L'Avant-Garde
French restaurant · Georgetown
2915 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Highlights
French bistro with romantic ambiance and refined cuisine
French bistro with romantic ambiance and refined cuisine
"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
"The warm glow, wood-burning fireplace, and velvet chairs of this sexy French bistro make it a textbook choice for a romantic night out—especially if you and your date are interested in women-owned wineries, which L’Avant-Garde’s chief somm will often steer you toward. Sip your way through the highlights, like the Maison Louis Latour Echézeaux Grand Cru, which pairs perfectly with the diver sea scallops and strawberry three ways for dessert." - joe brantlinger, tristiana hinton, omnia saed, madeline weinfield, allison robicelli
"Partner-chef and hospitality vet Sébastien Giannini taps into his French Riviera roots at L’Avant-Garde. The date-night hot spot currently offers a four-course lobster tasting menu (in addition to a la carte). Popular orders include bouillabaisse (which draws from his grandmother’s recipe), branzino with lemon and caper beurre blanc, and filet mignon. Also not to miss: crispy clarified butter french fries dipped in a house-made bearnaise. Over at next-door sibling L’Annexe, a library-like cocktail lair caters to Georgetown’s stylish set at the zinc-topped bar, a back lounge surrounded with vats of colorful, glowing infusions, and a petite patio up front." - Tierney Plumb
"Set your French restaurant in a historic Georgetown rowhouse and it’s not surprising that multiple wood-burning fireplaces are among the feature. It’s just one highlight from this acclaimed brasserie under the watch of seasoned French chef Sébastien Giannini." - Mekita Rivas
"The warm glow, wood-burning fireplace, and velvet chairs of this sexy French bistro make it a textbook choice for a romantic night out—especially if you and your date are interested in women-owned wineries, which L’Avant-Garde’s chief somm at L’Avant-Garde will often steer you toward. Sip your way through the highlights, like the Maison Louis Latour Echézeaux Grand Cru, which pairs perfectly with the diver sea scallops and strawberry three ways for dessert. " - madeline weinfield
