The Turkish nationals Chef Kemal Deger and entrepreneur brothers Bolukbasis make unlikely ambassadors for French cuisine in our nation’s capital. Such is the power of our melting pot society in the United States. I have encountered Chinese nationals running Austrian restaurants, Germans successfully serving Turkish dishes in Leesburg and now, veteran Turkish restaurateurs debuting a French country bistro in the heart of Capitol Hill. Vive Les Etats Unis! When we visited this new Bistro, it had only been open for 3 days and it still operated in a “soft opening” mode.Bistro Cacao
The Turkish nationals Chef Kemal Deger and entrepreneur brothers Bolukbasis make unlikely ambassadors for French cuisine in our nation’s capital. Such is the power of our melting pot society in the United States. I have encountered Chinese nationals running Austrian restaurants, Germans successfully serving Turkish dishes in Leesburg and now, veteran Turkish restaurateurs debuting a French country bistro in the heart of Capitol Hill. Vive Les Etats Unis! When we visited this new Bistro, it had only been open for 3 days and it still operated in a “soft opening” mode.2941 Restaurant
2941 Fairview Park Drive Falls Church, VA 22042 703-270-1500
www.2941.com
The company website describes this restaurant as a “visual and culinary adventure” and I wholeheartedly agree. Nestled behind landscaped woods, 2941 is not in a place that you will easily notice driving by. In fact, even with assistance from my GPS, I missed the location on my first try. Driving up on the narrow, winding road, you are greeted by a beautifully designed glass and metal office building. 2941 occupies the bottom floor directly facing the big man-made pond. The entrance to the restaurant is adorned with waterfalls and Koi ponds featuring numerous large, colorful Japanese fish. Inside, you are greeted and seated at your table by the friendly maitre d’, Rachid LaKroune.
The menu is designed by French executive chef Bertrand Chemel who served as Chef de Cuisine of Café Boulud in the Upper East Side of New York. The lunch menu featured a $29.41 Prix Fixe similar to the one at Charlie Palmer Steak House in D.C. In these tough economic times, Prix Fixe lunches are some of the best ways you can still enjoy delightfully brilliant food in luxurious establishments.
La Rue 123
Dynamic couple Didem and Huseyin Kansu, formerly of Le Tire Bouchon, literally set up shop next door with their new French restaurant, La Rue 123. Located in the historic Bailiwick Inn building and on Route 123, the location is also called the Joshua Gunnell house. Joshua Gunnell is the last of the infamous line of Fairfax Sheriffs from the same family. Inside the restaurant has been painstakingly redecorated by Didem including soft yellow paint on the walls, burgundy fabric for the drapes and original art all around. She has also showed her magic in the beautiful patio area in the back of the building.
Café Montmartre
Montmartre sits right in the middle of the bustling Lake Anne Village Center. The menu is full of classic French bistro dishes perfect for an afternoon of people watching. I recommend the Full Monty Sandwich which is accompanied by a Caesar salad. The chicken breast is pounded and seasoned perfectly and served on a light and flaky croissant. The salad was dressed nicely and the perfect side for light lunch.
There is plenty of outdoor seating to satisfy small or medium parties. The prices for lunch are moderate and the service is very good. Café Montmartre is the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy a lazy afternoon with food, friends and family.
1625 Washington Plaza N. Reston, VA 20190
703-904-8080
www.cafemontmarte.com
Eiffel Tower Café
south of france in loudoun:
As you walk down the brick sidewalk and enter through the small side door of the historical home tucked away on Loudoun Street, you are transported to a quaint restaurant in the South of France. Once we entered the restaurant, we were warmly greeted and shown to our table.
