Bistro Bis

15 E St NW, Hotel George, Washington, DC 20001 202-661-2700

Description: CAPITOL HILL. Escape the high-stress environment of the business world and decompress in the relaxed atmosphere of this contemporary bistro, enjoying lively conversation and sophisticated French cuisine. Owner-chef Jeffrey Buben's classically-inspired menu includes lamb chops Niçoise, escalope of salmon Gascone and duck confit prepared with garlic and thyme. The glass-enclosed kitchen allows guests to watch the skilled chef and his team as they hone their culinary expertise. A destination in its own right, Bistro Bis has become a haven for the trendy and the powerbroker alike. METRO: Union Station
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Bistro D'Oc

518 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 202-393-5444

Description: DOWNTOWN. This restaurant successfully juxtaposes traditional French cuisine with Far Eastern flavors. While the menu primarily features standbys like snails and roast chicken, it also offers chicken satay and a few Asian appetizers. Fish selections are fresh and well-prepared, as yellowfin tuna and salmon attest. A friendly waitstaff and cheery surroundings add to the appeal, along with pre-theatre dining options. Conveniently located across from Ford's Theatre. Smart casual or business dressy attire.
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Bistro Francais

3128 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-338-3830

Description: GEORGETOWN. Classic French cuisine is the mainstay at this charming bistro, which is open until the wee hours of the morning. It's especially good after a late theater show or when you have an insatiable craving for pommes frites at 1am. Seafood, poultry, and pork are favorites, as are stews, couscous, and roast lamb or pigeon. They also have great appetizers, such as crab-stuffed avocados or baguettes spread with minced duck. The townhouse setting is comfortable and relaxed, perfect for leisurely dining. Make sure to ask about the prix fixe menu from 5pm-7pm each day. It's a great value.
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Bistrot Du Coin

1738 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-234-6969

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. You'll feel as if you've stepped into a café on the Champs-Elysée when you enter this bistro. Feast ­ beneath pressed tin ceilings and amid vivid French prints ­ on classic steak frites, salad Nicoise, open-face sandwiches, curried mussels, and smoked duck salad. The long bar, constructed of zinc like those in Parisian cafés, is a popular stop, with its variety of drinks and excellent wine list. Located next to an art theater, the bistro is a great place to dine before or after a show.
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Café La Ruche

1039 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-965-2684

Description: GEORGETOWN. This narrow, elegant café, open since 1979, sports contemporary artwork in a 19th century building. Its terrace overlooks cobbled streets, and the whole place has a settled, comfortable feel. The menu features traditional French favorites, such as potato and leek soup, croque monsieurs, and crab-meat quiche. You can also choose from salads, pastas, and vegetarian dishes. On the sweet front are tartes of all varieties, perfectly accompanied by a range of coffee drinks. "La Ruche," translated as "beehive," aptly describes the cafe's busy atmosphere.
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Café Luna

1633 P St NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-387-4005

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Ideal for a leisurely weekend brunch, this café offers classic morning dishes you love, made just like mom used to ­ assuming your mom was a great cook. Traditional eggs Benedict are topped with creamy Hollandaise and served with a flavorful side of onion-spiked home fries. Eggs tomato florentine is terrific too, but the most popular dish is light, sweet French toast, made with batter-dipped, bakery-fresh bread, drizzled with syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Enjoy the vivid, artsy dining room, or head out onto the sunswept patio. Brunch served 10am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.
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Dean & DeLuca ­ Georgetown

3276 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-342-2500

Description: GEORGETOWN. Best known as a market for new and innovative products, Dean and DeLuca has etched out quite a reputation among savvy shoppers and international visitors. Products range from sun-dried tomatoes to cook and kitchenware fit for a gourmet chef. The selection of cheeses is nothing short of spectacular. You will also find some of the finest chocolates available. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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Gerard Panguad Bistro

915 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-737-4445

Description: DOWNTOWN. Chef Gerard Panguad possesses a knack for creatively blending flavors and techniques, and this artistry is evident in his characteristically unpretentious dishes. A cozy atmosphere and skilled servers attract both a professional clientele and romance-minded diners. Menu selections frequently change depending on market availability, but representative dishes include poached lobster and braised veal shanks. METRO: McPherson Square
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Ici Urban Bistro

806 15th St NW, Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel, Washington, DC 20005 202-730-8800

Description: DOWNTOWN. Not your typical French restaurant, upscale Ici Urban Bistro prides itself on consistency and presentation. The contemporary menu features only the freshest seasonal ingredients. Food is prepared and presented with tasteful panache ­ for example, roasted halibut with toasted gingerbread crust is accompanied by zucchini tagliatelle with white wine and pepper emulsion. The stunning dining room features brightly colored artwork set against a backdrop of rich jewel tones. The well-selected wines reflect the bistro's high standards and are fairly priced, making this elegant affair one of the best deals in DC. METRO: McPherson Square
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IndeBleu

707 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-333-2538

Description: DOWNTOWN. Posh IndeBlue wins high marks from scenesters for the bold Franco-Indian fare served in its restaurant. Downstairs is a suave lounge where the well-heeled clientele settle into sexy furniture and enjoy Beluga caviar and foie gras along with their glass of pinot or an expertly-mixed cocktail. Wednesday through Saturday nights, the lounge also hosts some of the capital city's top DJs, who add to the cosmopolitan atmosphere with their hand-picked selections of world beats. Neat to note: IndeBlue's cocktail menu is designed to resemble a Metro map. METRO: Gallery Place/Chinatown
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La Chaumière

2813 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-338-1784

Description: GEORGETOWN. Escape the hectic pace of everyday life, and relax in this award-winning restaurant. Amid rush-seated chairs and hanging copper cookware, a central stone fireplace blazes during winter months and adds to the traditional atmosphere of this charming French inn. Menu selections include an enticing cassoulet, veal piccata, and salmon in puff pastry with champagne-dill sauce. More adventurous diners may opt for tripe stewed in Calvados liqueur or calf's brain sautéed in brown butter and capers. Daily specials. Business casual attire. Reservations recommended. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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La Fourchette

2429 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 202-332-3077

Description: ADAMS-MORGAN. In this delightful French bistro, diners sit surrounded by vibrant murals and exposed brick. Classic dishes, served by a French-speaking waitstaff, emphasize traditional culinary techniques and ingredients. Among the menu's temptations are rabbit with mustard sauce and mussels Provençal. A rich bouillabaisse is always in order, and you may want to try sweetbreads too. Weather permitting, patio dining is available. Business attire. Reservations recommended. METRO: Woodley Park/Zoo
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La Madeleine ­ Georgetown

3000 M St NW, Ste 205, Washington, DC 20007 202-337-6975

Description: GEORGETOWN. A cozy interior complete with exposed rafters, hardwood floors, and sturdy pottery greets guests to this charming café. Upon entering, you'll be tempted by freshly baked croissants, quiche, and French toast made with crusty, thick-sliced bread. A variety of American-styled favorites can also be had, including granola, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal. If you're really hungry, try the full French country breakfast (sausage, eggs, potatoes, and pastry). METRO: Foggy Bottom
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Le Paradou

678 Indiana Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004 202-347-6780

Description: DOWNTOWN. When Le Paradou opened in 2004, it was a crowning moment for chef and co-owner Yannick Cam, whose career has been marked by celebrated stops at restaurants in Europe and America. At Le Paradou, guests find an unpretentious modern setting inspired by the intimate hillside villages of France. As for the fare, Cam is careful to ensure that his take on French cuisine isn't confined by the conventions of tradition. The result is simply magical ­ Mediterranean bass stuffed with shrimp mousse or veal chop with girolles and baby turnips. METRO: Archives-Navy Memorial
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Les Halles

1201 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20004-2401 202-347-6848

Description: This Parisian-style brasserie helped initiate the reintroduction of French restaurants to DC several years ago. Popular for beef entrees, Les Halles offers steaks the Continental way, aged less than their American counterparts. As a result, meat is less refined in taste and texture, a difference many diners relish. The restaurant also serves fantastic French fries, luscious onion soup, and a flavorful country pâté. Veal, lamb, poultry, and seafood make appearances too, along with blood sausages, sauerkraut, and pig's feet. Each February, a sauerkraut festival pairs the tangy dish with duck and seafood. Plan to attend if you're a fan.
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Marcel's

2401 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20037 202-296-1166

Description: FOGGY BOTTOM. Warm, burnished tones with accents of wrought iron and terra cotta envelop diners at this elegant establishment. An exhibition kitchen takes a position of prominence, serving notice of the wonderful things that await. These "things," French and Flemish in nature, include saddle of rabbit stuffed with foie gras, pan-seared duck with couscous, and veal osso bucco with wild forest mushrooms and pomme purée. Appetizers like gratin of PEI mussels also titillate the senses. Service is impeccable, and the wine list is divided by region. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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Michel Richard Citronelle

3000 M St NW, Latham Hotel, Washington, DC 20007 202-625-2150

Description: GEORGETOWN. Renowned chef Michel Richard serves thoughtfully prepared dishes to dignitaries and celebrities who frequent his restaurant. Service is professional and unhurried, and meals are impeccably presented. Accompany the multicourse extravaganzas with a vintage from the 8000-bottle, glass-enclosed wine cellar. Creative main courses range from dorade royale with fingerling potatoes to Asian-style duck with spring rolls and potato fried rice. A tasting menu is available at $150 per person; more exclusive is a seat at the Chef's Table, which runs around $275 per person. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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Montmartre

327 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20007 202-544-1244

Description: CAPITOL HILL. This charming bistro adds a breath of fresh air to Capitol Hill dining. Its delightful French cuisine is served in a simple, inviting space with yellow walls, an exposed wood ceiling, wooden tables, and an open kitchen. The menu offers a relatively small but excellent selection. Start with zucchini soup, and then order Montmartre's signature braised rabbit. Or, opt for monkfish fillet or roasted salmon. Outdoor dining available. Business casual dress. Reservations suggested. METRO: Eastern Market
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Montsouris

2002 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-833-4180

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Sophisticated digs and tasty Continental fare ­ not to mention featured wines sold by the glass ­ make this neighborhood bistro an appealing choice.
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Pesce

2016 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-466-3474

Description: DUPONT CIRCLE. Pesce, a fresh fish market and café run by chefs Roberto Donna and Jean-Louis Palladin, ensures that guests receive only the best, both in service and cuisine. Specials change frequently and feature impeccably fresh seafood flown in from multiple locations. Among the great options are Carolina shrimp, grilled monkfish, soft-shell crabs, and oysters on the half shell. The menu changes constantly, based on what's fresh and seasonal. Dress is business casual to casual. Dinner often requires a wait. METRO: Dupont Circle
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