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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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2. Marcel's
2401 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20037 · 202-296-1166
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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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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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4. Bistro Bis
15 E St NW, Hotel George, Washington, DC 20001 · 202-661-2700
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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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CAPITOL HILL. This charming bistro adds a breath of fresh air to Capital 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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6. Café 15
806 15th St NW, Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel, Washington, DC 20005 · 202-730-8800
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DOWNTOWN. Not your typical French restaurant, upscale Café 15 prides itself on consistency and presentation. The contemporary menu features only the freshest seasonal ingredients for both à la carte and prix fixe options. Each 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 Café's high standards and are fairly priced, making this elegant affair one of the best deals in DC. Three-course tasting menu: $46; five-course tasting menu: $83. METRO: McPherson Square
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7. IndeBleu
707 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001 · 202-333-2538
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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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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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9. Le Paradou
678 Indiana Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004 · 202-347-6780
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$$$$$50+
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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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GEORGETOWN. Golden walls and jewel-toned artwork greet guests at this cozy, family-run bistro. The upbeat, welcoming atmosphere fittingly complements a menu of authentic (and sometimes unusual) dishes. Among the selections are potato-crusted salmon with ouzo sauce, hearty duck-and-lamb cassoulet, and calf's liver served with capers, garlic, black olives and Jerez vinegar. Traditionalists may try braised pig's feet as an appetizer. Prices are reasonable, service is friendly, and a good selection of French wines will please any diner. Business casual attire. Reservations recommended. Catering available. METRO: Foggy Bottom
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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