D.C.’s 38 Best Restaurants | Eater DC
"Partner-chef and hospitality vet Sébastien Giannini taps into his French Riviera roots at L’Avant-Garde, Georgetown’s ultra-chic showpiece he took over in early 2024. Popular orders include saffron-infused bouillabaisse (which draws from his grandmother’s recipe), branzino garnished with candied lemon and capers, and filet mignon. The seafood-centric menu straight out of Saint-Tropez also spotlights a freshly cracked lobster-and-grapefruit salad, King crab tartare with cucumber gazpacho, and caviar from the French Arcachon Bay with all the accoutrements. Also not to miss: crispy clarified butter french fries dipped in a house-made bearnaise. The hands-on chef is constantly in the kitchen, where the same 17th-century recipe for creme brulee, reportedly served to the brother of King Louis XIV, comes to fruition. Decked out in sleek wooden panels, dimly lit booths, and Parisian-styled murals, the date-night hot spot currently offers a four-course lobster tasting menu (in addition to a la carte). Pro tip: Next-door sibling cocktail bar L’Annexe is great for a night cap, complete with a petite patio up front." - Tierney Plumb
