A Chic French Restaurant Swings Open With Endless Fries | Eater DC

"A cozy, casual French café-bistro on U Street, this corner destination from owner Aziz Safi and concept designer Raphael Francois is meant to feel homey and unfussy, with vintage fixtures, old photographs, rich tones, soft lighting, and walls layered in Parisian art and artifacts; century-old Limoges plates and vintage knives underline a lived-in vibe that’s part Parisian bistro, part neighborhood pub. The focus is a $45 classic bistro prix fixe with a starter, main, dessert, a shared green salad, and the big draw: unlimited shoestring fries, though everything can also be ordered à la carte. Starters include tarte flambée (a grilled flatbread topped with onion, anchovy, olive, and burrata), pâté de campagne, and burrata with olive oil and chutney; mains run to half chicken with mustard, fish amandine in brown butter under a chive shower, skirt steak, white wine moules, and a “hamburger double”; desserts cover chocolate mousse, apple tart, and profiteroles, with seasonal changes planned in spring. Wine is encouraged via half-liter and liter specialty carafes tied to the prix fixe, alongside various French, other European, and New World options by the glass and bottle, plus Champagne; cocktails range from an espresso martini, spritzes, and a lively French 75 to a Boulevardier and martini, with the bar led by local vet Camilo Poveda. A happy hour brings cocktail specials, small plates, finger food, and more fries; the first-floor dining room is the heart of the action, the upstairs is set for events, coffee, or drinks, and a rooftop overlooks U Street. By day, the café expands to croissants (savory and sweet, always with a chocolate option), baguettes, baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and a coffee bar, and weekend brunch is already in place." - Evan Caplan