BRESCA
Restaurant · U Street ·
Michelin-starred French bistro with avant-garde cooking & cocktails
Michelin-starred French bistro with avant-garde cooking & cocktails
"It's set on busy 14th Street, but beautiful Bresca far from blends in with the crowd. Instead, it mixes the warmth of a neighborhood treasure with the talent of a special occasion spot. Inside, splashes of gold, a living wall crafted from moss and design elements teetering between whimsical and downright surreal, create a contemporary vibe. The cooking is casual yet ambitious, thanks to Chef Ryan Ratino’s cutting-edge credentials. Find a clear sense of artistry in the likes of a foie gras "negroni" topped with Campari gelée or the agreeably priced and perfect pappardelle with lamb ragù. Service is highly professional without a trace of pretense. Cocktails, like The Daulphine St. Punch, may be relished in lieu of dessert." - The MICHELIN Guide
"A buzzy, Michelin-starred bistro on 14th Street, this is one of the places Hive Hospitality is best known for." - Tierney Plumb
"Chef Ryan Ratino’s Michelin-starred spot ushers in fall with a nostalgic $65 tasting menu through the end of the year, featuring the return of its beloved dry-aged duck; a foie gras PB&J with concord grapes as a nod to Nutter Butters; a cheeky homage to the Filet O’ Fish reimagined with smoked trout and tartar sauce; and fun desserts like teddy bear-shaped pineapple pate de fruit." - Tierney Plumb
"Chef Ryan Ratino’s buzzy bistro on lower 14th Street NW whips up dinners dreamed up by the ambitious chef, who’s among the youngest to have a restaurant earn a Michelin star. For spring, sample yellowtail crudo with shiso, cacio e pepe with taleggio and Pecorino, or its much-loved Amish chicken. The restaurant pushes boundaries everywhere: The menu incorporates a vintage French duck press gifted by gourmet supplier D’Artagnan into a theatrical tableside offering, while the bar program spearheaded by beverage director Will Patton is also not to miss. Chef’s tasting menus ($175) can be augmented with seasonal delicacies, and there’s now a la carte availability and an abbreviated prix fixe option ($95). This fast-growing team, which is also behind two-Michelin-starred tasting room Jônt upstairs, is a 2025 James Beard finalist for Best New Restaurant (Ômo by Jônt in Winter Park, Florida). Must-try dish: Pull-apart brioche bread with cultured butter accented by fleur de sel" - Tierney Plumb
"Bresca is a French restaurant on U Street. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation