Bistrot Lepic

Image: Often overlooked, but hard to miss. Last Updated: September 2023 Walk up Wisconsin a few extra blocks and step back in time.  Bistrot Lepic is not just old-school French cooking, it is old-school D.C.  A cozy two-story spot.  The downstairs is the dining room.  Upstairs is a bar and lounge space for chatting over […]

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Petite Cerise

Image: Lamb Last Updated: July 2023 Overview: Petite Cerise offers excellent takes on French cuisine at a non-outrageous price point.  Right down to the white tile it gives off neighborhood bistro vibes, while clearly outperforming such a modest association.  The first hint that they are shooting for something more is the staff dressed in French […]

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Week in Review – 6/25/2023

Image: Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, Barefoot in the Park (1967). Dearest Gentle Reader, lots of news and activity in the dining world this week. We added two spots to our D.C. dining guide. Some bits of local dining news, some bigger news from elsewhere, and the question is posed if it funny to compare […]

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L’Avante Garde

Image: Truffles, truffles everywhere. Last Updated: June 2023 Overview: Make no mistake.  L’Avante Garde is an indulgence.  You will pay a premium for the experience, but, if you can afford it, it is worth the splurge.  The team from L’Annexe, the cocktail bar next door that has always had pretty good food, built out this […]

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Macon

Image: A balanced meal. Last Updated: June 2023 Overview: Macon’s name is a geographic double-entendre, referring both to southern cooking (Macon, Ga.) and French (Macon, France).  In some dishes one or the other will show up, the classic chunky stew of ratatouille being French, the shrimp and grits being southern. Other dishes will blend the […]

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Vin Sur Vingt

Image: Locked, Stocked, and Bottled. Last Updated: November 2022 Current Status: Sit-down service inside and sidewalk tables under an awning outside.  Overview: It takes some moxie to open a wine bar on the same street as Cork and serve French food less than a block from Le Diplomate.  That is what the small wine bar […]

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La Piquette

Image: Shrimp “Ceviche” and Tartelette aux Tomates Confites. Last Updated: October 2022 Current Status: Open for dine-in with indoor and covered outdoor seating.  They also offer take-out and delivery. Overview: La Piquette is a younger sibling to the very good, old school spot Bistro Lepic.  The menu, décor, and staff, while not as settled-in as […]

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Saturday in the Museum with Camille

Image: Camille Pissarro, The Gleaners (1889). Today’s art post continues with variations on a theme for the last few weeks. A couple weeks ago we posted a picture from Millet of haystacks. Of course, Millet’s most famous painting of rural life is the The Gleaners (Des glaneuses), depicting the hard work of getting by on […]

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