their spaghettis des cougettes with seafood, or the blanquette de veau, or the casserole with tenderloin tips and brandy peppercorn cream sauce! I REALLY miss the old place, but the new owner seems to want to change the menu often (and IMHO, not in an improved way!). We loved the real (original) LG, and are looking for a place with similar dishes. Oh, and yummy, super garlicky mussels to start! Sat Jul 21 19:57:18 -0700 2007 2186977 105717 alkapal 1 2189937 Le Tire Bouchon in Fairfax across from the Courthouse Mon Jan 15 12:49:36 -0800 2007 2181958 12667 Meg 1 2189941 Thanks all. We ended up at Bistro 123, not what I'd call NoVA, but the woman wanted to go there. It was exactly what I had suggested we were looking for- decent. Not great, not terrible. BTW- Le Refuge is the one I was talking about that was terrible. Mon Jan 15 12:55:11 -0800 2007 2181958 49180 jpschust 2 2189985 For future reference where do you consider NoVa? Mon Jan 15 13:26:15 -0800 2007 2189941 14495 viperlush 3 2189998 NoVA is basically any part of Northern VA that is easily and quickly accessable to DC. I certainly don't consider Vienna quickly accessable to DC. Mon Jan 15 13:42:14 -0800 2007 2189985 49180 jpschust 4 2190918 Not really. Quick accessibility doesn't have anything to do with geography . NOVA is Northern Virginia. Vienna is in Northern Virginia. Mon Jan 15 18:29:42 -0800 2007 2189998 11516 biscuit 5 2195026 I think the Viennese would be surprised to find they have been relegated to RoVa! Tue Jan 16 20:35:56 -0800 2007 2190918 12829 Bob W 6 2196505 Or perhaps HOVa. Wed Jan 17 03:34:49 -0800 2007 2195026 11516 biscuit 4 2190974 Oh, so you mean Arlington, Alexandria, and possibly Falls Church. Mon Jan 15 18:42:16 -0800 2007 2189998 29393 dcs 1 2191291 Perhaps I should have specified at the time- somewhere within close reach of the metro diamond in virginia. That said, I'm still not sold that we have decent French in that area. Time to keep trying. Mon Jan 15 20:03:50 -0800 2007 2181958 49180 jpschust 2 2191485 Recommended above but may have been missed...La Côte D'Or (http://www.lacotedorcafe.com/) is on the edge of said diamond, is easily accessible by car from 66 east or west, or somewhat easily by metro with a bit of a walk (less than 1/2 mile from east falls church), and I really enjoy it. I am no expert on French food but it would be worth a try for you in this quest. Mon Jan 15 20:55:12 -0800 2007 2191291 12317 Lowbar 2 2194892 JP -- you gotta head out into the deep country to L'auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls. It's worth the trip if you're looking for excellent cooking from the frogs. The restaurant's ambience and decor are consistent with the somewhat countrified location, so you feel a bit like you're actually in le pays. Take your Amex, though, it ain't cheap. For a very different but interesting experience you might try Chez Andre, off S Glebe Rd down in Alex. The cuisine is not green guide, but it's a family owned joint with a long history and they serve a pretty decent escargot. Tue Jan 16 20:08:24 -0800 2007 2191291 67268 traveler 3 2194962 I'll do just that. I'll take a trip on a saturday or so- what's the reservation system like? Is it going to be hard to do a walk in there or need I make a reservation for a Saturday night? Tue Jan 16 20:22:00 -0800 2007 2194892 49180 jpschust 4 2195065 Definitely make a res and go with someone who'll appreciate the french dining experience. Bon appetit! Tue Jan 16 20:42:04 -0800 2007 2194962 67268 traveler 4 2773391 Chez Francois is a tough place to get a reservation, even a month out. But, on a nice night, I think they have a first come/first served patio, and I believe if you show up early they seat you there without a reservation. The reservations are for inside, and of course if you have one you can request outside if available on arrival. On a nice night, it is the most beautiful patio you can imagine. Anyway, call to see if this is still the deal, because I'd hate for you to drive out there and not get a seat. I think this is a really great country french place, although perhaps has slipped a bit since the fire a couple years ago that caused some of their staff to move on. Still, since I know you are leaving DC, this has got to be on your list if you haven't eaten there yet! Sun Jul 22 18:27:47 -0700 2007 2194962 80678 baconjen 3 2195164 Chez Andre is on East Glebe Road. Not South. Easy shot from downtown DC. And you don't expect it to be there. Very plain looking from the outside. It is a very pleasant surprise. Unassuming, pleasant place with great food for the prices. Super prix fixe menus. We loved L'Auberge when it was downtown forever ago but their reservations are soooo hard to get now. Do you still have to reserve a month ahead? Tue Jan 16 21:06:39 -0800 2007 2194892 32444 MakingSense 4 2195435 Right, E Glebe. Always get confused down there even though it's nto that hard to find. Was last at CF last spring; don't recall it being too hard to get a res, but we may have gone during the week. Have not yet dined on their patio, which I've heard is first come first serve. In the summer, if you go early, you might luck out with a table there. And while you're out in Great Falls there's the Old Brogue Irish Pub, sort of around the corner. Worth a stop in before dinner to check it out; or after, if you don't linger too long over wine at CF. Tue Jan 16 21:59:28 -0800 2007 2195164 67268 traveler 1 2195044 Maybe (or maybe not) what we need are new acronyms to better delineate the requestor's desired area. How about IBVA (Inside the Beltway Virginia) or MAVA (Metro-Accessible Virginia)? :) Tue Jan 16 20:39:31 -0800 2007 2181958 47574 bordeauxfan 1 2195401 Although not exclusively French, you might also check out Willow in the Ballston area of Arlington. It self-describes as modern continental, which translates into a mixture of French and Northern Italian. I've had some fine meals there. FWIW, I believe that Willow has extended its RW offering for another week. http://www.willowva.com/ Tue Jan 16 21:53:38 -0800 2007 2181958 29393 dcs 2 2197077 Thanks, but I'm looking for french, not a mix. Wed Jan 17 11:52:59 -0800 2007 2195401 49180 jpschust 3 2197857 If you want to take a bit of a ride, you might want to check out the French Hound bistro in Middleburg. There's also Frogs and Friends in Marshall. Wed Jan 17 17:13:58 -0800 2007 2197077 12829 Bob W 2 2197279 This place looks very cool. Planning a visit soon. Hell of a web site. I like their description of the philosophy behind the place. Wed Jan 17 14:39:43 -0800 2007 2195401 67268 traveler 1 2790627 I just want to second the recommendation of La Bergerie in Alexandria on Lee St. It truly is out of another time, with plush semicircular leather banquettes and traditional, discreet service and really good food. My husband and I ate there just last weekend, and his filet mignon was exceptionally good. It's always a very satisfying experience, which unfortunately is not always the case even when you're shelling out big bucks. Oh, and order a souffle for dessert when you order your meal. Fri Jul 27 17:20:13 -0700 2007 2181958 83140 poshspice