La Bonne Vache

A Neighborhood French Bistro With Cheffed-Up Burgers Is Coming to Georgetown | Eater DC

"Opening at 3265 Prospect Street NW, La Bonne Vache (French for “the good cow”) is a 42-seat, burger-driven French brasserie from culinary partners Rob and Rachel Aikens and Ari and Claire Wilder that aims to marry classic brasserie fare with burgers as the entree. Led by Rob Aikens — a Stephen Starr protege with decades of experience across New York, D.C., Philadelphia, and London, plus deep burger and French-cuisine credentials — and joined in the kitchen by John Kim, the menu pairs starters like duck liver mousse with everything spice, brandied shallots, tart cornichons and Comté, shrimp-and-avocado cocktail, and salmon rillette, with classic salads such as a Lyonnaise with a warm poached egg and bacon lardons. The headline burgers (four rotating at a time) draw from iconic French dishes: a “bourguignonne” with red wine–braised short rib, caramelized onions and smoked bacon; a truffle-brie option; a “steak au poivre” with green peppercorn Cognac aioli, French blue and button mushrooms; and a “croque madame” with fried egg, frisée, smoked ham and melty gruyère, plus a vegetarian burger of roasted mushrooms and green lentils. Small sandwiches (shaved ribeye with watercress and horseradish aioli; pounded grilled chicken paillard with crudités and green olive–almond dressing), short French desserts (silky chocolate mousse, Chantilly-filled profiteroles, cookies), a beer/wine/Champagne program, reasonable prices (most items $12 or under), a LaFrieda beef blend for four-ounce patties, a takeout window, outdoor tables and a design that retains historic elements (tin ceiling, bistro chairs, white-painted brick) round out the concept, with an early-June debut targeted." - Tierney Plumb